It has been 3 years since brother got engaged. Father said he will marry him late because of miss Drass's age.
It was a rush morning today. I was going to the palace today for the prince's coming of age ceremony.
Rowally and Alice were very busy that the other maids had to help too. Unluckily they were the maids who hated me. Rowally was combing and decorating my hair with one of the those maids . Alice and 2 other maids were picking a dress for me.
I had been curious about my mother's appearance so I gathered my courage and asked Rowally, "Rowally how did my mother look?"
"She looked as beautiful as you young miss." She replied
"What were the colour of her eyes?"
"She had silver colour eyes."
"What were the colour of her hair?"
"She had silver hair."
"Oh like teacher's?'
"Yes, did you know your teacher is the youngest brother of your mother?"
"He is?"
"Yes"
"Also Rowally, Father's hair is red in colour, Brother's hair is also red colour and mother's hair color was silver, so why is mine is black."
"Because you are the devil's child." The maid who was helping Rowally suddenly interrupted.
"Daisy!" Rowally shouted at her
"What miss Rowally? I m saying the truth. That is what the priest said."
"Is that true Rowally?" I asked turning towards Rowally.
"Of course it is, do you want to know what else the priest said. He said that the god's child will kill you." The maid said.
"Enough! Get out of the room this instant Daisy!" Rowally remarked angrily.
I felt silent. All of words she said we're ringing in my head. 'I am the devil's child? Why was I born if I was suppose to be dead? Why did my father did not kill me? Why is Rowally and Alice who is not a part of my family so kind to me?'
"Young miss! Please forget what she said." Said Rowally
"Yes" I replied
Alice and the other maids picked out a beautiful purple coloured dress which had black and golden lining. Rowally braided my hair into a French plate and tied it with a purple ribbon. I wore the set purple and golden coloured jewelry that father gifted me. Alice helped me wear the black heels that miss Drass gifted me. The other maids helped me with my makeup. The first maid rubbed the powder against my face. The second maid applied red colour made out of red roses and red hibiscus. Alice applied the kajal on my eyelids and under the eyes.
"All done!" said Rowally
She escorted me to the lobby where father was waiting. Brother had to leave early as he had to pick miss Drass.
Father saw me with a warm look in his eyes and said "you look beautiful."
"Duke the carriage is ready." Nevel said.
"Yes" father said.
We sat in the carriage and departed for the imperial palace. After reaching the palace we went straight to greet the Emperor and the crown prince. Brother and miss Drass too followed.
"Greetings the emperor, may the sun shine on the Karbitian empire." Father bowed and greeted the emperor. I too bowed down.
"You look too pretty to be the devil's child." The emperor said "Anyway do you know why I summoned you here? GUARDS!"
The imperial guards rushed and grabbed all of us on our knees.
"We have captured the traitor, your highness!" a blond man coming from behind the room said.
"Yes I see, Edwin you did a good job." The emperor replied
"Thank you your majesty." The blond man bowed down.
"What is happening?" I shouted.
"You dare shout in presence of his majesty! You insolent brat!" the blond man yelled at me.
"It's fine Edwin. I don't think this little girl knows about anything that is happening in this room" The emperor said "take these three and leave the girl."
The soldiers took father, brother and sister-in-law away. I tried to hold my tears back and stared at the hard floor of the room.
"You! Get up!" The emperor ordered me.
I slowly raised my legs and stared at my feet.
"Look over here." Said the emperor "I left your life because you did not know what happened. Your family are criminals. They killed 1000 people only to save their money. Hence you will never see them again as they will be executed."
Tears ran down my eyes as the emperor said those cold words. I only stared at him with a surprised face.
"As for you, you will be living in the cold palace as the future 3rd queen. As soon as you and the prince are old enough, I will get you both married and you will live as his queen." The emperor continued "Maids take her to the cold palace."