Chapter 4: New royal rules to follow (II).
Elizabeth's POV
"Finally done..."
I sighed as I sat on the floor laying my body down as I felt tired from the lesson about how balancing books can make me a better princess... while it does build up discipline, this is utter torture.
Victoria sees me laying on the ground with a disappointed look on her face.
"Your highness! Do not lay down on the ground! It's dirty and unclean!" (Victoria) tells me and I… couldn't care less.
Laying on the ground was more comfortable than standing straight up with so many books on your head.
Roll… roll…
I rolled over to the side and pouted.
"Suite yourself Victoria. All I know is that I'm tired and I'm not moving. Maybe if they see how much I have not improved, they'll fire you." I said, not sparing a glance at her so that I won't see her face if she was angry or shocked.
Victoria Crumwell, my maid who's always been loyal to me and has saved my life a couple of times in my years of living as royalty. I could not help myself to become a simple child when she was around.
I feel relaxed… and free to complain.
"That's quite ruthless, your highness to this servant." (Victoria) said as I felt her carrying me around her arms.
Her hand held my back gently patting it, before putting a strand of my loose hair behind my ear.
"However, I will not rest until her highness has improved but if you are tired we can rest." She was smiling, I didn't see anger or frustration on her face.
I buried my head by her shoulder, plopping my face down and feeling comfortable.
"I heard reading books helps you become a better princess rather than balancing them Victoria," I muttered in full confidence knowing I was right.
"Maybe we should try doing that every day instead of damaging the covers of the books whenever it falls," I suggested and she giggled agreeing with me.
"I wish I could change that, your mother would always be in pain whenever a piece of literature would get hurt. The number of books she would always have in her office- the way she took care of them was quite admiring." She continued to laugh and that made me think about my family in this world.
The horrible deity had the heart to give me a family, and then take it away as soon as he could.
"However, I have no choice... The court decided that it would be required for you to learn etiquette and manners. Just for you to maybe... Grow up into someone like your mother." (Victoria) tells me, with a look of nostalgia in her eyes.
My mother... I have only heard of some of the tales about how great she was. An inventor, diplomat, and someone who takes care of her people.
As for my father, he hasn't visited me for all I can remember. The only way I was able to know him was through stories of servants, of how he hasn't been the same since the Empress passed.
"What kind of person is my mother, Victoria?"
Victoria thought for a moment then gave a wider smile like she remembered the nostalgia of that person and then slightly turned into a small smile before speaking. "Your mother is a lovely person."
"Lovely?"
Victoria nodded carrying me over to my room noticing that I was tired and into my bed, she wrapped me in a blanket before continuing her story of the empress.
"Your mother… helped me in a way I could never forget. She gave me a home, and treated me as her friend even though our ranks were different she made sure… I felt no different."
She stares at me with a wide smile, happy to relieve a stranger whom I wish I'd met. I… couldn't relate.
"You two were close friends?" I asked and she nodded excitedly.
"Mm. I respected her majesty, I made sure the royal family goes first before everything else. I'm repaying her kindness by taking care of you, it's what she asked of me. The empress certainly held you dear."
"Held… me dear."
I looked down thinking about what a loving mother can offer...
In my past life, I didn't have any loving mother who gave infinite affection or a mother who cared if I was happy.
Just a mother who works and tells you to do great in school so that you can find a good job, a good husband financially speaking, and start a family. Someone who I was related to by blood.
"What about my father?"
"Your father is the bravest emperor the kingdom could be proud of. He is someone who would put others first before himself. I suppose he's also the strongest person in the whole kingdom." (Victoria)
I suppose he would've also been a great father figure if had time to stick around the palace for me to welcome him home.
Not a day has I seen him here.
He was still at war taking no breaks to see her only daughter.
I'm sure Victoria will also leave me someday… I don't want to grow attached to a maid. I want to be alone.
I don't want anyone hurting me more.
"Victoria… you protect me for what reason? It can't be because of the empress! I want the truth, I don't think maids like you should be loyal to someone like me." I hid under the blankets and I could hear her stifle a giggle pulling the blanket to see my face.
"One day you'll leave me too and... I'll be all alone." I couldn't stop myself from being so selfish and sad. The memories, the trauma- it was still within me.
"I am loyal to whoever I want, your highness. I have sworn under an oath, my services are yours until your very last breath. You... won't be alone, I promise you that."
…
"And well... I suppose it's nap time for you, your highness. Why don't you rest? After all, you were tired from carrying those heavy books atop of your head."
I yawned and rubbed my eyes as she said nap time.
"Nwo... I'm not... sweepy..."
I saw her take out a cloth and held it to her nose. Wait, is this the famous nose bleeding?!
But...
I'm... Too... Sleepy… To care.
"I love you, mother."
…
And that was the time. Victoria thought she would die from blood loss.
Cause she was just so adorable!
"OH MY GOD, SHE DIDN'T KNOW SHE CALLED ME MOTHER." (Victoria) screeches out quietly as she can as blood drips out of her nose. Noticing the blood dripping, she groans putting a finger over it.
"Oh my, the blood... I must wipe it off." (Victoria) grabs some tissues out of her pockets and wipes the blood off smiling sweetly.