Two days ago when my birthday was held and everything went off without a hitch. I sent the gifts to prison as they'll be useful to me starting from now on. I couldn't wish for more till my wonderful father summoned me to his quarters.
"Father, I hope you don't merely ascend me to the throne for show. I assumed you have a better compelling reason for giving your position that easily." I said as the maid placed a coffee on my table.
"Don't you think it's time for me to rest? I'm old enough that I couldn't hold an entire Empire in my hands anymore." In other words, he wants me to take responsibility and to continue what he has started.
"43 years old is quite young; are you using your age as an excuse?" He chuckles as he drinks his tea. "I'm not asking you to forgive me for what I've done—" I cut him off.
"You haven't done anything, that's the point. Then what are you sorry for? Is it because you've been neglecting your duty as our father for years? Or is it the fact that you're afraid of dealing with war?" Back then, the Ethereal Empire fell into chaos. The opponents have taken over the capital, and the houses are burning as if it was the end of the world. If it wasn't for my mother, then we wouldn't be all here.
"Both." Now he's being honest. "So you're saying that I'll be the bait? And when I die, your daughter Lithia will ascend the throne and there will be no more villain in the story. It's a happy ending for everyone. Is that it?" My gaze was fixed on him as I sipped my coffee.
"No. Because I have more faith in you than in anyone else." Even if I'm not his own daughter? What is he even saying? Is he playing with me?
"You see, I am the kind of person who is willing to sacrifice others in order to save the Empire. But you, you resemble your mother. You will both destroy the world in order to save an individual. It's similar to what you're doing with your fiance." I stopped as I set my cup down.
"I was told about the punishment you imposed out to the young ladies. You didn't hesitate to cut off their tongue when they spoke unnecessary comments about your sister and your fiancé. If it was me, I would let it go because it's not heavy to forgive."
"You're fitted to rule this Empire, Hel. You have the ability to bring someone to their knees in front of you. You won't hesitate to kill them, but you should also learn how to forgive. An Emperor's responsibility was more than just imposing punishments and killings on her subjects. You must have a heart." A heart, he said? It makes me want to laugh.
"I will be considerate of their feelings, but I doubt I'll be a soft Emperor you'd like me to be—" He cuts my words as he stands up.
"You must master the art of love, Helvetica. I put my faith in you for this position, and I hope you won't abuse it like what I did. Continue to rule this Empire and as your father, I'll start to support you." He gently strokes my cheeks as he smiles.
"You two are my most beautiful daughters, and I'm glad that you're raised well. I apologize if I wasn't a great father to the both of you. Even though you might find my actions suspicious, I hope you would give me a chance. Let's start over. As I stated, I'm getting older and every seconds become important to me." I could see his teardrops starting to fall in his cheeks as he tries to wipe it.
"Unfortunately, my name isn't Lithia and these gestures won't be able to move me." He stopped as he withdraws his hands. "I loathed you so much that I don't want to see your hideous face ever again. You never treated me like a daughter; instead, you treated me like I was part of your subject. I was raised as a beast while your biological daughter was raised as a beauty. I'm glad we weren't entitled as Beauty and the Beast. That'll sound so unnatural to my hearings."
"So the phrase 'start over' doesn't sit well with me because we're going to restart and forget. Can we just continue with a brand new start?" He looks up to me as I give him a smile.
I avoided his stares as he extended his hands. "No hugs father, you're disgusting." He laughs as he stands up. "It's late at night; you should head back to your chamber and rest, Emperor of Ethereal." I chuckle as I decided to stand up.
"Good night, father." I response as we both depart.
For the first time, my chest felt at ease. Is it because I get to express my feelings? It's really nice to at least lessen the burden I'm carrying. But it doesn't mean that I'll be nice. Keep on dreaming.
"Your Highness," Serina bows as she was outside of my mother's chamber. "Why are you here?" I asked.
"Unfortunately, the lady refuses to sleep in her bed, claiming that she needs to assist you with the papers." When I open the door, I see Camilla sleeping with her head on the table. Look at this woman; I thought she wanted to help, but instead she ended up sleeping in here. Isn't she aware of how cold it is? It's late at night, yet she decided to be stubborn.
I caress Camilla's cheeks as I smile. "Should we wake her up?" I look at Serina as I sign her to stay quiet.
"We don't have to. I'll just carry her back to her room. Can you fetch Vien for me? Tell her I would wait her here for a few minutes." She excused herself as I positioned Camilla on my arms.
"You're too light, haven't I told you to gain on some weight?" She makes a slight movement as if she's already asleep in bed. Did she just think of me as a pillow? I walked down the corridor, attempting to catch a glimpse of the full moon.
It was so bright that I felt like it was guiding my path. I suddenly recall what my father has said back in his chamber. "You must master the art of love, Helvetica." Just what kind of love is he referring to?
I twisted the doorknob of her room as I enter. I gently placed her on the bed and handed her a pillow so she would have something to embrace. As I was about to get out of her room, her voice drew my attention.
"Your Highness?" A simple voice, yet it seemed to be addictive in my hearings. "It's already late, you should get some more sleep."
"Did you finish the work?" I return my attention to her as she shifts her body in my direction. "No, but I'll most likely let you work with me in the morning, so get some rest."
"When are you going to sleep then?" She asked. "After my conversation with Vien." She giggles as she yawns. "Good night, Your Highness." I approached her bed once more, knelt gently, and kissed a strand of her hair.
"Goodnight and have a nice dream, My Empress."