The Empress was happy with the answer that Cassandra had provided her.
[Only mother I know?]
[Of course, I will be the only mother you know.]
[Who knows who your biological mother is. But looking at your face, she might be beautiful. The type that makes others' hearts uneasy.]
[That's why I want you gone out of the palace first.]
The Empress giggled as if happy with Cassandra's reply. She smiled as she bent forward at Cassandra looking at her with eager eyes. "So you will answer a question of this mother of yours, right?"
[Come on. Say yes.]
[I am dying to ask you the thing that is bothering me.]
Cassandra looked at the Empress and wondered. 'Something that is bothering you?'
'What?'
Cassandra nodded her head as she kept the teacup down. "Yes, Empress."
"What Empress?" The Empress's hand touched Cassandra's that were on the table like a friend who wanted to confine with another friend. "Call me a mother."
