It had been a year since the incident took place. It was like a nightmare that Esther hoped would never happen again. Many things have changed during this year.
One of the things that has changed is that Arthur's position as Crown Prince has been revoked. It was Esther who asked for Arthur's title as Crown prince to be revoked because she didn't want Arthur to lose his life again a second time.
"Take away Arthur's title right now?" said Esther, who had just come to face Lucius.
"Are you crazy?" asked a slightly surprised Lucius.
"It's better for Arthur to be an ordinary prince than him having to live in fear because he is always haunted by death threats from your bastard Queen!" Esther replied. "You better give that goddamn title to that bastard queen's son."
Lucius took a deep breath. "Okay. I hope you don't regret your hasty decision."
The next day, Lucius as king gave his decree to Arthur, which stated that his position as crown prince had been given to Prince Ronald. Arthur was furious when he found out his title had been revoked. Though the title is the single most important thing that is owned by Arthur.
"How can His Majesty the King usurp my title like that?" Arthur muttered as he ruffled his hair in his room.
Esther opened Arthur's bedroom door. "I was the one who asked Lucius to revoke your title."
"WHAT?!" Arthur walked over to Esther. "But why, Mom? You know well that it is the single most important thing in my life. If I didn't have that title, then Her Majesty the Queen would have easily kicked me out of the palace."
Esther slapped Arthur hard. Then she glared at Arthur. Arthur was stunned for a moment. He wasn't afraid but surprised because the Esther he knew wasn't that type of person.
"Listen to me Arthur. You have been blinded by power. In fact, if we were expelled from the palace, it would be even better. At least that bastard won't threaten your life for 24 hours," Esther said seriously.
"But if I lose my title, then I won't be able to protect and provide mother a better and more luxurious life than now," Arthur complained.
"Why are you protecting me? After all, I can protect myself too. Then I don't need luxuries either. You know Arthur. It doesn't matter if you let go of what is rightfully yours for a moment. You just need to be quiet and observe. When the time comes, you have to take it," replied Esther.
"After all, if you're expelled, I just need to bring you to live with me in Maurice. At least you can inherit my father's Grand Duke title when I become empress in the Empire," thought Esther.
Arthur could only sigh and nod his head. Several days have passed. Now Esther was in front of the bonfire in her living room. She sat there with Arthur who was lying on her lap.
Today, the Nightingale Kingdom is experiencing winter. The chill almost pierced Esther's bones. Whereas in the past, when in the Empire, Esther who wore thin clothes could still withstand temperatures that were even colder than Nightingale.
"Somehow our lives became calmer when I gave up the title of Crown Prince?" said Arthur.
"You're right. It's the first time in my life here that I've had a day as calm as this."
"Mom, I want to ask you something. What kingdom are you actually from? Then what is your real name?" Arthur asked suddenly.
"Didn't you never believe me when I said I said I wasn't the real Beatrice," Esther teased.
"As time went on, I started to believe in it."
Esther chuckled a little. "My name is Esther. I come from a very safe and peaceful place. That's where I have great respect too. I won't tell you the name of the place."
"Only Esther?"
"Not really. But I won't tell you my full name."
"Then what did you first think of when His Majesty the King gave my custody to you as my guardian?" Arthur asked as he played with Esther's long hair.
"I just promised myself that I will raise you until you achieve what you want. After that, I will return to my country."
Arthur looked disappointed to hear that. He just wanted Esther to be by his side forever. Maybe that seems selfish. But that was what Arthur wanted most now. "Can't you not leave me?"
"Of course I could if I wanted to."
"Then promise me that mom will never leave me," Arthur said, then held out his pinky to Esther.
Just as Esther was about to answer, suddenly the king's secretary arrived, interrupting the activities between mother and daughter.
"My apologies for interrupting Her Highness Beatrice's time," said the secretary.
Esther immediately felt a moment of deja vu. "Could you tell me what it means for a secretary like you to come to my palace? Don't tell me the king has business with me?"
"Yes, you are right, Your Majesty. His Majesty the King asked you to represent him at a meeting of our diamond exports."
"Why me? Isn't there that bastard eh I mean Her Majesty The Queen?"
"His Majesty the King said you are well versed in the language of the Maurice Empire. That's why he asked you to represent him."
"Damn it!"
Unable to refuse the King's orders, Esther immediately got ready to represent Lucius in the meeting. Esther was wearing a black long-sleeved dress that was very closed. Then she also prepped a little and let down her brown hair.
After that, Esther left for the main palace where the meeting was being held with the secretary. Arriving at the door, Esther asked the secretary not to come with her into the meeting room. She only asked for the documents needed at the meeting.
When she got the required documents, Esther went straight into the meeting room. She wanted to quickly finish this troublesome thing, so she could meet Arthur. Esther immediately put the documents on the table and sat down in one of the empty chairs.
She began to open the meeting with a welcome remark using the Maurice Empire's language which she was very well versed in.
"Welcome to the Kingdom of Nightingale everyone. I am Beatrice Valentina de Nightingale, the concubine of His Majesty the King. I hope we can make a good deal for today," said Esther with a small smile.
The king of the kingdom who attended the meeting with Esther was a little surprised when he saw Esther's face. "Her Highness Crown Princess Esther."
Esther quickly turned her head to the king. Esther's cold sweat dripped down immediately. That man was the King of the Assels Kingdom. He was one of the subordinates of his own father. Good grief!
Esther began to rack her brain and think what she should do now. All she could think of now was to deny King Assels' words. "What do you mean, Your Majesty the King. I am Beatrice."
The king of Assels immediately fell to his knees. "Don't be like that, Your Highness the Crown Princess. I know that you are Princess Esther."
Esther ruffled her hair in frustration. There was no other way but to shut the mouth of the King of Assels. "Okay, I give up. Don't ever tell my father that you meet me here. If you say that, then just be prepared when I return to the empire, your kingdom will become a lake of fire."
The King of Assels immediately shuddered when he heard Esther's threat. "V-Very well, Your Majesty."
"Then let's start this meeting. I want to return to my palace immediately."