The Emperor walked closer to the crib and looked inside. The little baby was sleeping as peaceful as a lily. Its little nose crinkled up slightly as if smelling an unfamiliar scent. The dark eyes of the Emperor squinted ever so slightly. He reached out his hand to the crib. The maid screamed out frightfully and made a defensive posture at the approaching hand of the Emperor out of instinct. She regretted it instantly as it didn't seem like the Emperor was going to harm the prince. She took back her hands awkwardly. The Emperor stared coldly at her and she dare not meet his gaze.
A soft cry was heard and it broke the awkward silence. The Prince was awoken by the previous scream of the maid. He opened his watery black eyes and stared straight into the Emperor's eyes, whimpering softly with pressed and trembling lips. Such a scene could melt all hearts and the Emperor was no exception. The child had milky white, smooth skin and contrasting jet black watery eyes and hair.
The adorable crying face of the child struck the ice cold heart of the Emperor and melted it softly. All the raging fire and anguish inside him seemed to disappear the moment he met eyes with the child. His previous resolve to kill the child had already weakened continuously but it completely disappeared at this moment. The child had his mother's doe eyes, but with sparkling black irises like the Emperor. The watery eyes blinked softly and two beads of sparkling tears slid down. The Emperor stretched out his hand and touched the cheek of the little child. It was very soft and smooth, just like the rose petal, no, softer and smoother with a slightly cold temperature. His throat felt choked and he tremblingly pulled his hand back. He clenched his hands and left the room with a sudden turn.
The maid let out a huge sigh of relief and slumped on the floor. She sat up and peered at the little Prince. "The Prince is truly an angel! Even his majesty was moved by my little highness!", cried out the maid excitedly with adoration in her eyes for the little prince. The child just lay inside the crib silently, obviously confused. He started sobbing again, he was hungry. The maid smiled helplessly and went to get milk for the prince.
*****
It was early morning. The sun had just appeared and the earth was filled with an air of freshness. It was the start of a new day. Warm sunlight penetrated inside the room through the thin, delicately embroidered cream curtains hanging in front of the huge glass door. Sunlight casted a thin halo on the beautiful and delicate face of the youth sleeping peacefully on the bed. The thick and feathery eyelashes trembled slightly and a pair of misty eyes opened. The fog cleared quickly and the eyes became clear and bright. The youth sat up on his bed. His hair and clothes were disheveled but his entire being was permeating an aura of freshness.
"Wow.. cool", he mumbled with bright eyes as he noticed that it was early. And then he rushed off from his bed and opened the curtains and the huge glass door. Soft sunlight lit up the whole room and fresh air filled with scents of trees and a hint of flowers rushed quickly. He squinted slightly and inhaled a deep breath and his lips curled up to a bright and charming smile. He felt alive, very alive and refreshed. It was rare for Lucien to wake up early, much less feel refreshed. He had constantly been sick for almost 3 years since the death of his father, Emperor Ashton. But today, he knew that his health has been restored completely.
He walked out of bed and pushed the glass doors and went out to the balcony. He rested his elbows on the intricately carverd marble railing as he hunched down and stared at the garden full of green plants, trees and beautiful flowers.
"Oh.. Your highness you're awake!" a surprised male voice sounded. Lucien turned back to face him and nodded with a smile. The dark blue eyes of the butler stared deeply at the smiling appearance of the Prince bathed under the warm sunlight, with the beautiful garden as a background. He sees the Prince everyday but he can never get used to his appearance. "Good morning, Your highness.", the butler bowed his head slightly. "Her majesty asked you to have breakfast with her", he added a little reluctantly. Everyone knows that the Empress is not fond of the Prince and their relation is not good. Why did she want to have breakfast with him today? Yet Lucien's smile widened, revealing fine pearly teeth and a little dimple on his left cheek. "Guess she missed me. Okay Ivan. Help me prepare ", he responded and walked inside his room. Ivan nodded and dutifully helped Lucien by preparing his bath and picking appropriate clothes for the meal.
"Ivan", Lucien walked out of the bathroom with a loose bathrobe tied carelessly around his body, "My hair.. help me dry it". Drops of water were falling from the tips of his hair like little pearls. Ivan stretched his hand and gently held a lock of smooth black hair on the side of Lucien's face. The wet hair dried instantly with a whoosh. Ivan had an ability of wind and speed. And he was no ordinary butler but a bodyguard for the Prince. He had been trained meticulously since childhood and had been the cream of the crop. Drying hair was not just like lifting a finger but literally lifting a finger. "There you go", replied Ivan with a smile. Lucien looked at him with slightly droopy eyes and a lazy smile and then started getting dressed by himself.
A dainty table full of appetizing delicacies and fruits and elegantly crafted silverwares inlaid with jewels was spread at the heart of the Empress' glasshouse. The table was surrounded by rare, beautiful flowers and herbs. Lucien walked inside to be greeted by such a scene. "You seem to be in high spirits today.", a pleasant voice sounded from behind him. Lucien turned around and saw the Empress. She had a very beautiful appearance and looked to be in her twenties. Her golden hair was adorned with a golden crown and emerald green eyes and supple red lips adorned her delicate face. Her body also looked delicate yet shapely with full bosoms and a very thin waist. She was a beauty worth waging war for.
"It's because I'm happy to have a meal with you, Bridget", replied Lucien with a smile which revealed his dimple on his left cheek. He looked somewhat lovingly at the woman in front of him. Lucien liked the Empress. She was his only family left, though they were not blood related. Bridget married his father Emperor when Lucien was 12. Lucien had never experienced the love of his mother, he didn't even know her, except for a letter written to him before his birth. He only knew that his mother died for him because she loved him. His mother could've lived if she had decided to abort him but she didn't. She happily gave him his life when she knew that his life meant her death. So, he loved his mother very much. But when he learned that the Emperor was going to marry someone, he was very happy and excited.
"Still very disrespectful. I'm the Empress, you know" replied Bridget in a tone that seem both jocular and serious. Lucien burst into a laugh. "But we're close. And its not like I call you by your name when others are present. ", Lucien pulled out a chair for Bridget to sit. She accepted it and sat elegantly on the chair. "And I know you don't really want me to ", Lucien pouted a little. "Only you think that", replied Bridget, her expression turning dark "and we are 'not' close. Are you acting or are you really so stupid that you don't know that I hate you?". "Actually, I'm pretty smart in figuring people out", Lucien smiled mirthfully "that I know you don't really hate me that much". And then he sighed a little helplessly. "But I can't think of any reasons you won't be friendly with me. I'm smart, easy going, cute and.. the most handsome and beautiful man ever. And I'm genuinely fond of you. Plus, we've known each other for years".
Lucien felt that they were close in a twisted sort of way, and that they know each other very well. But sometimes, he felt that he was the only one who felt that way. The Empress, Bridget had never expressed a word of any genuine love or concern for him or even acknowledged him. She had a sharp tongue and sometimes even berated him a little. As for actions of expressing adoration? None. In fact, since the Emperor died, she had restricted his interaction with anyone outside his own castle. And the servants in his castle, except for Ivan and the doctors who treat his illnesses do not interact with him. She even fired Lucien's teacher and now he didn't have anyone to teach him. He just read books, play music, paint by himself and sometimes practice swords with Ivan as his instructor. Now that Lucien was nearing his 18th birthday, she didn't even delegate any responsibilities concerning the empire to him. Lucien did not even know anything about the situation of the people of the empire. Anyone with common sense would know that Bridget was keeping Lucien in check so that his chances of dethroning her would decrease. Lucien knew this too but he didn't hate the Empress. He wonders why because obviously he should hate her. And there had been many clues that she had a hand in the death of his Father. But sometimes, he would imagine that Bridget didn't hate him too. But she was always indifferent or either showed disgust for him. "I have something to tell you", Bridget said and quietly sipped her tea.