"Settle down, darling. He's not attacking you. It seems he's merely asking you to cooperate and hand them over quietly."
…and if you or anyone else raises a fuss, he will act according to the information he's been gathering. As expected of my brother.
"Goodness! Read between the lines, will you?"
"Oh, my poor heart nearly stopped when I skimmed through it earlier." He sighed heavily as he slumped down on our daughter's small chair.
"There, there. It'll be alright, darling." I comforted him with a gentle pat on his head.
"Even after a whole six months have gone by, she's still so small." He chuckled as he cradled her tiny foot in his hand.
"Whenever I think about the expression on your face in those days, I can't help but feel guilty. You went through these gut-wrenching moments not just once but twice, all because of me."
Is this why he's been avoiding physical contact with me for nearly a year? How long has he been feeling this way?
"I'll gladly do it over and over again." I giggled as I gently placed our sleeping Abrielle in her cradle.
"This isn't a joke, Emilia."
"Actually, why don't we get started right now? What do you say, darling?"
"Wait, Emilia. Why are you suddenly undressing yourself? Our daughter's sleeping right behind us." He whispered frantically.
"You say that, yet you have me pinned against the wall. Your actions deviate from your words, your grace." I giggled playfully .
Just when things were starting to heat up between us, a subtle knock came upon the door.
"Mama! Papa! You there? Where did they go?" whined our son in the hallway.
"How about we search elsewhere, Lord Cadhiel?" advised the maid.
Darn it, Cadhiel! Your timing couldn't have been worse.
~Hours Later
I can't believe we did such a thing in our daughter's nursery.
"Forgive me, Abrie. It was all your father's fault."
"That's not the song you were singing in my ears earlier, darling." He replied nonchalantly.
"Please, just…stop talking and pass me the corset next to your foot."
"Does madam require any help to put that on?"
"No, thank you." I replied firmly.
"Last you helped me with it, you nearly shut down my lungs. You pulled the strings so tightly, I instantly turned blue. I'll never forget that day. I really thought I was going to die."
"Say, my love. You wouldn't happen to be acquainted with his highness' bride to be, would you? I noticed how calm you were throughout the entire event, so I couldn't help but-"
"Only time will tell if I know her or not. Now then, button me up, will you?"
"Now I'm really curious."
++++++
My body feels light, and my skin is so clear I can practically see my reflection in it. Last night's bath was heavenly! Though I passed out right in the middle of it.
"I'm glad to see you in such high spirits. Good morning, princess." greeted a familiar voice standing in the doorway.
I was so startled I nearly jumped out of my skin. It's going to take a while to get used to this unfamiliar figure of his. He's so much taller now, like a giant tree.
"Uh…princess, what are you doing?" he stared perplexingly.
Jabbing his muscles with my fingers was a mighty bad idea. Ow!
"Ahem!" interrupted another familiar voice from behind him.
Nathan swiftly moved aside as Miss Bettie and the maids entered the room.
"Pardon our intrusion, your imperial highness. We are here to help her highness get dressed."
Why does everyone keep referring to me as a princess? What if people start questioning which kingdom I hail from? What would I even answer?
"She's all yours. Escort her to my sitting room when she's done."
"As you wish, your highness."
~Moments Later
I've not worn such extravagant garments and jewelry in over six years. I look unrecognizable. Is this truly me?
"You may all leave." Commanded Bettie in a slightly stern tone.
She's probably going to berate me for everything that transpired five years ago. I lied to everyone about my true identity, and left Chilsela without offering a single word of apology. I didn't think we'd meet again so soon. I can't bring myself to look her in the eyes.
"Princess." She called in a soft tone.
"Y-yes, miss Bettie."
"If it's okay with you, may I embrace you for just a moment?"
W-what? Did I hear correctly? I must have imagined it.
"You can decline if you do not feel comfortable with my request."
"Um… you can't, miss Bettie."
Hold it in, Fati. Hold it in.
"Oh, alright then. I apologize."
She sounded disappointed just now.
"T-the reason is…b-because, if miss Bettie hugs me, I will certainly cry, which will result in smearing the make up the maids worked so hard on."
What's with the long silence? Is she upset?
"Your highness is exactly as I presumed. Transparent and overwhelmingly adorable. You were the same back then too, which is a great relief. I'm overjoyed to see you alive and well, princess."
Her smile…feels so warm, and so does her embrace. I don't think I can hold back my tears anymore.
"I'm sorry I lied about who I was back then. You and everyone else were so kind to me and yet…"
"It's alright, princess. I assure you that none of us held it against you. Not after witnessing what you went through."
"Miss Bettie, you are such a good person." I whined as I continued to wail.
++++++
"Who are you?"
When did I fall asleep? What is this strange dark shadow staring at me with those blazing red eyes? It's giving off a menacing aura. Is it a demon?
"Hm…"
Its voice grumbled like thunder, which caused me to shudder in fear. Then a sudden gust of wind blew by as the dark shadow twirled around vigorously and transformed into a tall, human-like figure. In its hand was a golden staff covered with eyes that were moving about in all directions. Its face was blurred, and it was hovering in the air while flapping its giant silver wings, that were also coated with eyes. It was the most hideous creature I've ever set my sights on…
"My name is Elaphel, and I am an angel of misfortune. I was brought here because of a certain act of yours not long ago."
…yet it referred to itself as an angel.
"According to protocol, I must grant you one chance to repent before I proceed with your punishment. Therefore, you must answer my question truthfully."
The air surrounding it became intensely ominous as the deafening silence between us filled the air. Fear began to settle in my heart as my body trembled in horror. I've never once felt this way before, so I was angry. When I tried to speak, my tongue felt like it had grown twice its size inside my mouth. I proceeded to scream, yet my voice was inaudible. What is happening to me?
"It seems my visit here was futile, after all." He pondered.
"Your chalice is so full that it is overflowing right before our heavenly father's throne. You do not hesitate to trample on those who are beneath you. As your insatiable thirst for power grew stronger, you began to regard others' lives as no more than mere toys to use and discard at will. Your sins are laid bare in the heavens and God's retribution is upon you. From here onwards, peace will flee from you, and every manner of misfortune will trail behind you like a shadow until justice is served."
Not long after it spoke those words, I opened my eyes to Florette's wail and Dimitriu's frightened expression. I was coughing incessantly as I gasped for air, and my body wouldn't stop convulsing.
"Her grace is having a seizure! Bring me clean towels immediately! Hurry!"
"Mother! Mother! Please! Mother! Please don't die, mother!"