Another timid day had passed in The Imperial Palace, nothing new happened on this day as Usual, I went about my day.
After greeting Their Majesty's, The Emperor and Empress For the nightly greetings with my husband, The Crown Prince who always put a smile on his face, fake facade of how much he 'loved me'.
Making my way back to my chambers as I opened the door, I saw the same bird I saw a couple days ago in the Imperial Palace Gardens, now sitting on the ledge of the window as it gently pecked its beak against the glass. Wanting to be let in.
"Huh"
"It's already back.."
I muttered under my breath as I looked at the handsome Bird at the glass, before I then let it in as I walked over the window. One thing about This bird was how tame It was… It was somewhat more gentle than what I had expected it to be.
Letting out a small sigh as I looked at the bird in awe…
"Was this what's different In This Life?"
"I've never been visited by animals in the last 50 timelines I've lived in"
As I kept looking at the bird in awe, I untied the ribbon that was holding a small letter, neatly wrapped up on its leg as if It was something quite important that couldn't be lost.
"Is this perhaps -"
"The thing that's different?"
Is this a weird calling from the Gods? The divine beings who aren't letting me live out a life like a mortal? Who consistently brings me back to the moment of mine and the Crown Prince's wedding? I just want this torment And turmoil To end…. I truly can't stand to live these lives any longer when all I know I'll be met with? Is death at the end.
Either by the hands of poison by Rosette Toussaint - The Crown Prince's Concubine? Or by his sword himself?
One of my Ladies-in-waiting Lit the fireplace in my room as the weather was starting to get a lot more colder and harsher.
"Thank you" I muttered as I looked at Countess Audreyn.
Countess Audreyn, now walking closer to myself.
"Your Highness? Is that the same Beast i saw the other days?"
"Yes, I believe it is," I said as I turned to look at her as I held the bit of paper from the bird's talon in my hand gently, as I felt the scratchiness Of the paper against the gloves on my hand.
"Did the Drunen Lordship have A name?" The Countess Exclaimed wanting to know more about the matter as I saw her eyes flicker with a hint of interest in the bird and its master.
"A name?" I muttered back to her, wondering if I could really tell her about the interest I gathered in this person I only knew through letters.
Was it bad I felt drawn to this man?
Morally? I knew it was wrong? Spiritually and truthfully? I didn't know, was it wrong to feel drawn to a stranger? Like I was being compelled under a spell to keep sending replies and receiving them. How my heart throbbed slightly when I read them, the gentle words on the Paper that usually had hidden connotations to them.
"Your Highness? Does the master of this majestic Beast have a name" The Countess pressed the matter Further as I could see that she was just as interested as I was.
Who was the master behind this bird again? What was his name?
. . . .
"..."
Gulping a lump down that was forming in my throat, it felt wrong to say the name of another man I only knew in these letters over the past week as i should only know my husbands.
I should only know the face and name of someone who could end my life as quickly as I got brought into this world again after the wedding…
"Heine" I said as I looked the bird in its eyes as i slightly saw a hit of familiarity at that name.
"Heine?" The Countess repeated myself as she looked at me..
"That is quite an unusual name"
"I don't think this bird is from around here!"
"Not from around here?"
A bird so unusual, I knew it wasn't from the east - The Eastern part of the empire never Had any birds that flew across the lands my father owned. The weather would have been too harsh for them anyways, I'm sure many wouldn't have survived if they chose to migrate from the warner And golden-cast landscape and humidity of the southern part of the empire, that was known to have the most sun hit it all year round.
This bird? This life? I don't think any of it will ever make sense until I have the answers right in front of myself. Laid out.
"Why?"
"What makes you think that? Lady Audreyn?" I questioned Her As i turned back around to look at her, willing to hear what she had to say.
"Those Golden Wings of the bird"
"The length of its beak and the sharpness of its talons"
"I haven't seen such a handsome and magnificent beast!"
"From what My father! The count always told me- Was that they always appeared in stories,fairy tales especially"
"I never imagined the day where I would see one with both of my eyes at The Imperial Palace"
I stared at My Lady-in-waiting, Countess Audreyn for a moment, my mouth slightly wide as I took in the information that she was saying.
A bird that isn't seen in this empire? It's unusual, you wouldn't expect it if you Woke up to this beast in front of your eyes on your windowsill.
"Do you know what Kind of bird it is?"
"Ah -" Lady Audreyn stammered for a moment As she thought to herself.
"That? Your Highness? I don't know" The Lady-in-waiting Said truthfully as she looked at The Crown Princess.
"That's quite a shame" I muttered under my breath as I turned to look at Lady Audreyn as I repeated myself louder so she was able to hear what I had said.
"A shame isn't it? Lady Audreyn? Such a beautiful beast of an animal"
"Yes, Yes it is Your Highness"
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of assistance to help you" The lady-in-waiting Said cautiously As she looked at me, cautiously of the words she was choosing… Fearful of something from that gaunt expression on her face.
"It Is quite alright Countess" I said, Forgiving her and letting Lady Audreyn's mind rest Slightly.
I was hoping to put her at peace, she didn't do anything wrong and I didn't wish for there to be any misunderstanding Between us.
Naturally? I knew Lady Audreyn from my past timelines was quite hesitant… She had quite little confidence for someone who was from A family of such wealth, power and glory, especially since her father was knighted for his duties To the Empire and how he helped contribute and grow the Land into what it's known as today.
"I will take my leave now, Crown Princess"
Lady Audreyn Said curtly as she lifted the gown she was wearing before I then heard her walk away and out of my room, hearing the door to my chambers being gently closed by the guards who always stayed put, outside my door to help protect me from any dangers in this place.
"..."
The eerie sound of silence in my room was quite loud. Compared to the crackle Of the fireplace and the candle that was on my desk.
I read the reply to the Letter that I somehow forgot I was holding, the slightly crumpled form of the paper was a sight to see. Holding the paper, Up to the light I read the words that were written on the paper.
"To Sisi,
I see that my bird quite likes you? Do you wish To know its name?"
I thought To myself for a moment before I glanced At the beast, it's golden eyes bearing Into my green ones with a fire.
I continued to read the letter to myself
"Yeowang - that the name of that Golden beast you see, Sisi"
"Yeowang? A name for a bird of that size?" I said as I scowled slightly at the bird, it's presence was immaculate with the way it held itself. Yeowang kept watching me read the letter as its head tilted slightly to the right, from when I had said its name.
"Sisi? Have you heard of the News Years Eve Ball that The Great Empire of Rodwine is hosting?
I do hope you will attend, so we can see each other besides these letters
From The Drunk Lordship, Heine"
Taking the quill pen from my desk as I filled it back up with ink, I quickly wrote a reply. Not giving away my identity as The Crown Princess of Rodwine, yet I gave away that I was indeed a noble Of high-status and ranking.
"To The Drunken Lordship,
Yeowang? I find it quite a peculiar name for a bird that is a male, but then the Name of it? It's quite unique.
It resembles the bird quite well my lord!
Heine - I Have heard of the ball? It's known for being quite Grand and lavish.
But Yes? My drunk lord? I will be attending the ball that Their Majesty's and the Imperial Family are throwing
Sisi"
Then again, as if almost it was a familiar marking of myself, I drew a small rose beside my name before I then rolled the letter back up.
Picking up one of the ribbons nearby, from my vanity, a light blue one at that: I Excitedly tied the paper together with a small bow as I then secured it on the Golden Beast's talon, who I now knew was called Yeowang.
"Yeowang - Go and fly back to your Master safely"
I said calmly as I picked up the beast, Before I then threw it into the sky as I observed its majestic wings until it was out of my peripheral vision Or my line of sight, Before I then quickly closed the window in my chambers as I locked It.
Blowing out the candle on my desk as I made my way over to the fireplace in my room, as I sat down on the sofa as I listened to the slight crackle Of the fireplace lull me to sleep. Calmly. Serene that's all I felt in the moment.