Emmarien was having a continuous repeat telecast of what happened just a while ago. She was stunned but more stunned was the crowd. Some have seen with their own eyes and the rest have heard for sure, how exceptional the princess was meant to be. So, the results indeed were startling but it didn't stop the claps from echoing. Yet the match ended with a good note between the two players.
The hall was empty already with everyone back to their places. The final decision was unsaid but clear through.
"Boss?", Mary voice resonated, "Should we look for different plans now? Since the first one now seems to be not possible."
"Yeah....I guess we have to.", sighed, "It died right after it was born." She laid flat on the bed with an another deep sigh. She was disappointed and so her energy levels was already drowning. Despise the search in the last few years she was unable to find anything related to her parents and even that fire chaos. Like everything was erased off, especially near her. So, the best way possible now was to search the place of incident itself - Paris.
But will she be allowed to go there? No way. She had not even joined Nathalie to any business there. She will never let her go. Yet there was a way. Quite a wait but could have been proven fruitful, of course through the school. But, alas! She failed. Like how on earth.! She clenched her fists, "How come I lost? How!?", shaking her head and feet.
"Exactly my thought." Natalie barged into the room, "Yet I wasn't that surprised. You seemed to be a little wary from the beginning." She sat next to where she was lying, "Was anything wrong, Emmarian?"
She didn't replied instantly. This was something she was thinking for a while already. It really never happened to her before. She was nervous, freaking nervous. Or may be she was just being careful and it affected her actions more than she had expected. But there was more....that old gentleman.
She sat back, "I saw someone. Someone unfamiliar."
"What."
"And he seemed to disappear."
"What!"
"I mean that's how I felt."
"Emmarien, you okay? Has the loss left an huge impact on you? Or did you lose cause you were hallucinating?"
"I wasn't. I can tell you. That man wasn't of here and he was really old. He could be an intruder or something."
"Intruder? It could be a guest or servant. You dunno each one of them."
"But, I have seen each of them. I checked the guests list too."
"Emmarien....you might would have. But I can bet you know all servants. Do you even know how many are here?"
"What do you mean how many? 20, 50....100 something. But I have met all."
"We have 357 at the moment and we are still recruiting."
"Wait. Why are we even talking of that? You don't believe me?"
"Did he distract you?"
"Huh?"
"He didn't right. The last time when you lost the uno games you playing with Ane and others, you said you were disturbed by your some imaginary ai assistant and that you threw the wrong card."
"Yes, I was and. It wasn't imaginary...."
"Emmarien, honey, it's okay to lose. It's never a big deal. I know your habits. At least this time it was a human who disturbed you. But you needn't say that. It's all life. I know you'll feel down...."
"Wait a minute.", interrupting, "You think I'm making things. I'm not and neither then I did. That game was a freaking luck game and. And I was indeed disturbed by Merry."
"You mean the ai you made at ten." She nodded, "At ten? Again, dear?"
Clap-Clap-Clap "How dare you scold my little whiz princess!", Astrid joined the two with thundering footsteps.
"Your highness...." Natalie bowed panicking at the sudden remark, "Pardon, your grace, but I didn't scold the princess."
"She wasn't, Astrid. Long time no see.", Emmarian spoke and her words were quick to take her all attention. She hugged her tight, "Oh my child! I missed you so much" Natalie witnessing the reunion stealthily slipped from there leaving the two alone.
Astrid was not just a youngest sister to the queen but also a best friend to Emmarian. She has always been enthusiastic about sports and adventure and seeing Emmarian's inborn talent, she could blend the best with her since the beginning. Despite the curfew around her and their deteriorating number of meetings, their bonding hadn't weakened at all.
"Many more happy years to my Emmarien! Wish you the whole worlds happiness! Here's a gift from me.", she wished in her typical emphasizing tone handling a gift box which she was quick to open. Her gifts were always fun to open, unlike Nathalie.
It contained books and as she looked at the title it took her by surprise.
"You like it?", she took out one, "Hacking, the art of exploitation. I found this really popular among newer generation, but this isn't everyone's cup of tea. I thought you might be interested in learning if you'll know and it can even help you in the future. What do you say?"
"Oh, so you wanted me to learn it." She giggled cause she almost took it for something else, " It will be really fun for sure."
"I'm glad you think the same. I was worried you might not even know of it for you sometimes give me the grandma like vibe."
"I do?"
"I mean not in a wrong way. You see, Emmarian, I really wanted you to go out and look around. But you don't worry. This whole fencing thing was absurd anyway. I'm going to talk about this to your mother. You just don't worry. I'm glad now you also want to come out."
She gave back a faint smile knowing already what Nathalie's reply will be but looking at the topic shifting in that direction, she decided to interrogate. You know some things not stored in papers can be found stored in memories.
"Hmm...I do want to come out. Sometimes I just wonder why Nathalie's so overprotective of me. There are so many places in the world outside there."
"I knew it, you'll feel this way once. You're a growing child after all. It's pathetic. But I'm going to talk right now. It's now or never." She stood up, startling her, "Just wait for m child, I'll be right back with definitely some good news."
Emmarien didn't even get a chance to stop her. She wanted to get information out of her but she couldn't even help it. Talking is an art, she's definitely not good at. As she found her alone in the room, the day started to feel longer, despite it was still not the half day. She moved her feets out of her chamber to see the after reaction of all from a distance. Half-way she heard some giggling, When she looked through, it was little Liam playing with Ane. She slowly moved closer to him, "So, you know how to laugh to.", Liam was taken back at her sudden presence which didn't quite surprise her. She couldn't understand why he used to get so nervous around her.
Ane who was right behind him, gave him a push forward, encouraged, "Prince Liam, it's your sister. Don't you wanna say something to her too." Liam looked closed at her and then at Emmarian and back, he stuttered, "Happy....birthday, sister...."
Emmarian knelt down to his level, "I never get to ask you this. But....why you seem to be so afraid of me. Is there something wrong you see." She gave him a broadest smile.
Liam googled his eyes at her for a few moments before speaking, "You, I feel you will scold me."
"What? I mean....", she giggled, "Why would you say that?"
This time he replied instantly, "I thought you were very strict and mad at me."
"You think that now too?"
"No. You smile pretty, sister."
Ane cackled at the his words, "Prince you're still to young to think that deep." But Emmarian was looking at him with the same expression, "Hope you won't be afraid the next time we meet. Right?", he nodded, "Go play! I'll see you soon."
"Princess?" Ane spoke to her, "Even though Prince is a child, but...", hesitating, "I agree to what he said. He's too young and hasn't seen the princess we all have. In these last years I found you changing gradually. I know you're growing, but your cheerfulness disappearing from your face each day worries me. I didn't mean offending you. I just was thinking this for a while."
"You didn't, Ane." She stook back, and said with her usual soft smile, "I understand." And she headed out. It's not just Ane who think that way. She remembers herself as well. She wasn't like this anyway. But maybe the truth changes people, the truth she's yet to find.
"Happy birthday, young lady." A voice from her side, recognizable enough to her. She was unknowingly standing next to her room, Elisabeth, her cold demeanor lingering. Whenever she looks at her, the first memory related to her starting echoing around, strongly....'She's a bad omen to the family! Her existence sweeped away everyone. She swallowed them all. A monster....a real monster!' She was ruthless and still is the same to her. She never questioned her behavior either. She was just some other Dutchess to her, not of much importance, anyway nor much trouble to her, just like a passerby.
"Thank you, your grace.", the only one she used title for in the family, "Have a nice day!" And she sweeped swiftly from there without an another word.
Elisabeth didn't react either as she saw her leaving. This was the usual way they used to meet. "Mother?", Sussane called her from behind, "Did you see Emmarian anywhere? I went to her place but couldn't find her."
"I didn't. Is something there?"
"Oh I just wanted to see her. It might be so difficult for her. Loosing in front of the whole court. And her school plan, uff. I wanted to comfort her."
"She lost? You mean in the fencing?", twitching.
"You didn't know? Weren't you downstairs there too?"
"Come inside and tell me what's all this about." She followed her in and Sussane described everything from the start to her. There was a sudden change in her expression as she apprehended everything.
"I knew that girl was nothing of extraordinary. Just rumors round the walls....Sanne dear, you know these are chances for you to show your capabilities. I'll take care of the rest."
"Oh mother please, don't get started again that old heirchy story. In fact I wanted you to ask Aunt Nathalie to allow Emmarian go school with us. She always listen to you."
"What do you mean go school? Everything's fine this way. The more isolated she is, lesser her influence will be, the better for us."
"Jesus, why you always start talking like this whenever we come here. I feel really suffocated of it. And Emmarian is the crown princess anyway even if I'm the eldest. And most importantly, I'm not interested. You know I want to be a writer."
"Just cut the talk. I have already told you a thousand times to keep that thing limited as your hobbies. I won't repeat what your ultimate goal should be."
Sussane chuckled, "Mother, I guess you should have been the last person to say that when you yourself had adored writing so much. When you yourself wanted to be a famous writer, why can't I as your daughter fulfill that dream of yours."
"What do you mean?", scowling, "what do you know?"
"I apologize mother, but I was just curious and so I read a few pages of your diary, you wrote it young."
"My diary! Are you out of your mind?!" She was fuming with a clear impression of worry and anger on her face, taking Sussane totally aback. But she was used to bringing back her composure instantly. Sensing her daughter's tensed expression, she took her into her arms.
"I'm sorry, mother. I should've asked you first."
"It's okay precious. I shouldn't have yelled at you anyway. I just want your good. I hope you know."
"Yes, mother."
____________________
"Oh my word...." half, "Where not I didn't look for you and you're here. What are you even doing in so dim lighting?" Astrid spoke up taking a sit nearby.
"Nothing." Nathalie replied, "Is anything important?"
"Oh yes, very important. Nath, I actually thought of a lot to say before I came here. But I feel so drained now that I just want you to agree at this point. I want you to let Emmarian go school. That's all."
"For sure. Emmarien will be going. Real soon."
"What! You agreed? I mean, it's good, but you really agreed right?"
"I agreed already a while ago."
34 minutes ago....
Outside Emmarian's room as soon as Natalie came out, "So, Ms. Petrova," startling her, "Why do you really think, she lost?"
Natalie was stunned at her sudden appearance out of nowhere, she stuttered, "I'm extremely sorry, your majesty. It's me to blame."
"No, Ms. Petrova. It isn't you. I have something really important to tell you. Just come with me."
The conversation lasted for a good half an hour, and as they both parted ways apart. Nathalie came in front of a huge portrait, undoubtedly of the late king and the man she was in love with. This is the place she has talked with him for all these years, her each worries, happiness and secrets. Just like before....and today was that day. "Edward...." the words slipped through her lips as a tear rolled down.
'Why is my queen carrasing her belly.", sliding his arms around her waist, "Feel like losing a lot of weight? Want go out on a romantic dineout, shall we?'
'I'm worried. It's been 4 years since our marriage and I'm still not pregnant. After Sussane was born last year, I was extremely happy but at the same time sad and longing for our child to come too.'
'Alas....you worried for that. We can start working on it again right away.'
'Edward!', losing his grip, 'I'm doing serious talk. It's not just about the child. We are the holder of the throne and it's not just about our child, it's about the heir to the nation. I really want to see my child become a marvelous leader.'
'Just like his marvelous mother. I'm sure it's out to happen and really soon. I believe it.', taking her into his arms, 'The good news will soon come for the perfect mother of the perfect to be ruler.'
The news didn't come instantly but indeed did after a year. The happiest moment for both of them which didn't last for long. She today wanted to tell him that despite everything she failed to become that perfect mother. Yet she would not fail to make a perfect ruler. Emmarian can't fail as a ruler. Her emotions shouldn't become a hindrance as she'll confront the world one day. She must be prepared. And it's all in her hand.
The other side, outside the same room had Natalie who just had heard her life's most unimaginable thing. Something she couldn't even dream of dreaming. Like if she's dreaming now, she isn't sure. What on earth did she hear. That one statement of her dazed everything else she heard next. Like how can it be even possible? She was living with her all through these years. This all doesn't fit right. Emmarian, how? She's dead.
____________________
"I'm sorry, sir. But you can't just wander around here like this.", said a royal guard, "No matter what status you hold, it's a royal palace, her majesty's land."
"Good grief!", said a really old man with an accent, "You people good for nothing.", he moved out as he brushed off his bright three piece with his hands, "Don't even know to treat elders of yours! Just wanted to meet your queen and you all behave like trash. I'm done. Knuckleheads!"