Endless questions filled my mind. Was there a moment in my life where my status wasn’t questioned? Everyone, no matter who it was — my family or a commoner — all of them questioned if I was truly the one meant to save an Empire. 

To be written in history — the pain you have to bear is beyond what a simple human can imagine. I knew, from the very beginning, I wasn’t going to live my life as who I would like to be, rather, I was already meant to accomplish the Prophecy left behind by some Gods that once saved this Empire. 

‘Like how you can’t admit you’re not the Prophecy Child? How can you use your powers if you can’t even do the basic things set in the Prophecy?’ 

I had no other choice than to respond to his foolish accusation. Portraying a big smile on my face, I approached his face, whispering into his ear. 

‘Do you truly think I can’t do those? Have you seen me?’ 

BANG! 

Haruki slammed his fist onto the table. 

‘Then prove it! Now! Prove you’re the Child of The Prophecy!’ he yelled as he jolted from his chair. 

This was all he ever wanted to see — he wanted me to fail. This chamber of his was like a reflection of our father’s chamber. In every step he took, he thought on how to get back what he thinks I stole from him. 

His intentions never changed. After all, he only wanted to get my throne. 

‘Are you worth the trouble of proving my status? You’re not more special than any other person. Worry about your problems, while I worry about mine.’ 

He's got closer to my face, and I had to endure the feeling of his hot breath onto my body.

‘I’m more special! You’re the one full of herself! I can’t wait for the moment you fail to get my throne back!’ he continued to argue with me. 

I had no other choice than to take a step back from him, bursting out in laughter: ‘You’re not the only one eager to see that.’ 

There wasn’t anything to gain from interacting more with him, so I had to take my leave. His servants bowed at me, not daring to raise their heads until I stepped foot outside Haruki’s Palace. 

Only when me and K were alone, I let out a big sight. 

‘He truly can be in such trouble from time to time. K, go ask the physician to give him something to calm down.’ 

K fidgeted with his fingers. This kind of gesture was unusual, coming from him. ‘What is it?’ I asked. 

‘The Emperor has requested a meeting with you while you were still talking with His Highness. How should we proceed?’ 

‘Let’s head towards him, then. He doesn’t like to waste time, so what can we do?’ I said, as I rearranged my dress. 

K’s eyes lingered with sadness: ‘Aren’t you tired, Your Highness? You haven’t gotten the chance to rest.’ 

‘Don’t worry about me. You, on the other hand, should go to rest. You’re the only one who I need to rest. Go on, I’ll only meet my father then return to my room.’ 

Without a doubt, he was hesitant, but he followed my order after he took his proper goodbye. 

After we parted ways, I had to approach my father’s office again. I had a feeling what was the reason behind his request to see me. There isn't much time left until I will be 20 years old, and, in this Empire, at that age, the former Emperor gives the future Emperor the crown and resigns.

I knew this time was approaching, that is one of the reasons I tried to get all sorts of Prevention plans: from fires, flood, drought, and even hunger. I had to have all of them ready to set in motion, as once I became the Empress, I would not have time for such matters. 

Even my reign would be different, and, on top of that, I wasn’t married. It was the decision the older generations of Emperors had taken. They never knew what kind of disaster would be awaiting, so they even had to take action in case I were to marry someone who had the malicious intent to destroy this Empire. 

Lost in thoughts, I found myself in front of my father’s room. My presence was once again announced, and after he allowed me to come inside, I found him drinking from a glass of wine. 

I raised a brow, as this scenery wasn’t something I was used to seeing. For a moment, I wondered what had happened for him to rely on drinking, when he was someone who didn’t enjoy drinking too much. 

‘You’re here?’ his voice echoed in the room. 

I slightly bowed my head: ‘Yes, Your Majesty.’ 

Before I could even approach him, his finger pointed out towards a pile of documents. I approached them, and, only by reading the first sentence of one of them, my heart sank. All of those were petitions to show the legitimacy of the claims that said I was The Child of The Prophecy. 

No one trusted me. 

Everyone was concerned about my status, and their concerns rose with my ascension day approaching. 

‘You will soon be crowned as the Empress of this Empire. While I had respected your decision to take all sorts of actions to prevent the tragedy that the Prophecy talks about, I can’t ignore the concern of the peoples in regard to letting you rule this Empire. People will start a riot if we don’t show them that there is nothing for them to fear. We need to show them you are able to live up to their expectations.’ 

At this moment all those concerns felt heavy on my shoulders, my voice cracked as I asked him: ‘But how can I show them —‘

The look on his face was strange: his eyes sparkled, and something about it made me shiver. 

‘Didn’t the Prophecy tell you that you can make friends with those above and beyond the land? Show them your power. Show them you can truly travel between those lands. Like they said in the legends. Let’s gather them in the Forest of Wishes.’