The Opal palace. The maids are working in the halls, cleaning off dust and refilling the vases. A figure quickly passes by them and they look behind, just to see it was gone as fast as it came. They can sense a small figure running around them. One of the maids looks at the corner, and she spots a small figure peeking out at them, and suddenly..
“got you!” the prince sneaked up behind Aikaterinia who was peeking at the corner. They two were playing hide and seek around Opal Palace. Michail spins Aikaterinia around in the air, and the maids enjoy the joyful atmosphere. They’re both laughing, and they seem happy. The two siblings have gotten much closer the past 3 years.
That’s right. Little princess Aikaterinia is now 3 years old. She still recalls her past life and has stayed on the goal she made for a happy and close family.
“Brother, where’s mama and papa?” Aikaterinia asks. She looks at Michail as he gets the last of his laughs out, and he begins to think.
“Father should be at his study or in the meeting room. I think mother is at the cathedral again or she’s outside having tea.” Michail replies. They’re parents seem very distant to Aikaterinia and she’s noticed that for some time now. Their father is always everywhere except with them, while the empress usually takes things slow and steady.
So far, Aikaterinia has made.. some, progress. The only times she sees her father is at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their mother, she occasionally sees her whenever she spots her out in the garden. The one she’s made most progress with is her brother. The two of them have gotten close, they often play together, but recently Michail is starting to get busy with his lessons to become emperor. In short..
“I’ve barely made progress to keep this family close together!!” ..what she said.
Aikaterinia is kind of disappointed in her progress. Her new life has basically no difference from her past. Two parents that barely talk with their children, and an older brother who seems to be the only one caring for her. She may be a princess now, but that family atmosphere is no different, in her own opinion at least.
“Your highness, it is time for your lecture.” “oh.. I have to go now, Aika! I’ll see you later!” and then the prince ran off. Aikaterinia walks through the halls, with the original thought of returning to her room. While Aikaterinia walks through the halls, she glances at her mother out the window. She seems to be having a cup of tea by herself out in the garden.
While Aikaterinia is busy wondering what her mother is doing all by herself, her nanny seems to spot her as she passes by.
“your highness?” Aikaterinia is slightly startled. Aikaterinia grabs a hold of her nanny’s dress and tugs it while pointing at her mother with her other hand. Aikaterinia would like to spend some time with her mother, she needs to get this family closer and she’s convinced that she herself is the key.
The nanny takes the hint and picks up Aikaterinia and walks over to the empress.
“Your Majesty, your daughter, her highness would like to spend some quality time with you.” the empress placed down the cup she was holding up to her lips. She doesn’t say anything, but gestures with her hand that Aikaterinia may take a seat. The Empress has her eyes covered by a white veil. Even though the eyes are covered, Aikaterinia can still feel the warmth from her gaze.
“Hello my dear, you’d like to spend some time with your mother?” the empress says. Aikaterinia was sat down next to the empress on her own chair. The little garden-house was surreal. When she looked at her mother from afar she looked so majestic. Now when she’s so close to her mother, Aikaterinia can’t help but awe at her mother’s beauty and kindness, even if she hasn’t been around her that much.
“You’re so pretty” Aikaterinia didn’t realize she had said it out loud and immediately covered her mouth with her small hands in embarrassment. The Empress is slightly startled by what she said, but soon after starts letting out a few chuckles.
“You’re so sweet, Aikaterinia…” The Empress reached out her hand to caress Aikaterinia’s cheek softly. The two wonderful girls look at eachothers eyes, well, one of them does, the Empress’ eyes are still covered by her veil. But even though her eyes are covered, Aikaterinia seems to sense that her mother is a bit… sad… Her mother is giving her a warm smile, but it’s like the warmth is hiding a cold sadness behind, preventing it from coming out.
“mo-” “Aikaterinia.” Aikaterinia stays quiet as her mother speaks. She seems serious.
“There are some things in this world that just aren’t fair, and I want you to accept that. You will have many experiences, see many things, and meet many people that you just can’t explain, but that’s just how this world is.” Aikaterinia starts to wonder, why is her mother having this kind of conversation with her? She may be an adult mentally, but to the people around her she’s just a 3-year-old.
“Aika, fate is something that you cannot change. But I would like you to turn your fate into your own shaped destiny. Whatever the divine has let out for you, I want you to seek help from our god so you don’t have to live the tragic life they’ve decided for you.” Although the Empress is saying this while gently caressing her daughter’s hands with a smile, she seemed scared.
“You might not remember this once you're older, but I truly hope you’ll be able to live the happy life you deserve. Second chances don’t come often, so use it wisely.” Aikaterinia was confused, but also scared. Why would her mother say this? Does she know she’s been reincarnated? Right before Aikaterinia is about to ask what she meant, the Empress changes the subject and atmosphere, as if what was said never was mentioned.
“Would you like some pastries, Aikaterinia?” She said. Aikaterinia is quickly interested in the sweet pastries, and the Empress’ maid who was called back gives her a plate of strawberry cake. She may seem like she’s forgotten what the Empress said a moment ago, but it still lingers on her mind as she eats.
◃◇▹
Aikaterinia is walking through the halls by herself. Well, she’s not alone in the halls but the maids and butlers walking past are working. Aikaterinia simply walks by, on her way to her room, but she feels the gazes from the workers digging into her from behind. She can feel their eyes on her and it's not one of adoration or curiosity for the princess. As she tries to look back at the workers, they quickly turn their head back and act as if they weren't looking. As they continue their work they seem to be whispering to each other.
They're glancing at Aikaterinia and then continue whispering. They glance, they whisper, they glance, they whisper. Aikaterinia is very uncomfortable. She may be 3-years-old but her mind is older, so this moment isn't something she will forget anytime soon. Aikaterinia starts walking faster and faster towards her room until she accidentally runs into her nanny.
"Your highness?" the nanny asks. She looks at Aikaterinia's state of almost bursting into tears and squats down on her knees.
"Your highness.." the nanny strokes her head and takes her to her room. This simple form of comforting really helps with Aikaterinia's state. As she finally gets to her room and calms down, the nanny heads for the kitchen to possibly grab some sweets to cheer Aikaterinia up again.
Now when Aikaterinia is all alone, it gets her thinking.
“Were the maids.. whispering about me?” She definitely doesn’t like the fact the maids are going around whispering about her. But what are they possibly talking about? On top of that, what her mother said out in the garden was still on her mind as well. While Aikaterinia thinks of these things that’s been happening, she suddenly remembers something from her past life.
“Aikaterinia Lovell Bouvardia.. Isn’t that the name of..” She then realizes where she actually is. She’s been living her new life for 3 years already, but has first made the realization now. It makes sense. Her family’s name seemed so familiar. The traits of her family members and what’s been happening amongst the maids in Opal Palace.
“I haven’t just been reincarnated.. But I’m living the life of the villianess’ villianess from “Is This The Imperial Life?”, Princess Aikaterinia!!”
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