Our carriage, bearing the coat of arms of the House of Aleister, quickly made it past the city gates of the Imperial Capital without so much as an inspection from the guards.
While the carriage was passing by the lively streets of the Imperial Capital, Father addressed us.
“I’m sorry, children. I understand that you’re tired but I have business to do in the Imperial Palace. I have to inform the Empress of our stay, you see.”
It’s not a mandatory thing that any noble had to do if they ever decide to move to the capital, but it’s something that Father believes that he must do to avoid any political conflict with the Imperial Palace.
Afterall, Aleister is such a powerful family that matches, if not even surpasses the power of the sovereign of the Holy Empire itself.
Suddenly leaving his duties in the Imperial Palace, then deciding to move to the Imperial Capital without so much as a warning was sure to be seen as a threat. Which was why an audience with the Empress to show that we are harmless was necessary to maintain peace.
“And I don’t feel very comfortable with leaving you two on your own in the Estate either, so I thought it’s best that we head to the Imperial Palace first before going home together.”
Father continued.
Louis and I nodded in understanding.
Surely a simple visit to the Imperial Palace wouldn’t hurt?
I spoke too soon.
The three of us somehow found ourselves at the dinner table with the Empress and her family.
“I’m not sure what you two like, so I asked them to prepare something Alexei liked instead.”
The Empress spoke with a smile.
It did not delight us. I wanted anything but meeting Leo right now and I just wanted to go home. I’m sure Louis also shared the sentiment from the deep frown he got on his face.
“My dear, don’t you know that such deep frowns on the two of your faces is such a waste of your beauty? Is the food not to your liking?”
“Ah, that’s not it, Your Majesty. Haha…” Father spoke awkwardly. “My children are just tired, that’s all. It’s such a long journey to get here from Aris afterall.”
The Empress raised her brow, but she still accepted Father’s excuse. “Protective as always I see. Though, I suppose you're right. These two look like they'll be blown off by even a small gust of wind. Are you sure you’re taking care of your children properly?”
“I’m doing my best, Your Majesty.”
When we thought that our chance to escape from this situation had come, the Empress’s eyes lit up and she clapped her hand.
“How about you three stay here in the Imperial Palace for a while? Since you’re tired, I think it’s best you rest here instead.”
“That won't be necessary, Your Majesty. We want peace.”
Father quickly refused, not even bothering to hide his true thoughts anymore. The Empress wasn’t offended by this, instead, she laughed.
“You spoke as if my Palace is a war zone. Don’t you worry, I’ll make sure that no one will disturb you.”
“It is a warzone, Your Majesty. But that’s not the issue here we…”
“Just accept it. Do me a favor and stay for the night at least.”
“Haa…”
Father’s deep sigh told us that we’re not escaping our fate this time around. Louis and I shared a look of despair.
Thankfully, Leo did not approach me at all even after dinner ended and we were able to safely make it to the room the Empress provided for us.
As soon as we got there, I immediately plopped onto the bed. I sighed. It was a very stressful dinner. Although it’s true that Leo did not approach me, he did not refrain from staring at me the entire time either, and there was also the Empress who kept talking and asking questions.
“Are you alright?”
Louis asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“How about you?”
I asked since I noticed that the Second Imperial Prince was also staring at him the whole time as well.
“I’m not sure.”
Sighing again, I buried my face onto the pillow and said.
“The Empress said only for tonight, but by the look on Dad’s face, I suspect that we’ll be stuck here for a couple days at least.”
“I’m sorry, children.” Father cried.
“It’s because you’re too nice, Dad. You should've just said no.”
Louis grumbled, putting a weary smile onto Father’s place.
“Oh, I wish. However, Her Majesty is stubborn and I doubt she’ll let us go so easily.”
“Do you feel bad for abandoning your duties after all?”
“No, that’s not the case. The Empress to me is just…like a sister, I suppose. It’s hard to refuse her wishes. Though, I’m sorry since I ended up dragging you two into this as well.”
Father continued to apologize, making us feel bad so we shook our heads.
“It’s fine, Dad.”
“Yup. Besides, this situation presents us with an opportunity.”
An opportunity to observe how things were going within the Imperial Palace, or if there were any changes at all. It’s something we needed to know especially knowing that our enemies had the same memories of the past future that we did. If they’re sensible, they would’ve made moves by now and it’s something that we had to look out for.
However…
“It doesn’t look like the Witch had made any moves.”
I said after walking around the Imperial Palace the next day.
Our walk only included areas not far from the room we were staying in, and limited only to places where there weren’t many crowds walking by. Other places, we instructed Hans to scout, but nothing. Even Leo was keeping quiet, and the Witch hadn’t even made so much as a public appearance.
“It’s strange.” Louis spoke my mind.
Father had to speak with the Empress so it was only the two of us together and then Hans.
“I shall look into the city as well and see if there’s any rumor going around about the Saint, Your Highness.”
He said.
“That would be much appreciated, Hans. Thank you.”
“Not at all.”
We were currently resting in the garden by a fountain. The garden in the Imperial Palace sure is grand, but I can’t help but think that it lacked a soul somehow.
“Is there something on your mind?”
Louis asked me, to which I shook my head.
“No, it’s nothing. It's just…” I looked up at the clear blue sky. “Everything is so peaceful. It makes me uneasy.”
At first it was nice, but as it went on, it gave me a sense of foreboding. As if all of these were just the calm before the storm. I cannot ever understand how the Witch’s mind operates, and I couldn’t possibly predict what she might do.
The Goddess has turned back time, she’s aware of it, but she remains quiet. It’s difficult for us since we’re on the defensive, not knowing when she’ll attack. It made it necessary for us to keep on guard all the time, and it’s exhausting.
“Well, there’s nothing we could do about it now, is there?”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
I need to hurry up and get that deal done.
I thought, steeling myself for the unknown future.
“Huh? What are you two doing here?”
A voice spoke, prompting us to look at where it came from.
There stood a boy our age. His pink hair fluttered softly in the wind, reminding me of a cotton candy, and he had blue eyes as clear as the sky. He was the 2nd Imperial Prince, Leo’s younger half-brother, Ansel.
Louis’s face scrunched when he saw him, which made me tilt my head in curiosity to their relationship.
“Are we not allowed to be here?”
My brother asked, more feistier than usual. But Ansel simply shrugged.
“You are free to go wherever you want, but I didn’t expect you to be here. Last night you two seemed so eager to run away, after all.”
“Do you two know each other?”
I asked, causing the pair of boys to glance at each other.
“Ah, right. Forgive me, my name is Ansel. I’m uh..Louis’s friend? Anyways, nice to meet you, Your Highness.”
Ansel reached out his hand to do a formal greeting towards a lady which required him to kiss my hand, but Louis slapped his hand away instead and hugged me, hissing as he did so.
“Don’t touch my sister! And who’s your friend.”
Not minding this, Ansel merely smiled.
“Quite the cat, isn’t he? I thought so too.”
“Hey!”
“You can just call me Cena.” I said. “If I may ask though, do you remember anything?”
My question made Louis pause as he looked at Ansel, but the second prince just blinked in confusion.
“Remember what?”
It seemed like he doesn’t remember anything about from before the Goddess turned back time. I thought it was strange, since besides us, he’s also one of the people the Goddess cherished the most.
My heart ached for some reason.
He was the one who accompanied me in my loneliest times. When Leo became one of the Witch’s minions, he was the one who cared for me, though our time together was short.
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