“I must ask if you are real or a shadow of all my dreams…”

The warmth of his presence and touch, that only he could provide, among the huge silent crowd of astonished people gazing at us — the chaos and danger this warmth would bring to me after I am left alone… And yet, I can't meet the eyes of the emperor.

For a chance to be near my savior — and I can't concentrate… I am sure the nobles have all their sweat trickling down their faces, and my father is watching.

The emperor — who has never held the hand of a woman, let alone danced at a banquet — is dancing with me right now.

I am sure he has seen all of the bruises on my face — the hidden ones and the one I chose to display.

For a moment, I remembered and realized why no man ever approaches this person… I swear, if I had been a normal lady, I would have trembled at his sight earlier, like every lady in the hall still is.

But every person, other than this man, scares me.

His hand on my waist tightened a little, and so did his grip on my hand… Yet I didn’t dare meet his eyes.

Our footsteps — slow and small — matched the rhythm, almost like he was making sure nothing would be inconvenient for me.

My face was already flushed red, and I am sure he could hear my heartbeat from here… Suddenly, he picked me up and placed my feet over his as he leaned in closer.

“Stay like this, Shams, and just look at me.”

His sweet voice made my insides churn… My whole body relaxed, and all worries left my mind.

I shyly nodded and looked up… Into his dark hazel ones… A small smile appeared on his lips, and with each swing, his hair moved… It was hard for me to match his gaze, for I was hardly 5'3 and he was almost a foot and a half taller…

He let me go, and I parted quickly when the song ended… I knew better than anyone that the dream that lasted for fifteen minutes had passed — and now, if I stayed here, only bad luck would befall me.

As soon as I stepped out, I was met with a man in a butler’s suit, in his late sixties, with light brown hair and brown eyes… He extended his hand upon seeing me, and I passed him a questioning gaze.

“My lady, the emperor has asked me to escort you to your mansion. I am Alen Charles — you can call me Alen.”

I nodded and took his hand. The ride to the mansion ended rather quickly. The hurry and fear with which I had left the mansion earlier now seemed to have cooled down — though the banquet would be in full swing.

I entered my room and called Sara. After I was out of those clothes and jewelry, I lay down and fell asleep.

“Just because I have begun to adorn you doesn’t mean you can go on ahead and try to seduce that monster!

What would have happened if he hadn’t been in a good mood?!”

SLAP

This man had entered my room earlier and had been causing a ruckus since then.

Though I had expected this, still… coming back to reality is always hard and uneasy.

After standing there, shouting, throwing stuff across the room, he walked up to where I was sitting on the ground and yanked me up by my hair…

Same scenarios… Same words… Same person… I am sure after this, I will have many fractured bones and bruises.

“What did you say to that mad EMPEROR?!

WHY IS HE SHOWING YOU MERCY AGAIN AND AGAIN, YOU FUCKING BITCH?!”

Another slap across the face.

I am sure he is still spouting something, but I can no longer hear the words coming out of his mouth…

I took one long breath and let the darkness hug and comfort me.

(3rd Person Point of View)

Alen was halfway back when he was met by the imperial knights stopping him.

“Sir Alen, where is the Empress?”

Lady Knight Lila asked.

“I was on my way back after escorting her to the Baron’s mansion, Knight Lila.”

“The emperor has ordered us to escort her to the empire. And has delivered us to pass his letter to you, my lord,”

she informed and awaited his words.

For this man held the most authority after the emperor.

Alen nodded and signaled with his hand, “Let’s be on our way.”

He had noticed the four knights the emperor had sent along with him… The four most elite and capable knights of the emperor — and he had sent them all for this mission.

He took out his tie pin and opened the letter.

Sir Alen Charles,

I must apologize first and foremost for rejecting your retirement and for disrespecting your wishes.

As much as I respect you and am grateful for you… I can’t grieve the loss of my spiritual father yet.

At the beginning, when you requested to retire and meet your family far away from the empire — where they are buried — and to lay beside them now that you have fulfilled all your promises to my father, your brother,

I had thought of bowing my head in front of your wish.

As selfish and rude as it may be… I must ask you, please, to give me your soul for some more time.

I have met the child you talked about all these years… I met her sitting on the floor, crying and pleading, asking to be rescued — to be saved…

She looked just like your childhood friend, with her glimmering brown eyes and black hair…

I must say… I understand your words now — about how a smile on his face used to take away all your worries and make you forget all hardship.

After meeting her… I couldn’t just ignore her pleas. I have promised to teach her to live.

For that, dear uncle, I must say… only you — and you alone — can help.

I plead to you with all my heart, dignity, and pride…

Please, for the last mission, take her to the empire.

To your family, to where you want to spend your last years — along with the four knights I have assigned to her…

And make her live.

This will be the last request this ungrateful niece of yours is asking of you…

For you, and you alone, can I rely on.

— Tharion Valtros

The letter had drenched with the tears that had been flowing since Alen read the words:

“She looked just like your childhood friend.”

Sir Alen had read those words again and again.

How could he have not recognized the child of George?