"I heard you still want to learn how to wield sword." I look at Sir William. His Majesty was I the training grounds today so I thought he was with him.
"I greet Sir William. Please don’t look at me like, but I do how to protect myself." he raised his eyebrows and shake his head.
"Really? Don’t worry I won’t laugh if you said you’ll back out once you saw how I do train the Imperial knights."
"But I won’t."
"Hmm. I’m here because His Majesty was wondering if you are already done."
"Yes, and I was about to eat lunch."
"Great let’s go now, the emperor was already waiting for you in the garden." I nod and followed Sir William. It was a bright afternoon, clear blue sky, the scent of flowers and the cool breeze, Ahh this is the best time to take a nap under a tree.
"I greet His Majesty the emperor." I bowed my head.
"Go and sit, Shanara, Sir William."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"You see it was a great afternoon. I really wanted to relax but those useless nobles, they do love digging their own grave." He said it with a smile on his face. He really wanted to capture them because we already have evidence. But because the twin’s birthday was already approaching, he let them for a moment.
"Should I take care of it secretly?" Sir William held his sword then the emperor glance at me.
Eh? Why is he looking at me?
"No. Let’s do eat now."
"Thank you for the food."
"Ahh Shanara I almost forgot; did you already find Raven Bram’s Uncle?"
"Yes, and unfortunately he died two years ago. I did some background research to them Dwayne Campbell has a daughter named Celestine I didn’t know the exact reason but they were banished and live in the outskirts of this empire. They move to the capital after a month and an accident happen. Based on the investigation when Celestine was away it happened that a thief break inside their house and stole jewelries then his father got killed when he was confronting the thief."
"And what happened to the lady?"
"Well, when the prince from Erden heard about the incident, he immediately gets Celestine and she was now the currently Crown Princess."
"I wonder what happened to the original Crown Princess." Said Sir William and the emperor nod.
"I sent the letter telling him the bad news and I still haven’t receive his reply." We stayed at the garden longer enjoying the view and after that they go back to the training grounds and I to the emperor’s office.
It was a quiet afternoon in the office while I was busy doing my work, I do feel someone was watching me. I gather the papers and ready to run when I heard a loud laugh outside, I opened the window and there I saw the emperor.
"Your Majesty please stop scaring me."
"I’m sorry, but your reaction was kinda cute." I offered my hand and he held it and finally stepped inside. "You are too focused in reading and I didn’t mean to scare you; I was surprised when you notice me."
"Are you done training the new knights, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, I’m tired."
"Please rest for a bit, I’ll fetch some water."
"It’s fine, I will drink some when we arrive at the dining hall."
"I think I cannot join you in dinner I’m still full and I need to finish this."
"Then I’ll eat later until you feel hungry."
"Now that you said it all of a sudden, I feel hungry." He smiled widely; I know Your Majesty you win. I followed him and eat dinner with the emperor. After that he drink his medicine and I played the piano for him so he can sleep. When he fell asleep, I stop and I watch the emperor for a moment.
"Good night, Your Majesty." When I exited his room, I saw Sir William leaning on the wall beside the door. "He was already asleep; I’ll take my leave now. Good night, Sir William."
"Thank you, see you tomorrow have a good rest so tomorrow’s training won’t be hard for you." I nod and sleep so fast. When morning came, I meet His Majesty on the office and Sir William was also there, I greet them.
"Your Majesty you do have a meeting with the leader of Imperial faction later." He nods.
"We will go now to the training grounds and..." Sir William glance at me. "I will take care of Miss Shanara."
"I will just give you this morning and Ylyvo asked you to visit them later."
"Yes, Your Majesty." I help the emperor wear his Coat and I bower my head.
"Blessings to the Emperor of Orion Empire." I followed Sir William.
"Here’s your clothes so change your dress."
"Yes."
"Did you already eat your breakfast you don't look lively, every single day."
"Should I smile like this." and I smiled at Sir William.
"Stop it it's creepy. I say that the emperor was awesome to not be scared of your smile.”
"Shit, I thought there is nothing wrong with my smile."
"I was just joking; they do love when you smile." And I was surprised when he suddenly pats my head. "Move now I don't like slow and lazy people."
"Yes, Sir!" I said it with a smile.
"I will wait you outside."
"Yes..." White long sleeve a pants and a pair of black boots. I tied my hair and immediately go out.
"It's looks good on me... I think Haha." I was Sir William’s mouth raised, he went back on his poker face and shake his head. We go straight to training grounds and the knights there are resting.
"They’re having a break and later they will continue practicing."
"You should start warming up first."
"Okay." I do what he said and after how many minutes the break of the knights were already done. Sir William told me to watch first then he pointed someone and then they started fighting. Sir William's swordsmanship, it's awesome. How he attacks, it's strong now I know why he is Royal guard of His Majesty the Emperor.
"You can start your training at running 10 laps."
"Yes, Sir." the knights look at me and when I glance at them, they avert their gaze and started to move. I run and run; I can do this! I can...
I can't! I didn't know that I have a weak stamina.
"Haa, I want to vomit."
"You just did five laps."
"I'm sorry." I tried to catch my breath.
"Go stand there." I go there and stand straight there. "Don't move! If I saw you move, I will not train you anymore, just give up on learning how to wield the sword again."
"Yes, Sir." the knights watch us and then I was surprised when he gets his bow and load it with three arrows... Aiming at me.
When he released the arrows, it moves so fast, is he trying to kill me? And just a moment in my eyes the arrow slows down. Then the two arrows pierced in left and right side of face while the other one was on top of my head.
"You really want to die, Huh?"
"I pass right?"
"I'm a little bit impressed." I saw how their jaw drops, of course it shocking to saw that.
And then after that Sir William always train me, I can know run 10 laps and I'm proud of myself. And my other goal is to run 15 laps!
Later on, there are new knights and what Sir William did to me back then was also experience by the new knights. He released the arrows non-stop and some knights move.
This is what happened to me every day. Wake up early and do my work as the secretary of the emperor and in afternoon I’ll join the knights, eat dinner with the emperor and go to his room to play the piano or violin so he can sleep.
Last week we visited the opening of the new build temple in Ebros. That was the biggest temple in the Orion we pay our respect and offer prayer. After that we go straight the orphanage.
"Kids do welcome the emperor and his secretary."
"We greet the sun of emperor, Miss secretary. Thank you for paying us a visit."
"We have something for everyone, Shanara."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Tada! New clothes and toys for everyone."
"Thank, Your Majesty."
"Did you already treat your hands?" I look at His Majesty, he said it while stamping those pilled papers he read this morning.
"Yes, I also put some cream on it."
"I just notice these days that you can't handle the teacup properly."
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty."
"Why sorry? Take care of yourself and I already ordered someone to send the dress in your room. Wear it on the twin’s birthday and at the other was for the Wedding of Princess Selene."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"You deserve that."
"For what Your Majesty?"
"For your hard works."
+++
"Your Majesty when will you get married? This Empire needs an Empress."
"The Empire need a warm and caring Empress."
"Hear us Your Majesty!" the eight of them said it together. Woah, Amazing.
"..." the emperor just stared at them and I stop myself from laughing. Nooo.
"Your Majesty!"
"I have... " they stop and stared at the emperor.
"Yes, Your Majesty? You have? What is it?"
"Woah. Did they practice everything? They are saying the same phrase all together." I said it and the emperor look at me first before talking again.
"I'm thinking that she's fit to the position, you can now stop pressuring me I have taken liking on someone."
"Let's celebrate! The emperor finally!"
"Who is it? Lady Herder? the Duke's Daughter Lady Mirella? Or is it from another country?" I can really saw their eyes is twinkling, they really want the emperor to get married.
"None of them." That caused confusion in their faces.
"Pardon me, Your Majesty. Don't tell me the rumors... That you like men?"
"Ahh! It's an emergency!"
"Nooo!"
"Empress... We need Empress but if you’re going to marry a gentleman how should we call your lover?"
"It's really an emergency!"
"Your Majesty, please think it carefully!"
They are really panicking. But His Majesty didn’t correct them so he really does like men?
"I see…" he does look shock when he looks at me and shake his head. "Your Majesty?"
"I want all to Calm down." the emperor slap his forehead and sighed.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Listen carefully. I don't like men, okay? The one who caught my attention is a Lady. She's beautiful and strong and she's intelligent and... sometimes weird."
"Your Majesty are you sure she is not an imaginary Lady?" I nod.
"Death penalty!"
"Were so happy that His Majesty has taken a liking on someone. We will accept the Lady, just please get married as soon as possible!"
"I'm really amazed how all of you say the same words."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"I will call all of you again."
"But Your Majesty she's not an imaginary Lady, right?"
"The death-"
"Blessings to the Emperor of Orion Empire, Emperor Altemere, may the Lord God continue to bless you. I pray for your longevity. We will patiently be waiting for His Majesty's Empress! Permission to leave." and in just a blink of an eye they already disappear.
"They were really amazing." the way the emperor looks at me asks like 'Are you out of your mind?' or worse than that.
"I will go to the training grounds right now you can now rest."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Blessings to the Emperor of Orion Empire, Emperor Altemere." I bowed and when he already leaves the nobles before came back again.
"Miss Shanara." I look back and saw the council. I bow my head and great them.
"Ah yes."
"Did you perhaps know who is the Lady that the emperor talking about." I shake my head.
"I'm sorry but I don't know."
"You didn't see the emperor together with a Lady?"
"There is no one."
"Then who is it?" I shrug my shoulders and heard some of them sigh.
"I hope it's not really an imaginary Lady.”
"Hay."
"Maybe he does take a liking to this lady coz the emperor changed." I just smile and when they decide to go back in their manors, I bid my goodbye and rest in my room.
I’m kinda hurt that he already saw someone. Pain. But who is she, did the two of them secretly meet each other?
(σ≧▽≦) σ
-IAmRoseee