Chapter 17- Sabina

"Don't hate me." Those are the words that keep echoing my mind. What does she mean by that? Just like the first night that she approached me, she disappeared without leaving a single word. And it makes me feel lonely the moment I woke up.

I was walking in the garden while deep in thought. I can't focus on my works so I decided to take a walk and saw the rose garden that my father built for my mother. To say, their union was said to be because of love and was meant to be. They started to hate each other and were turned to love in each and every encounter they had. It was a beautiful story foretold and was recorded in the Imperial Diary. When my mother died because of an unknown sickness, my father lost his will to live. He followed just a week after. I became an orphan and as the only heiress, I managed the Empire at a young age with the help of the elders.

I sighed, remembering the past. Years passed in just a glimpse of an eye. I, for one, felt like I was the only person who remained the same since I woke up. Everybody that I knew was starting to leave. I think I am being emotional. I still don't have the answer to why I was cursed. Who cursed me? And how it happened? The more I think about it, the more I want to know what kind of curse I was in.

"Greeting to the Yin and Yang of the Empire, The Empress Your Highness."

I was startled with the sudden greetings I heard in front of me. I was lost in thought as I was looking at the roses that I did not notice that someone approached me from the distance.

When I catch the face of the person in front of me, I immediately noticed her angelic beautiful face. She looked familiar, but I can't pinpoint who is the person in front of me. As our Empire is starting to evolve to its modernization, so as the style of our clothes. She looked at her 20's as she was wearing a simple but elegant royal blue gown designed with a large ribbon at the back.

Since I was reinstated, they called me the Yin and Yang of the Empire.

"My apologies for startling you, Your Highness. I can't help myself the moment I saw you so I approach you without a second thought. Please punish my impudent attitude." the woman bowed her head as well as her ladies-in-waiting and the knights who were following her from behind. Now, as I can see who is this person.

"Please lift your head, Princess. It was my fault that I sometimes lost in thought. It was a trifling matter to be punished. Take no heed of it." I said. "Would you like to join me for tea?"

"My pleasure Your Highness." Her face looked delighted.

"It is rare to see Your Highness walking in the garden. I really wanted to talk to you the moment the Empress has been crowned, but mother said not to disturb you at first and we will have an official audience with you. I am glad I saw you today." The girl sure likes to talk as we walked together on the way to the setting area. I smiled at her in reply. She looks so enthusiastic.

As we seated, my competent ladies-in-waiting automatically served the tea.

"How are you faring Princess?" I asked as I sipped the lemon black tea.

"Sabina. Please call me, Sabina, Empress." She looked at me straight with a determined but looking flustered face. I was taken aback by her boldness. I guess, she got the attitude from her mother, Sarah. Her father is also brave, no wonder this girl is bold enough to say what she wants in front of me.

"Sabina. You have a beautiful name." I tested smilingly. To my surprise, her face blushed even more.

"Woah, I can't believe I'm hearing my name from Her Majesty herself." she seemed to be talking to herself. I laughed inwardly. I am starting to enjoy seeing her reactions. She looked delighted, but she soon realized that she has not yet answered my question. She tried to regain her senses.

"I am very much thankful for your concern Your Highness. I am doing well in the palace. The Emperor was good to me and graced me with a good education. He told me to help Your Highness once you come back." I was surprised by what she told me. Van did that? So, she prepared the Princess not to rule, but to assist me instead?

"I heard that you are doing well with your assigned job. Thank you Sabina for the support." I said, feeling thankful to her. The moment that I meet the Princess, I was never felt awkward even though she is the daughter of her husband and her friend.

"I will do the best of my ability to assist you, Your Highness," she said sincerely. I can see to it that she was on my side. I was still waiting for those who are against me to strike. They were hoping to make the Princess as the Empress and marry her to their chosen heir to be the Emperor, but since Van made sure to subdue the anti-faction, I guess it would take time to make their resolve.

"Aren't you at your marrying age Sabina?" I curiously asked. Usually, they got married at an early age. I wonder if time has also changed some traditions. I have not yet asked me ladies about it.

"Oh no, I am still young and I was not yet planning on it, Your Highness!" her face flushed in denial.

"How old are you?" I asked curiously.

"I am now 21 years old." She answered briefly. "Besides, I don't think I want to marry." I was surprised by her unusual declaration. I wanted to ask why, but one of the ladies-in-waiting came to me and whispered.

"Your Highness, you were scheduled to have a meeting with the council at this time." Already? Seemed time flies so fast. I nodded in response.

"I enjoyed our tea time together. Visit me soon together with your mother, Sabina. I shall take my leave first."

"Yes, Your Highness," Sabina said as she bowed her head together with everyone as I take my leave. I recall that the meeting is about the introduction of a new model of the device called a smartphone. I recall that new features have been added for the convenience of the people. Aside from the new gadgets, roads, and new building progress is to be discussed. I guess I wasted time lazing around that I almost forgot my schedule.

As I enter the council room, all stand-up, and greeted me. It took me a while to notice the familiar figure obscurely sitting in the corner.