Mother

She was sitting on the couch as the aroma of the Darjeeling tea spreads the room. It is one of those few days where she could spend her time drinking her favorite type of tea and relax, hoping that there isn't anyone to bother her. She took another sip of the tea as her face relaxed. She closes her eyes to listen to the birds singing not until her door opened suddenly, without any notice.

The birds singing out of her window flew away when they heard a man shouting, "Emelia! What do you think you are doing? Are you planning to kill our knights?"

Like water, Emelia sat still and continued enjoying her cup of tea. The platinum blonde man walked towards her, stomping like a giant as he was once again ignored by his sister. He then yelled, "You are not deaf. Answer me!"

"Hubert Cilia, where are your manners?" Emelia asked in a low tone. 'Storming into a lady's room without any announcement, not a very gentleman-like action to do.' she wanted to say out loud. 'If his future wife sees this, it would be interesting to see her reaction. With his behavior and personality, his future fiancé is still far from his reach.' she snickered on the inside.

"What about you, Emelia Beaumont? Ordering my knights without my authority? Not only that, you speak rudely to me?" He huffed his chest and pointed his finger at her out of frustration. A smirk formed on his lips, then he continued, "To think you decide to take on your mother's maiden name. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"

His words weren't as vital to pierce her. However, he insulted her mother, and there was no way Emelia was going to let this slip. She placed the cup on the table in a calm manner but not in a friendly tone; she answered, "I do not wish to talk to an ill-mannered man. Please leave my room."

Upon hearing those words, his eyes flinched as he clenched his fist, wanting to punch her in the face. Where's the respect he needs? He is the Crowned Prince, yet never once she showed respect to him. As if his position were lower than hers. But in order to find answers, Hubert calmed himself down and slightly pulls his necktie. Gently as possible, he asked, "May I know the reason why my knights were ordered to run around the city till dusk?"

Emelia looked at him, not wanting to answer his question because of the insult earlier. But she wanted to bring the nuisance out of her room, and so she answered, "They spoke rudely behind my back. It's as if they were attacking us, royals. Any more questions?" Her green eyes were like ice piercing into his chest, and he shuddered from her answer.

"I-is that so?" Hubert stuttered as he then scoffed.

"Aren't you busy, Your Highness?" Emelia asked once more, making Hubert shudder from her unexpected threatening tone.

"Yes, I am busy," Hubert agreed but not wanting to lose this conversation, he added, "Know your position as the Princess, Emelia Cilia no, I mean—Beaumont."

Emelia Beaumont, daughter of the current Emperor but her mother died when she was at a young age. The reason behind why she decides to take on her mother's maiden name is to at least have a memory of her living. Like Emelia, her mother isn't treated well in the palace. Some maids disrespected her, and sometimes there were days where she was not fed.

Her mother was born into a Count's family, Beaumont. Her family was on the verge of becoming slaves but was saved by her mother. The Emperor fell in love with one reason, and that was her green eyes and gentle personality. But as time passed in the palace, the Emperor grew tired of her to the point her mother grew ill and left the world and was called the "First trial." First trial since she didn't give birth to an heir. As punishment for birthing a girl, her mother, wasn't allowed to see her.

Emelia looked out the window, anticipating for the birds would come back and sing for her. But an hour passed, and they had not returned. The tea grew cold, making her uninterested further for her to wait for the birds, and instead, she made her way to the pergola.

Walking on the paved path, she looked at the different varieties of flowers, and without realizing a gentle smile appeared on her face. There were some instances where her emotions would show off, but every time she wanted to smile happily like others, she couldn't seem to bring it out.

"Your Highness, You're taking a scroll again?" asked a kind, friendly woman, wearing a straw hat on her head.

"Mrs. Gilda. It's nice to see you again," Emelia greeted back at Mrs. Gilda. The one and the only person who talks casually to Emelia. Someone who didn't care about status or name.

"How are you doing? You look thinner," Mrs. Gilda frowned then asked, whispering, "Is it His Highness again?" a small laugh came out of her mouth, and she nodded her head.

"Poor young lady."

"It's alright. I look stronger than what you think," Emelia assured as she held Mrs. Gilda's gentle hands. These hands are meant to be tending, not flowers. If these hands become tainted, she would be in great pain.

"I won't keep you in here any longer. Go to your favorite spot," Mrs. Gilda gave a wink at her as she hung a towel on her shoulder and walked off. The one and only place where she would go and clear her head was the pergola.

The pergola was surrounded by a small man-made lake with other animals such as ducks and swans swimming. This is the one place where others don't go much. Since it was quite far from the palace.

She looked down at the water. And upon seeing her reflection, she wondered if she looked like her mother. Emelia never got to meet or see her mother, and so she didn't know what she looked like as well. It's sad to say that there aren't any portraits as they were all burned due to the orders of the current Empress.

The only thing her mother left Emelia was a letter that said, "Find someone who will accept the way you are. Be proud and continue walking the path you desire. If you are lost, don't be scared and continued walking till you find the light."

"But mother, there isn't such a thing as light." Emelia thought with a look of despair.