Volume I: Chapter 7: The Honorary Lady

"It was hopeless, you cannot have any access to the throne unless those princes die. If you had a son instead of a daughter, there might be a chance." a voice said.

'It's still very clear in my mind, have I disappointed you because I am a girl?' a child's hazy thoughts.

"The One and Only Imperial Princess, the youngest child," the crowd welcomed her.

"She's gentle and elegant, with such delicate beauty," they said.

Everyone was joyful seeing her, very pleased with her existence, even her own father, but why is there someone who is not?

"Mother?" She muttered as a child.

The former emperor exclaimed, "SYLVIA! ENOUGH OF YOUR INSOLENCE!"

"She strangles her daughter. "It's a miracle that the princess is still alive," the audience murmured.

Rumours were rampant: "She even hurt her own child for power."

"According to the law, anyone who ignites treason against the emperor and the whole empire will be put to death," his adviser told him.

The emperor gave the order, "Send her away,"

"But," they said..

"GET THAT WOMAN AWAY THE CENTER KINGDOM AND AWAY FROM MY CHILD," he yelled.

'That picture seems to bear a lot of things and gentle love behind the walls, the windows, and the door of my room. So much for a little girl's mind to grasp and understand.'

'Father, you have never been a perfect man.... not even a perfect father.... but you've always tried your best to protect me, your only daughter, ' she thought.

'I always wonder if being a girl is a sin in this world. Are we weak? Am I weak, mother?' She thought.

"From now on, you're going to be my overall overseer. Since you're the only remaining woman in my house, you will take care of it until the end of your life." Emperor William declared, facing his innocent youngest child.

'Crowning an innocent, naive girl with power and authority, embracing her with right and honor. It's something I never ask for but given to me freely, like heavy armor while wearing a dress. I will never fail you,' she thought.

'My father has made me a queen,' she thought.

"Even if this castle has its new empress or Queen Mother, your position as an overall overseer and a soon-to-be Honorary Lady shall remain with you as long as you live," he added.

An overall overseer is in charge of keeping everything in the castle in order, including events, maintenance care, and even the selection and ranking of all the guards and the maids.

After the coronation of the crown prince, the center kingdom will be under her domain. She will be held in as the Honorary Lady (not wife) in the position. A position above all the servants, the hands and eyes over the Center kingdom, a decision along with the Emperor, and a voice that can go above the emperor itself for the sake of the empire.

A queen-chess piece.

The complex position honors the Emperor and submits to the law, but it also has the power to influence, change, overturn, or uphold laws and decisions, particularly those that have a significant impact on the people of the entire empire. She is taking on the duty of the vacant post while serving as the honorary lady because the second prince does not have a mother within the castle.

Lady Sylvia, the princess' mother, always wanted that position but since she has a daughter instead of a son. She will never have what she desires. So, she directed the blame and anger toward the young princess and hated the previous emperor and she even dared to start a rebellion.

Unfortunately, the child she abhorred received the things that she always desired and that is the previous emperor's ironic revenge.

"Is the Flower left inside my castle merely have thistle or poison?"

The moment when the incoming emperor questioned his half-sister.

Thistle pertains to either she will be an observant ally, obviously not a docile one, who will just harmlessly affect his decisions, or rather a dangerous enemy by his side that will contradict every move he makes. In any case, she will be a tough enemy if she goes against the emperor.

After being appointed, the honorary lady went to see the emperor. The emperor did not even give her a glance and continued to read the documents he was holding.

"I want to speak with you regarding a very important matter, my emperor," she stated.

"Speak," he answered briefly.

"Your Highness, you need an heir," she remarked.

He finally looked at her and said, "My beloved sister, isn't it too early for any additional concern apart from my coronation and everything that is enlisted next? There are existing and arising conflicts and you came to me bringing up these things," he said. Seeing that she was serious, he paused and said,

"Get out," he commanded.

"I'll be inviting all unmarried noblewomen across the empire so you can select a bride that will fit you," she added with a hard hand.

He continued, "I command you to delay it for now," The princess left the room, yet the emperor's voice could still be heard clearly.

In high society, marriage is a means of gaining influence and power in addition to having children.

"You are really in need of an heir and alliance, your Highness," replied Stephen.

After she was appointed as an honorary lady, she started to cause trouble. . She is the most powerful chess piece that can go against the emperor or even dethrone him.

"Even if you have the authority and power set in your hands, once you go against me. I can strip it off. Don't forget that I can do so," he muttered with heavy emotions

Is there a chess piece more potent than the queen?

Yes, there is.

The Player.

After a few days, Evan became exasperated with the honorary lady because the Central Kingdom had sent all of the requests for the emperor's consort post without the emperor's approval.

"And she began to move," whispered Emperor Evan.

"She made a smart decision, sire," said the butler by his side.

Evan gave him a fierce look.

"A woman won't harm, sire," he clarified, trying to calm his lord.

He told his butler, "A woman may be weaker, but she can be cunning."

"You're always independent without needing anyone else; however, the Heavens gave woman to the man for him to have a companion. The right one will give you warmth," the butler stated.

He gave him a cornered glare and spoke.

"A woman won't harm? The right one? Is the right one found among those who are selected?" He muttered as he turned to his desk, checking the current documents in front of him and going back to his thoughts.

"Who are you to speak when you choose to be alone and wait for a woman you shall never have," the emperor said.

His butler smiled in his rude and blunt reaction. Emperor Evan knew that the person who tamed his butler was none other than his own mother.

The emperor has this attitude that his butler got used to and that is to bully him again and again for his wrong life decisions.

He lowered his gaze to the ground and his wrinkled old face gave off a sweet, hopeful smile. "Maybe in the next life," he said.

Stephen has been his caretaker all along. He knew that no matter how hard the outside was, his young master still had a soft, caring spot for him on the inside.

And the Emperor knew, that even how soft and weak this old man seemed. He will never leave him, even if death comes strangling his way. He had been the true family. All the love he had for the boy's mother was poured out to protect and care for the second prince.

The previous emperor and his butler have something in common. 

That's whenever they look straight into his eyes. They only see one person and that enchanted them both in every way, one is love and one is obsession.

And the emperor summoned the honorary lady for an audience. As expected, it all ends up in an argument.

The honorary lady spoke contradictingly, "You didn't even want the throne! You are keeping all the problems all to yourself." She insisted.

"Hah! And who are you to utter your conclusions and baseless opinions?" The emperor loudened his voice.

"Then what are your reasons? Your actions never show tyranny, even though you have been a notorious crown prince?" She asked, demanding.

"Still speculating, are we?" he said. "It was only days since I was held on this throne?!" he exclaimed.

"YOU NEED AN HEIR" she raised her voice.

She was even surprised about her behavior and lowered her voice. "I won't take my request back," remaining firm in her choice.

 "Is this how much you wanted to secure this stupid throne into your hands? he said

"What?! that's your child not mine and that's your heir, and not me, who will be taking the throne someday," the princess mumbled.

"From which alliance bride of yours are we referring to?"You can do anything you want, my lady," he mumbled. "Hence, I know that your biggest threat is me."

After the emperor left her, Stephen broke the silence in the room.

Stephen pauses, "The emperor is not stupid. Trust me, your highness. He knew what the throne needed. He just.."

"What? He just hates other people telling him what to do or does he just simply hate everyone?"

Vladimir spoke in the princess's stead.

"Yes," Stephen concurred.

"He just doesn't want to lose to you, my lady. I plead that you accept this old servant's words. You must give him more time or let things move slowly." he said.

"What are we referring to? A damsel? "The emperor is a man in his prime," Vlad remarked.

The Honorary lady interrupts his speech. "Your words, Vladimir. I'll be the one to discipline him," she turns to see the emperor's butler. "I don't want to lose either and change my mind but I take your advice in taking things much slower. However, Vlad is right it is not about a damsel who is distressed by a rushed marriage but a man who doesn't want to lavish his prime.