Closer than sisters!

Katherine pov

"Katherine, do you have any other matters to deal with before leaving?" for a second i did not know how to reply. His presence was too daunting and with the absence of Cassius by his side, his whole attention was on me.

"No, father." was all i could say, and i was relieved when my voice came out strong.

"Good, then Charles, we will leave after breakfast. Is Philip also ready to go?" The man looked at my father this time. Even when he was talking to my father, his aura and pressure did not change.

"He fell from the stairs last night. So he is in the infirmary for now. But I will assure you that he will be ready to go in a while.`` I looked at my mother with a questioning gaze who just shook her shoulders. Even Elena did not respond when I looked at her.

There was something wrong about it. I have not seen Philip from the day he was chosen to leave with me. Now he suddenly fell from the stairs. Was it just a simple coincidence?!

Charles rubbed my fingers to ease me and when I looked at him, he smiled and shook his head as if telling me I should not be worried about other matters. I respect how he was trying to assure me over everything since yesterday, but Philip was my brother and I would not feel at ease until I saw him, yet I nodded and continued my breakfast with a smile.

The whole time they discussed the political matters about the condition of war and the trade between both empires.

If it had been any other day I would have prayed for the breakfast to end quickly, but today I wanted it to continue even if it was boring because this was the last meal I was sharing with them.

My mother hugged me tightly when we all stood up, ready to leave.

"You are a brave and strong girl, Katherine, all you need to do is to trust yourself." she whispered in my ears. If only she knew how scared and anxious I was these days! This was my last time seeing my family. My father, brother, mother and sister. I would never be able to see them again.

I knew I should not cry, but tears did not seem to understand it as they kept pouring out like a dam had been broken.

I hugged Elena and Leo while father just looked at me with grave eyes and patted my shoulders. But I moved and hugged him too. He may not like it but this was the last warmth we were sharing.

I felt his arms holding my shoulders and a small smile bloomed on my lips.

"You will be a strong empress, Katherine, just have faith in yourself." he repeated what mother said and all i could do was nod.

I did not want to disappoint them, so I would try my best.

"We should go now." I heard Charles as he rubbed my back. I nodded and we moved towards the carriages. There was a long row of what felt like more than 100 carriages with hundreds of knights at both sides.

It was a marvelous sight which could not be seen often. I entered the carriage with Charles behind me. I turned to see the palace one last time where I have lived all my life only to leave it forever.

"You should rest as much as you can. The journey is too long and we will not stop before the night, even lunch would be done in the carriage." he replied rubbing my palms with his hand.

"I will when I am tired. Umm, my lord if you do not mind, can you tell me more about the Forchestier empire?" He smiled looking at me, and I felt relieved. I still did not know much about my new home. Home!

"Well, the Forchestier empire is the richest empire as you know, while your empire is the largest empire in the continent. We have flourished trade and developed towns and market areas. The palace is near the biggest lake of the empire. It is a beautiful place to spend time." I waited patiently for him to tell me more about the detailing and working of the empire or my duties as the empress. But all he told me was the fountains and gardens and lakes of the palace.

Isn't it part of every palace?! Did he not get my question. I frowned at the thought when he sighed,

"Do not overwhelm yourself. You will get ample time to learn everything properly. I have asked Rosamund to train you well to be a powerful empress.'' I put pressure on my memory to remember where I heard this time when I realized he was talking about his concubine.

Would it be alright for a mistress to teach the legal wife? Shouldn't it create a rift?

"My lord, wouldn't it be better if the duchess or the one with royal blood taught me the details?" his smile faltered at my reply and I did not know if I was right to talk about it or not, but soon he gained his composure back and smiled.

"I understand your worries, but Rosamund is not like that. She is a good person and she is the only one who has handled empress duties so far. So, there could be no one better than her to teach you. In no time you both will be closer than sister and i have to ask you to look at other matters too. And my sister would be there to help you too." he added when I did not seem too convinced.

"Oh, I wanted to ask that too. Why did Lady Diana not attend our wedding?" This was strange as most of the royal families were present yet his sister was not there.