Chapter 2 – A New Beginning, Once Again!

Suddenly, the whole scene of darkness became purely white, it looked oddly relaxing. An infinite white space with no end. Everything was white. Purely white, just white. 

'What is this?'

I peered around. Observing the white space, from up to left, to right and down onto myself. I gazed upon my body, stretched my strangely pale hands forward. I saw nearly white hands, and all things considered this was clearly strange. 

This time I found myself in a cold dark room. There was the Emerald Empress again. She looked poor. Her dress was ragged. Her hair ruffled. She was reading in a dark corner of the room. 

'P-Please! St-op! It hurts!', a boy cried out.

I flinched.

'What the?'

I looked down, from here I saw the crown prince. He was being beaten by his teacher. 

'What is going on here?' 

The Empress flinched, while crying herself. In her hand she held a small bottle, with something purple in it. She carefully opened it. Raised it up to her lips.

'Please, anyone… just let it all stop. Something is wrong here. Everyone is being used. Everyone is just like a pawn, being sacrificed to open up the way for the kings and queens.'

She lifted the bottle and drank the strange substance. In an instant she began to cough out blood, her eyes closed and suddenly I felt shaken. I felt like vomiting. Cold sweet ran down my whole body. I shivered. I felt so gruesome. Everything went black. 

I blinked. A bright light shone upon me. A gentle green light.

'Hello?', a kind voice said.

I opened my eyes, my sight was blurry. 

'Don't worry. Don't strain yourself. Just remember, I want you to live my life more peacefully. Safe everyone that I couldn't safe. Please.'

I blinked several times, my eyesight stayed unclear. 

'Now listen we have not much time… You can change the ending. For me, for everyone. Just know that it is not right to be used like chess pieces. I have seen it all. I know you did two. I know I will never find forgiveness, not in god eyes, not in anyone's eyes. You cannot look away. Bring happiness for everyone.'

Suddenly the entire void of darkness turned white again and I saw a colourful environment. 

'Huh? What? Where am I?'

It was like watching a movie from a bird's perspective. I could see beautiful meadows with bright red flowers. It smelled awesome, like a mix of roses and fresh grass after a meadow has been mowed. A peaceful scene with tons of trees, as green as thousands of emeralds. And in this meadow there stood three people. The one was a gracefully delicate woman, dressed in a gown adorned with simple laces. Her air was tied to a beautiful braid. Little green gems, in the form of flowers, was woven into the golden hair. Her skin was a spotless and the gentle tone made her an absolute beauty. Still, the most astonishing part were her eyes. They glimmered brightly, in the freshest green, outshining every emerald. I knew who she was. This person was none other than the Emerald Empress. 

'But who is the handsome boy in front of her, could it be…? No! what would he do there…' 

The man, had dark black hair, that shimmered in the sunlight. His eyes were deep red, looking just like rubies. He had a good build, and was standing there in an elegant black and white suit, with tons of fancy gold, silver or gemstone decorations. He looked just like the crown prince, even though it couldn't possibly be him. He was cursed, since his birth. That was an important factor, as to why the Ruby Empress and the Emperor always kept a certain distance. In the book it was explained that they stayed away from him in order to not bond with him, so that none of the sides had to suffer after the death of the crown prince. He was said to die at the early age of 30. 

'But what is this vision? What am I seeing?'

In the next moment I saw the Empress breaking down. She fell to the floor. Motionless. I could see now, there was blood. She was covered in blood.

'So much blood! Is she going to die like this? Oh no!'

I wanted to get closer to the scene. I wanted to see what happened, what faces they made. What the reason was. I wanted to know it all!

Then the whole scene became blurry and I felt myself back in a body.

'What was that?'

I opened my eyes. I was lying in a gigantic canopy bed with beautiful green curtains, drenched in my sweat. I glanced around.

Light was shining through a gigantic window. The sunrays were blinding, at first, but once you had gotten used to them they revealed a beautiful rich landscape. I hastily sat up, wondering where I was. Looking around inside the enormous room, filled with expensive decorations, like beautiful paintings, golden sculptures or gilt wooden furniture and everything was spotlessly clean.

'The boy! Where is he? I am to find him!' 

I internally screamed. I jumped up, running across the room, towards a door that was placed opposite the bedside. 

The door roared open, and I barged into the hallway. Unaware of my surroundings I stormed towards the right. 

'To the northern library! Now!'

My feet just carried me, leading the way. I was too preoccupied with what I had just seen to notice the essential things like the unfamiliar environment, my strange clothing, how I knew my way to the destination or who that boy was.

Strangely enough, no one had to tell me. Unconsciously I knew all these answers, but not why and from where I knew them.

And before I could even get the chance to think about something new I saw the tall silver clad door, made out of ebony wood. I prepared my hands, stretching them forward, in order to open the door with force.

It was silent when I came to a halt, almost too quiet.

'Should I barge in or quietly intrude to catch the culprit in the act?'

But before I could reach a conclusion, I found myself swinging the door open.

The door opened with a loud creaking, revealing the very same library I had seen in the vision. Before me I saw the skyscraper-high shelves, each packed with books of all sorts. Dust piled on most of them, but once or twice you could find the faint traces of the book haven been taken out of its place, later placed there again. 

In front of me was a long table, the hall was empty on the upper floor, connected with a spiralling staircase winding upwards, where nobody was to be seen. I glanced around the lower floor, nobody in the aisles. Then my searching look reached to the table, there was a boy sitting. It was the very boy I had seen being mistreated in the vision. 

I hurried over. The boy looked up, at the sounds of the high heels clacking on the wooded tiles. His eyes widened at the sight of me approaching. He just looked at me with his intriguing light blue eyes and his cold gaze. His blond-brown hair perfectly complimented his face and his earrings in the ears were shining in a baby blue tone. 

His stare rested upon me. Somehow frightening me. I wanted to stop. Did under no circumstances have to near me to him. So I stopped mid-way.

'What is wrong with me?' 

I agonised as I noticed I had stopped my approach.

'The child must be wounded. Overcome your fear. You can do that! You want to help, if not for you do it for the boy. He need your help.'

The gaze of him lingered upon my frightened body. I shook my head in disbelieve and proceeded my approach.

The boys' eyes narrowed, giving of a sense of hostility. Fear engulfed me, even more. I slowed down, but strode on. I was slightly shaking and almost there. The boy narrowed his eyes once again, which caused my heart to fall to my feet. But no matter what it was. I was determined to help this child. So I went on.

I was now standing in front of the little boy. He seemed to be around seven years old at maximum. He had a strong figure, muscular but slim, the kind of body a male protagonist of a romance novel would have. The boy's face was now emotionless, showing nothing. I couldn't tell wat he felt, what was going on or anything else. So I just stood there looking at him in silence. 

''Is there anything your Majesty might need from me?''

The boy said nonchalantly.

''Uhm…..''

''Yes?''

The boy slightly tilted his head, and his eyes lit up. Maybe in interest or excitement. 

''Well…. How are you?''

Now for a short secnd the boy had a puzzled expression. 

''I am sorry what?''

Now he said coldly.

''Are you alright?''

''….''

''Well there is no need to answer me. I just asked because of…''

'I can't say, because I had a vision in where you got mistreated. Oh and no I am not lunatic. He, he. Perfectly sane.'

So I just said the first thing that came to mind,''… out of concern! Yes.''

Well technically it was the truth. I wanted to know how the boy was. I hoped he was fine. And if I hadn't been so immersed in my own little world I might have noticed the little boys lushing cheeks. 

''Miss?''

''Yes?''

''Are you drunk?''

''Uhm… yes? Yes!''

''….''

''….''

My face flushed as red as a tomato. 'What the hell did I just say?'

The boy let out a faint chuckle. I looked at him, but he suddenly covered his delighted face with his small cute hands. 

'What cute hands. How could such a cute boy be here all alone?'

''Are you here alone?''

''Yes, for now. My teachers going to arrive in a few minutes.''

The boy now spoke, but sounded more relaxed, his face seemed more at ease as well.

''Are you talking about Miss. Mapallé?''

''Yes…''

The boy averted his glance. And I knew instantly that he was frightened. 'Being frightened simply at her mere mention? Oh. She must be the one who beats him up.'

As if to prove my assumption I focused my gaze on his hands, scanned over his arms, which were covered by an elegant white long-sleeve shirt. When the boy noticed he pulled his arms away under the table. 

''Are you scared of her?''

I asked, knowing it was probably not appropriate to ask. We just met and don't know each other.

''….''

''You don't have to answer me now, just know that I will help you. For now, how about I stay here with you during your lesson?''

The boy looked upwards. His expression showed a myriad of emotions. Wariness, interest and intrigue. 

''No, dad and mom said that there should be nobody when I take my lessons.''

Now his face had a sullen expression.

''How about this, I will wait on you in the sunflower garden and you come after you are done, we can have tea and snacks then.''

''Sure! I'd like that!''

Now his face was brightened, he looked happy with his cute grin stretching over his whole face, wrinkling his freckles.

''What a cute boy!''

I clasped ma hands before my mouth. The boy's face flushed red, almost more red than mine.

'What did I just blurt out? That was crazy! You just met him. Now everything must be ruined!'

But the boy didn't care, instead he rose from his seat, stretched out his hands as if asking me to hug him. Of course I lowered myself and pressed the little boy on me. 

We stayed like this for a while. I had forgotten why I rushed here in the first place and now it didn't matter. All that was important was this boy. Then suddenly the door opened again.

Creak….

The boy let go of me and I stood up, straightening my skirt. The woman had grey hair, a thin body, and was wearing a long Victorian age violet dress, with ribbons and golden adornments. Her hair was tied to a knot on her head and she wore a small tiara-like adornment. 

The boy bowed and greeted her.

''Welcome Master.''

Her eyes tailed to me, sharp green eyes. Intimidating just like the boy's eyes, but her eyes were cold, condescending and lifeless.

She seemed to tell me to bow. All of herself, her raised chin, staring eyes and straight posture, suggested that. I knew that gaze too well, my boss would always look at me like that whenever I had done something wrong. But I knew better that to bow. Instead I Strained my back and looked at her with the same cold gaze. 

''I will excuse me now. Madam, have a peaceful day. Oh, and on a side note-''

I strode towards her, and right before her I halted. My eyes looked at hers, who were still cold and lifeless but now also a bit unsure. I just had to tell her so I whispered to her in my most intimidating tone something that let the woman stiffen up, turn pale and remain idle like that for quite the while. 

''Harm that boy, touch even one hair, try a single foul move and it means off with you. Never forget, even a rose has its thorns. And I wouldn't get too close if I were you. Who knows how that might end.''

My cold voice and gaze lingered there. I knew that was necessary for her to know her place, so I just strode forth, bumping into her shoulder on purpose. 

Only now did it occur to me that my warning might have been interpreted as a threat, when all I actually wanted to do was tell her to not get on his bad side.

As I reached the door I looked back at the boy, and presented him the warmest smile I had. 

"You know, your imperial highness, you shouldn't bow to your teacher." I smiled again, and winked. The boy happily smiled back, while I was leaving the room.

****

Crown Prince

After she had left the room, it grew silent. The shadows seemed darker, the dust more present and the world greyer. 

I looked up. Now looking at my teacher. She was pale, almost white. I could tell who frightened her. It was the madam. 

Personally It really surprised me, when I saw her storming into this room. And even afterwards, she just approached me. Nobody did that. They were all wary of me or disgraceful.

'I am the crown prince? Does she not know the rumors?'

We had never talked before, neither did we interact privately at all. I saw her at gatherings, she always seemed calm and collected, as if she was there but at the same time not really.

Her cold demeanour was one of a kind. It reminded me of the fact that she was never loved by the emperor, she was here solemly for political relations. A marriage without love.

"It must be hurtful…" 

I couldn't understand why she acted so friendly towards me, after all I was the son of one of the other empresses. 

I must admit I had always been interested in her, she was the epitome of a graceful, collected, fair and beautiful woman. She never showed any weaknesses, at the same she never showed interest in anything, keeping her neutral position. That must be why she was still alive.

By now three of the twelve empresses were killed in their own greed. It was fruitless to talk them into anything. They would always disregard my words, or pretend to listen just so that they could pretend to honour me who was the crown prince.

If anything they cared for my brother, at least a bit. In reality they never did. Nobody had ever shown interest in us. 

''The cursed successor and the bookworm. What a pair!'' or simple comments like ''Laughable weaklings.'' Were what we were used to. That as why I did not want her to approach me, usually if someone approached us, we would know that they wanted something. 

'It is always a funny game to guess what it might be. Money? Power? Fame? Its so often the same.'

'But what did she want?' I couldn't figure it out. 'Why did she out of all people approach me? And what was with that friendly gaze? And that question? What the heck?'

I somehow felt strange, as if it would be alright to trust her. 'I don't know why. Maybe she was different. Maybe she would be worth my time?'

And when I imagined the tea time with her…

Her sitting under the lush green trees, her too long snow-white hair blowing in the wind, her eyes glistering in the sunlight. And her splendid posture sitting there, her face smiling at me, while enjoying the sweetness and good taste of the biscuits, tarts and maybe even macarons? 

I was strangely exited and my heart fluttered. Filled with anticipation, almost forgetting about my pain and the lesson I wanted to just end as soon as possible. 

'I am looking forward to our tea time, madam'

I thought grinning from ear to ear, giving of a notorious aura.

''Hurry up. Start the lesson.''

I demanded, now back to my cold old self. Glaring at the already frightened woman. I knew why she was scared. She must have seen it. Her cold terrific gaze. Still I could care less, after all I just wanted to end this quickly.

While my teacher, who was now actually stiffly teaching about the ways of the world in some aspect, was talking my mind drifted off to a distant memory of exactly this smile.

__________

I had also seen it once, it was shortly after returning from a ''mission'' as my father called them. I came into the throne room; there she was with my father. I was standing behind a blue curtain behind my father's throne.

My father had closed his eyes, raising his hand, adorned with too many too big rings, right in the movement of sending her out again. He had turned his hand, not to faze her.

''Raise you head and get out of my sight!''

She raised her head gracefully perfectly, just how a real royal should. Not one of those half-hearted I-am-from-noble-blood-so-respect-me-and-look-here-I-am-truly-noble-and-gracefull look. She was magnificent, as if the noble behaviour had ben engraved in her every muscle.

And when I looked at her face, her eyes looked threatening, seeming to be glowing, lusting for bloodshed, but still beautifully glistering in the light.

'What a perfect look.'

I couldn't avert my eyes. And stared right at the woman who was staring at the king. Defaming his authority with a mere gaze.

'Interesting. Truly Interesting.'

I knew that the gaze was frightening to the bone. It had a murderous intend and the cool feel to go with it.

The woman rushed out and left me alone with my father.

__________

'What a scary woman. Still interesting. Her warm gaze. Truly… Intriguing.'

''I said hurry.''

I raised my voice and glared at her. She had no choice but to proceed. 

During the whole lesson, my mind wandered off. Often to the tea time then too her unusual behaviour. I even thought about what to present her. I decided on a picture. And so instead of listening and pretending not to know what was already known for me I drew during class.

E.E. // Magnolia Farress Athena

As the door fell closed, I stood motionless in the long hallway. Just looking at the scenery before me, doubtfully.

'What the devil?'

It was only now, when my mind was free of the worry, that I realised that my surroundings looked odd. 

'What is this? Am I seeing a mirage? What is this?'

To my left there were large windows with dark oak frames, the floor was made out of marble and the furniture was made up of all sorts of shelfs, cupboards, plants, that were neatly trimmed and decorations of all sorts, looking like someone scraped them together from all around of the world and fitted them into this place. In other words, the interior was unfitting, like it was not the least bit cared for.

'Who would need this stuff anyway?'

Strangely her mind seemed to know why everything was like this, and the answer sprung into her head, and unfolded the truth, like a flower blooms in the summer.

'These presents have been placed there after receiving them, in order to show the needed curtesy.' 

The moment the thought came to her mind, she immediately felt nauseous and weak. As she was staggering to the wall next to her, leaning against it, she began to wonder about many things.

'What is all this. I am sure I was just…I was in…'

Her thoughts were like loosely woven carpet, with threads just suddenly cut of and big holes gaping in it. She tried to remember but couldn't, her memories she was so certain she had, seemed strangely vanished. She knew she was somewhere sometime, but could not remember where and when. 

'There was a tabby cat. It was cute. I liked the eyes.'

Even if she couldn't tell where she had been she could say that's he had been there and remember what had happened there.

'What is wrong with me? Why does l this feel so unfamiliar even though it feels strangely familiar at the same time?'

Trying to collect her thoughts, she went over what she knew. Ascertaining that she was not where she just had been. And just moments later she seemed to have reached a conclusion. 

'Ok, a mirror. Where is one?'

'To my right, second door, in the changing room.'

It still felt strange to know something but at the same time being unknowing of it. Nevertheless, I began to go where I was expecting the mirror to be. 

With every step the thought of it seemed to melt into my own memory. 

I passed the countless pieces of decoration on their pedestals or cupboards, went through the doors and felt a calming sense of familiarity. I was now in front of the door; my heart pounding in my chest, as if trying to break out of my rib-cage. I pressed down the doorhandle and went in.

The room was filled with clothes racks and cupboards on which was more jewellery than I had ever seen in my life. There in front of me was a mirror, covered with a white piece of cloth.

I went up to it, stretched out my arm, grabbing the cloth with my arm and pulling it off. No dust whirled up or spiders crawled away, no there was just a gleaming, spotless round golden standing-mirror.

Upon looking into it I realised it, my eyes widened in shock, even if only for a brief moment. In the next moment my memory's, or at least most of them seemed to melt together, finally making sense.

 I understood wat had happened and why I felt like that. It was as clear as glass to me.

'I was once somebody else, in another world. It is called soul travel, this phenomenon. One person's soul would transmigrate into another soulless body, leaving only half the soul in the old body. The teared soul will continue to live on, but sooner one of the parts of the split soul will try to reach the other half. When this happens, there are two possibilities. For one, the should will not find its counterpart and fade away, being forgotten forever. Secondly the soul can find its counterpart I time and convince it to come back, only then will the person be able to life as a truly happy person, not feeling an unexplainable unfamiliarity.'

Still that information was useful, but did not explain why she was feeling so weird. And why she felt if something of this truth was not fully right. So she thought about it once again, recalling this knowledge she never had, even before looking into the mirror. 

'sometimes, a soul travels through the current world, like a ghost. Experiencing, feeling and seeing the future happenings, while trying to reach the other soul-piece. When this happens they are completely unbound with space and time, so even if someone were to change the time and space paradox, they would notice it. Rarely, the soul would somehow connect her vision to the should counterpart. This could happen in various ways, but is very rare.'

'Ok. That was a full-out explanation.'

Now being content with her received answer, she finally did what she came here to do, looking into the mirror. As she raised her head, she felt her soft hair falling down her shoulders. Now she was looking straight into the mirror, at herself.

''This is I?'' she whispered into the room.

I have emerald green eyes, snow-white hair and a slim figure, with spotlessly clean skin and long eyelashes. My delicate nose and full lips, looked like the face of a, idol. 

'I am so beautiful.'

For moments she couldn't take her eyes of herself, admiring her own body. Even in her previous life nobody she knew could compare to her. As she inspected her body a thought suddenly flashed into her head.

'The ominous feeling I am having, what could it be? I feel a strange sense of déjà vu; do I know all this?'

Now deeply in thought, she recalled all her past memories. 

'Where did I see this person? It could be somebody I had seen in real life…'

She let the thought sink, judging it.

'No, that's not it. Perhaps a drawing?'

'…No.'

'A Book?'

'…'

Finally, she knew where she had seen the description of such a woman. It was in her favourite novel, The Empresses' Saga – a great book series.

Until her transmigration she had read all of the books twice. She was a huge fan, so she felt thrilled to be in this novel. Sadly, the euphoric feeling son faded, like smoke after a candle was blown out.

'I am the Emerald Empress; I am sure of it. Though not sure why. Ironic, isn't it?'

The reason for her change in mood was her fate.

'I am doomed to die an early death, at the age of… 21? I can't remember.'

No wonder. In the book series the Emerald Empress was an unimportant main character, who's death was regarded in only two mere chapters, and in the whole rest of the book she was hardly mentioned. Once because she was death or because she was the only one of the empresses who refused the crown price's support and decided to life calmly.

Never had I hated any of the main characters for not appearing more often. 

'I am missing essential information here! What a letdown.'

****

She pondered, trying to recall the books every word, about her.

'She died an unknown death. – page. 77, volume 3.'

'I know that's why I poisoned her in the first place, she was such an eyesore. – page 349, volume 9.'

'No. I don't want your support. I am deeply sorry your grace. – page 220, volume 5.'

'And with that she drank the tea and fell to her death. –End of chapter 2, page 222, volume 5.'

''Tea! It was the Ruby empress, with the poisoned tea given to her at the royal banquet, drunken later in her room.' 

She concluded, screaming it out loudly, as if revealing the assassin in Cluedo, the guessing game. One of my favourite games in my previous lives. 

''So, it happened at the royal banquet. I'll have to be careful. I am not sure who handed her the tea and when exactly, but it always happened the same way.''

'So what should I do now?'

She knew she had to survive, so she swore never to accept presents in the form of tea, or to avoid tea in general. 

Then her mind swapped over to other things.

'I will have tea today. With the Crown Prince.'

In the book she had never hated the crown prince. She felt sorry for this little boy, who had to endure such traumatic lives all over again and again. Caught up in an infinite loop.

She spent several more minutes thinking about everything, collecting her thoughts. Coordinating her past, her new memories and deciding what to do in the coming future, in this coming future.

She was still standing there, focused on thinking, when a pair of footsteps approached right behind her. 

****

C.P. // Noah Emanuel Ferris Everglade

She was there. Just blankly standing in her dressing room, making a focused face.

As the prince glanced around, his smile faded, his face hardened and he felt slightly bothered.

'It's so plain. Who in the world has so few dresses?'

He glanced around. Both of them just stood there, minding their own business, entangled I their own thoughts. It was only when a third pair of footsteps neared, that the crown prince came to his senses. 

In panic, and out of habit, the price went for cover. His tiny feet jumped behind one of the many clothes racks. 

The footsteps came into the room. And the woman who had just entered, widened her eyes at the sight. 

She quickly bowed, and apologised in a slightly trembling voice.

''I am sorry, your Majesty. I didn't mean to…''

Only then did the Empress return to her senses, her mind made up. Now slowly turning around, stopping when she faced the woman who had just entered. 

''You may be forgiven. Now raise your, head.''

The Empress said in a strict manner. Her posture was stiff, but graceful.

''Thank you your majesty.''

The maid, exclaimed, wearing a wonderful expression. Noticed by everyone in the room.

''What is it that you are thinking about?''

The Empress said, facing her eyes. The maid, in her white-black maid-dress and curly red hair, which was perfectly complemented by her brown eyes and freckle, flinched.

''The butler is searching for you. Thinking you are in the garden, he went to find you.''

''And what would the butler need from me at this unusual time?''

She looked to the left cupboard, behind the maid. Trying to find the wooden clock. It showed that it was 2:21 p.m.

As she turned her head back, the Empresses eyes widened for a brief moment. And her lips' corners raised up a little.

'There was such a cute seven-year-old boy hiding behind my dress? My, my…'

At the adorable sight of the mall child's hand clutching the red hem of the dress, she just couldn't help it. She wanted turn over and cuddle him. At the same tme she had took her dignity, so she tried to focus on the conversation again.

''There seems to be a guest.''

The maid looked at the floor, not scared but because of the awkward answer, knowing that she would have to give.

''What guest?''

The empress said in an urging manner, indicating the maid to spit it out. Gazing at her with a strongly cold impression. Now focusing on her opposite.

''The Ruby Empress is here…''

''Wherefore?''

Even her poker face, which the empress had practiced for decades, because of necessity couldn't hold up. She widened her eyes, for a second, before returning to her usual self. 

''There are rumours going around that you intruded the crown prince's lesson today and- ''

''Speak up!''

The empress said in a cold manner. Not tolerating anymore stops.

''…and it is said that you are abusing your authority, to threaten the Crown prince and his close aids.''

''What a load of talk. Seems like we might have to take action.''

In the room all kinds of expressions were made. The crown price clenched his fists, crumpling the dress, railing up with anger. The Empress raised her mouth corners to a smile, seeing that. 

''Please leave now, and tell the butler to ask her to wait in the sitting room. I'll be there in half an hour. And bring Anne.''

''I'll do as ordered, your majesty. Excuse me.''

The maid hurried out, with a stoic expression. At this sight the small crown price was left wondering.

'Take action? What did she mean? Is there something I have missed?'

The prince looked after the maid wonderfully, while being unaware of the Empress who had squatted down in front of him. 

''Hello.''

She said with a bright smile. The boy let go of the hem and shrunk at the sight. When he saw the bright smile, his heart calmed down a little, knowing she wasn't angry for sneaking in.

''Hello…''

The boy answered unsurely, what let him look even cuter.

''So, I guess your mother is here to interrogate me. It will be a sight. If you want, you can listen?''

''Really? I am allowed to?''

The little boy said taken aback.

''Yes. But you'll have to hide very well. Lucky you, I know just the spot.''

She assured him, flashing an even brighter smile.

''Really? I can?''

''Yes, and you know what we can do after that?''

Her smile grew even wider, making the boys eyes twinkle iriscent-like in excitement.

''Will we go out then?''

''I am sure of it. We can have a nice walk if you'd like.''

''Yes! I'd love to.''

''Alright, then this is settled.''

Right I this moment a knock could be heard at the door. 

''You can come in.''

Two people came into the room. One was a tall, muscular aged man, with a black butler uniform, shimmering in a soft black, with a white shirt and a black neck-tie.

The second person was woman, she was roughly the age of her majesty, had long blond hair, blue eyes and freckles. Her posture was graceful, like that of a noble lady. Then the empress spoke up, as the two people were giving her a bow.

''Prince, this is Anna my head maid. She used to be a duchess in my country. Quite capable, so if you ever need help, Anna will help you to her fullest.''

The woman looked bewildered for a moment the she answered in a calm manner.

''I understand. Then little prince, please come to me if need be.''

The butler also looked at the little boy, his eyes were golden but his gaze was not majestic at all, it seemed colder than stone, ready to kill at any moment.

''Noah!''

The Empress raised her voice and spoke in a reprimanding tone. In this moment the butler looked at her.

''You two. You will be serving him with your all.''

''Do you mean it? You know what consequences that might have.''

''Noah, you have earned my greatest respect, but be aware of your words. Contain yourself. I warn you.''

Her sharp remark let even the butler tilt in. smiling, he said something in the next moment.

''I will trust your judgement. And I am always aware of what I am saying. Master.''

The Empress flashed him a furious stare, reminding him once more.

''It seems you have gotten old, perhaps I will have to tighten your leash.''

The butler only smirked and nodded.

''I will be in your care.''

''Now let us get ready. Oh and, hide him in 'The Spot', if you get what I mean?''

The butler raised his eyebrow in surprise, but the he quickly tuned towards the prince.

''Should we go hide now?''

The little boy glanced at the empress, asking if he should go. The Empress gave him a nod and so he reluctantly let go of the dress and followed after the butler out of the room.

Left were only the two woman. The atmosphere changed, as the empress spoke in a soft manner.

''I'll be in your care then. Let's try something exciting today.''

The maid was surprised, quickly understood.

''I assume it is because of him? What did the little boy do?''

She chuckled, and began to head for a row of dresses in the back, while the empress contemplated about the careless remark.

'The question should be, what has he not done?'

The empress, was as sure as she was before. Her goal was for him to live, in order to achieve peace. Not only for the boy, but also for all those who want to live. 

'Don't worry, little one. I will do my utmost to save you! I promise that.'

Now, she couldn't have known what her words meant for her and the prince.