CHAPTER 2 HOLY LAND

Weeks passed like that. I was starting to see a little bit and hear everything. More specifically, I understood what was going on. According to my nanny, everyone was surprised that I was a girl. A lot of presents were coming my way. My mom was still taking her time to rest. My dad would come around after finishing his work. I had not yet met my brothers. Nanny said that the princes had very odd personalities. The first one, Liam, was rude and cold, much like my father, while the second one, Noyal, was just quiet. Both had training and classes to attend, so they were probably busy. (In truth, they had been ordered not to see me yet. They had been asking for weeks to meet their sister.)

I was taking my usual nap, as there was little else a baby could do, until someone started shouting.

"We need to take the princess to the Holy Land!"

Who the hell is this old man, and where does he even come from? I had to listen first.

"We need to take the princess to the Holy Land. It was the promise made by the first emperor that if a princess were born, she would be sent to the Holy Land. So, I am taking her with me," the priest insisted.

"You can't just barge in and do that. You need to speak to His Majesty first. You can't do anything without His Majesty's order. It's my duty to look after the princess, and I won't let you do that!" Anna, my nanny, shouted.

It looked like this was going to turn into quite a fight.

"Don't you dare speak to me like that, you are pitiful, unholy slave!" he yelled, pushing Anna to the floor. He started walking toward me.

"Look at this tiny thing, just like that bitch. She seems like an ordinary child; then why does the Pope want this useless thing?" He reached for me when suddenly, the door opened, and he sensed something dangerous behind him. He didn't want to turn around to see who it was. Yes, that's right—my mom.

"Ha! I can't even rest after giving birth. It seems like bugs and worms are crawling around my child already. High Priest, you better have an explanation for making this noise in my palace." She noticed Anna's hand was bleeding. "Anna, go to the doctors. I will deal with the priest." Anna nodded and walked away. "Now, start explaining," the queen commanded.

"I am taking the princess to the Holy Land. It's a promise given by the first emperor to the church," the priest said, annoyance creeping into his voice.

"That's a promise from the first emperor who lived 250 years ago, not from the current emperor. And how dare you come to the princess's palace without our permission?"

"I apologize for coming without permission, but I was excited to see the princess." He was just spitting words at this point. "Even if it's not from the current emperor, a promise is a promise. I shall take the child." He reached for me, but suddenly, he realized his hand was no longer intact, and he fell to the floor. The queen had easily cut off his hand; she was accustomed to going to war. This wasn't new to her. However, she was so upset that such dramatic events were happening shortly after her birth.

"How dare you touch my child?" the queen roared; her fury evident in her voice. She stepped forward, her eyes blazing with rage. With a swift motion, she placed her foot on the priest's chest, pinning him to the floor.

"You think you can walk into my palace and claim my daughter as if she's some prize to be taken? I don't care about your promises from centuries ago! This is my child, and I will not give her to anyone."

The queen leaned closer, her voice low and menacing, "Next time, it will be your head that adorns the palace gates."

The priest, now trembling beneath her foot, could barely muster a response, the colour draining from his face.

"Get him out of my sight!" she commanded; her voice sharp as a blade.

Another priest rushed forward, quickly dragging the high priest, who was already unconscious, away from the queen's wrath.

"Listen closely," she warned, her gaze piercing, "this is your final warning. Do not ever come near my child again."

She watched them rush out, then let out a sigh. "Hmm... it looks like they disturbed your nap. I'm sorry, my baby. I will place more knights around. I never thought the palace was unsafe enough for these insects to get inside. Don't worry, Mom is strong enough to protect you. They will likely come back; I need to talk with your dad. Anyway, now that you're awake, let me feed you so you can take another nap afterward."

And that's how it ended, at least he was alive. My nanny always says that my mom and dad are aura users. My dad is associated with fire, while my mom is linked to wind. An odd couple, isn't it? I was feeling sleepy now. I could hear my mom and dad talking about the priest. 

The next day, Anna mentioned that the priest's head was hanging in front of the palace. Was that my mom or my dad? I didn't have time to worry about that. I needed to eat and sleep well so I could grow up.