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Weeks passed since the day I encountered Count Benedict and his daughters. It didn't end up well, but we managed to clean up the mess.

Just like what the Empress has said, she mercilessly announced the Count's execution for attempting to poison a member of the Imperial family. He ended up hanged, his family has been stripped off their title, while his daughters were sent to the nunnery.

In a blink of an eye, everything ended well. That simple execution of the Count became a warning to every other nobles who have the guts to challenge the Imperial family.

Eldest and I continued our studies as if nothing happened last time. To actually see the Great Eldest flustered because of one compliment, it was really a rare sight to see.

But this time, Eldest showed up with no books in her hands. I raised a brow in confusion.

"Aren't we going to study today? It's still Friday."

She glanced at me before she scoffed. "You've been given three months vacation by the Empress to rest from your studies."

My eyes widen, surprised at the sudden news. I wasn't even aware about it until now. "Really?!"

"Even your brother got a vacation. What's so exciting about it?" She deadpans, waving a hand at me. "All you ever do is stay cramped up in your room or walk around the garden."

I immediately frowned at her comment. Why did she have to describe my routine as if I was an outcast prince?

"What else can I even do?" I asked, slumping down into the couch. "I lived my whole life like this so I know nothing about the outside of the palace."

Eldest stared at me before sighing in disbelief. "Have you forgotten?"

I glanced up to her again. "Forgotten what?"

"Haaa." She held her nape and raised a brow at me. "You're going to have mutual bonding with her majesty and your brother, prince Klydeur."

I blinked my eyes as I tried to process what has been said in mind. I'm certain I never heard of having bonding moment with the Empress and Klydeur, or maybe it was just announced today and I wasn't informed about it?

"Your highness, have you woken up?" From beside Eldest whose standing by the door, there appeared my nanny with a small smile. "It is time for your bath and breakfast."

I nodded, smiling. "Alright." Standing up from my seat, Jamie and I made our way to the bathroom, leaving a confused Eldest behind.

"Are you still getting helped while taking a bath—"

"No." I immediately cut off Eldest's confusion. "They only help prepare the tub and my clothes. I can take a bath on my own. Do you think I'm such a spoiled child?"

She narrowed her eyes as if trying hard not to roll her eyes at me. "I do. You always flaunt yourself about being the crown prince and whatnot."

I shrugged with a slight grin. "Why not? It's true."

"...sure." Eldest decided to take her leave and let me finish my daily routine. Jamie and the other maids finished preparing the tub and my change of clothes, and I thanked them before going inside.

It didn't took me that long to take a bath. Lucky me for not having a long hair. Being a man has more time priveleges than a woman.

Drying myself with the towel, I took my clothes and wear them. Well, obviously I'll wear them. Why is my monologue so weird all of a sudden?

"Jamie, do I really need to attend this...mutual bonding with her majesty and my brother?" I asked hesitantly as I neatly wore a brooch in between my tie. My nanny is also combing and styling my hair at the moment, glancing at me to reply to my question.

"Certainly, my prince. It's from her majesty, afterall."

I sighed, feeling a bit nervous and excited at the same time. It has been long ever since I was able to play around the Empress. Because of my studies, my position and pressure of being the crown prince, I wasn't able to bond well with her.

To be honest, it feels like I've seen more of Eldest's face rather than my own mother.

"Alright." The moment I was fully prepared, I checked myself in the mirror one last time. "When shall I go?"

"His highness, prince Klydeur, is already with her majesty." Jamie replied with a smile, and that made me almost drop my jaw.

Wait, is this how it goes and continues then!? Klydeur can't possibly become the Empress' favorite now! If he does, then I'm doomed. Literally, for real.

With Jamie leading the way whose oblivious to my mental crisis, I decided to keep calm and reminisce about the single tidbits of memories and glimpses I've had as dreams in my former life. All I'm ever certain about is I'm gonna die in the end, but I really want to escape that fate.

It's already sheer luck that I managed to win her over by being a try hard mama's boy. But if this luck fades away, then I'll lose my appeal—

Speaking of appeal...I grinned when an idea strucked my mind. "Jamie?"

The moment I called my nanny's name, she halted and glanced at me. "Yes, your highness?"

"I have something I want to get." I simply told her with a smile. "But first, please call for Eldest. I really really need her right now."

Before she can even politely agree and look for the blonde girl, the latter appeared as gust of wind whirled around the hallway where we stood. "Miss me, my prince?"

"Who are you and where is Eldest?" I asked in disbelief when I saw her politely greeting me with a graceful curtsy. She was never that respectful, let alone greet me like that! It's all new to me that I blurted out what I said without even thinking it through!

But she only chuckled at me. "Calm down, I'm Eldest. It's just a practice." She explained with a wave of her hand to dismiss whatever suspicion I had. "Anyways, why do you need me?"

I gestured for her to step a bit closer so I can just whisper it. I can't possibly just say it since Jamie is here and....it's a bit....embarassing.

Luckily, Eldest understood and moved closer. I leaned down to the smaller girl and whispered whatever I wanted her to do and told her the exact details.

The moment I finished with a flustered face, she stood up straight and fought the urge not to laugh. "A-Alright. That's easy as slicing a cake, you've got the right person to handle the situation."

"Then I'll leave you to it." I faked a cough and bowed down to her. "Excuse me then. Just meet me in the garden where her majesty and my brother will be."

She only gave me a thumbs up before walking past towards the opposite direction that I am headed to. I hope she'd be able to do it rather quickly. It's already embarassing enough to show up late, what more for being empty-handed?

Jamie then led the way, until we reached the bottom of the garden, where I can already see a round table full of tea and desserts. In between there seated is the Empress, on the left is Klydeur, and the empty seat on the right is probably mine.

The knights who were not so far from us bowed down to me as Jamie announced my presence. "Your majesty, his highness, the crown prince has arrived."

"May time make haste to the Vermillion Empire."

I bowed down to greet them, and when the Empress signaled for me to stand up and sit, I stood up and went to my seat. "I apologize for my tardiness. I had some business to attend to."

The Empress' silver eyes gazed at me as she leisurely picked up her cup of tea, gracefully drinking as if it was her normal routine. Oh well, she really is the best when it comes to etiquette that it doesn't even matter if she was an illegitimate child before.

"I see you've got your priorities and studies first." She commented before putting down the cup of tea. "Excellent."

"Thank you...." I started, feeling a bit pressured by her sudden chilly stare. "....mama?"

With that, her gaze softened a bit as she closed them peacefully. "Still, do take a break and rest. Your health comes first before education."

I nodded my head, smiling. "Yes, mama." Not wanting to be rude, I faced my younger brother who was silently eating a pie. "How are you, brother?"

Klydeur flinched and went stiff for a moment, an action that didn't went amiss to my observant eyes. The moment I blinked my eyes, he was smiling ever so innocently at me. "I'm doing good. Thank you for asking, brother. How about you?" He then returned the question to me, in which I casually responded.

"I'm also good. Only stressed for a little bit from the commotion before, but still fine nonetheless."

"That's good to hear."

Silence. One maid came near us as she poured our empty cups with tea, then took her leave again. I held the cup and took a sip. It was mint tea.

"Does the taste suit to your liking?" The Empress asked, not specifying to whom the question is directed to. Klydeur and I managed to catch each others eyes before he replied.

"Yes, mother. The chamomile tea is really sweet and unique." Klydeur smiled as he put down the cup of tea the moment he took a sip.

The Empress placed her hands on the table, fingers crossed. I glanced at her and managed to observe her appearance. Her long black hair is hanging loosely but neatly combed straight, adorned with golden jewelries—are they like beads or headbands?

Anyways, her hair looks great with all that fashion. Her dress is also something that makes her stand out with both authority and appearance, something that screams to your face that she is the Empress.

I maintained my smile as I took a sip from my mint tea again, before putting it back. She glanced at me, as if to remind me about her question.

"Ah," I mentally cursed myself when I took too long to reply.

"...is it not to your liking?" The Empress asked slowly with her silver eyes narrowed at me. "They told me mint tea is good for making you feel relaxed and refreshed. I guess I have to cut off the tongue of whoever told me such a blasphemy—"

Before she can even harm an innocent person, I beamed a smile. "It's my favorite, mama! The taste is very unique! It's sweet, cool and kinda, minty."

The once murderous aura of the Empress suddenly vanished, yet her stoic but calm expression remained. "Alright." Now that's a relief! "Then, if you both like your separate tea, I'll have it be gifted to the both of you every month. We can get even the brandiest tea from foreign countries."

"Thank you, mother."

"I appreciate it, mama!"

Klydeur and I said in unison, making me avert my eyes somewhere else to avoid the tension and suffocating aura from him.

Then I realized that Eldest seems to be running late.

"Ha. Where is she?" I mumbled to myself as I frantically looked around. "Should I have just not given her an order?"

Before I can even sigh in disbelief, a knight announced someone's presence. "Your majesty! The young lady has arrived!"

Young lady? Is it Eldest?

I whirled my head infront, only to see a different girl. She looks like she's two years older than me and Klydeur, her black hair reached her shoulder, and her green emerald eyes looked at me.

"May time make haste to the Vermillion Empire." She greeted with a curtsy, something that can't be compared to Eldest due to her lack of grace and elegance. "I greet her majesty, the Empress, and the future sun and star of the Empire, his highness the crown prince and the young prince."

That was a very long and terrific way of greeting. Seriously, I got the chills. But most importantly—

—who is she?

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