Empress of the Pillars

Chapter 1: The Past of the Future

Two doors blocked her vision.

One was behind her.

The other was in front of her.

Behind her was a white polished door. The light seeped from its edge.

In front of her was an obsidian black door. The darkness surrounding it was suffocating.

She wanted to step backwards but her legs couldn't move. And if she stepped forward she will not be able to step backward again.

So she gave up.

Wearing a thin knee length dress, Freya sat down on the endless ground and pulled her knees close to her chest.

Somewhere between the darkness and the light, Freya whimpered, waiting for someone to save her.

But the only one who could save her at the moment, was no one but herself.

...

I blinked my eyes open. The sunlight was bright.

Almost immediately I shielded my eyes and sighed.

"Can you blind the court instead?"

For years and years, the Weylyn empire prospered far more than other countries did. And it did so by reinforcing the army, sharpening their weapons and maintaining the influence of the higher ranking nobles by means of oppressing both the weak and strong.

I was never the kind of princess who was holed up in her pretty castle, glancing at the beautiful scenery outside her large window in her luxurious room. 'The path to becoming the perfect princess is a rough one, but the path to becoming a human is even rougher.' That was how my late mother, the empress, taught me to live.

Not as a mere spoiled princess, but as a person who will one day, inherit the throne and look at my people as my own family.

That was until my ladies in waiting barged through my doors when I just happened to wake up from a nightmare that weighed me down.

"Your highness, please refrain from leaving the palace's grounds for the day."

Lady Rose was the eldest one among my ladies in waiting. I never questioned her opinion as they were always based on her experiences in life.

However, this time around, I had a hunch that it did not seem right.

"Lady Rose, the festival's date is nearing, I need to meet the travelers and performers."

I smiled at her regardless and set aside the papers on my desk, making room for me to plop my elbows down and clasping my hands together.

"Why am I not allowed to leave?"

They all fumbled and twitched.

Their expressions was distorted. I could tell that the court have done something. Again.

The imperial court of Weylyn were given power. And by power I mean the right to take decisions when the emperor is ill, which is the case now. Since they have been by the emperor's side ever since his coronation, they are said to take actions similar to the emperor's.

It was something I could neither comprehend nor go along with. Humans are bound by emotions, their actions cannot simply mirror that of another person because they spent a long time by each other's side.

That was why I worked hard to secure my place as the future empress without having to marry a noble of another country. I worked for so long to gain knowledge only men would gain and are allowed to study. All to succeed the throne and strip those greedy men from the power my ancestors gave to them.

I for one thing knew of all the deeds they were doing behind my father's back. And because I know, I am responsible for the consequences of what they have done.

"The court have brought in an heir."

But in a race where the participants are ones with power and the rest are not, the latter was bound to get overrun. Because power is everything.

I stood up from my seat and gazed at the wife of Count Aaron, Lucrece. She was preserved, never talks much but when she does, it clears out any confusion. Having her say that they brought in an heir means that he is the emperor's child, even if not from the empress.

"..."

At the sight of my frowned eyebrows, I could feel Lady Rose getting angry in my stead.

"For them to bring him in when the emperor's health is not well... They're just a group of cowards!"

Lady Rose was clearly uncomfortable by the current situation. She was more of a mother than a lady in waiting to me and I am sure having your daughter's position in danger was weighing her down.

I closed my eyes for a few seconds to organize my thoughts.

"His majesty the emperor has yet to release a statement. A child born from someone other than the empress cannot be seen as the truthful heir to the throne."

I walked around the study and handed a bundle of paper to Lady Rose.

"Don't worry yourself with useless matter and start preparing for the festival. Many high ranking nobles from other kingdoms will be attending."

She hesitantly took the papers from hand and bowed slightly.

"Yes, your highness."

Walking up to the mirror and smoothing down my dress by gliding my palms along it, I stared at the group behind me through the mirror.

"I will... speak with my father soon. Lucrece, stay behind. The rest of you can leave."

All of them bowed and left the room. Lucrece gazed at my back.

"Are you alright, your highness?"

Sighing and looking at her worriedly after turning around, I couldn't stop the pain from seeping through my eyes.

"What should I do... Countess Lucrece?"

She huffed and approached me, grabbing both my hands in hers.

"Still with the strong upfront in the presences of a crowd I see."

I clenched her warm hands.

"Father probably knew already."

"For that, you must strengthen your ties in the palace."

"Why should I? The court will gain even more power after this heir rises to the throne."

She grabbed my shoulders and stared into my eyes. Something only she was able to do.

"You're the daughter of our beloved late empress. The whole palace could be against you but the empire is on your side."

I smiled at her and nodded.

"Speaking of, where is Odette?"

Lucrece hummed and flicked her finger.

"Could she still be...?"

"You don't say..."