How To Tame An Empress (BOOK I)

Chapter 34 - Before He Returned

--Valeria POV--

Swifting through all the racks of clothes that I owned, I eventually found what it was that I had been looking for, a cloak. Dark, plain, and heavy. It was unremarkable in every way possible, a stark contrast to the dresses it was surrounded by, but it was my ticket to freedom.

Pulling it out, I returned to the bed which Evan was situated on, sparing him a soft smile as I threw the cloak on, tightening the buttons around my neck. I remained calm, and my movements were precise. There was no fear in my actions, just resolve.

"Mama!" He called out to me, disregarding his toy as he reached out to me, and I obliged, picking him up in my arms as I kissed his soft cheek.

There have been many moments of hestiation over the past few weeks, but every time I see him, I remind myself why I have to leave. It is no longer about freedom, but rather the future; if we stay here, Evan will never known the world beyond these palace walls. He would grow up believing that the world was something to be feared, and I could not allow that.

Perhaps a day will come when I get caught, and perhaps a day will come when Evan himself grows to hate me for this decision, but even then, I will not regret it for one simple reason; I do not believe that he can rule an Empire without understanding it.

"There is a world I wish for you to see, Evan. Outside these walls, there are markets filled with noise, roads that lead somewhere, and skies that stretch into the heavens. It may be scary, but we will be together, and I will protect you. That, I promise with all my heart." My voice could not hide the joy as I spoke to him, and sensing that, he only laughed with equal the joy.

But our excitement came to a standstill as the door to the chambers groaned open. I froze for a moment, calculating on what to do. If it is a servant then they will suspect that I am up to something, dressed like this. I can dismiss them, but then-

"Sister." I relaxed, slightly. It was my brother.

"Julius, anything I can help you with?" I asked, calm, refusing to turn to look at him, and remaining focused on my child as I bounced him in my arms. Even as I heard him enter the room, pausing behind me, filled with questions.

"What are you doing?" He gained the courage to ask. And I gained the courage to answer, honestly. Because if there is one person in this world whom I could trust blindly, it was none other than my brother.

"What does it look like? I am leaving."

"Leaving? Where? And why?" He asked as if he did not know the answer. Perhaps he just wished to hear it from my lips, so I will oblige.

"I will not tell you. What you do not know, Stacius cannot extract from you..." Putting Evan back down on the bed, I turned to continue my prior task of filling the small bag I had aquired with Evan and my items.

"Valeria, as much as I love you, I must advise you against this. You know how protective that man is of you. If you leave then-"

"-If I leave then he will return to an empty palace. I would have broken my promise to him, but that is something that I have accepted. But, please, brother..." I paused in my actions to finally face him, looking up at him as he stared right back at me.

"I will not ask for much, just please, do not stop me." Both of us are well aware of what the consequences will be if I get caught; Stacius will have every right to kill me because while I may be Evan's mother, I will also become a criminal for having kidnapped the heir to the throne.

But even if the worst comes to be, it will be better than continuing my life as it is because living in regret is much crueler than living through the consequences. At least I would know that I had tried, no one could tell me otherwise.