In the kingdom of Aeziris, a rebellion is rising, but its reins are not in the hands of its citizens. With a fine string entwining her heart with that of its chieftain, Esméralda must walk a knife-edge while navigating her way through a palace of ma...
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E s m é r a l d a A l b y
"I'm okay," looking at the mirror, I told myself, "I'm okay."
Changed into a full-sleeved turtleneck, I was satisfied with the way the maroon gown blocked the sight of those hideous marks his fingers and teeth left on my neck and wrists. "I'm okay," I repeated. I had to drag the act a little longer until the ladies, and Archduke Gabriel, finished meeting Aedric. Then, I'll crash into his arms and show him what I never wanted and what I never should have hidden.
9:12, the clock displayed. It's heavy pendulum swung back and forth with a sound ever-present like it wants to remind everyone that even though it can easily be filtered as a background noise, time never stops.
Today, it held a gloom as if even the ever-knowing, ever-constant Chronos wished to slow down, one second for five.
"You look veryyy prettyyyy," Princess Valerianne peered up at me with wide eyes, her mouth falling open in a round of full lips. "Like the prettiest. Mamma says the prettiest lady becomes a Queen like her. Are you going to marry Aedric?"
I crouched to match her height, drawing a smile on my face. "Do you want me to?"
She dipped her head low and shook her head. "No. Real Sugar makes Aedric happy. Even if she's not as pretty as you, it's okay because Aedric smiles when he tells me about her. Aedric should always smile."
"That's correct, Princess Valerianne," I pushed her brown bangs back, holding up my pinky. "Will you keep a secret?"
The cutest of wide green eyes overtook her features as she jumped of joy. "Are you Sugar? Like real, real, real Sugar?"
I nodded to have her jump on me in a hug, her arms tight around my neck. I held in a hiss, his bites manifesting into spots of pain because of the pressure she applied. I wrapped my arms around her small form like she was a glowing orb of light that prevented me from succumbing to the rising darkness around me. I pressed a kiss to her temple, whispering. "Thank you, little Valerianne. You never deserved to see that but, thank you."
"Why were you crying, Sugar?" she asked in a small voice. "I've seen Uncle Em kiss Aunt Gen but she doesn't cry. Papa kisses pretty ladies too but they don't cry either."
My eyes turned sad. She pulled away from the hug, her lower lip wobbling. "I think it is bad because Mamma gets really angry. She even tore Mr. Mufflesocks one day even though she knew I loved Mr. Mufflesocks. I didn't want to bury him because Mr. Mufflesocks is the only gift Papa ever gave me. Can you make Mr. Mufflesocks okay again? He really makes me happy."
"I will," I nodded, stretching on a soft smile. "But for now, we need to hurry, okay? Aedric has medicines to take and he was supposed to eat before that half-an-hour ago."
