How are you darling?

Chapter 1 - Our Story Starts

My name is Xavier the the first daughter  of Emperor Falcon and Empress Danica. It's been 2 years since mother died. A lot has changed around here especially father. He was very gentle and kind and a very good ruler who acted for his empire, but he changed.

He found someone new and she replaced mom her name's Melissa and I hate her. She and I have never been the one to get along she was just a servant before, but when mom died she took her chance. 

Now let's focus on what's happening. I'm in the castle garden just having my tea while brushing my hair. But I also over heard from the servants that the 1st division and their general who lead the whole army to war was back home. Let's have a look to them shall we. I came across the training grounds look like their having a break.

I took a look around the area but there is one person that stands out the bunch. A girl having long black hair in a braid with brown eyes. Seems like the soldiers like her I took a look around and asked a helper.

"Hello may I take your time to answer my curiosity" "Oh of course my lady what may I help you with" the helper answered.

"Oh just a question about the lady over there with the 1st division" "Oh my lady that is simply lady Atlas she leads the 1st division though despite her young age she is what may say extremely talented and strong" the helper said.

Huh who knew that the great and brave pillar of the recent war was a young lady and quite beautiful must I say.  Her beauty made me blush and looked away not being able to handle it the helper took notice and giggled.
"My lady you seem to be interested in lady Atlas as well" the helper teased.
"It nothing like that really I'm just admiring her looks is all" I replied quickly.
"I'M SORRY IF I OVERTRIPPED YOU MY GOODNIGHT YOUR MA'AM!" I said quickly getting out of her way and running to my room as fast as possible.
Damn I'm so embarrassed and flustered it seems to show through my voice. I can't believe I actually got caught looking at a woman! I might as well be beheaded!

As soon as I entered my room, I sat down on the floor and covered my face with both hands. What was I thinking?! I've been in this castle since my birth my life hasn't change one bit yet here I am doing something I should be ashamed off. What would mom think of me now? Would she still love me or hate me for looking at such a horrible thing?

How could I even think about looking at another woman!
All these thoughts began to overwhelm me as tears filled my eyes.

My mother died trying to save the people she loved from an attack by the enemy. She died protecting our people, which is why we're living in peace again.

We were able to stop the war after so many people lost their lives and I don't want anything bad to happen to anybody ever again. But that can't happen because father keeps making enemies with the other kingdoms.

And for the past year and a half I've grown up learning how to wield a sword. My mother taught me all of the fighting skills, history, strategy, military strategy, strategy of all types of battles and strategies of tactics.

I know everything. But that doesn't mean I'm ready to fight someone and kill someone!
Maybe if I was more like my mother, she would still be alive. Maybe if I was stronger like her or maybe not. I don't know. Maybe that's enough reasons to keep being weak and letting my emotions get the best of me.

It's my fault she died I shouldn't have left her alone. If I had stayed I would have helped her with whatever she needed. Then maybe she would still be alive...

A knock came through  door "My lady the Emperor requires your presence as soon as possible" said a servant knocking on her door. "I will be there in a moment" said the princess. "Understood my lady".

The princess put on her clothes quickly and headed towards the emperor's quarters. As she walked into his office, she saw him sitting behind his desk drinking a glass of whiskey.
"So, what do you need?" the princess asked her father.
"What makes you say that?" the emperor questioned his child with raised eyebrows.

"You haven't been paying attention to me and you only asked about business recently. There is something wrong isn't there father."
The emperor sighed. "This is about the army and your future position as future Empress."

"I'm not ready for any of that right now. I already feel like I' m useless without my sword." the princess said. "You are not useless. Your a great strategist and leader" the emperor replied. "But you're not here to tell me all of that. Tell me what you're going to do about this?" said the princess.

"There isn't much I can do right now as we still need the supplies from the other kingdoms and I don't trust that some of them won't try and overthrow us once they see the power gap between us and those kingdoms.

They'll send their men in order to take back their land. That means that our army needs reinforcements. We need your sister in arms to fight alongside our men."

The king said sipping his drink once more. "I can't leave my sister." Said the princess. "No your right I suppose I should wait for her"

"Well if she comes back, then we can discuss all these things further together, but until then I guess I'll just wait" said the princess sitting down on the couch. She picked up a book and started reading it.

After a while the king decided to join her on the couch. He grabbed his own book and joined her on the couch. After a few minutes the princess turned her head to the king. "Do you ever miss her dad?" The princess asked.

"Every day. Everyday I regret letting that fool leave and participate the war. Now every time I'm reminded of her death I can't help but feel angry."

The princess put down her book and reached out her hand to rest on her fathers. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you mad dad". said the princess resting her head on his shoulder.
"I know sweetheart, I know. Don't worry I'm alright." said the king putting his arm around her.

Soon the two continued to read their books silently enjoying eachothers company.
When night time fell, a messenger came to deliver the king's next letter.
~*~
Xavier is currently walking through the halls of the palace. Since the day the generals returned the princess had always wanted her to come back.
The princess was in her bedroom talking to her sister while waiting for a reply to the letter she sent. "Mom always said you're the only good thing she ever did.

Word count: 1206