In Time And Memories

Chapter Twenty-Three

A maid is running frantically until she arrived the sitting room, where Queen Frizella, Prince Pierre, and Celestia are having a conversation. The queen and Celestia stopped talking when the maid caught their attention.

"What is it, Gretel?" Queen Frizella asked after she puts down her cup. 

Gretel, the maid, took a deep breath first before speaking. "The emperor bestowed Therilian Palace and its authority to Lady Laurenze," Gretel paused when she saw Celestia. Right.

There are two 'Lady Laurenze'.

"I-I mean Lady Azelaine," she clarified. No one uttered any word until Queen Frizella signaled Gretel to leave them. The maid obliged, she left the three of them inside the sitting room. 

Prince Pierre watches his mother, who stood up from her seat and went out to look on the window. It's making him nervous as the queen have not said any word. Although he can not speak as well because he is also surprised by the news.

"Moth--" Prince Pierre tried to speak but a sudden surge of energy cut his words. 

It's from the queen. Dark blue flames are coming out of her body that made the window cracked and the atmosphere feels so cold.

Dark blue flames are different from any fire magic; it's the opposite, to be exact. It is cold and can suck the soul out from its body; this is the magic of Queen Frizella. 

Prince Pierre can feel the anger of his mother but he can't do anything about it. It was surprising enough that the emperor himself let Azelaine live in the Therilian Palace easily. While his mother, Queen Frizella, has been dreaming of getting its authority. 

It's been 12 years and yet, she can't still grasp it within her hands. 

"How dare she?" Queen Frizella muttered. Her hands balled into a fist and the energy became stronger. 

"Calm down, mother. We can just talk it out with the emperor." Prince Pierre tried to calm her but it was all in vain. She's being consumed with too much anger than not even Prince Pierre can calm her. 

Celestia shrieked when Queen Frizella threw the vase beside her. Prince Pierre glanced at her but he's more worried about his mother. 

He's fully aware of what the queen can do.

"I have been doing everything in order to obtain that authority! How dare she stole what is supposed to be mine?!" 

"Mother! Stop it!" 

The queen walked towards Celestia and wrapped her hands around her arms. Celestia winced because of Queen Frizella's gripped on her. 

"How did that happen?! I thought she is already useless?!"

Tears started to form in Celestia's eyes. "I-I don't know, Your Highness. L-Last time I-I checked, she was l-locked in her room," Celestia stuttered. The queen pushed her after hearing her answer. 

"This can't be happening!" The queen stormed out of the room. 

Prince Pierre looked at Celestia. "Go home," he commanded before following the queen, who just got out of the palace. 

While Celestia was left all alone in the sitting room. She harshly wiped her tears away before glaring at the door, where the queen and Prince Pierre just left. Celestia gritted her teeth and balled her fist at the same time. 

"Damn you, Azelaine," she whispered to herself. 

---

Therilian Palace is the symbol of every empress. This place truly fits for the second highest position in the whole empire. Every corner of this palace screams elegancy and power. 

This might be a huge favor for me but I can't help but wonder why did the emperor gave me this palace that easily? I was expecting that he will let me live in Quevilian Palace since Prince Urus is not there but he exceeds my expectation. 

"This will be your chamber, My Lady." The butler opened the door for me and gestured his hand for me to enter. I did what he gestured however, the butler stayed outside of the room. 

The first thing I checked is the view outside of the window. My lips automatically formed into a smile after seeing the empress' garden. Various of flowers are blooming beautifully, it's adding colors to the plain leaves. 

"Did you liked your chambers, My Lady? We can change the furniture if it's your liking," the butler suggested but I shook my head.

"Everything is fine, I like it."

"I'm relieved, My Lady. Now, may I show you the other vicinities?" 

I went outside of the room. "Yes, please." Fiona was left in my room since she will arrange the things we brough from the manor. 

Surprisingly, I be able to adapt easily.

"My Lady!" A servant called me. "Queen Frizella is here." Well, that's fast. 

Of course, I expected her to come here. Everyone are expecting her to be the new owner of this palace and it was given since she is the queen. I smiled wickedly in my mind.

What she's feeling right now is exactly what I felt when she chose Celestia as Prince Pierre's fiancee. 

I went downstairs to meet her and from above, I can already feel her anger. Her eyes are glaring at me ever since I stepped on the stairs. However, I greeted her with a big smile. 

"I greet the magisterial queen and second prince of the Meliean Empire." I bowed my head and then looked at them. 

Prince Pierre's gaze feels like piercing through my skin but I couldn't care less. He was the first one to cut ties with me; I can feel nothing but resentment. What ever happens to him now is out of my concern.

"How did the emperor gave you the Therilian?" The queen asked through gritted teeth. 

I scoffed a little that made her anger more visible. My mouth gaped. Of course, I have to act. "Oh. Apologies, Your Highness, but I think why is more suited for your question," I said with a grin. 

Her face started to contort because of her anger. I wanted to let out of my laugh but I still don't want to embarrass her. Besides, I used to look up at her. Oh well.

How disappointing.

"How dare you speak that way to the queen?" Prince Pierre butted in. 

I sigh before slowly looking at him. If he wants my attention then I'll give it to him. "That way...?" I acted like a clueless girl as a way to mock him. "Your Highness, it seems like I can't understand what you are talking about."

Prince Pierre, the second prince of Meliean Empire, the man who stole my heart; I also used to look up at him with adoration. But now I have realized something.

This prince is nothing but a puppet.

In a blink of an eye, my head suddenly turned to the left side. My left ear is also ringing. I caressed the cheek that has been slapped by the queen, it does stings to be honest. 

"Mother!"

"I am still higher than you, Lady Laurenze! You dare to treat me this way and stole my position!" 

I stopped caressing my cheek and stepped forward. "I did not stole it, Your Highness, since this is not yours in the first place. You are only dreaming to have it but I obtained it." If I have to fight them all head on, then I gladly will. 

Challenge me and I will make sure that you will meet your doom's end.

"Escort the queen and the second prince out," I commanded the servants and they obliged. I turned my back while the queen is still protesting. 

I walked out with a smile on my lips.

---

how was it?