In Time And Memories

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Another month have passed, another letter came from the crown prince. The content of the letter remains the same, asking how I have been and he's hoping that I have adjusted well in the palace.

In the end, the letter has been burned in the fire and I still refused to reply.

My life in the palace is still the same; attending meetings and gatherings, doing some paperworks, and covering for the crown prince's absence. Although I got used to it, so it became a little less exhausting.

"Prince Pierre's birthday will be in next week," one of the maids muttered. Two maids are having a conversation while cleaning the hallway.

Both of them shut their lips after seeing me and they lowered their heads.

So, it's been a year.

I walked passed them and entered the dining room to have my breakfast. I was already seated on the chair when a butler came in.

"Greetings, Your Highness," he greeted respectfully. I nods my head.

"Greetings. What's the matter?"

The butler cleared his throat. "The emperor is inviting you in the Ezckelian Palace to enjoy the breakfast together," he announced.

I was puzzled at first since the emperor only calls us to have breakfast together when he is going to announce something. The last breakfast we has was three weeks ago.

Are we going to discuss Prince Pierre's birthday?

If so, I don't think I am needed in that discussion. However, I still turned to the butler and nods. "Alright. I'll be right there, I'm just going to change my clothes." I stood up and immediately went to my room to change my clothes.

I'm still at my pajamas and I can't go out like this. I must look decent and proper.

After changing my clothes, I was escorted by the butler to the Ezckelian Palace. As soon as I arrived, my hands are sweating.

For some reason, I don't have a good feeling about this.

I headed to the dining room as per the butler said but when I arrived there, my blood has ran cold. Not only the queen and prince are here but as well as my ex-father and his adopted daughter.

This is a good example of how to ruin my morning but I still have to endure it and to pretend that everything is fine.

"Greetings to the magisterial Imperial Family and to the duke and lady of house Laurenze," I greeted them with a wide and pleasant smile. If only they know how much I want to spit right through their faces.

The emperor gestured his hand. "Greetings, Princess Azelaine." I sat on the chair from the left side of the emperor. Luckily, I don't have to sit right next to Celestia and my ex-father.

Small chatters from the queen, duke, and the emperor while the foods are being served.

I tried to ignore them as much as possible and only focused myself on the plate in front of me. Ignoring them is for my own good, to avoid making unnecessary remarks and expression. It is also to avoid seeing their faces.

Our breakfast had already finish before they went down on the main business.

"So, what is it that you would like to tell me?" The emperor asked first. My eyes remained on my plate and slowly eating the dessert.

The queen giggled. "I have a good news for you, Your Imperial Highness." That made my ear rings.

"Lady Celestia is pregnant. She carries the child of our son, Your Imperial Highness."

What?

"Is that so?" It's the emperor.

"Y-Yes, Your Imperial H-Highness," Celestia was the one who answered.

My eyes twitched and silently winced after realizing the my nails has dug deep through my palm. I didn't realized that I've been balling my fist so tightly that it even started to bleed.

Drops of blood started to roll down from my palm to the back of my hand.

A lot of emotions has washed through me. Anger, betrayal, hurt, jealousy. And in the end, I chose to feel nothing.

I raised my head and meet their eyes while a sweet smile plastered on my face. My head turned to Celestia. Her lips gaped and I can clearly see her puzzled expression.

This is how you play, huh?

"I am sincerely congratulating you on your pregnancy, Lady Laurenze." I looked at Prince Pierre. "Prince Pierre must be so happy finding out that his future fiancee is carrying his child." I emphasized the word 'happy' and it made his expression turned sour.

The queen, once again, laughed in delight. "Indeed. This only tells us that we must hurry their wedding, am I right?"

Clearly, this is the queen's plan. How disgusting.

But I'm not done yet.

"But I believe that Lady Laurenze has not yet officially announced as Prince Pierre's fiancee, am I right?"

The smile on her lips fell. "Look here, Princess Azelaine. Carrying a child is enough reason for the prince and Lady Laurenze to get marry. That is according to the law."

Hmm. I know that. That is what happened to Empress Thiane and Emperor Ytrius.

"According to the law, I must oppose the idea, Your Highness," I confidently said. Their eyes widened because of my statement. A smirk appeared on my lips.

If you are going to use the law, then I must use it as well to destroy you.

"Princess Azelaine! How dare you use the authority of Therilian?"

I cocked my head to the side. "I think you are mistaken, Your Highness. I'm not using the authority of Therilian to oppose their wedding. In fact, I'm using the law." Her face has turned red and I know that she's about to burts because of anger.

"S-Sister..." Ugh. How annoying.

"I'm afraid that the child you're carrying, My Lady, is an illegitimate child."

"Princess Azelaine!" The queen shouted. The three men inside this room is unbelievably quiet. I glanced at the emperor but he seems uninterested.

"A child born out of wedlock is considered as an illegitimate child," I continued.

The queen scoffed. "Are you also saying that the crown prince is an illegitimate child?" I bit my tongue. I didn't answer immediately, not because I don't have an argument about that but I know the emperor must have not liked that statement.

I secretly glanced at the emperor and his expression has already hardened.

"Crown prince Urus was born after the wedding of Emperor Ytrius and Empress Thiane. He's not an illegitimate child, Your Highness."

If the child was born after the marriage of their parents, then it is not considered as an illegitimate child. An illegitimate child is only considered if they are born before the marriage of their parents.

"Then this child will not be labeled as an illegitimate child if Prince Pierre and Lady Celestia got married before this child is born." This is making my head hurts. I thought the queen knows the law well but it's the opposite.

I sigh. "Lady Laurenze has not yet celebrated her coming of age, it goes the same with Prince Pierre. Am I right?"

A man and woman can only get married after reaching their coming of age. They can be engaged at any age, however, they must have reached their legality first before proceeding to their wedding.

In other words, Prince Pierre and Celestia can't marry each other until Prince Pierre's coming of age ceremony.

I smiled. I won.

———

i hope the explanation is clear. although i have to remind you all that this still remains fictional.