In Time And Memories

Chapter Thirty-One

I stared at the falling snow as it reached the ground. Another snowflake fell, and one landed after another. I watched them with disgust on my face.

Snow is one of the things I hated seeing. I never knew when did I started to hate it but one day, I just woke up getting annoyed by the sight of snow. Maybe because when our mother left us, it was snowing that day too.

I detested my mother for leaving us without any words. She just disappeared 12 years ago.

"Your highness, are you sure you're not choosing the accountancy department?" Fiona asked me while she carries the pile of papers. We're on our way to seek an audience with the emperor since I have something to discuss with him.

"I've already made up my mind, Fiona."

As I'm studying accountancy for a long time, it was only natural for me to choose the accountancy department which will be the focus of my work. However, I choose something else.

The emperor once said that I have to choose a department that I will handle here in the imperial palace. It took me several weeks before I be able to choose a department where I will work.

Accountancy is fine, however, it's not something I really enjoy.

I want to work somewhere I can learn and get stronger. Since I don't have any magic or ability, I would like to improve my physical strength.

"Deliver that to the advisor while I'm meeting the emperor." Fiona nods and left me. I went straight to the hallway, towards the emperor's office. When I got there, the butler announced my arrival.

I bowed to give curtsy. "Greetings, Your imperial highness."

"Raise your head." I smiled and sat on the coach.

"I would like to join the imperial knights, Your imperial highness," I straightfowardly said. The emperor's gaze went up to me and his hand stopped moving from writing; clearly, he's shocked to my statement.

The imperial knights, this is where I want to work. I am capable of working in this department since I'm confident with my fighting skills. Not only I know how to yield a sword but I also know how to use a bow and different weapons as well.

"This is quiet surprising, Princess Azelaine. I am expecting you to choose any department but not the imperial knights."

I know.

"May I know the reason why you chose the imperial knights?"

"I want to improve my strength, Your imperial highness, since I don't have any abilities. Also, fighting is something I enjoyed," I answered him with honesty.

His forehead creased as if I said something wrong. "You're a shallow?"

My lips formed into a thin line. None in this palace knows that I'm a shallow, except for Prince Pierre. This is the second time I revealed myself as a shallow.

Suddenly, I'm starting to regret that I told the emperor that I'm a shallow. However, sooner or later, they will still find it out.

I have no choice but to say the truth.

"Unfortunately, I'm a shallow, Your highness." My heart clenched. I'm ashamed of being a shallow. I want to blame someone but I have no idea who's at fault.

The emperor fell silent for a long time that it made me nervous. If he's doubting me since I don't have an ability, my fighting skills is something I can use to prove that I don't need any abilities in order to fight. Whether it is a monster nor humans.

"Your imperial highness, I ca—" he cut me off.

"Are you sure about your decision, Princess Azelaine?" It gave me hope.

"Yes, I am sure, Your imperial highness."

I heard him sigh. "I will tell the advisor to arrange it for you. However, you still have to go through some trainings like a real knight."

A wide smile appeared on my lips. I stood up and made a 90 degress bow to the emperor. "I will keep that in mind, Your imperial highness!" My lips can't stop stretching into a smile. I thought he wasn't going to allow me but perhaps, he believes that I can do it.

"Did you know your mother's magic?" The emperor asked out of nowhere. The question made me dumbfounded.

"Pardon?"

"Your mother, Duchess Laurenze."

My mouth gaped. Somehow, my mood suddenly turned sour but I didn't show it to His imperial Highness.

"I barely remember my mother, Your imperial highness. She left when I was still five years old and aside from her portraits, I don't know anything about her," I answered him. The emperor nods.

Wait. Isn't Empress Thiane died when I was five?

"Your mother and I was close, she was the only friend I had. Her ability is quite impressive." I never enjoyed a conversation about my mother but hearing about her ability is making me listen to the emperor.

The emperor's deep eyes stared at me. "Her magic is arcane." My eyes widened because of shock.

Arcane is on the same level as the prophesy. It is an ability where it can manipulate energy and create a life out of it. According to the books, I've read before; arcane magic can be threatening. Since it can be used for black magic.

If an evil person had arcane magic with absolute control, that person will be unstoppable.

Hearing this information just made my world shake.

My mother have a powerful magic, so does my brother and father, but why did I became shallow? It doesn't makes sense.

I clenched my jaw. "Do you perhaps know why did my mother left, Your imperial highness?"

The emperor's smirk did not escape from my eyes. I saw how the side of lips slowly went up and I can't figure out his expression.

"She only said that she'll be gone for too long." Either way, the emperor still answered.

Because of his smirk, I can't seem to believe his words. I know that they are hiding something that no one knows. Does my father also took part in this? I also don't know.

I even doubt that someone will tell me the truth nor enlighten me with all of these informations I have found out.

So in the end, I still don't know what's the truth and what are lies.

———

hmm.