In Time And Memories

Chapter Sixty-Eight

When Urus went to visit Emperor Ytrius, I was left alone in his office to do my own pile of works. He moved my office here in his, so I can be with him all the time.

Of course, I don't have any complain about that.

I have to review the requests of the citizens and to analyze it; that's my job as the empress. Then when I approve of it, I also have to implement a new regulations regarding their requests.

It is also my job to give my thoughts to Urus whenever he wants to consult with me on something. We have been working hand in hand to make the empire better and stronger.

As for being the commander of the Golden Xazuiqiel,  it is my job to keep the security of the imperial palace and of course, Urus' safety.

That is why I am here in his office. In which, I am not supposed to be with since I can work alone in my office but Urus is stubborn. He made some excuses that are pretty convincing. In which is also the reason why I don't have any complaint.

Just like what I have said, I enjoy being with Urus since it calms me whenever I'm with him.

I didn't realized that I was smiling like an idiot until I heard the door opened and closed. I thought it was Urus but it turns out, it is Prince Pierre.

"I am aware that you know it is rude coming inside the emperor's and empress' office without any notice, Prince Pierre." I stared at him sharply.

He and Celestia has been keeping a low profile for the past two years so I never bothered myself with them again. Besides, they are not doing any suspiscious or anything that could annoy me until now.

My eyebrows flinched when he smiled. "Oh, apologies, Your imperial highness," he said mockingly.

He steps foward and I instinctively moved backward. I got confused on my action but I just shrugged it off. There is not time to get confuse, not when Prince Pierre is constantly coming towards me.

With a swift move, I grabbed the sword sitting on the side of my chair and left it unsheathed. His moved his head upward to avoid my sword that is now closed to his neck.

"What do you think you are doing, Prince Pierre?" He may have his magic but never forget that I know how to use a sword well.

He sighs in defeat. "I just... missed you, Azelaine." His voice is soft and as if he is begging. But that won't work on me anymore. Those words are making me want to puke.

"I think you forgot who you are talking to, Prince Pierre."

But he didn't answered me. I was caught off guard when his clone suddenly appeared behind me. Fortunately, I am swift enough to kick his clone away from me but as soon as it fell back, another one rushed towards me.

I used my sword and I didn't hesitate to cut them off. The clones became a smoke and it disappeared into thin air.

This might not affect him physically but I know that defeating his clones can drain his energy.

With the years of training as a knight, I have became physically strong and my fighting skills got improved too. So fighting these clones are an easy task for me. No matter how many clones came rushing to me, I know that I can defeat him.

"Emperor Ytrius is dead."

Those words rang to my ear and I lost my second for a mere second. A clone went to me and I only realized that it is holding a knife.

I avoided it stabbing through my chest but I couldn't avoid it stabbing my shoulder. My eyes flinched as I winced because of the pain. I swung my sword and the clone disappeared again.

"What the fuck are you saying?" As much as I kept feeling the excruciating pain on my shoulder, I can't pull the knife out.

Because if I did, it might worsen my situation by losing a lot of blood.

Prince Pierre went to me and I was surprised when a black snake came out and its body is wrapped around me.

I can't move at all.

"Father is dead. And by now, mother might have taken down Urus," he answered me but I didn't showed any reaction. I have to be vigilant and never trust the words coming out of his mouth.

I scoffed. "This is treason. You hurted the empress and you think Urus will forgive you?"

His eyes darkened by the mere mention of Urus' name. I know that he might saying the truth since they have been plotting against the imperial family. For sure, this is Queen Frizella's plan.

Maybe I was a fool when I thought that they will stay low profiled but I should have never thought that Queen Frizella will back down. If I know better, she may have been preparing for this in the past two years and it is time for them to move.

I bit my lip. Thinking about it, is making me afraid that I might lose Urus. I might lose what we have been building for.

Prince Pierre went closer to me and caressed my cheek. I moved my head away but it's not like it can stop him from touching me.

"After Urus dies, I will make you mine, Azelaine. I will become the emperor so you will remain on your seat as the empress."

I feel like vomiting. His touch is making me feel disgusted.

I want to escape but the snake won't let me move, not even a bit. The sword is in between my legs and the snake, I can feel it cutting my skin as the snake tightens its body around me.

"I will never be your empress, Pierre. I would rather kill myself than being with you. You are disgusting!"

Pain flashed on his eyes but no. I don't believe those emotions and I don't even care if it's real.

"I am the first man you love, Azelaine. You wanted to get marry with me before." And now, he's bringing up the past.

I smirked. "It doesn't matter who is the first man I love, Pierre. It is in the past now and it doesn't matter to me! What matters to me now is that I love Urus and he's the only one I want to be with!"

That's right. I don't care if those words hurts like hell to Pierre. He couldn't even fight for me anyways. All those promise he made, none of them was fulfilled.

I can't believe I loved him. I was so immature back then.

"Urus is nothing now. Don't you understand?!"

"Then I'll just have to kill myself since I can't stand being with you!"

It hurts. It fucking hurts to think that Urus... I haven't even told him that I have a lot of plans on his birthday, that I am now ready to bear his child, and that... I love him.

I don't want to cry in front of Pierre but my tears bursts out like a waterfall.

Urus...

He sighs. "I don't want to do this, Azelaine." My mouth gaped but there's a sting on my neck which made my eyelids feel heavy.

My vision became a blur until it finally turned black.

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