The Empire's Only Princess

Chapter 2- The Parade

Chester runs to the Imperial Float, where his Father, brothers, and step-mother await him.
"There you are, Chester!" Leah Williams, The Emperor's mistress, runs over to him and begins to coddle him like a child. He a disgusted expression evident on his face, he pushed her away.
"I'm not a child, much less yours. Stop treating me like one." He says curtly, walking past Leah. he walks over to his father, Emperor Dexter, and pulls him away from the group.
"Father, I have some disturbing news." The emperor's eyes widen at the anxious tone Chester is using. His normally carefree son is not one to worry.
"What is it, Chester? What has you so anxious?"
"A little girl, looks no older than 2 or 3. She has our eyes, Father, and mother's as well." Dexter's eyes widen in shock with a glimmer of hope.
"What color was the young one's hair?"
"Red, nearly black, Father."
Dexter smiles at the thought of his daughter finally being found. His smile fades, realizing his son mentioned the girl looks only a few years old, rather than 5 as she should be.
"Where did you find her?"
"The bookstore, Father. She was reading a fairy tale."
"Then we shall find this girl after the parade."
The 2nd prince nods in understanding. He follows his father back to float, where his step-mother and brothers have climbed onto. The pair of men get on and Dexter gestures for the parade to start.
The Windsor children giddily jump up and down as they hear the trumpets sound. Narcissa smiles proudly, while Jake tries to calm the children.
"There it is!" Lorrina practically screams into her father's ear as the Imperial float comes into view. The ladies swoon at the sight of the Emperor and his sons, looking dashing and regal as usual. The youngest princes, Simeon and Stello, look around, as this is their first time on the float.
Leon's eyes widen at the twin princes. During the trial later in the day, he could- no, WOULD- be the personal guard for one of them.
Lorrina is watching the float with awe. I'll be up there, one day. I swear. She smiles to herself as she watches the float pass by her.
*Timeskip brought to you by Plus Ultra*
Once the Imperial float reaches its parking spot, Dexter and Chester immediately jump down from the float, startling the others.
"Chester and I have something important to do. Floyd, take over the trial." Confused, the Crown Prince nods at his father's order and heads off to the small arena with the twins and their mother in tow.
"Show me the girl, Chester."
Chester dashes through the back alleyway. He runs to the front entrance to the Bookstore and rushes in.
"Is the girl with reddish-black hair still here?!" Dazed and confused, Tiffany nods and points to the fairy tale section. The emperor and his 2nd eldest rush over, seeing Blysse reading in the same bean bag chair.
Feeling the presence of multiple people, Blysse looks up, forgetting to fix her bangs. The emperor's breath hitches. It's true. Her eyes matched his and the late empress'. Her hair is the perfect mix. But her size... she shouldn't be that small. Dexter walk up to the girl and bends down.
"Hello there, little one."
"Hello, sir. Are you looking for a fairy tale?"
"No, actually. I was wondering, how old are you?"
Blysse holds up 5 fingers. "I'm five, sir. Why are you asking?"
"No reason, young one." Hope blossoms in his chest as he smiles at the little girl in front of him.
Tiffany, worrying for Blysse's safety, peeks around the corner, only to gasp at the sight of Blysse's silver eye.
"Tiffany, is there something wrong?" The little girl looks at the bookstore owner with worry and confusion. Tiffany smiles and shakes her head.
"No, dear. However, I think I've figured out why you don't look like the rest of your family."
"Really? Maybe now Leon and Lorrina won't make fun of me." The emperor looks at Tiffany, as though demanding she tell him otherwise. The bookstore owner nods her head, confirming the little girl's statement.
"Little one, I would like to meet your family."
"You'll have to wait until the festivities are over. Mother said not to leave the bookstore until she comes to get me."
"Then we shall wait."
*Timeskip brought to you by Baby Crow*
"Jake, take the kids home, I have to go pick up the little brat." Jake nods and picks up a sleeping Lorrina while holding Leon's hand and heading home.
With a huff, Narcissa trudges slowly to the bookstore, dreading the walk home. She enters the bookstore at the ending of dusk.
"Alright, you little brat! C'mon, hurry up before I decide to leave you here!"
"You will be doing nothing of the sort."
Narcissa's eyes widen at the sight of Prince Chester and Emperor Dexter in front of her, Blysse sleeping soundly on Dexter's shoulder.
"Your Imperial Highnesses, my deepest apologies for my daughter. I-"
"Shut it, now. I have questions, and you will answer them truthfully."
"O-of course, your Majesty."
Chester gestures for the woman to sit down. She obeys, beads of sweat dripping down her face. That damn brat!! She thinks angrily at the sight of her exposed wounds. Can't do a simple thing right.
"Where did she get these bruises?"
"Oh, my daughter is very clumsy. Always tripping over things, running into furniture, that sort of thing."
"Really? Because the bookstore owner says otherwise. So do other shopkeepers in the town."
Narcissa freezes, realizing that she wasn't as slick as she thought. Others had caught on. She gulps nervously, desperately trying to find a way out of the current situation.
"I told you to answer me truthfully, Madam Windsor. Did you really think that you could get away with lying to the Imperial Family?"
"Father, calm down, you'll wake the girl." Dexter sighs and brings a hand up to stroke the re-almost-black hair of the small girl. Chester turns to Narcissa, the signature Castro Glare on his face.
"We'll be taking the girl with us." Before the blonde-haired woman could respond, the 2 royals walk out of the bookstore while carrying the 5 year old.
The footman opens the door for the Emperor and his 2nd son. As they enter, the little girl shifts in her sleep, though she doesn't wake up.
"Why are you acting like this, Father?"
"Because, Chester... I believe she is your sister."
*If you get any of the timeskip references, let me know in the comments and you'll get a food of your choice!*