Born to be Empress

Chapter 13 - Second chance

-"So, you are Phaedra," the Empress said with an air of majesty. Several minutes passed, the silence in the room thick and unbroken. We stood there, locked in a wordless stare, neither of us daring to speak. Finally, she broke the tension. "I owe you my life," she said, her voice cutting through the stillness. Her expression shifted abruptly, her demeanor growing more serious.

-"You owe me nothing, Your Grace..." I whispered timidly.

-"Allow me to have a different opinion. Octavius told me all about your incredible abilities."

-"Incredible abilities? No, there's no such thing. The High Healer is exaggerating," I stammered, uncomfortable with the praise.

-"Modesty is a virtue, as long as it is used properly. Everything in moderation ancient Greeks used to say," she responded, her tone firm. Her gaze was so intense that I couldn't maintain eye contact. I bowed my head, remaining in that position for several minutes. Silence filled the room until the Empress broke it.

-"You know, I admire your courage and your good heart. Even though you were brutally tortured in the dungeons and knew you were likely to die, you didn't hold any grudges. Instead, you gave Octavius the remedy for my illness."

-"Healing is a virtue sent by Gods. Healers aren't allowed to make distinctions when it comes to patients. Everyone is entitled to medical attention, no matter who they are or what they have done," I replied, my voice steady.

-"Your point of view is quite interesting! It completely differs from the majority, at least here in this kingdom." The Empress paused for a moment, then added, "I've heard that your origin is from the Crescent Kingdom. Is that true?"

-"Yes, Your Grace," I answered.

-"I'm sorry for your homeland," she said with a touch of sorrow. "I am against wars, but my son sees things differently. He is young, ambitious, and believes strongly in himself and his capabilities," she confessed, her words tinged with frustration. It was as though she was lamenting her son's actions, disapproving of his way of thinking.

-"Thank you," I said softly, a hint of sadness in my voice. Talking about my home and my people brought back memories—happy ones—from my village. How I miss my family, I thought, feeling the weight of the distance between us.

-"What do you want from me for saving my life?" The Empress asked, her tone both intense and expectant. "Do you want jewels? A significant position in the palace? Your freedom? Just tell me what your heart desires, and it will be yours."

Her words caught me off guard. It had never crossed my mind to ask for anything in return for my healing. I hadn't done it for money, power, or a position. What could I ask for? I didn't care about those things. The only thing that came to mind was freedom. But if I were set free, where could I go? My homeland was destroyed, my people were gone, and I would be left alone.

-"I... I really don't know. I couldn't ask for anything, Your Grace. Saving a life is more than enough for me," I finally said.

The Empress regarded me for a long moment, her sharp eyes probing as though searching for some hidden meaning in my words. Finally, she spoke again, her voice softer but no less commanding.

-"Your humility is remarkable, Phaedra. But I cannot simply let you leave empty-handed, not after everything you've done for me. I insist you ask for something—anything." She leaned forward, her gaze now piercing into mine. "You've already given me more than I could ever repay, but perhaps there's something you need that I can provide."

I swallowed hard, caught off guard once more by her insistence. My mind raced, thoughts colliding in a haze. What did I want? What could I possibly ask for? Everything I had ever known was lost. My identity, my home—it was all gone in an instant. But there was one thing, perhaps the only thing, that had ever truly mattered to me.

-"I... I suppose," I hesitated, feeling the weight of the Empress's expectation pressing down on me. "I would ask for knowledge. I want to deepen my understanding of healing— to study as many books as possible on remedies, potions, and methods."

The Empress studied me for a long moment, her gaze intense yet thoughtful. Finally, she nodded, as though satisfied by my answer.

-"Knowledge, you say? A noble request indeed," she murmured, her voice steady but filled with a quiet respect. "You wish to learn more about healing, to delve deeper into remedies, potions, and methods that could aid in mending the broken. Very well, Phaedra. I will grant you access to the kingdom's greatest scholars, the libraries that house the ancient texts on healing arts, and the hidden secrets of forgotten remedies. All of it will be at your disposal."

I felt a sense of relief wash over me, though it was tempered by the weight of the responsibility I now carried. Healing was more than just a skill—it was a calling. And now, with the Empress's offer, I had the opportunity to further understand the intricacies of it, to build a future where I could help those who had suffered as much as I had.

-"You will not only learn the physical ways of healing," the Empress continued, her voice growing more solemn. "But you will also study the ancient philosophies, the magic of the old world, and the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Healing is not just about what you apply to the wound, but understanding the cause of the pain, the source of the affliction."

I nodded, my heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Grace. This is all I have ever wanted—to be better, to help more."

-"Then it shall be done," she said, her voice soft but firm, as though making a promise. "You will have the knowledge, the wisdom, and the tools. Use them well, Phaedra"

Her words were both a challenge and a blessing, and as I stood there, I knew my journey was far from over. But with the Empress's offer, I had a path forward—one that would not only lead me to heal others but to understand the very essence of life itself. Suddenly, a troubling thought consumed me. Would the Emperor share the same view? Would he allow me to pursue my dream? To him, I was nothing more than a concubine who assisted the High Healer of the palace by day, while by night, I was expected to indulge him. I decided to voice my concerns to the Empress. I didn't have the strength to face my doubts alone, not now, not after everything I'd endured.

-"What would the Emperor think of this? Shouldn't we ask for his permission first?" I asked timidly.

-"Don't worry about that," she replied. "I have already spoken to Areus and asked him to allow me to compensate you in any way I see fit."

-"And will he accept it?" I wondered aloud. She looked at me as if I had defied her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to challenge your authority, Your Majesty. But considering that just two days ago I was imprisoned and condemned to death, I find it hard to believe the Emperor will allow me to receive such a reward."

-"Don't worry. My son, though strict and warlike, is not unfair. He knows you saved my life. He is not ungrateful. His people are his priority . And you belong to his people since you came here."

I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope at her words, though doubt still gnawed at me. The Emperor was a man of power, ruled by his ambitions, and even the Empress's reassurance wasn't enough to erase the deep-seated fears I carried.

-"But what if my past still weighs against me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if he sees me as nothing more than a prisoner, or worse, as a traitor, rather than someone deserving of this opportunity? He imprisoned me because he believed that I was behind the poisoning of the apple juice"

The Empress regarded me for a long moment, her eyes softening with a mixture of sympathy and understanding.

-"You are more than your past, Phaedra," she said firmly. "It is the choices you make now that define who you truly are. The Emperor may be a man of great power, but he is neither blind nor a fool. He sees clearly now that it was never possible for you to be a traitor. And if he might have had  any lingering doubts, they were erased by your last action."

Her words settled into my heart, a quiet reassurance. I had come so far, endured so much, and perhaps, just perhaps, there was a way forward—one that didn't involve being defined by my past. But I knew it wouldn't be easy.

-"I will do whatever it takes to earn your trust," I said, my voice filled with resolve. "For the sake of my future, and for the people who need me."

The Empress smiled, a knowing look in her eyes.

-"You don't have to worry about that. You already have my trust —and my full support."