The Abandoned Empress: Aristia La Monique

Chapter 3: The Silver Tree

*Everyone was silent*

Tia pondered a bit yet her mind was blank. She felt her body was empty and her heart was missing though she thought it was associated to her injuries. Her thoughts were left untouched as she paid no mind to it. Lina suddenly spoke to excuse herself and the others for Aristia to rest, but she was expecting an explanation about who suppose this person was and how she cannot recall her memories. After a day's rest, following the next day no one seemed to speak about yesterday's matter as if it was forbidden. Afternoon tea came and while sipping her tea she took a moment to understand the present situation from start to end.

Every time, I briefly mention about the incident no one is willing to speak about it. Even trying to recall from my memories, I can only see myself working non-stop and doing my duties as queen. But who was the emperor?

The person I was destined to marry since the day of my birth...why does my chest ache when I try to remember the face of the man I married? I should focus on the cause of the incident, why does my body seem to be smaller and the reason why father is still alive.

After calming herself, Tia decided to end the source of her stress and arrive to the palace to ask her father who knows the details of her situation and the reason of being bedridden for the past few days. After arriving, she decided to visit the garden and see the tree that was left cherished by the former emperor. A red haired person passed the garden as he walked in the hallway, wanting to say a word he was stunned to see a sorrowful expression as Aristia touch the bark of the silver tree. After having a moment, she saw a person approaching who seems to have red hair that resembles someone who was important.

"Hey, are you alright?" While holding the back of his neck with his left hand.

"Eh?"

"I heard that you got hurt from an incident."

"Ah yes, my injuries are slowly recovering but it's fine for now"

Aristia glanced at Carsein's appearance and her attention went towards his bright red hair and remembered the Empire had another knight squadron which was led by a commander who is also the Duke of the Rass residence, Duke Arkint De Rass. Her memories recalled that both his sons were skilled with swords especially his second son who made history by becoming the youngest knight. She didn't want to mistaken him as someone else, and quickly erased her thoughts so she could focus on her main reason why she came to the palace.

Confused as she is at the moment, the tall handsome man standing in front of her and the awkwardness which made the whole atmosphere tense. Tia quickly broke the silence before Carsein could even say a word and excused herself.

"...Ari-"

"Excuse me I have something to do. Until we meet again." 

".....Why is she speaking so formal??"

While she had a small encounter with Sein, she saw her father and who seems to look familiar to the knight she met just a moment ago. Tia waited patiently as she saw the two commanders in depth with their conversation and decided to speak when they end their talk. 

"Keiran, when do you think your daughter will recover and continue training?"

"I don't have an exact time but I'll let Tia decide when she'll be a knight again"  

(while showing worried expression)

Why does father and Duke Rass mean that I will continue being a knight? I don't recall any relation of touching a sword or going near a training ground. I don't understand how I could be a knight, I spent my life training to be the empress and the thought of holding a sword was never in mind.

Aristia became wary of her own existence as she couldn't cope he mind and stumbled a bit while trying to unravel the truth. Both men looked back to see where the sound emerged from, which brought to their sight, Aristia La Monique.

To Be Continued...