Three Men

After arriving at pearl palace, I went to my personal library. Mother bought all kind of books, rare and new. This collection was comparable to national library. So I knew I had to find the books which will help me find my way. I went to library for another reason as no one can enter except for me. I would get my privacy.

I opened the book which I couldn't last time. It must contain some information. But there was nothing specific. But I did give it a read. Two hours had passed. It basically told about the origin of Aurelius family.

What interest me more was the eye color of golden dragon Aurelius was red not blue. The blue color came from his wife 'witvh'. And their son Inherited his mother's eye. As I went through the history of previous emperors, only three had different eye color that was red not purple. What the heck. So why my color changed to purple. And why they had red eyes, there was no reason. I think I would have to go the palace library.

As it was close to dawn, I went to the forbidden forest to meet Edward. When I came to the lake, he was already there waiting. As if he heard my footsteps, he got up. He was wearing a black suit, the same he had wore at funeral earlier. I told him to sit on the rock beside me. As I started the conversation.

"Ed, do you believe that mother was the one who poisoned me?"

"Elder sister, can I be honest. I did not know much about the late empress but I know she was wise woman. If she wanted me dead, there were a lot of better ways."

I laughed at his reply.

Sure enough he had not been brainwashed yet.

"You're right, she did not poison you but she wanted you dead. She did it for me so I don't blame her hatred as it was justified by your mother's action."

"Ed, I don't lie so I will tell you the truth. Because you need to know. It doesn't matter if you believe it or not. My mother never killed Lilian child and she was wrongly accused by your mother. And she did not poison you."

He looked at me as if wanted to see what was inside.

I continued," I hate the throne and have no desire for it. If mother was alive, I would have fought over the throne but she is not anymore and she told me to live my life freely. Though I enjoyedu life as a princess but I lost my favorite person as its cost."

"I know you are hiding your true skills but you don't need to do that anymore. You should make your mother proud as I couldn't do so. This empire need better king. I know you've got what it takes to be one. If you are worthy enough I will swear my loyalty to you. I don't want any bloodshed."

" But mother did wrong you once, and I don't want you to hate her as she did try to assassinate you. So if you forgive my mother, I'll grant you one wish, whatever it is."

Edward looked at me as he could jot understand me why I am telling him this stuff. I just did not want him to hate mother. Or easily brainwashed by his own mom.

He said:" I believe in you sister, as if you truly wanted me dead I would not have survived this far but you saved my life and became my friend. As for the wish can I take it as a promise and I will use it in the future since I have nothing I need at the moment."

I smiled and felt relieved after hearing his response. He was such a mature kid for his age. And here I was acting like a naive girl.

"it's alright. I promise you I'll give you what you want." I continued.

"But Ed, I won't be able to see you anymore. So keep fighting and working hard."

He asked with tears in his eyes, "are you going somewhere."

"Maybe, I haven't decided where to buy I'm not gonna live in this palace."

"Then can I write you?"

"No, since your mother won't like it and I wish to keep my where abouts a secret. There are a lot of enemies."

"Are you doing this because you want to find

the criminal?"

I looked at the boy in different light. He was quite sharp. Controlling my expressions, I asked how did he know.

He guessed based on my personality, since I can't just sit back and do nothing.

We both laughed and told him that now is not the time for that. But I surely will.

He understood my meaning and we parted eyes. He wanted to say something but held back. Maybe if I'm fine. It was better this way. As I did not know what I felt at that moment.

Anger, despair, anxiety there was nothing. I felt my heart devoid of emotions. It was just lonely as I could not imagine a life without mother. I won't be seeing her anymore. It was the first time I had lost someone dear to me in both lives.

I went to the palace library and started searching through the history books. I found some and discreetly moved them into space. I mobed through the secret paths as everyone was watching my move. But I had to do.

Then I went back to pearl palace. I did not want to go to room yet. So I just walked through the palace and walking like that I reached mother's favorite garden. Roses had started to bloom as it was the start of spring. But the wind was still cold. Margaret brought me a shwal. But my foot stopped as I saw the emperor in the blue rose garden. There were only a few bloomed flowers. He also noticed my presence. And greeted me, I was confused but greeted back.

He started saying, "your rebellious attitude is just like your mother. She also had a temper."

I looked at him as why he was telling me that.

"You have your mother's nose and eyebrows. Your eyes are like me."

I was surprised as I also scanned the man in front of me. Though it was night, I could see well using mana. Also there was moonlight. The man in front of me was tall, had a straight back. He did not look like a man in his thirties. Age only added to his charm. I could understand why mother liked him. He was also a beauty.

He smiled as if he knew my thoughts

I blushed. He laughed a bit.

Then suddenly his cold expressions came back and asked, "are you not going to tell me about the person who came."

I almost lost my composure after being found out. But I replied: "you do not deserve to know".

It was too harsh but that time I couldn't find anything else. As the story of their love was still fresh in my mind.

His eyes showed a pain expression but I could not care much.

"I know about what happened between you and mother but I can't forgive you unlike mother."

With a cracked voice, I continued: "in her last moments, she remembered you and told me she loved you. But in my eyes you do not deserve that love."

He had a heart broken expression and said: "he really did not deserve her love". As if chanting those words to himself.

I was angry that's all he had to say.

"What's the point of saying that now, you destroyed her life. Took ten years from and restrained her from meeting her friends and family. The empire she had worked so hard to make better, she did not even had a chance to see it with her own eyes. I don't care what you have for her but there is no point in regretting it now. She is gone and never coming back. Maybe she was freed from her cage".

I saw tears in his eyes, he deserved that pain.

After saying whatever came, I was going to go back when he asked me if there is anything I need.

I scoffed but I remembered one thing I indeed need. I asked his permission to leave palace.

"No, how can a princess not live in a palace."

I could see he did not want me go but I couldn't stand the thought of staying even one more day. I tried to be reasonable.

"Your majesty, I don't want live in a place filled with mother's memory and I will live in the countryside. It's not like that I had been living like a princess for the past years. You should focus on your family as Edward and Amelia need you".

He asked if I did not need him.

"I have learned to live without a father and I don't need one thank you. But you should give me enough budget so I can live comfortably".

Again a heart broken expression. But it was not going to work on me because I was not Diana.

"My grandpa can be my guardian so I'll save. Do you think I'll be safe in this palace?"

He knew what I was referring to so he gave his permission.

I thanked him and left.

Next day grandpa came as I have asked him. We were in the receiving room. He looked as if he had aged quite a few years in few days. But he hid his sadness maybe did not want to appear weak in front of me. After maids went out I put a barrier so that no one could hear our conversation. His eyes trembled as I did it. Well I had seen a lot of movies and read isekai novels so I had a better understanding of my powers.

He asked me when I had become a third tier mage. There were total seven tiers and there were two or three seven tier mages. I told him when I fought the intruder. He was appalled at my confession. Before he could say anything I told him about the events of that night.

He was quite for some time maybe did not know how to accept that a demon killed his daughter or to accept that his granddaughter survived a demon's attack. I gave him his sweet time and took tea before it became cold.

"Are you sure, your highness?"

"Can never be more sure? Red eyes and black hair. It's written in history books and these books were given to me by mother. What could be more evidence than this?"

"Grandpa, I've decided that I'm going to avenge mother".

"I can't stop you, can I? But have you thought of what to do next?"

"Well, for now I'm not going to live in palace and emperor already gave his permission. I'm going to become stronger by becoming an adventurer".

"Like your mother".

"There is no better place to become stronger than the real battle field.I'm not his opponent for now but that will change in future".

"What about being the crown princess"?

"Edward will be the crown prince."

Grandpa glared at me saying that even after what his mother had done?

"Duke Egilhard, I understand your emotions but it was Lilian who did not her kid.

I'll become your successor. Or do you not want me?"

"How can I not have anyone but you as my successor. It will be my honor. But are you sure, you won't regret not taking the throne."

"Regret is for weak but not for me. And throne is something I can get back whenever I need. For now it will only come between my revenge."

"When did my Athy become so big?"

"I'm not a kid anymore, grandpa. Please share your burdens with me. I'm sure I can handle that."

"Your highness, need not to worry about my burdens just focus on your training.

I will prepare a teacher for you."

"Thank you grandpa, you are the best.

I'll give you the list of things I need."

"And what about Uncle Nicholas?"

"He is outside in the garden."

"Okay, I'll go see him."

It was funny to see that he was standing at the same spot as father last night. I greeted him and he gave me a kiss on my hand as he greeted back. He gave me an empty smile. I could see he was just a hollow shell.

I told him of my plans of moving and how I was thankful for his teachings. He asked to come along. I told him he did not need to escort me anymore. He came for mother as she is not here anymore, he need to move on and let go of her. Because she would be sad to see an empty shell like him. And he should protect and assist Grandpa as he needed him more than I do.

He asked me if it was necessary. I told him it was an order and a request because mother would do the same. She would be happy if he had done that. I emotionally blackmailed him so that he could learn to know how to live for himself. I can't bear to watch him like this. Though I liked my uncle but mother's feelings were unchanged after more than two decades. He need to forget her. I warned him not to become a drunkard. He was amused by my behavior and asked if his feelings were that obvious. I only smiled at him in an answer. And we parted ways.

That day emperor's letter arrived with his written permission. In this letter he requested if I could dine with him for once. I was at a loss. But I decided to give him a reply saying I would.