Chapter 25: Lost The War.

Chapter 25: Lost The War.

Elizabeth's POV

In the Library where my research for improving the better farmlands of my kingdom's condition.

I have already made a couple propositions and suggestions toward the council to which some have been ignored.

More like it was only Sir Lincoln who only took the time to read it.

I've been making my time useful by trying to get into formal occasions, tea parties, balls, weddings, and masquerades. Yet this sort of thing does not interest me. I'm more interested in helping the kingdom grow with the studies I've gained through my past life.

"They're still not taking me seriously! Do they not know the research it took me to finish some of the paper documents that I made?" I frowned while slumping my back onto my chair, tired of how they're not giving me respect towards my research and hard work.

"Well your highness... they still see you as a child." (Victoria) was at my side brewing tea. Herbs, spices could be smelled and that made me a lot calmer but still.

"Hmph, how biased! When it comes to knowledge and education, age shouldn't matter if they truly speak facts and have conducted real proof solutions that would help the kingdom resolve some of its matters." I look down on the several books in front of me and realize things at my age now would be difficult but I don't act, the years up ahead would be more challenging than it should.

"Especially if I'm to become Queen." I feel like having a tantrum, knowing that I'm somewhere safe. "Victoria, how can I let them see me on an equal footing?"

"Hmm… Well- it would be hard at your age. I know you have a strong will and spirit to prove them wrong but maybe you should wait a bit more when you have a strong backing and support."

"You mean… when I'm crown princess?"

She smiles nodding, taking a hold of the tea cup and pouring me some of it. "By that time you would have everything prepared, I will help and guide you with the best that I can. You may even have your request approved to learn the art of war and master certain weapons of your choice."

My plan to live my life, and getting my revenge on that meddlesome god that put me in this place. I would really need that plan and request for me to learn to master war tactics and weapons by the council.

"Sip…"

The tea was hot, I could see my reflection upon the beverage, my white hair and silver eyes that were characteristic features of someone by royalty.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A knock on my library?

Who dares disturb my alone time with mum.

"Are you expecting a guest?" (Victoria) turns to me before walking away to the door holding the knob. The guards should be outside keeping watch, I waited for any kind of introduction before letting them in.

"I don't believe Melrose's visit is to be scheduled so soon so that can't be her." I wonder who it could be. Melrose has been visiting me daily after her birthday party, she's a sweet girl.

I won't be seeing her much after this year. Uncle Damien Erhenzig has told that Melrose will be living in another country for her studies. I have only gotten a grasp of the news when we were just getting close.

It seems he made a few precautions in my presence, he doesn't want his daughter getting near and being influenced by me it seems.

"Y-Your highness! I am Lienel Oebuer, here to deliver you your usual mail!"

I was met with the mail servant knocking onto the doors of my library, I motioned for Victoria to let the mail servant in.

"The letters."

"Here it is, your highness."

The mail servant soon excuses himself, and Victoria closes the door after giving me the letters, unable to look me in the eye.

"Who could these be from?"

I've been getting a few greeting letters from suitors I've befriended over at some small balls I've attended and provided a few conversations that entertained them for a few minutes.

To think by then they already shot their chance at me.

How pathetic.

"Victoria, why don't you give this a read? I don't believe we're fit for the age of courtship so this makes me laugh." I gave one of the letters to Victoria who read it quickly giving me a weird look.

"These were commissioned and made by artists, your highness. I don't believe at your age one would be old enough to know the meaning of; 'Let our hearts be one'. Someone must've hired a poet to make this." she chuckles, putting it back into the table and I nod.

"It's no surprise. You remember that boy that approached me at last week's ball?" I let her recall one of a faint figure that approached me, keeping me in a corner in the ballroom gaining territory of me making the other boys unable to approach.

"Yes? Is something the matter with him?"

"I found him oddly suspicious."

"How so, princess?"

"You could say he was not fond of me but he forced himself to act as if he was." I could feel it from a mile away. His parents were not too far enough for me to notice their encouraging eyes of guidance. "Though I can't blame him, most noble boys were only forced to do that because of our circumstances."

Never would I think... I would be venting my feelings and thoughts to a person before. My life has since felt so light, letting Victoria Crumwell be someone important to me.

Everyday has been fun with her.

"What do you think Mom- I mean... Victoria!" I covered half of my face realizing that I still get slip ups of calling her mom.

Thankfully, Victoria caught on that I was embarrassed and decided to sit down next to me leaning over to my side. "What do I think?"

"Y-Yeah... What do you think of all the suitors I'll be getting?" I asked for her second opinion and she smiled with glee. Placing a hand on the top of my head, caressing it softly like always.

Victoria stares into me with those motherly loving eyes, green full of warmth and an embrace where no one could see. "All I know when the time comes for your love to bloom, may it be a suitor or someone you have fancied. Make sure to introduce that person to me first or I'll be mad."

"Pfft-! Hahaha! Yeah!" I laughed leaning by her shoulder and deciding to read the remaining letters altogether.

I was thinking about who can I reply back to out of politeness and who can I make relationships with that might have any mutual benefits.

"This is a maybe, I believe the count is of use."

"A child of one of the most powerful merchants around…"

"Hmm this is just junk mail."

Victoria was enjoying watching me sort the letters out from most useless to useful. "Nope- nope… nope- huh?"

But then I noticed one of these was different colors.

"What's this one? Why is it purple?" I flipped it over and saw the royal sigil for its wax. That couldn't be, because I'm the only royal here and that could only mean… "The royal sigil-"

I saw who it was addressed to.

"Victoria Crumwell… This is for you." I held up the letter to Victoria who was suddenly stricken with the look of fear.

"This- The letter is from your father." (Victoria) takes the letter away from me carefully tearing the wax and opening it up. She holds the paper with shaking hands but then sighs a breath of relief soon after.

I sat there on my seat, not knowing what to do. So many things ran over my mind and thought of the worst.

Did he die?

Could it be that the demon-human war is over?

My mind was racing and my curiosity couldn't handle it anymore. I held onto Victoria's sleeve pulling it to gain her attention.

"Victoria what does the letter say?" I asked and she looked at me with a serious expression on her face.

"Your father, the king is alright and he told me to inform you that he'll be coming home in three days." (Victoria) stood up from her chair and I didn't understand.

"I never met this man- I don't- why is he coming back just now?"

"The human-demon war is over, your highness." She told me and I… still didn't understand. I know war brings great misfortune but- how huge could it be?

Granted I never saw or experienced war.

I've always just been inside of the castle.

The wars here might be different back in my past life.

"Our side has lost the damage of the war. It is too cruel, he will be tasked to rebuild and compensate all the soldier's families who have lost their sons and daughters that fought in the war."

"The humans… we lost?"

"Unfortunately so." (Victoria) looks away, biting her lip before kneeling and keeping her head down. "Please understand, your highness… your father. War changes people, he might not be the same friend I know and for you-"

She stops and I hear her crying.

I don't understand.

Perhaps I do- it's hard to explain but I can't feel the same pain as Victoria. I don't know the King- I don't- I don't know.

"Whatever he does, please know that he did his best for you and the kingdom." (Victoria) lifts her head up slowly, those once cheerful green eyes turned sorrowful.

My stomach churned, my heart felt uneasy and my hands wanted to reach for Victoria that was showing her fragile moments to me more often.

"Were you… also a victim of war?"

"..."

It might… be a touchy subject but I couldn't help asking after seeing her eyes telling me of how much pain she must be in hearing the news that- our side has lost.

"I am, your highness. I am a survivor and fighter of war." (Victoria) answered confidently before placing a hand on her chest. "I… would tell you the story another time if… I can."

Victoria…

I quickly shook my head, took the letter from her and cursed my father for bringing up the topic of war into my happy times.

I know it would be selfish! But I just can't see Victoria being so- so… so sad.

"Do not jest! You don't have to! If it's too painful you don't have to!"

My maid stands up from her kneeling, "I have long healed from my scars, the memories stay but- I am alive and doing my duty to protect you, your highness. It was worth it… to live and to have a new purpose."

I tilt my head and felt really happy to hear that she was glad that she was at least alive but-

"A new… purpose?"

What could that be?

"You are my new purpose."

…

Thud!

"Woah… um…" she was rendered speechless when I immediately hugged her knees, it was the only height I could reach and Victoria didn't know what to do.

My past life brought me some memories I would not go back to, but this life made me grateful for bringing me Victoria as my mother figure.

"Still not used to me hugging you?"

"I'm never used to any hugs by royalty. I keep reminding myself of where I stood, I am only your caregiver-" (Victoria)

I no longer feel embarrassed to remind her of her new title.

"Mom."

"..."

"Your highness, I am not your real-" I stop Victoria before she could even finish her sentence, my little hands gripping on the side of her skirt.

"Mom."

"...Ah."

"To me, you're not a caregiver. I keep calling you mom. I don't like it either but I just see you as mom." My heart was beating really fast, this is the first time I was happy calling someone mom.

"The Queen will laugh and glare at me in envy if she hears her own daughter calling me mom." (Victoria) scratches the back of her head and chuckles nervously.

"She's mom number two."

"Please- my heart won't take it if she visits me in my dreams."

Victoria managed to pull me out of my hug to her, and I was not happy about it.

"Your highness, we still have to prepare now to finish your research and then we can go." (Victoria)

Then she reminded me of how we have to prepare for my father who's coming back from war and in the end we called the other maids to help us prepare the welcoming decoration for the royal hall.