5 The Princes

With lots of courage, I entered the room, "Finally you are here!" the second prince said as he jumped towards me with excitement, "I greet the rising sun of the empire his highness the Second Prince." I said as I bowed towards him.

"Lady Winter you don't need to be so formal just talk comfortably." said the second Prince with a bright smile, he kinda reminds me of Ashton. Oh, I should thank them for their help yesterday, but where is the crown prince? I looked around the room but he wasn't there.

"Brother Alan won't be here today." the second prince said as he went near the piano located near the window of the room. He won't be here today...*sigh* I wanted to thank them together but no worries let's just thank the second prince for now.

"Actually the real reason I came here was to thank both the highnesses for their help yesterday, but since His Highness, the crown prince isn't here maybe I will thank him some other day," I said as I took a few steps towards the piano.

" Helping you yesterday was not a big deal, so don't worry. Lady Winter is here as our playmate but since today is your first day here, I would like to dedicate this song to you. so that you feel more at ease. I hope you like it." The second prince said as he started to play a note on the piano.

Hearing him say such concentrated words even though he is just 9 years old, as a girl my heart skipped a bit.

After that I went to the imperial palace for almost 2 months during that period of time I became close to the Second prince but at the same time, there was no sign of the Crown Prince. I wonder where is he...Is he doing this to avoid me? But I didn't do anything to him. Or is he really busy?? Thinking that I reached the playroom, usually, there are servants around, during this time but today it's empty, it is because I came a little early than usual today?? maybe I should wait outside till the Prince arrives. Is what I thought...

But suddenly I could hear someone playing the piano, it was the same tune that the second prince played for me during my first day here....but unlike that day why does it sound so sad today.....

I don't know why but my body started to move on its own I didn't even realize when I opened the door and went inside the room, All that I remember was his white hair that shined, his charming face which was lightened due to the sunlight and his deep crimson eyes that were....even sadder than the tune. I kept looking at him until the music stopped that time it felt as if it's only him and me in this entire world and for some reason, those eyes felt familiar to me because I too once looked just like him.

"Lady Winter How long do you plan to stand there and look at me like that?" The Crown prince said as he stopped playing the piano in between.

"I greet the rising sun of the empire His Highness the Crown Prince," I said and bowed. He rose from his seat and walked towards me, even without looking at him I could still feel his cold stare that was targeting me.

" What is happening here?" the second prince said as he hurriedly entered the room, Thankfully he is here or else I might have died because of suffocation.

"I greet the rising sun of the empire his highness the Second prince." I greeted him as usual but the second prince who would usually jump around at my arrival seems to be energy less today. I looked at the second Prince face, his usually bright aura seemed to be dejected today. And for some reason, I felt that I shouldn't ask them why are they like this.....as I could see that they were barely able to control their tears.

After that day I was told not to visit the Palace for some time, "I wonder what going on in the Palace." I murmured as I lay down in my bed. I closed my eyes trying to get some sleep. But I wasn't able to as the sad faces of both the princes kept coming to my mind.

"Ugh!! I can't even sleep!!" I groaned under my pillow. Just then the door of my room opened and Ashton with sleepy eyes came inside the room. "Sister why aren't you asleep yet it's almost past 12 right now..!!" He said in a hoarse voice. Ashton is a light sleeper, he must have worked up because of me.

"I am not sleepy yet," I said as I signalled him to sit in my bed. "Why is it like that? usually, you sleep as soon as you lay in your bed." Ash said as he climbed up into the bed. "I don't know...." I said as I lay down, Ashton followed me and said, " That's weird, but since you aren't sleepy why don't you tell me a story." Ashton said as he tucked himself into the blanket.

"Ash I don't have a story in my mind right now..." I said as I patted his forehead, he touched my hand and looked at me with his light green eyes that truly showed genuine concern for me, "Sister did something happen?" he asked me as he tighten his grip. I can never hide anything from him...Can I? I thought as I smiled lightly.

"You know already that I am the playmate of both Princes, Right?" I said while stroking his hair.

"I know.....Why did they do something to you?" He asked with a serious face.

"No its isn't like that...Actually, I am quiet just worried about them..." I said, "Why?" He asked as he closed his eyes.

"Hmm, maybe because I saw them making that expression..." I said in a low voice as I noticed that ash was about to sleep.

"...What expression..?" he asked in a hoarse voice. "The helpless expression..." I said but stopped in between as Ash was already asleep.

"You know Ash...I am familiar with that expression because during my past life when I lost you, mother and father I too made that expression....which is why I know how much pain they might be having now, even though I am not sure what's the reason behind it but I hope it resolves fast because it's too cold and scary there... you must be dreaming right now but I am still babbling." I said as I looked at his face as I stroked his hair.

"Ash my dear brother please grow up healthily okay," I said as I kissed his forehead. And soon after that, I too fell asleep. But suddenly I felt a hand in my hand it was warm, I opened my eyes a little but I wasn't able to see anything...That person said something but the only thing I heard was "....Sorry.." and felt little wetness in my hand...it was warm...was that person perhaps crying??? I don't know because I soon fell into a deep slumber.

The Next morning I woke up a little late than usual, I looked for Ashton but he wasn't there, Maybe he went back to his room. I tried to remember what happened yesterday night but it was all hazy now perhaps it was a Dream?....or was it a ghost!!! I thought as I felt a shiver down my spine. Whatever I should wash up first.

I took a nice bath and dressed up in a yellow frock which had some simple flowers printed on it, I was ready to leave my room but right then a maid came running into my room with a letter in her hand, "Miss you need to get ready!!!"She said. "Why I don't think I have an appointment today," I asked confused. "You didn't have but now you have," she said and singled other maid's to dress me up.

"But where am I going???" I asked. "You are summoned at the imperial palace." The maid said as she handed me the letter. " Summoned by whom?" I asked not really shocked since I thought it's either the emperor or the princes.

"It's by the empress," she said with a straight face.

"Okay...WAIT!!! by whom did you say?" I asked shocked.

"I said it's by the one and only saintness of this empire her majesty the empress," she said with a smile.

"The...THE EMPRESS!!!" I screamed.