2 Evading Death

There was nothing more confusing than the current situation at hand. After wiping away her tears, Lumielle couldn't help but feel chagrined at the three adults looking dotingly at her. Indeed, she was only a young child but still, she had never expected herself to conduct herself in such a manner. Lumielle felt embarrassed that she had acted so childishly, even though, as she reminded herself, she was nothing but a child. Prying Aris away from her, she managed to figure out the situation at hand. She had somehow gone back in time.

She was twelve years old. Merely a child inside of the Ruby Palace. Abandoned by the Emperor and unloved by most of the staff. Only the three that stood inside of her room when she woke up had been loyal to her. The rest of them were avarice-filled and abusive. They could get away with treating the young royals harshly and they did.

Brushing her lilac hair, Lumielle stared at her reflection. Indeed, she had always neglected her appearance as the treatment inside of the palace had been rather virulent. She had never been called beautiful as her debut in high society was stolen by Cosette. The staff treated both Lumielle and Aris as nothing more than inconveniences. Due to the lackluster and cold treatment that they received by the Emperor, they had been neglected. The dead Empress could no longer protect them and they were nothing more than forgotten royalty. "A paper princess", she remembered the maids laughing at her as she trudged inside of the Ruby Palace.

Then again, she was only a mere child. What did they expect her to do? There had been no way for her to fight back as another pristine plate was shoved in her direction. Tasteless and nutrient-deprived, her and her brother's meals had contrived their childhoods. How pathetic. They were adults treating children like this. Lumielle had only been able to fight back when she turned sixteen and started to seize power for herself but she didn't have the time.

Cosette was going to be coming in two years. She could not waste even a moment. The woman who had stolen everything from her was going to suffer at her hands.

A knock at the door alerted her that someone was coming, "You may come in."

"I greet the Imperial Princess, one of the stars of the empire," Helio said, bowing his head as Lumielle looked at her father's aid. What a joke, being called a Princess when all she did was rot away in this castle until she finally sullied her hands in politics. She had desperately clawed for power, attempting to wrestle it out of the hands that abused her and her brother. "The Emperor would like to request the Imperial Princess's time this afternoon."

Evangeline eyed the young girl as Lumielle's expression remained unchanged, "Tell the Emperor that I will attend." She would have to face the man that she had killed. Previously, she had tried desperately to find his compassion and love. Begging him to spare her a second of his time, she had never realized how pointless that endeavor had been. That man had never said anything to her until he was dying. Then, he admitted how much he loved her. Fine, in this life she would use him. Lumielle would use him until he died.

Helio bowed, "I thank the Imperial Princess for her time."

What a joke. The door closed and Evangeline stared at the young princess, "There's no reason to get dressed up," Lumielle responded, answering the question that Evangeline would clearly ask, "I don't want you to waste your time Eva." There was a smile on her face when she spoke, her hands touching her maid's as Evangeline's purple eyes widened. The doting nickname being spoken ever so softly.

Indeed, Lumielle would take Cosette's advice. She knew that her personality was not kind and soft. Her whole life, Lumielle had been brutalized by the world around her. Flower petals had suffocated her lungs and thorns pierced her sides. She did not want kindness; she did not seek it from others and in that sense, Cosette was her antithesis. Amicable, she had a sweet smile and gentle touch. While Lumielle was known for her icy brutality, Cosette had become a flower in society with her saccharine laughs and easygoing personality. They were complete opposites and Lumielle had always believed that Cosette was just an air-headed woman; yet, she had been deceived. Her pride had been absolutely obliterated when she saw Cosette's devilish interior. Lumielle couldn't help but inwardly smile, perhaps, she should thank Cosette to some degree. She would be borrowing some of her tactics.

"I understand, Princess," Evangeline responded with a smile on her face.

Staring at the mirror, Lumielle assessed her appearance. She had never cared about what the mirror reflected, for beauty had never been something she craved. Her lavender tresses had been let down her shoulders, there were no excessive ornaments in her hair and her dress looked simple, designs looking pitiful compared to the rest of the Imperial ladies. Good, she wanted to garner sympathy. As she walked through the halls, Lumielle kept a polite smile on her face; instead of her usual icy face, the female looked as if she was attracting a bleeding heart. No longer wishing to reject the title of Paper Princess, she would play the role of one perfectly.

Sympathy, what a powerful tool it was. Lumielle had learned how strong it was when people sided with Cosette's tears rather than her brutal logic. "You may enter," Helio responded placing a gloved hand against his chest as the doors opened to reveal her father. He was sitting in front of a giant window, the sun almost blinding her as her golden eyes adjusted to the light that came in. Sitting in front of her was her father, his blonde tresses looking even more brilliant in the sunlight. He held the same colored eyes. The color gold ran in the Imperial family as her brother looked like the spinning image of her father. He looked threatening and even Lumielle recognized that her father, though terrible as one, was an amazing Emperor.

"I greet the Sun of the Endora Empire," Lumielle responded bowing her head deeply and curtsying. Her words were calm and composed as she properly greeted the man that she had killed in her last life.

Looking up from his work, he motioned for her to sit. In a second, tea was poured inside of her teacup, and pastries were placed in front of her, "I heard that you almost died. I'm glad to see that you're alright." He did not seem to emote his gratitude but Lumielle no longer held much concern for it. She did not need to grovel for a man that would never look at her. Only at death, did he finally whisper his love. What an absolute lie.

Perhaps, her hatred for him wouldn't have been so absolutely acrid if it wasn't for Cosette. After the death of Cosette's father, Duke De Saude, the Emperor who had been close friends with him decided to take care of the young girl. In an instant, the man's affections, the one that she had craved for years, had been given to someone that she never met. Lumielle watched them walk hand in hand to dances and she had to attend Cosette's birthday party, one that Elridge, her father, had hosted himself.

Then he had the audacity to state that he loved her. What a man, "Is there anything you would like?"

Before, Lumielle would have stated something useless such as spending more time with him. She remembered when he had asked last time and Lumielle clutched her skirts asking for an event to celebrate her birthday; expectantly, she had believed that her father would attend but was utterly humiliated when he didn't even show his face. Forsaken royalty, Lumielle realized that the reason those around her abused her was due to the fact that they were powerless. She would gain power."Then, may I request two things if you would be so benevolent."

There was no kindness in her words as she took the teacup with careful fingers, "Speak freely." The Emperor had finally put down the paper as his daughter stared at him. Her eyes no longer glittered hopefully.

"I would like to bring some personal knights, and if you could grant me this honor of being able to hire some new faces inside of the Ruby Palace. After all, due to the negligence of the staff, I was almost killed. I would like to replace some of them with more reliable young men and women."

His face was unreadable as she took the fork and scraped some of the cream off of the tiramisu, "I will grant them to you."

Standing up, she placed her hands at the ends of her skirts while curtsying, "I thank the benevolence of the Sun of Endora."

"Is there nothing more you would like? Your birthday is approaching soon."

Lumielle gave a nod, "If the Emperor would be so kind in furthering both my education and my brother. It would be an honor to be educated and as both of us are going to be debuting in high society soon. I believe that it would prove to be invaluable."

This time, the Emperor didn't respond. Every year, Lumielle requested a party. He would always never attend.

Helio was the one who responded this time, "The Imperial Princess is quite wise. To ask of such a menial thing for your birthday shows how humble you are."

Lumielle understood Helio's underhanded words. She wasn't going to be asking for more? "After evading death I have been quite humbled. There is nothing more I could wish for. I am content with his Imperial Highness doing this for me." She gave him a saccharine simper, "I thank Sir Helio for his kindness and also show my gratitude towards the Sun of Endora for giving me his time."

Curtsying once more, she looked up expectantly at her father to dismiss her, "Yes, you may take your leave." Waving his hand towards the lilac-haired female, she gave a nod as she left the room.

"Has that child always been like this?" Eldrige asked pressing a finger against his temple.

Helio smiled warmly pouring tea for the Emperor, "The Imperial Princess has always been a bright young girl. She's always been ahead in her studies and has even helped the Crown Prince in his own studies."

Raising the teacup, Eldrige exhaled, "I see."