Chapter 2: Shadow

The sun was rising. It was just another day in the palace. The servants were up early and cleaning. The princess' personal maid rushed through the hallway with a serving cart. She knocked on the door at her arrival.

"Come in, Alissa"

Alissa entered the room with the serving cart. The serving cart was usually full of dishes that the princess loved. However, this morning was different. Along with some of her usual go-tos, there were several dishes that she wasn't very fond of. Even the chef was surprised by the sudden change in breakfast menu but it was treated as princess' once in a while change of mood.

"Princess, I discreetly brought what you asked for"

Alissa set the food on the table. Just like Monica had ordered her, she set the table for two people.

"Good. I would prefer some privacy"

Alissa left the room. Monica got up and opened the window to the terrace. She brushed her hair back and crossed her arms, then she turned around and sat on the chair with her legs crossed. This was a signal.

A lean yet muscular man jumped in the terrace the next moment. He was covered in black from top to bottom, all the way from his black hair to his black boots.

"Truly your name suits you, shadow. Sit down, I have food prepared for you. I believe we have something to discuss"

Monica gestured at the other chair facing her. Shadow hesitated for a second but did as he was being ordered to.

"I know this won't help us get closer but I prefer this way. Tell me what you found out"

"That arrow is made from wood of a tree that is only found in the southern part of the empire. It is sold throughout the empire. It was nothing but a common-"

Monica banged the table with her fist.

"Is this all you are worth? If you are this useless, what use is in having you around?"

She intended to pressure the nuisance that was forced onto her without her consent.

"…Just five days. I will find it out in five days"

"Then five days it is. If you don't find any clues by then, you're fired"

"I believe it would be hard to do that, the Emperor-"

"Do you think I don't know?"

Monica glared at him. Shadow immediately shut up and looked down.

"Just do what you are told and don't talk back. You surely killed the mood but I'll give you a chance to eat the food prepared by the imperial chef. It is an honor for a pest like you to have breakfast with the princess"

Monica took a bite from her pancakes. She looked at shadow, he wasn't eating. He still had his face mask on.

"Feel comfortable. I don't plan on distributing your portrait in the empire nor am I going to criticize your etiquette"

"Ah… I am not supposed to reveal my face to anyone. My job-"

Shadow tried to escape the situation where he would have to expose himself but he shut up when Monica smashed her fork on the table. She didn't hide her annoyed face this time.

"Blondie knows what you look like, right?"

"Pardon? The Emperor?"

"Look at you playing dumb. I mean your master, Harold Ivan Edgar. It hasn't been long since you came here but remember who blondie is"

Shadow nodded and pulled down his face mask. After a moment of hesitation, he picked up the cutlery and took a bite from his pancakes. After that, he slowly took another bite.

"Um…princess?"

"Oh, don't mind me and eat as much as you like. You should try out the berries, butter, jam, honey or syrup, whatever you prefer"

He took a few more bites.

"Princess?"

"Yes? Speak whatever is on your mind…just this once. You look troubled. Is perhaps, the food not to your liking?"

Monica wondered if the imperial chef cooked dishes according to her preferences as she tapped her index finger on the table.

"You… staring…"

"Oh my, looks like me staring at your face made you uncomfortable. I apologize. I was just thinking that it's a shame to hide a beautiful face such as yours. It's just my type-"

Shadow sprung up and made a quick exit with an excuse of nature's calling.

"What's wrong with that woman? No wonder she is called crazy…"

Shadow kept mumbling as he leaped between trees. He stealthily moved towards the Prince's palace. According to the schedule given to him, Prince Harold should be getting ready to leave for his office. The window was open and there was only one man, the Prince's butler who was in the room other than the Prince who was adjusting his collars while looking in the mirror. It was a signal stating that he was permitted to enter. He leaped in through the window.

"The Princess was attacked yesterday and ordered me to find the culprit behind it. She invited me for breakfast today. She knows that I am a spy…and I had to show my face"

While shadow was reporting, the Prince remained silent.

"Is that all? Tell me everything she said"

Shadow seemed hesitant but he reported the entire conversation he had with the princess. As soon as he ended reporting, he noticed the Prince's shoulders moving slightly up and down. The next second, Harold burst out in laughter.

"PAHAHAHAHAHA! You? beautiful? AHAHAHAHAHA! Is this a bad joke. She prefers a scarred face like yours? I got to know something I really did not care to know. Her standards are so low, it is far below my expectations."

There was a moment of silence in the room.

Harold spoke again after some thinking.

"Search for the culprit as she ordered you to and report the results to me first. Keep a close eye on her for now"

"Yes."

Shadow jumped out of the window and left.

"Your highness, is it alright that the princess knows that he is actually a spy?", the butler asked.

"It was not meant to be a top secret. She can't do anything about it even if she knows."

Harold walked out of his room and the butler followed him. On his way, a servant brought a message for him:

"Her majesty Queen Sofia wishes for his highness to have breakfast with his family"

Harold slightly frowned but immediately covered it with a smile.

"I will gladly follow my dear mother's wishes"

He entered the dining hall. On a large dining table, there were many seats. However, the tableware set was for three people; the Emperor, the Queen and the Prince. The Emperor and Queen were already seated. Harold bowed and greeted them.

"It has been a while since we all ate together"

Queen Sofia clasped her hands and smiled.

"Indeed"

The Emperor gave a short response and continued to eat his breakfast. There was complete silence in the room. Then he spoke again.

"Where is that child?"

"The princess? She always eats her meals by herself. I used to invite her but she kept refusing. I could not force that child. I am sure she hates me for taking her mother's spot. I do not even covet the position of the empress. That position rightfully belongs to the previous empress, nobody can take her spot", the Queen answered.

"Indeed"

The Emperor's agreement made Sofia's blood boil. She clenched her fist and frowned. She looked at Harold with eyes that wanted him to have a talk with her after this. To change the direction of conversation, Harold started discussing political affairs.

After breakfast, the Emperor left first. Sofia dismissed all the servants in the dining hall to talk with the Prince in private.

"Did you see that? This is why I told you over and over that it is best to get rid of her! Only if you would listen to your mother"

Sofia was seething with anger. The seat of empress she coveted so much was still far away from her grasp even though it had been more than twenty years. The Emperor had remarried after empress' death but only due to pressure from the nobles. He never considered her worthy of the position his dear wife had.

Empress Cecilia, although she didn't live long as an empress, she left her traces whether it was in the heart of public or even the Emperor. The empress participated in political affairs and public reforms. During her time, she worked for development of empire and equality in education. Even after she passed away, her name remained. It was carved not only on her grave but also the commemoration plaques and statues in front of hospitals and academies. In contrast, the new Queen had not done much except birthing an heir. That is why, no one dared to complain about the empty seat of an empress. The minority that spoke up because of their loyalty to Sofia were easily quietened.