Chapter 26 - Where is Yeowang {Part 1}

I returned to my palace after finishing my work, then slipped into comfortable clothes more quickly than usual. I felt my head throbbing, possibly because of the constant feeling of something bothering me.

However? I was slowly starting to understand my father's words of "Do not get involved in the affairs of the palace…, it's hopeless, Ellie"

But Father, even if I try not to care, He keeps appearing in front of me, gently warning his own child to avert her own eyes and ears from the dramas of the palace… like it would protect and help keep herself safe.

"Hah"

I let out a minuscule sigh underneath my breath.

"Don't get involved in the affairs of the palace?"

"It's too late for that father… I'm too deep into this."

Father? My dear father? I don't think I can un-involve myself in a situation like this… As much as I hate Reliving…, Everything over and over again, and how much I yearn to escape From it… I will accept that I will die in every life I experience.

"Lady Audreyn?"

The Countess Of Verena let out a delighted laugh, as she looked at me.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"About my Father— No, nevermind."

"Do you want me to be able to see if the Grand Duke can come visit?"

"No, it's alright. I'll see him on New Year's anyway."

Lady Audreyn, with a smile on her face as she looked at me with the admiration and care that a friend would give to another who is struggling. Slightly lowering her voice as she said in a calm tone of voice.

"You should consult the Duke if you're feeling uneasy, Your Majesty."

Counsel would probably ease my mind. But if I spoke to him, my father's mind would be a thorny path from then on, and I didn't want to burden him with my problems.

After all?

— Father, He already thought about me all the time.

I couldn't, no? I didn't want to worry him anymore or longer than I already could being in this foreign land.

"I'll keep it to myself for now. I can tell him later… I'm sure that My Father must have heard about Lady Toussaint anyway."

Quickly switching The topic, I wanted to discuss more political and sensitive matters that surrounded my ladies-in-waiting.

As I quickly remembered how Lady Adrienne, The Baroness of Feéla was sent away from the palace.. some of the rumours stating that she was the one who helped slander the concubines name. The Crown Prince punished her himself.

"Lady Adrienne?"

"What about The Baroness, Your Highness?" Lady Audreyn questioned as she looked at me with a perplexed look on her face

"Yes, Countess"

"Tell her she can come back whenever she wants. Preferably before New Year's…."

"That way, people won't talk."

Being ladies-in-waiting and The Crown Princess, we both valued our reputation and our own pride. Naturally? I'd do anything to help my ladies-in-waiting avoid the shame of it all.

Afterall? I know the Embarrassment of some mere Rumours too well…

"Yes, Your Highness"

Talking about Adrienne made me miss her bright energy. The Countess of Verena had left the room for a moment, and I unpinned the jewels from my hair and placed them on the vanity.

Letting out a small sigh, I thought Of how tired I was feeling for a moment. So bored of my own Energy in a way.

"I should sleep a bit earlier tonight" I muttered under my breath

Thinking peacefully to myself as I made my way over to my desk, as I sat at it. I should skip dinner.

I then opened the notebook that was in front of me

There was the click of the door behind me, but I didn't turn around, thinking it was the Countess as I knew she would come back soon. However, the presence stood silent behind my back. That was not what the Countess would do. As I was dipping my pen into the ink, I frowned and turned around as I Looked up at the figure.

"Crown Prince?"

"Leo- Sorry… Your Highness? What are you doing here"

I questioned him as I looked him in the eyes. gently placing the quill pen down onto the notebook as I let the ink spill on it.

"Why do people change so much?"

Of course it was going to be another uncomfortable encounter. I had a terrible feeling, and wondered if it had anything to do with Leonardo coming into my room. I knew he didn't like having myself As his wife, as he much preferred to spend his time with Rosette.

It was understandable… I am starting to understand his way of thinking.

"Change?"

"Yes, Elisabeth"

Leonardo took a small breath as he peered down to the height of my face, gently grabbing my chin with his hand. I could smell the disgusting stench of liquor in his breath.

"What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"

I answered as I looked up at him, trying to push his fingers off my chin.

"I heard about the bad things you said to Lady Rosette."

Rosette. A mere small woman from a fallen family of Nobility…. But her name and presence stuck stubbornly to my feet wherever I went.

It's like it was clinging to its only sense of survival that Was immoral.

"What did I say, Leo?"

I said calmly as I looked up at him, as I felt his fingers slightly trace my jawline. It sickened me in a way, I didn't like Being touched. Especially not by someone who plotted or killed me for solely being his wife. In these Timelines.

"You said that I would take another concubine after her."

"Rather than trying to be friendly to me, I told her to be friendly with another concubine when the time comes."

"!"

"Leon? Crown Prince! Did I say something Wrong?"

"I was, really just making an assumption of what—"

I let out a slight Yelp, as I leaned further back in the chair. As I slightly brought my hand up to where he had slapped me on my cheek, the handprint left a bright mark with a pink hue to it.

"Insolence, I asked for a wife…"

"Not someone who would try to command such authority in a Mere position as yourself"

Leonardo, The Crown Prince and the Heir to The Great Empire Of Rodwine, Spat as he glared at me. Those crimson Red eyes that made me see the pits of hell, the fire that blazed and cracked through them.

"Hah"

I let out a low chuckle as I looked back up at him, I wanted nothing more than for him to feel the same pain I felt in my other lives.

Yet I couldn't, not here, not now…

It was immoral to make someone suffer when there's no evidence of it! I'd be seen as hysterical if I even discussed the thought of living multiple lives. No — I wasn't putting myself through the shame and embarrassment of that.

"I need to survive" I muttered under my breath, making sure that the Crown Prince didn't hear me.

"...I've changed? You've changed." Leonardo shouted As he glared Into my eyes, a scowl forming on his face.

Yes, that's true I suppose.

I wasn't The same girl back when he first met me, more contempt… I was more calm back then… but that?

…That was my first life, the same scenario never changes on how we met, as I always got the viewpoint from the wedding at First And the preparations for it.

"ELISABETH!"

"How many times do I have to repeat that I don't want to get involved with you and your concubine? Yet it does not stop me from hearing about her. If you and Miss Rosette left me be, I wouldn't be so Cold, like those whispers You hear left and right, claim myself to be."

I shouted defensively. A pang of guilt and envy in my voice, as I looked up at him…

Surely? I was in the right to envy someone, who got everything handed to her at a whim…

"Hah"

"You would really give? Lady Toussaint? The world wouldn't like you…"

Leonardo, looked at me for a moment before then curtly Replying, slightly seeing the sombre and drawn expression on my face.

"What about the world? We all know I love you both equally?"

"Though our marriage is just political? It's a love of politics isn't it"

.

. .

. . .

"What about the Former Emperor's favourite consort?"

"Your Grandfather? Emperor Therdeo… did he not favour Your Mother quite well?"

"I heard they were quite passionate lovers for a Imperial Consort and an Emperor"

Leonardo slammed his hand down on the desk as he leaned closer into me, his eyes blazing With a fire in them… I? Struck a nerve Didn't i? The wrinkles that Formed on his forehead, as his eyebrows furrowed in disapprovement.

"Crown Princess?"

"Don't you dare try…and use the Empress's Name in vain to save yourself?"

"..."

"I didn't know you were such a gossiper, My Dear Wife?."

He gestured his arms around the room.

"This room is full of beautiful furniture, and you can buy anything you want. Yet… You are cruel to someone who has lived their life pitifully since they were born Because of their family name."

Leonardo's eyes filled with disappointment as he peered down at me. Eventually taking his hand off my desk as he made his way quickly out of my chambers.

Leaving me alone With my thoughts and How i choose to dwell on them.

"..."

Was it true though? Everyone in the palace from the older staff Who survived a bloodied massacre his father, Emperor Virion II threw… Also, knew his mother. The current Empress Laria Odenne, was the beloved Imperial Consort of The Former Emperor.

"Useless"

I muttered under my breath as I glanced around my chamber, taking in the darkness and the spilled ink from the pot being splattered across the pure white pages of my notebook.