The Lost Princess (2)

Sol Palace: Emperor's Office

"Are you saying you're moving? Why so sudden?" Emperor Ian's face turned pale.

"As I said before we're residing here temporarily until Brille recovers. And as you can see, everything's better," Papa said.

Bang!

The door opened loudly.

"Atlas, is that true?!"

"Could I come with you when you leave?"

Brother Ethan and Brother Kye barged inside the room and asked us, sweating. I think they were in their class when they heard the news. Max has been saying it to them since they were in the same class in sword training under Sir Helden. Yeah, they must have been pressuring him.

"Don't make a fuss out of it," Papa said. "I made it clear right when we entered the palace."

Their faces sullen as they heard Papa's final decision. I can't say that I don't sympathize with them. I will surely miss living in the palace and long for their presence. 

"Where and when will you move?" asked Emperor Ian.

"FATHER!" yelled the princes.

"Ethan and Kye, let me talk with Atlas," coldly said Emperor Ian. They stood there in silence. It was my first time to see His Majesty.

"In five days. We're still searching for a place to move in," replied Papa.

"We're going to the capital tomorrow," I added.

His Majesty stopped for a while to think. Then he said, "Alright, I respect your decision.''

"Why are you agreeing, Father?" complained Brother Ethan.

"Let me finish Ethan," answered Ian. "However, if you don't find a place to stay, You should stay here."

"Huh?! We will not—"

"I know you don't want to owe me anything so I came up with this. You will work here in exchange for staying in the palace."

"Papa, we will work?"

"No, Brielle," the three of them blurted.

"Your father is the only one who will work,'' Brother Ethan explained.

"But I will also live here."

Papa held my hand and pulled me as we walked toward the door. Though our conversation was not over, we were leaving already. Before we reached the exit, Papa said, "I will consider your offer. But if only we didn't manage to find one. And if we end up living here again, make sure to keep that daughter of yours away from us."

***

"Papa, did you really mean what you said to Emperor Ian?" I asked.

"Yeah. But why are you asking me? Do you see your father as a man with no words?"

"No. Never," I replied, shaking my head. "I thought you didn't like them."

"Yes, still, I don't like them. However, living here is good- safe and has what you need. You also seem happy living here."

"Papa is the best," I said. "But I also want you to be happy."

"Don't worry about me. As long as you're here with me, I'm happy. Really happy."

"You're a sweet talker Papa," I chuckled.

Papa laughed.

As we continued to walk to the hall of the palace, we saw from afar the Empress and Oriana. They seemed to have just arrived from the capital. The maids were carrying a lot of bags from different boutiques. Oriana hugged Empress Helena and she said something that made the Empress smile.

"The red serpent is having fun being a princess."

RED SERPENT?! He gave a name for Oriana. Papa hates her that much.

"Papa, why are you calling her that? We might be in trouble if anyone hears you."

"Red serpent is a more suitable name for her," Papa said, smiling. "Look at that dirty aura she's emitting."

I looked at Red Serpent, no, I mean Oriana. Ugh, Papa's influence is so strong. So, again, I looked at her, and saw what Papa's referring to. It was like the last time. That dark aura.

"Papa, why can't they notice it?"

"Our mana helps us to detect the forbidden mana, which the Crimson Serpent possesses. Even the Emperor who wields a powerful fire mana couldn't easily detect the forbidden magic."

"Then why can't we inform them about Oriana?"

"It's their business.We can't interfere in family affairs."

Papa was right. We can't interfere in their family's affairs. But, if Oriana did something bad to the Imperial Family, I don't think I could suppress myself. I would get angry.