Weeks passed.
Alarice and Nicholas never spoke to each other unless it's business. Caleb and Pierre are both suffering from the coldness and awkwardness of the atmosphere inside the office.
She will just greet his Majesty as courtesy and he will just nod as a reply. Then the whole time they'll just work and work and work. At night, a doctor sent by Nicholas would examine her. Though at first she rejected it because her mother already gave her medicine but the doctor begged for his life. He said that his Majesty will surely kill him if he failed to cure her.
Honestly, for her, it's not really necessary, but for the the sake of the doctor she obliged.
That day was her usual day. It was afternoon and she was working at their office. His Majesty was away visiting the Empress Consort.
Her head maid, Constance knock on the door.
"Come in." She said without taking her eyes from the papers.
"Your Majesty, we have to dress you. Today is the day for the small tea party of the Empress Consort. You need to go to congratulate her pregnancy." Constance said worriedly
She sighed. She really didn't mind congratulating her. It's just that she know that the people there will look down on her and mock her behind their fans and smiles.
Thinking about that it will happen, she's exhausted already.
"I understand. Caleb, please finish these works and arrange them from the most urgent one. You can use my seal accordingly." She instructed.
"Yes, your Majesty."
Constance and her both got out of the office.
"Can't I just go like this?" She asked
Constance looked at her attire in disdain. She was wearing a messy ponytail, a faded oversized shirt that she got from Nicholas long time age and a pants.
"Please mind your dignity."
"What dignity? I'm sure they'll be talking behind my back anyway. Besides, I don't want to prolong my stay there." She said
"I know. But please Your Majesty, you still need to look dignified and don't mind all the rumors." Constance said
Constance was like a mother to her. When the Empress Dowager, Nicholas' mother died, three years ago, she was the one who stood as his mother. Alarice was close to the late Empress Dowager. Like Constance, she was also like her mother.
Constance and the Empress Dowager, was first wary of her. Just like the others, they thought she stole the position of Qashanna but after being with her, they saw how strong and steadfast she is. And how much is she sacrificing for the sake of the two Nation.
That despite her very young age, she was dedicating her life for the people. Her honest and strong demeanor is what makes other people attracted to her.
Constance always tried to be fair between Nicholas' wives. However, after the incident that happened to the first concubine, and witnessed how Alarice weep her death, she can no longer looked at Qashanna's eyes.
She always believed that maybe Alarice will make a miracle and bring back that sweet Qashanna that they know. That's why she supported Alarice with all her might. She's their only worth.
After dressing Alarice in a simple and elegant purple dress, they tied her hair in a bun and put the necessary jewelry.
They need to make Alarice look naturally pretty as possible. This is so she won't look affected nor threatened by the Empress Consorts' pregnancy. Though their mistress looks like she just don't give a care about her pregnancy.
Alarice went to the Rose palace where the small tea party is.
The palace were buzzing with happy energy. The noble ladies were congratulating the Empress Consort and bringing her gifts. That's when Alarice remembers that she did not bring any gifts.
Oh boy. This'll be a pain. She saw the Emperor beside the Empress Consort, happily feeling the bulge in her stomach.
She felt the pang of pain. And you make it seem like her pregnancy is a huge problem of you when you're there looking clearly happy about it.
"Empress Mother!" Naveen shouted.
This kid!
She forced a smile. She can feel the unpleasant glares of the noble ladies present in the party. How I wish Adeline and Olivia are here.
But of course Qashanna won't invite them. They're not close to begin with.
"Hello, little Naveen." She said as she hug the child.
"Greetings, Empress Mother." Mael said as he politely bowed her head
She remembers when she talked to her years ago. She asked if he wanted to become the Emperor.
The boy trembled and pale from the word Emperor.
"What's wrong Mael?"
"Empress Mother, Can I trust you?" He desperately asked.
When she nodded. Mael said, "I'm scared. I'm scared of becoming the Emperor. I'm scared of when my mother get to hold the power of the monarch. I don't want to be the Emperor."
After that day, Mael talked to her normally again. She desperately tried to save Mael but the young lad didn't open his mouth about that day again. Even the Emperor said to let Qashanna educate their child. He said on the lines of, Mael is the first born male. He needs to be strong. If he doesn't want help, let him. He'll handle it himself.
The stereotypical mindset of a parent in the royal family. That their children needs to be strong in order to survive. While their thought process is right, children needs to be protected not to be strong to fight for their lives.
"Your Majesty, the Empress." The noble ladies greets her .
She went straight to the Empress Consort and the Emperor.
"I greet the sun of the Empire, Your Majesty the Emperor." She said as she politely bow and meet his eyes.
His eyes were painted with emotions that she cannot name. She smile.
"I congratulate you Empress Consort Qashanna for your pregnancy. This is truly a blessing from heaven."
Well, she meant every words. Though she still tried to hide the pain in her chest.
"Your Majesty, I'm sure you prepared me a congratulatory gift, right? The second concubine, gift me a beautiful glass sculpture of lily of the valley flowers, wishing me pure happiness." Qashanna said happily.
She looked at the lily of the valley flowers. It's really breathtakingly beautiful. It's true the the flower means happiness and good luck. However, it's a poisonous flower. That's why the flower in other culture is associated by pain, sadness and death.
She looked at the Concubine. She was looking down. There were times that she hates her. She's also someone who wished for the demise of the first concubine, however she has no need of those emotions. She need to be clear headed in order to not make mistakes any further.
Besides, her son, Naveen, was dear to her and he knows nothing. When she tried to confront her for once, Naveen begged her and crying not to hurt his mom.
That is why for her children are very complicated. They are the ones who will be hurt the most if something happened to their parents. They know nothing but they still need to be considered. In the end, she tried to be close to her so she can keep an eye on her.
"I don't have a physical gift to present you Empress Consort." She said
Everyone started murmuring. She saw the Emperor on the side looking intently at her.
"But I'll give your child a gift in the form of blessing." She said
"A blessing?" The emperor asked
"Yes. In our country, someone must give blessing to the children wishing them what they want to be in the future. As I am someone adored by the spirits, my blessing will be much stronger." She explained.
The Empress Consort looked at the Emperor asking for consent. When the emperor agreed she came closer to them.
She puts her two fingers on her lips. White light began to illuminate. Then she pointed her two fingers on the Empress Consort's belly which also illuminated. Responding in her power.
Her powers were no longer as strong when she was in her home country but she can still perform blessing and still can heal people.
"With the power of the stars, I blessed you third child of the Philleon Empire. May you be able to lead with wisdom and strength." She said and the light in her fingers glow even more.
When the light vanish she bowed to them.
"Then as I still have a lot of things to do. I shall be in my way."
They were all silent.
... to lead with wisdom and strength.
The people in there knows the true meaning behind her words. She was blessing the future Emperor of the Kingdom.
She meant it. If this child were to show the right quality of an heir, then Naveen and Mael's burden and suffering might lessen. May this child have enough greed for the throne.
The Empress consort looked at her puzzled. She don't want to explain herself. She didn't need to.
She bowed to the Emperor who was staring at her one last time then leave the palace.
--
Valentine's special.
This story took place some months after that rainy day when they bake cookies for the Emperor.
It was Valentine's day. And as usual, Alarice was making chocolate brownies for the servants and chocolate cupcake for the princes and the two aides.
Last Valentine's day she only made for the two princes but now she was close to the other servants and aide so she decided to give them one. She also baked some for the Empress Consort and second concubine.
That afternoon, the people of the palace were all talking about how delicious her baked sweets are. Even the Empress Consort and Second concubine were impressed.
The Emperor was away for the whole day and just got back in the afternoon. He was weirded how everyone was eating chocolates. In the Philleon Empire there was no such thing as Valentine's day.
When he went to the office, he saw his aide, Pierre eating a chocolate cupcake.
"What is that?" He asked
"A cupcake."
"I know. But why is everyone having chocolates?"
"Oh. It was baked by the Empress Reganant, saying that it is their tradition to give chocolate to their love ones this day. Everyone got their chocolates. I'm sure you also had a special one for yourself, right your Majesty. After all you are her husband." He said
Nicholas cracked. Of course he didn't get one. He was our the working the whole day after all.
Pierre, looked at him intently. Then he realized something. He immediately consume the cupcake and burst out laughing.
"Oh, you didn't get one!" He teased and laughed loudly
"Keep laughing if you want your mouth ripped from your face." Nicholas said immediately looking very angry
Pierre shut his mouth. "Then please excuse me." He said then run away
It's okay, the day hasn't ended yet. Maybe she'll give it to him later as it is time for us to spend the night together.
He told himself.
But night passed and the Empress Regnant did not show any signs of giving him chocolates.
The Empress Regnant on the other hand was nervous and uncomfortable as the Emperor was looking at her intently the whole afternoon and she doesn't know why.
That night, the emperor was sulky. He was sitting on the side of the bed looking gloomy. He didn't get one.
The Empress knock on the door. She was holding a tray with a mug.
"Your majesty you must be tired. Here I brought you hot cocoa." She said
"Cocoa?"
"Yes. It's an ingredient to made chocolate. I know you don't like sweets so I didn't put much sugar and milk in there." She said
The emperor's face brightened at the word chocolate and grab the glass immediately. He chug down the whole mug in one go.
"It's not so bad." He said
Alarice smiled. He must really like it. Maybe I'll make him this again once in a while.
As for Pierre, his pay was cut to half for teasing the Emperor.