The Empire's Lobelia Palace

Chapter 33

Victor's POV

"Sir, do you want to remove your time with the young lady at some other day in your schedule?" My aid said. "Clear my entire agenda. Ashlyn is going to the Lobelia palace to meet the empress tomorrow. I'll be escorting her." My aid started saying that my meetings are important and whatsoever. He scolded me like I'm some child. I got annoyed at his blubbering. "My daughter is more important." I seriously spoke as I left my secretary dumbfounded.

I'm going with her therefore Mason that damn emperor won't say nonsense like last time. Saying he wants my daughter to be his daughter-in-law. That crappy bastard. I was swearing at my mind as I walk to Ashlyn's room. Facing her room. I then slowly open her door. Seeing she was still sleeping. Her room was dark only a candle at her small table was kindling her room. Also then she woke. I felt my heart stopped a moment. Damn, I got her up. "Father, what are you doing here?" She questioned me. Goddamn, I came at the wrong time. Just realize it must be 3 or 4 am. "Sorry, I visited you too early." Plainly saying my words, the simple the better.

"You over-worked again, am I right?" She said. Though she said that, Ashlyn doesn't seem to put feelings at her words. For some reason, my daughter had become more colder and serious than four years ago when she showed her expressions to me. It was when she cried to me while embracing me. In my study room, where I told her what her punishment was for taking the crown prince's brooch. Why the change?

I avoided her question by saying, "No," She looked at me, straight to my eyes. I set my eyes to looked at her the way she is doing now. "Father," My daughter sharply said. Although, who am I fooling? Ashlyn knows me too well as my sons. When Charlotte was around she has never asked me such things like this. "Yes, your right. I did overdo my work." I sincerely admitted.

Sometimes, I am both thankful and hopeful that Charlotte is alive. There's this feeling that I want Charlotte to come back. But another feeling is stopping me that I should be thankful for what is now.

"Father, don't do that again. You are damaging your own health." She said. "Are you worried?" I asked coldly though I did that to play it coolly. Hoping she'll answer what I'm expecting. That she's worried, "No, I know that father is someone who handles his job seriously. You're a person who barely gets sick." Ashlyn indicated. For that reason, I think lighting struck me. "Oh, then, go to sleep now," I said then got out. She didn't answer or said some words.

Since Ezekiel is at the academy we rarely see each other. Only when he comes home during his vacation. While Adrian always focused on making troubles and his training. We only see each other when I go to him or he goes to me or when we eat together. Though I get to see Ashlyn every day. I don't usually have some bonding time or be together with my children. Not like Philip who often spends time with my daughter alongside my sons.

Closing her door, I felt my knees get soft as I sat on the ground like a child. I'm....

Overly workaholic.

Ashlyn's POV

I felt the sun touching my skin. I rouse to see I'm at the carriage. Seeing the towns and scenery. Uhm, right, I'm going to the empress's place. Lobelia Palace; Is a place where the empress has her parties and celebrations. Going to the palace of the empire is quite far. House De Alegro is the leading duchy of the North. Add to that, all the lands of the north are owned by the De Alegro family. The eastern part is where the castle and land of the royal family are. The south and west are where most of the other higher noble families are.

I didn't realize when thinking. Father was in front of me, looking at me. Yet I didn't bother myself with that. We reach the palace to hear servants welcoming us. Father and daughter. Seeing those nice faces aren't totally a delight. Those faces were the first to help my enemies to destroy me. By telling to spreading uncertain rumors. Shitty ones are the best they say. Like they say I did something to gain my father's attention. And some blah, blah, blah shits, Oh please, I'm not some kind of bimbo or some prostitute to do that. I'm not some kind of Charlotte De Alegro to do that.

I saw familiar faces while they greet me. Hah, I sighed. "What a sight," I said as I let out a small breath. They really reminded me of what they did years ago. It was around the time when I first visited Lobelia Palace two years ago. The first tea party I was invited to in my tenth life. I knew from the first step I made at the entrance of the palace. A useless ruckus is going to happen.

-----2 Years Ago-----

I saw many noble's daughters Sitting in the corner was great. They don't exactly see me. I just watch many of them talking, eating, and enjoying. I thought my quiet time was the best I had ever have. Yet the empress suddenly approached me. She walked near me with her lady-in-waiting at her back. Oh no, I was hoping for no awareness of my presence. Why did the ruler's wife approach me?

"Greetings, to the great heliophile, lover of the sun. May the sun bless the imperial family." Bowing. I started. I was into traditional formal greetings especially royal greetings. Long greetings are really good to show more respect. If the greeter knows the original etiquette, it shows great esteem to the person she/he greeted. And I like it.

A/N: Heliophile - an attraction or adaptation to sunlight. Also known as the sun's lover.

The empress smiled, "May the four moons declare their protection. As you are one of the children of the moon. One of thy families who helped the sun to rise to mid-air." She happily replied. The four moons. At night, the four moons gathered as the Hunter's Moon, Satellite, the Third Moon, and the Crescent. The four moons replicate the De Alegro family, the Magic Tower, the Holy Knights, and all the citizens of the empire.

The Magic Tower represents the Hunter's Moon having the full power of magic. The De Alegro family represents the Satellite holding the reflection of sacrifices their family gave. The Holy Knights symbolize the Third Moon because the night of the Third Moon was the night the Goddess Farrah died hundreds of years ago. While the people in the empire acts as the Crescent to wish their empire eternal reign.

A/N: Hunter's moon is the Full Moon. Satellite is the Waning Moon/Gibbous. The Third Moon is the Last Quarter Moon. And the Crescent is the Waning Crescent. All of the words I used were the other term of the original names of the moons.

Our greeting was long. Longer, I will describe it. It took us an hour to stop. I started the greeting. I ended it with a thankful transcript, "The protection from the moons is given to the sun. The sun that led the moons, stars, and constellations into peace from the night of fear." The night of fear? This text was in the ancient scrolls that the world was ruled by pure darkness. Only to end by an oracle given to a street youngster. Soon they notice that the youngster was the fated Saintess that'll save them from despair. Until her last breath, the Saintess title was replaced by a new one. The Goddess of the Empire, Goddess Farrah.

The empress was thrilled as she was giving her reply at a traditional greeting. I saw how the other daughters of a noble were staring. Their eyes held pure hatefulness and enviousness. The empress left for a moment she said she will fetch something for me. The noble daughters then picked a fight with me. Saying many ridiculous things. I didn't want to fight with mere kids. So I let them say what they are saying.

Hearing what the noble daughters said. The empress was in fury. A fight in her Lobelia Palace was the first in a century. Empress Anya then said that she won't invite the noble daughters that participated now in this current party. They won't step foot here, in the Lobelia Palace.

-------Present Time--------

And about what I said a while ago. That those nice faces weren't really nice to see I meant to say that they were the first to spread damn rumors about me. Alas, nobility system and those shitty noble gossips.

"Ashlyn!," I heard the empress's voice. She rushed towards me. Then embraced me like I'm her child. "Good morning, royal aunt," I said plainly. Hmm, I've been calling her that since she got closer to me. Royal aunt said she likely be called her like that by me. Not formally like 'Your Majesty' or 'Empress'. Royal aunt laughs as she looked at me. And lightly pinch my cheeks. "Aww, your really cute as always, dear." I thanked her for her compliment. I don't like showing off emotions or what. I glanced beside me. Seeing father was kind of irritated? Yeah right,

Royal aunt notice father's annoyed look. "Oi, Victor, someone's jealous." Aunt teased. Father rolled his eyes. Hahaha. That was something. "Anya, why not tell your husband to make a royal princess. You're like someone taking someone's child. Thief." Aunt covers her mouth because she was making an 'O' reaction. "Pfft," I blurted.

Now they were blubbering to each other. Too noisy. I saw someone behind. He was with the empress's lady-in-waiting while there were many guards at his back. I walk towards that someone leaving father and aunt fighting. I bowed, "Good morning, royal uncle." I said. The emperor smiled at me. "Good morning, dear." Uncle was wearing elegant attire. Fit for a king, of course. He welcomed as he extended his hand. Gesturing to hold him. I held him, it was habitually that I did that. "Alejandro and Claude aren't here. They're at the study. Examining." The emperor admitted. I don't really know why the emperor often reported what the two princes do when I'm here. "Ohh, is that so." Giving the emperor a cliffhanger reply. We stood. We watch his wife fighting with my father. Uncle and I both groan.

"You're really fighting with me. Eyy, Victor. Remember who requested a higher rank for you? It was me." Royal aunt boast. "Oh please, Anya. I was okay with my rank being a viscount before. You and Mason both know I didn't mind with the classification. Though my rank was lower before. I didn't care. I wanted to start at a lower rank. And I like it. Also because I know the royal family will grant me a higher title." Father explained. They just continued with their massive conversation. I was just viewing what they are doing. Along with uncle laughing nonstop.

What a morning.