Seraphiell
"Oh, Lucas?" I realize there was something questionable in what he said earlier.
"Yes, my lady?"
"What did you mean when you said you carried me back to the palace?" He pauses, then stands up. "Apparently, when prince Theodore left the ball, he used your highness's carriage because his got damaged. So, I had to carry you back on foot." I sigh. Theodore wasn't always like this. We were almost inseparable as children. Till the day he just started to act differently. He stopped coming to have tea in my room and refused to take lessons with me. He said he simply didn't want to be held back by someone with no magic. Royalty should typically have an affinity for all four elements and two semi elements, although only true talents have actually been able to learn to use all elements. So, while Theodore was off honing his wind magic, I was in my room honing my mind.
Cindy returns with my breakfast tray. I eat and take a long bath, my mind still clouded by everything that just happened. Who was that man? He didn't look much older than me. And where was I? I'm guessing it's somewhere in Sylvarael, the elven kingdom. And for some reason I can't explain, a part of me wanted to go back.
I finish my bath and get dressed. Cindy insisted I stay in bed for the day, but I feel fine. And there's lots of work I must take care of. I stroll with Lucas as usual to father's room. His hair is back to its inky black colour which has me relieved. He isn't using magic right now. He deserves rest, perhaps I should give him a day off.
"Greetings to the star of Aetherwyne." The guards give me the same robotic greeting they always do. Upon entering, I go straight to the windows and pull the curtains wide open.
"You will never grow tired of doing that, will you?" Father is already sitting up in bed. "Father! You are awake already? Does that mean you're feeling better?"
"I am, yes." His lips tug into a small, yet meaningful smile. A smile of a new future. A smile of moving on. No healer could do anything for him, because the sickness was a result of a heart; bleeding, not beating. Because the one for whom it beats was no more. He said those words to me himself once before. Tears start to cloud my vision; tears I would never let fall. "Honestly," He continues. "If your mother heard I left state affairs to a child, she'd pull my ear and never let me hear the end of it."
"And she'd sing my praises all day long." I singsong cheerfully. I reach out to his side table and ring the small bell. As usual, the maids pour in. "Father, won't you come see the townspeople with me today? The weather is lovely." I say, not expecting a reply.
"That's a wonderful idea." I turn my head in shock. "You really will!?" He runs a hand through his hair. I've been wanting to leave this room for a while now. Also, I would like to go to that school for commoners your mother founded. Seeing the kids will surely lift my spirits." I wonder if it's a dream. Maybe that cave had hallucinatory effects on me. It has been an entire year since father left this room. "O-of course! I will send word to prepare a carriage. We will leave at noon!"
News spread around the castle that the emperor was stepping out of his chambers. Surely, by tomorrow, it would have reached the entire capital city. I must say, I am surprised that Theodore has not come to greet father after neglecting that duty for months. Is he shameless, or too ashamed?
A few hours later, father walks shakily towards the carriage, using a cane for support. "I'm sure this cane makes me look more dignified, don't you think?" He strokes his chin, now remembering beard he had finally shaved off, which had more than enough time to grow. "No, father. It makes you look like an old man." I giggle. Lucas helps us both into the carriage and sits with the driver in front.
"Would it kill you to treat me like your emperor?" He frowns playfully.
"Pick one, my emperor, or my father?" Theodore's and his relationship is so estranged that Theodore calls him 'your majesty', just as father did the old emperor. He scoffs. "You win this time."
"Oh, father, I win every time."
"Only because I raised you that way." It seems his health has absolutely no effect on his ego. The ride to the town is silent, but comfortable. He stares out the window, only occasionally speaking to ask me when they erected any new buildings he saw. The people marvel at the imperial family crest on the carriage. I'm sure they think it's just me, as usual. Finally, we come to a halt in front of the school's gate. As soon as we get off, the principal rushes to see me, only to come to a halt in shock. "Y- your majesty! I wasn't expecting you here, we would have prepared much better had I known you were coming!" He bows. "Greetings to the sun and star of the empire!" I can almost hear his heartbeat. "Stand at ease. I won't be long; I have only come to look around. Next time, I will schedule a proper visit."
"Of course, your majesty. Please follow me, I will be your guide to tour the school." It is a peaceful environment with a playground and a field. Mother used to be a commoner until her father was given the title of baron. Then she met father at her debutante, and the rest is history. I peer into the fifth-grade classroom and watch the students listen. I can remember my home-school teacher putting me through the same concept, forms of magic. "There are four elements, wind, water, fire and rock. The four semi elements are vegetation, gravity, light and darkness. There are deviants too, such as healing magic which is a deviant of vegetation and ice magic, a deviant of water. Each person has a specific element they can harness with their magic, which is called an affinity. Only the imperial family that possesses 89% pure mana can use any element of their choosing and a semi element. But they cannot use light or darkness."
"So, does that mean they can do anything?" A child asks in awe.
"No, dear. The fact that they can doesn't mean that they do. Learning to harness more than one element and one semi element is extremely strenuous. In fact, the only imperial who has ever been able to properly harness three elements and one semi element is his majesty, Emperor Salvaron Claude de Ezer Aetherwyne: the only quadra-elemental mage in the empire. He is closest to the first empress Sheradith, a hexa-elemental mage. Apart from the royal family, only a special clan in Valeon can use both a semi and regular element." Father grins like they just called him a god. I roll my eyes, assured of what he's about to do. "Let us greet the children, shall we?"
"Of course, sire! As you wish." The principal opens the door and tells the children, "Good day, children. Today, we have special guests who came to grace us with their presence. Welcome his majesty, the emperor and her highness the first princess of Aetherwyne." We walk in and wave at them, their cute little faces filled with wonder. They all stand and courtesy, saying in unison, "Greetings to the sun and star of the empire!!" They can barely mask their excitement. The only people in this empire that give me real honour; commonfolk. "Please sit, children. We came to pay a visit."
"How is your health, your majesty?" A little girl asks.
"As you can see, I am doing well, thank you."
"We've been hoping for your recovery!" A boy screams from behind.
"Yes, we have!" others agree.
"Thank you all, I am very grateful." He smiles ruefully. It's clear that he remembers his wife and her love for children, that love poured into the walls of this building. "Um, your majesty?" A girl with freckles calls nervously.
"Yes, dear?" He crouches at bit to meet her eyes. "Would you mind showing us a little of your royalty magic?" Royalty magic, huh? "Agatha!" The principal exclaims, holding his chest like he almost got a stroke. How would you ask such a thing of the emperor!? You-" "It is fine, since I am here, why wouldn't I show a little magic to these children?" Commoners have the weakest magic in the empire, so I'm sure they'll be awestruck by 'the prodigy emperor's magic'. "Now everyone," He starts gently, "You have to be very quiet so I can concentrate." The kids still immediately, watching him intently. He raises a hand and says a short, subtle incantation and instinctively, I close my eyes. I genuinely hope he doesn't burn the entire building down or flood the capital. I suddenly feel something cold on the tip of my nose. My eyes jerk open, and the sight is enthralling. Aetherwyne is called the land of perfect weather by outsiders. The days are always 28-30 degrees centigrade, and our rain is short lived. So, this white wonder is something I've only read about in books. Little white flakes dance around the classroom, filling he kids with cheer. "It's so pretty!"
"Wow, this is awesome!"
"The emperor's so cool!"
"Yeah, thanks, emperor Salvy!" It's evident that they're enjoying themselves. That final comment almost makes the principal faint. Yet, none of this catches me off guard more than when father begins to laugh. It's deep and rich. I almost forgot what it sounded like. "Unfortunately, it seems my time is long spent. I must take my leave now." Father stops the snow before the kids catch a cold. They wear sad faces. "Come back and see us again someday?"
"Of course! Next time I'll come with gifts for every one of you." They cheer, clap and kiss goodbye. We go back to the carriage and everything inside me tells me that those kids healed a part of father today. He didn't even use his cane while walking back.
"So, emperor Salvy," I smirk. "How was it?"
"You are just jealous that they didn't call you cool." Cool. Must be a commoner's slang.
"Hold on, father. Didn't mother's name mean snow?"
"Yes. Her mother was from another country. That's where she met her father. She took me to see it once. Before you were born." I can almost read his mind. It's like he's calling out to her a final time. Did you see what I did today, Eirai?