Chapter 44 - Their Meeting

Emelia started at Melissa and wondered why there was a child wandering around the garden without any supervision. She then thought that Melissa was lost since the garden was big enough to get lost.

"Are you lost?" Emelia offered her hand while Melissa was at a loss for words. The person who had been wanting to meet appeared out of nowhere. Not to mention they were alone without anyone, which makes it even better.​​

"Yes," Melissa lied, not caring what's going to happen to her. The only thing she cared about was she's able to spend time with Emelia and observe her or even write an article about her. Melissa shook her head and accepted Emelia's hand. The punishment can come later, but first, Melissa wanted to enjoy her time alone with Emelia.

Emelia found Melissa adorable. Though what bothered her was Melissa's dress. The design looked too mature for her age, and she would look better in pastel color. "Do you know where your nanny is?" Emelia asked Melissa, still thinking she is a child.

"I-I don't know," Melissa lied again. Why would a grown lady have a nanny go around with her? But then again, she didn't care how Emelia treated her. Emelia, who had her usual unexpressive face, flashed a smile. "Then shall we look for them together?" Melissa nodded her head and couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear.

All the drama that happened earlier disappeared in a flash, making it to one of the best days in her life. She wished this doesn't end. Walking along with hand in hand, there was no conversation at all. Emelia, the one who has no experience talking with a child, didn't know what to say at all.

But then, when the happiness had come short. When two servants saw Melissa, they immediately greeted her with importance while they didn't welcome Emelia, which was normal for her already.

"Am I the only one here?" Melissa's eyes turned cold. They treated her as if Emelia was invisible, and their gazes towards her were as if they are not scared of her. The two servants trembled in fear, leaving them unable to speak. "Even if she is someone who was once our enemy, she isn't anymore. What kind of thinking do you people have?"

Emelia was right. The person she is holding hands with isn't a child but a lady who just looks like one. Though she didn't want to admit getting fooled this time, she lost. Emelia removed her hands then said, "It's alright, Lady. This is how it should go." Which triggers Melissa.

"I don't want to offend you, Princess, but then you are someone who should be recognized, not looked down at," Melissa said, then continued, "I may be a citizen of this empire, but it doesn't mean I haven't heard anything about you."

"You must have heard the wrong name."

"No, Princess. Why can't you be proud of yourself? You, as a woman, are wonderful. The one who solved the drought was you, and even I thought of your idea as a good one," Melissa argued, but still, Emelia didn't listen to her.

There was a time where the Redodel Empire suffered from drought. The council didn't do anything about it not until Emelia decided to do it herself. She proposed it to the council, who all thought her idea was stupid, but instead, all their faces got slapped. Emelia didn't get the recognition, and only a few heard about it. Only the good ones heard it while the bad ones take the fame.

But it's surprising for another empire to hear about Emelia's work.

"Lady, please don't stir an argument up. I don't like it," Emelia spoke before Melissa could continue any further. "I am glad someone heard about me, but I want to stay low."

Melissa turned her head, looking at the two servants who were trembling in fear, "Leave before I say any further." The two maids nodded their heads and walked away quickly. It sure is their unlucky day.

"I don't understand," Melissa said, but Emelia didn't care one bit about it. "I don't understand why you don't defend yourself. It's not wrong to protect yourself," Melissa couldn't help but argue. The person she wanted to meet the most was a person who didn't care about herself. "Please, I do not wish to continue," Emelia spoke and sounded like she was in pain.

"I'm sorry if I crossed the line, but still, I can't bear to see it," Melissa tried holding her tears in but failed to keep it. "Princess, do you want to be friends?"