Chapter 76 - The Peace Treaty II

"It seems like the meeting didn't go well," Muttered the maid.

"Well…It seems like it has something to do with Chief Malzan."

"So, what's going to happen now?"

Jason stood in between the two maids and clears his throat. He looks at the two maids who lowered their heads, apologizing, and ran away from him. 

The signing of the treaty was postponed, and of course, like always, word had gone around already. There is nothing to do to stop it from going around when it had reached the ears of the nobles. 

Jason sighed out loud as he traced his fingers on the sides of the corners.

"No, dirt but still not enough," Said Jason, calling a maid who had passed by, "Call the one who's in charge of the windows to do it again."

The maid bowed her head and went off while Jason sighed out loud once more. Is this the end again for this empire? Though he used to be a normal servant in this palace, he wasn't known and luckily was given the position of head butler after helping Henry.

When Jason turned his back, he jumped back to see Emelia, who observed him the whole time. The silver lining on his lips rose, "Good day, Your Highness, is there anything you need?" Emelia started at him, leaving the old man uncomfortable. He doesn't know what's going in her head. 

"I've seen you before," Spoke Emelia.

"Indeed, I have been a servant of this palace since long before," Jason bowed his head and kept his head low. To think someone knew him even from before is a shocking matter for him. The princess he knew never knew to care after all.

Emelia looked at him once again, leaving him more uncomfortable. He raised his head a bit and asked, "Perhaps is there any problem with the way I look?" Emelia shook her head.

"I didn't mean to stare. There's something I want to ask, but I don't trust you," Her answer was as sharp as a knife. Well, it's to be expected. Emelia doesn't really trust anyone in this palace since they treated her badly. But then he had a resolution.

Jason pursed his lips, "Then what can I do to make you trust this old man?" He sounded convincing and promising, but then Emelia didn't believe it.

"Follow me to another room. I want to check if I could trust you or not," Said Emelia, walking ahead of Jason, who followed her from behind. But to think he was given a chance to prove his loyalty was an honor.

Jason closed the doors behind him and turned his back, waiting for Emelia to speak. His palms slowly sweated, and he gulped, feeling the intense silence of the room.

"You must be wondering why I asked you to be in this room," Spoke Emelia as her eyes were focused out of the window. "Don't worry, I won't do anything to hurt you. That's if you are careful," Her last sentence sent shivers down his spine, and he gulped once more.

"I think you're the only one who knows what had happened to me. How I lost my memories and what had happened during the one month I was in coma."

Jason pursed his lips, unable to say a word. He felt troubled because things had been chaining. Since before he had sworn his loyalty to whoever was going to be the next leader of the Empire. And now that they have an Emperor he felt troubled because the original heir to the throne was right in front of his eyes.

Emelia looked at him after waiting for an answer and saw the seriousness in his eyes. He kneeled onto one knee and said, "I am only loyal to the original heir to the throne. I shall answer your question." 

The determination in his eyes made Emelia impressed. There aren't many who are loyal to the original rule of the land. She should be lucky that there a few who was awaiting her appearance.

"Your Highness lost your memories by a hard object after getting hit by the back of your head. We didn't expect Your Highness to have amnesia. 

Though I do not know what kind of amnesia since the doctor didn't say anything else. If Your Highness's amnesia is temporary, then it will be good. However, there still may be a chance Your Highness wouldn't be able to recover your memories."

Emelia placed a hand under her chin and asked, "Then do you know where I lost my memories and what had happened. Tell me everything."

"This palace was burned when the Vivans conquered this empire. After His Majesty held onto the crown, he reconstructed the palace back to how it looked back then. Your Highness lost her memories in the dark woods forest while getting the original crown."

Emelia didn't understand why she brought herself back into the wood. Maybe others were with her. But she wasn't sure if they were still alive.

"I have to apologize that I do not know who you were with neither His Majesty does. But he speculated that it was someone from the Vivan Empire. "

"I see. Thank you for telling me," Thanked Emelia as she continues pondering about what Jason had told her. Why was she getting the original crown? She knew herself that getting the original crown back wouldn't bring her good.

"That reminds me. What was said here stays here. I still don't trust you. That is why do your best in gaining my trust in you," said Emelia.

Jason didn't feel any regrets about what he told Emelia. It was the right choice. Emelia deserves to know the truth about what had happened to her. She doesn't deserve the hate but the love. Not everyone will agree with him, but then it is better to have the good than the evil.

"That is alright. I don't expect Your Highness to trust me and use me all you want. This is for the sake of the future," Jason answered in a serious tone.

The first time he entered the palace, he saw the smiling face of Emelia, giggling as she watched the butterflies fly around her. That time Jason had lost his daughter due to an illness that was going around the empire. His wife caught the illness and eventually died. He felt it was the end of the world for him. Just pitch black.

Not until Emelia's smile was reminded him of his daughter. To keep on living in this world, there will be losses but at the same time happens will come after. It was because of her smile he was saved. That is why this was the only way to repay Emelia for pulling him out of the dark. At least once…at least once, he wanted to see Emelia free.

Jason was sure his wife and daughter would like to see that too.

"That is why Your Highness. Please be happy with the little things," Jason smiled, filling Emelia's heart. Her heart throbbed from his bitter-sounding words, even if those words were supposed to make her happy.

"I hope so too…." She muttered so that Jason wouldn't hear her. Emelia stood up, making her way to the door but stopped. "How did the meeting go? I've heard it was unsuccessful," Said Emelia while Jason nodded his head.

"Your Highness is informed about it?" Jason asked to continue saying, "Yes, there was trouble because of a council member. For now, the Emperor of the Vivan Empire refuses to sign the peace treaty. Since then, word had been going around how war was going to break out again."

The Emperor of the Vivan Empire, huh? She didn't have the slightest of interest in that man not until Jason mentioned him earlier. Just like the man, she met during the grand celebration said that someone might be the emperor.

Recalling her last memories, she remembers marching with a ground of soldiers and that she had made a deal with their Emperor. Then there must be something. The events are all jumbled, but Emelia didn't care about that anymore. What she cared about the most was to become free.

Since the day had woken up from coma, no one treated her like a human being. It was cruel, but then this made her want to gain the freedom she deserved.

"Report to me at least once a week. In this same room. Make sure no one knows what you and I are doing in this room," Said Emelia, holding onto the doorknob she continued, "Leave this room after ten minutes."

No matter how many times she tried killing herself, she always ends up being alive. Emelia realized that the door to death didn't accept her. They keep pushing her on the door to life. It seems like the door to life cherished her very much. How ironic.

"Mother, I think I now have a purpose of listening to your letter. Find someone who will accept the way I am. Be proud and continue walking the path I desire. If I am lost, don't be scared, as this will help me grow stronger."