Chapter 91 - To Live

"Good evening, Princess Emelia. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Air Deuson, please call me Air. His Imperial Majesty has sent you a message," Air hands Emelia a piece of paper folded into two. 

On the piece of paper, Elliot asked if she could permit Elliot to go. Maybe with his knowledge of the old texts and books in the library, he can help gather information for them. If it's someone Elliot trust, then it should be alright. 

Emelia wore a black cloak while Air watches Emelia. She then looked at him and asked, "Aren't you going with me?" Air nodded his head and stood behind her. She hands him a black cloak, telling him to wear it, which he understood.

When they arrived in the underground library Air's eyes sparkled, seeing old texts and books by the bookshelves. He was distracted in his own world to the point he forgot that he wasn't the only one there. 

"And there he goes," chuckled Elliot, then looking at Emelia, who pulled her hood down. "That reminds me a letter from my cousin came," Elliot gives Emelia a piece of paper. 

"To live, I must be a sacrifice," reads Emelia. "I think someone wrote this for my mother," Emelia stood up, looking at the writings on the wall. It's probably her last words. 

"Your mother asked an old friend of hers to write it. Rather than a friend, a noble from the Saffron Empire supported your mother secretly," joined Mrs. Gilda, lighting a candle with a burning matchstick.

"A supporter?" asked Emelia. 

"Even if your mother was having a hard time, she still had nobles who secretly supported her. And most of them were powerful nobles coming from different empires," answered Mrs. Gilda while Emelia and Elliot looked at each other. 

"My mother has supporters from different empires?" Emelia repeated.

"Your mother isn't weak. She is also intelligent, and I think that is where you got it. Believe it or not, but one of your mother's supporters is Duke Yves's mother," said Mrs. Gilda while Elliot looked in disbelief. 

To think her mother had connections with others was surprising. Since Emelia only knew that her mother was spent her time trapped in her own room. If she had the time to do so many things for her, then why couldn't her mother save her own life?

Is it just like what the writings on the wall say? To live, which was pointing at Emelia. For Emelia to live, her mother needed to sacrifice her own life. Is this why her mother wrote that she said to forgive others even if they treat you like nothing? 

It's not that easy to accept others. It's not. Her mother is too kind. To kind her kindness killed herself. Emelia couldn't accept it. She didn't want to, even if it might make her mother sad.

"Then if my mother has a supporter from the Vivan Empire, does that mean even the Saffron Empire? And the other two empires?" asked Emelia, and Mrs. Gilda nodded her head. 

In this world, five empires exist. A land filled with rich natural resources, a strong military, and currently the strongest empires amongst is the Vivan Empire. The Saffron Empire is known for its fishery and trading. The Divine Empire, the smallest empire that is blessed by the gods or another word, is called the holy land. And the Orthos Empire, stationed in the north, where snow doesn't stop falling. 

Is it even possible to have supporters from each empire? If that's that case, it's amazing because Emelia doesn't know anyone who can manage to do that. 

"It's possible," said Elliot, "I have friends from each of them, and they aren't just anyone."

"Let's just say your mother moves in the dark instead of the light," said Mrs. Gilda as she sat down on the chair and rested her walking stick on her lap. "The enemy your mother had been fighting was Henry's parents. They are very manipulative people who took advantage of the late Emperor of the Redodel Empire. It was also them who made the late empress the empress."

So this whole time, her enemy had been the Verdia family. It wasn't the emperor who was being fooled but the family of the Duke. They might be the ones who are controlling the economic system too. 

"We have ended him," said Emelia. All the more, Emelia felt determined to bring Elliot down. If he isn't defeated, then the next generation will follow his footstep. At all costs, they should bring him down and sentence him to death. 

Right now, they aren't planning to murder Henry yet because of how unstable the empire is. Emelia had a plan. A plan to reset this Empire. She didn't care anymore if she were the one to rule this place.

"Soon," said Elliot, looking at Emelia. "You'll be free soon. That is why just hang on there. We'll get there." As always, his words were comforting to hear. She nodded her head shyly but not showing her shyness. 

"For now, we should watch," said Elliot sighing out loud to remember his plans for tomorrow. "I almost forgot that I had a meeting to attend." It must be about the peace treaty. As long as it's not signed, Elliot can stay here for as long as he wants, and Henry cannot kick him out since he's the one wanting it to be passed.

"Even if they know I'm never going to sign it, they still persist," said Elliot while Air held a book in his hand and sat down after choosing one book to read. 

"It's not like we can do anything about it. Your Imperial Majesty, you do know how much you are neglecting your work right now. His Grace, Duke Yves, has been sending letters to me, and most of them were cursing towards you," Air said, opening the book he held earlier. He nodded his head, excited to read it.

"Well…he's the only one who can do my work. Plus, I'm busy doing something else," replied Elliot. 

"But please do remember we're not your salves," Air glares at Elliot, who nodded his head. "To be precise, we are not your work slaves." Seeing Air glare at Elliot, who looks defeated, Emelia softly laughs at them. Those two look very close, and Air doesn't seem to fear Elliot either. 

"Let's wait about two more days. For now, we should wait and see what's going to happen in the future," said Elliot and agreed Emelia. 

It's been a week since the party in the Duke's mansion, and rumor has successfully circulated not just to the nobles but the commoners. There are some nobles who didn't believe and some who did. While the commoners were mostly angry towards Henry's attitude at Emelia. 

They wanted to raise their voice but couldn't, but sooner or later, they will break that law. They, as humans, have the right to voice their own voices out. It's not right to restrict their own freedom. 

"After that, it's going to begin. The start of the end of this empire," said Emelia as her eyes laid on the lit candle, watching the fire dance.

"The end? Or a new beginning? What will you do after?" asked Elliot, and the others awaited her answer.

"I don't know," answered Emelia. She never really thought about it. If this plan succeeds, what will she do next? Build the empire back up again? Or walk a path of freedom without anyone to interfere. "But I'm sure. I want to be in a place where everyone is smiling."

"It's possible for Her Highness," said Air, closing the book he was reading. "I personally think Her Highness is fit to rule this land and change its rules. I'm sure this is also what you want, but you are still unsure."

"Whatever you choose, I will support it," smiled Elliot, and he added, "But don't feel pressured about it. It takes time to know what you want to do."

This is enough for her. This whole time she thought no one was going to respect her. They broke the wall as if it was nothing. It felt great to have people respect her decision and go this far to help her, even if it might break their reputation. It's as if they didn't care who they were. They are just doing things that they think are right. 

"That's right, Princess. I'm sure your mother would have said the same thing. Be whatever you want to be. I quiet glad that Her Highness knows not to be controlled by others," Mrs. Gilda agrees with Elliot. 

"Be the king of your own life," Emelia muttered to herself after remembering what her mother wrote in the letter. Until her last breath, her mother did everything that she believed is right. She even sacrificed her own life to protect Emelia. 

All the more, Emelia felt bad not wanting to live in this world. All this time, there were people around her, helping her take a step. And that first person who she should be grateful for was Elliot.