Chapter 99 - The War V

Now that Henry is dead and Emelia avenged her mother. The burden that weighed her shoulders was finally lifted. It was supposed to be the happiest day of all, but then she didn't feel satisfied at all. 

The war ended with the least casualties as they possibly could have. Fifty soldiers died, sixth-three soldiers injured, and ten missing in action. The nobles who sided with Henry were beheaded, and their heads were hanged in front of their mansions. Not just that, but all nobles in the Redodel Empire were stripped of their titles by Emelia. 

Two days passed since the war had ended. With their agreement, Emelia decided to take charge of ruling the Redodel Empire. She sighed, seeing the amount of paper on her desk, and shuts her eyes. 

"Sitting on a desk is not my forte," said Emelia as she stretches her arms upon the air. Then stood up to take a walk around her office.

Emelia knew being a ruler isn't going to be an easy task. Not to mention she didn't have any experience but has the knowledge. But then again, Emelia preferred having experiences to have knowledge.

As Emelia sat back on her chair, Vanessa enters her office, carrying a tray topped with biscuits and a teapot. 

"How about taking a break?" Vanessa suggested and places the biscuit and teacup on her desk. "The name of this tea is ginseng tea. It's a bit bitter, and I suggest putting honey in it," said Vanessa pouring honey into her cup before pouring the tea. 

"Thank you," Emelia took a sip of the warm ginseng tea and smiles. It's calming, and she could feel the energy coming back to her. "Enter," said Emelia when she heard a knock from the door. 

"Your Highness, here are the files you had asked me to gather," said Zed as he gives Emelia the files. 

When Emelia meant every noble in the Redodel Empire's titles were stripped. She wasn't telling a lie. Zed is not considered from that, and now he is working as Emelia's secretary. If Zed didn't side with them, he wouldn't be here right now. 

But then, at the same time, how can she kill someone her mother was close to? After spending two days with Zed, he was more of an older brother than an uncle.

The files Emelia held were complaints from the former nobles. They wouldn't back down just because their titles were stripped off. They may be rich, but then that money is now useless to them. They deserve to be punished, not rewarded. 

When Emelia sees a familiar nobles, she rolled her eyes and gently places the paper on her desk. Amongst the former nobles who were complaining, he was the worst one. A viscount who owns a casino, asking where his money is placed. 

The money earned by the former nobles was all given to Emelia. She is currently the wealthiest person in the Redodel Empire, thanks to them. 

But Emelia didn't spend it on just anything but the basic needs of the people right now. The budget for them wasn't that big, thanks to Elliot, who was helping Emelia. While the reconstructions of the broken buildings were being built as fast as possible. 

"Don't spare this man's life and others who I mention. They don't deserve it," orders Emelia, and Zed bows his head then leaves her office. 

Though killing is not the answer, Emelia knew this was her only choice. Those nobles who will never learn no matter how much they fall will always repeat the same mistake. Giving them another chance is not acceptable. 

"Princess, will you take a break? You have been in your seat ever since the war ended, " asked Vanessa, worried about how Emelia was pushing herself too hard. 

"As much I want to, but I cannot. There are still many issues I need to resolve," said Emelia while Vanessa frowned, unable to help Emelia. Emelia saw her frowning and gave her a smile, "But thank you for worrying about me."

Emelia continued her work, and before she knew it, the sun was already setting. As she slouched in her seat, she heard her stomach grumbling. She looks at the empty biscuit plate, and her stomach grumbles out loud once again. 

"This should be it for now," Emelia stood up and walks out of her office to be greeted by Argus and Ayfara.

"Leave me be. I'll just take a stroll around the gardens," said Emelia, and the two acknowledged her order.

Emelia closes her eyes and breaths the fresh air in. And when she opens her eyes to see Mrs. Gilda, tending to the flowers, she walked to her. 

"Mrs. Gilda, how have you been doing?" asked Emelia, and Mrs. Gilda bowed her head while Emelia tries to stop her. "You don't have to bow. I'm not even born with the blood of a royal," Emelia fiddles with her fingers. 

"I dare not to," said Mrs. Gilda as she looks back at the flower. "You are going to be the future empress of the new empire. How could I not show my respects to you?"

Mrs. Gilda had a point, but then Emelia didn't want her to treat her some sort of high titled person. When Mrs. Gilda acts like a loving grandmother. 

"Then I have an order. Please call me just Emelia without my title," smiled Emelia, and Mrs. Gilda looks at her and smiled. 

"If Emelia says so. Then I shall follow your others," giggles Mrs. Gilda. 

"Mrs. Gilda…can you tell me more about my mother? To be honest, I think you know her more than I do," asked Emelia as she offers Mrs. Gilda to take a seat on the bench across them.

"Your mother is the kindest and bravest soul you can ever meet," started Mrs. Gilda. "Even if her family sold her away, she didn't hate them and still continued to love them."

Emelia put herself in her mother's shoes and couldn't imagine what she would do if her family did that to her. She would never forgive them for selling her away when her future was bright. Alia Beaumont could have taken revenge against them but didn't. 

But maybe because taking revenge isn't so fulfilling, and Emelia knew how it felt. When she killed Henry with her own hands. Emelia had thought that anger in her would fade, but it didn't. Nothing faded except the weights that weighed her down. 

"Your mother, when she was sold, was in love with your father. She loved him until the day she died," continues Mrs. Gilda as she plucks a red rose out of the bush and gives it to Emelia. "This was your mother's favorite flower and the man your mother married planted it for her."

The 2nd to the last Emperor of the Redodel Empire. But then Emelia didn't understand why he would plant them for her mother unless he truly liked her. 

"Yes, he liked your mother but then didn't treat her well. The one who killed your mother wasn't him but Henry's parents." 

Only if her mother didn't die her life wound't be as tragic as this. But then if this didn't happen then Emelia would have never met Elliot. Even if they did, it wouldn't end like this. 

"As for your father. He didn't know that your mother was sold off. All he knew was she died while she sailed into the seas."

"Then does that mean he doesn't know I exist?" asked Emelia and Mrs. Gilda shook her head.

"He knew because His Imperial Majesty told him about it," answered Mrs. Gilda as she continues with a smile, "I'm sure he'll welcome you with open arms. Ever since your mother disappeared, he did not take another woman. He stayed alone for his entire life."

Emelia felt foolish after saying bad things about her father when she knew nothing at all. She took her word back and somehow she wanted to go back to the Vivan Empire and meet her father. 

"That is why once things in your work calms down, please take the time to meet your father. I'm sure he is going to spoil you like any father would."

Emelia nods her head and lowers her to hide her face. She wanted to hear more, but at the same time, she didn't want to hear anymore. 

"And so why is my dear Princess on the verge of crying?" asked Elliot while Mrs. Gilda stood up and bows her head. "Mrs. G didn't I tell you no more formalities between us?" asked Elliot and Mrs. Gilda laughs it off.

"Then I will make my way back home and take a rest," said Mrs. Gilda leaving the two of them alone.

"I'm not crying," retaliated Emelia as she wipes her eyes and looks at him. 

"You were," chuckled Elliot, taking a seat beside her. "It's been a while since we've last seen each other," said Elliot.

"What do you mean? It's just been two days." 

"So you don't miss me?" asked Elliot, staring at Emelia's eyes.