𝖎 𝖜𝖆𝖘 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖉 【 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚎𝚍 】

ℙ𝕒𝕘𝕖 𝟠 - 𝔼𝕟𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣

It had been a few days since y/n returned to the empire. On those days, she kept herself busy. She went shopping, visiting her family, all while keeping on the low. She didn't want anybody to know that she had returned. It was also the emperor's orders to not reveal her return to the public. She had nothing more to do. She didn't have work, she can't have tea with her friends, and the people in the palace can't be bothered to entertain her.

That's why she has decided. She wanted to take a walk at the Ruby Palace, where the princess was staying.

y/n never really cared about the emperor's affairs or mistresses, but for some odd reason, she was drawn to the Ruby Palace.

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It was a bright and sunny day and y/n decided that now would be the perfect time to go for a walk. She got ready with the help of her maids and was off to venture the Ruby Palace.

Upon arriving, y/n was in a state of disbelief when she saw the condition of the palace. Sure it was clean, but it didn't seem that the exterior/structure was well-maintained. It looked sort of abandoned? But y/n proceeded with her stride and she saw golden locks wandering around the garden. As she approached closer, she noticed that it was a child. That child turned out to be the little princess.

"Hello there princess! What are you doing here?" y/n spoke up to the child and she seemed startled. "Oh! I'm sorry for startling you princess! Are you alright?" The little princess only stared at the lady in front of her. The little one couldn't stop thinking about how pretty y/n is. "You're the lady that was with daddy right? What is your relationship with him?!" Though the lady was indeed pretty, the princess was still suspicious of her. She was worried that the lady had hurt her daddy. "Don't worry princess! Yes I was the one with your dad yesterday and we're just friends!" The young princess eyed her suspiciously and the lady couldn't stop gushing about how adorable the princess is. Eventually the princess replied, "Okay, I'll let you go for now. But that doesn't mean I trust you! You might hurt my daddy!" y/n couldn't help but laugh at the child. "Oh princess! you're so adorable! Why don't we have tea? I'm sure you're hungry and I have plenty of sweets you can eat!" The princess' eyes lit up and agreed.

They both made their way to the garden and sat at the table that was prepared for them. They both talked with each other and share stories. They seem to be enjoying themselves even though the princess doesn't trust the lady. However, they didn't notice the presence that was approaching them. Both the princess and the lady were have too much fun exchanging jokes to notice that the emperor was right there!

"What are you two doing?"

The both got startled and the princess immediately greeted the emperor politely. y/n couldn't be bothered to respect the tyrant emperor. The emperor merely scoffed and signalled Felix to bring him another chair. "Are you joining us?" y/n stared at him (though it was more like a glare) while he just gave her a nod. The lady was definitely not used with the emperor being timid around her but shrugged it off. Now it was difficult to start a conversation with the princess now that the emperor was here. She isn't really a fan of showing emotions of joy in front of the emperor. So she excused herself and bid her farewell to the young princess and not to the emperor. Claude seemed irked by this but let it slide because after all, he doesn't have any authority over you.

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You returned to your chambers and changed into more comfortable clothes. You went out the balcony and breathe in some fresh air. You can't help but reminisce all the happy memories with Claude before Diana happened, and it just made you frustrated and upset.

Dinner was delivered to you shortly and you ate in silence. You were emotionally distressed as of the moment. You can't help but feel happy or sad or mad at Claude at the same time. You were happy you were able to see him again but also sad because of the thought of him being married to someone else, and also mad at him for disposing of you without hesitation and now begging for you to take him back.

The maids took your dishes away and you thought it was already time to go to bed so you did. Laying in your bed, you couldn't help but overthink all your past decisions.

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"If only I had been more selfish back then, would we be still happily in love with each other and have a child of our own?"

a/n: it has been so long since i last updated this book, hahahah. i apologize to you readers, but my life has been really busy this past year and couldn't find time to update cuz of school. maybe i'll update another chapter next week. thank you for all the reads!!! this isn't proofread btw :D