Chapter 18
1257 Words
CHAPTER 18
“Mia, place this under the second pot in front of the back gate. Make sure to do it secretly.” Tatiana ordered, following the instructions on how to send back the reply that was written below Kai’s letter.
Mia accepted the letter and bowed.
“Yes, my Lady.” Mia left the room and Tatiana continued to eat her breakfast.
After that, she spent the rest of the day thinking about what she should say to Kai once they met.
The next morning, Tatiana was back to her usual self. She has completely recovered, but the people around her think otherwise.
Duchess Annabelle, Aaron, Mia, and the doctor kept on insisting that she should stay still on her bed and rest. But Tatiana was starting to get bored and she doesn’t like to stay inactive.
Good thing, a letter arrived a short while later.
The letter is from the Imperial Palace, specifically from the emperor himself. It says that His Majesty has accepted Tatiana’s request for a meeting, and he wanted to meet her now, if possible.
Tatiana didn’t miss this chance and convinced her mother and brother to allow her to go. They agreed after a lot of reminders and conditions.
Tatiana wore a fancy-but-not-too-bright dress for her first meeting alone with the emperor since she reincarnated into this world. She was feeling very nervous and was reminding herself to act with grace and respect.
She took a deep breath as she stared in the mirror before she left the room. At the bottom of the grand stairs, Aaron was waiting for her.
“Brother,” she called. Aaron turned to look at her.
His cheeks were flushed when he saw Tatiana beautifully and gracefully walking down the stairs. Her outfit is plainer than what she used to wear, but it compliments her skin as well as her hair and eye color that she looked irresistibly breathtaking.
Now, Aaron can’t help but worry about the eyes that would be staring at his beloved sister once they're in the palace, or worst, Noah might see her and fall for her.
Though, Aaron doubts the latter since he knows Noah doesn’t believe in love. He won’t easily fall in love no matter how enticing or attractive the lady in front of him is.
Aaron cleared his throat before offering his arms to Tatiana.
“Let’s go?”
Tatiana nodded and hold his arm. Together, they walked towards the carriage.
They will be going to the palace together as it is one of the conditions they agreed on earlier. Although Tatiana wanted to go by herself, she didn’t have a choice since they won’t allow her to go if Aaron won’t accompany her.
Aaron was also very worried about Tatiana especially since she had just recovered from her sickness. Besides, he also needs to go to the Imperial Palace to talk with the prince.
.
In the carriage, Aaron was looking intently at Tatiana, who looks very serious and quiet. She was only staring outside the window and was quietly sighing from time to time. She was obviously worried about something.
“Tati, are you okay?” Aaron broke the silence. Tatiana turned to him and nodded slightly.
“Yes, brother. I’m fine.” She answered.
Although Aaron refuses to believe that, he didn’t ask further about it. Instead, he asked about her purpose in the palace.
“Are you going to talk to His Majesty about your engagement with His Highness today?”
“Hmm... yes. I have to convince His Majesty before my coming-of-age or else it will be too late.” Tatiana answered.
On Tatiana’s coming-of-age, their engagement will be officially announced as well as their wedding date. If by that time, Tatiana fails to convince His Majesty, it will be too late, and Tatiana will be bound with Noah which means the novel will proceed as it was written. In short, she will die a horrible death, and her family and a lot of innocent people will go down with her.
She can’t allow that to happen, so today, she must convince His Majesty.
“I see...” Aaron sighed. They were filled with silence after that.
Although he dislikes the idea of Tatiana being married to Noah, he hated seeing his sister sad even more.
“Tati, can you be honest with me?” Aaron said after a while. Tatiana slowly nodded, not sure of what he meant. “The reason why you wanted to cancel your engagement...is that really it?”
Tatiana wasn’t able to answer immediately, so they stared at each other for a couple of seconds.
She was thinking of what to say. Her real reason was so she could protect herself and her family as well as the people working for them, but she can’t possibly say that. She might have to explain how she's not really Tatiana and she reincarnated from the other world and that this world they are living in is a world from a novel. Aaron might think she's crazy.
Tatiana gave him a smile to reassure him.
“It is just as I’ve said. I realized that His Highness doesn’t like me—no, actually, I knew it beforehand, but I just didn’t accept it.” Tatiana said. “But now, I have accepted it already, and I wish to be with someone who will love me just as much as I loved him. That’s the only way I could be happy. Besides, I don’t want to force His Highness to marry me. I also wish him happiness and true love.”
It wasn’t a lie at all. Tatiana sincerely wished for Noah and Beatrice to meet and spend the rest of their lives happily. She’s a big fan of their romance from the novel, and she was hurt when they didn’t have a happy ending when Beatrice died.
That’s why, this time, Tatiana will step away from their romance. She will not meddle with them like in the novel, and will even help them to be together. That way, everyone will have the happiness they deserve.
“Are you sure about this? Are you sure that you won’t regret it later on?”
“Don’t worry, brother. I’ve thought about this for a long time. I won’t regret it.”
Aaron nodded in understanding and smiled at Tatiana. At that moment, he felt proud of his sister. Tatiana had really changed a lot, and it was all for the better.
“I understand. As long as you will be happy, I will support you and I know our parents think the same.”
Tatiana smiled. That moment, she suddenly felt really delighted and light like all of her worries disappeared. Ever since she was still Jane, she felt like she’s carrying the world on her shoulders. A problem after problem came to her life, but she has to push through it and fight till the end to survive.
Even until she came to this world, she suddenly has to carry a lot of pressure and uncertainties that it was starting to suffocate her.
However, when Aaron said that, she felt like her worries were temporarily removed from her. It was heartwarming to think that now, in this life, she had new people who’s always by her side to support and wish her happiness.
They were all that Tatiana needed, and she promised to protect them till the end.
Brother, I will protect you. I will protect all of you...
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reyankleyr
- Writer
