IV
1259 Words
Emperor George Kister Primavera, widely known as Emperor Kister in his empire, was sitting at the balcony of his chambers. He was watching the silver moon that was casting light in the pond that sat in front of him. He was thinking about his two newly discovered children that were saved from the slave traders a few weeks prior.
“Gisella’s children, huh.” he muttered to himself and lightly shook the glass of wine on his hand.
A knock suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
“Your majesty.” called the voice of his retainer and personal secretary, Chen, from the other side of the door. “Her highness, Princess Anastasia, wishes to talk to you.”
George couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the news. He was a proud father to his daughter but Anastasia was also the cause of his headaches at times since she defied tradition and culture most of the time; opting to become a hardened warrior than to become an elite among the ladies of Primavera Empire.
“Let her come in.”
The doors opened and Anastasia stepped inside. Chen excused himself and closed the doors.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” George questioned, amused at his daughter’s presence. “You do realize it’s the middle of the night.”
“I know but this is important imperial father.”
“I think I have an idea of what you’re going to ask already.”
A while ago, George was informed of Anastasia’s outburst in one of the private rooms in the medical building of the Imperial City. His favorite concubine, Katherine, already asked him regarding the care of the newly arrived twins, but for Anastasia to say those words…
“Good, that makes this easy then.” she replied.
“First, I have a question.” he said, interrupting her. “Are you asking me as the emperor or as your father?”
The emperor watched as Anastasia pursed her lips and gripped her hands tightly.
“Then I’m asking as your daughter and a loving sister to her siblings, illegitimate or not.”
George just nodded and tried to hide his smile by sipping his wine. He motioned for her to continue.
“You have received the news regarding the two children, a pair of twins, we saved from the latest raid we did, am I right?” he nodded. “I’m sure you already know that they are your children. They possess Lady Gisella’s silver-white hair and our bloodline’s red eyes. The girl, Eleanor, both have red and gold eyes.”
‘Gold eyes?’ he thought. ‘Like Gisella’s.’
“Father, I’m sure Noble Consort Katherine already asked for the twins to be put in her care but I’d like you to decline that and instead put them under mine, or at least my mother’s.”
George couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at his daughter’s words.
“And why would I do that?”
“The two need the love, affection and attention of a mother. I’m sorry to say but Lady Katherine can’t give such things. Her children grew up being tended by nannies and she’s always busy with you. What I’m saying is, I don’t think it’s ideal to have them under her care.”
George looked at his daughter and analyzed her words. Everyone knew that Noble Consort Katherine was his favorite concubine and he would always agree to her whims, but Anastasia’s words also made sense.
‘Not to mention the children are probably traumatized. They need someone to be there for them.’
“Very well. If your mother and Gregory agree, and you pledge to be responsible for them in every way possible then I will have the twins under the empress’ care.”
George watched as Anastasia’s face lit up with glee.
‘Well that’s an expression I haven’t seen since she was a child.’
“Also, feel free to inform me if the twins need anything. They are my children after all, the least I can do as their father is to provide for them.”
“Thank you father. I will take good care of them, I promise. I’ll make sure they’ll be exceptional and can help our nation big time.”
He just nodded his head. Anastasia was about to leave when he stopped her.
“What are their names?” he asked. “The twins, Gisella’s children.”
“Eleanor and Edmund. I’m not sure if they have a second name though.”
George gasped, an old memory popped up in his head. “Ask them and inform me about it.”
“Yes father. Good night!”
He was once again alone in his chambers, staring at the moon.
“Eleanor and Edmund.” he muttered. “So you really did name them that Ella. I wonder if you gave them the second name I wanted to bestow upon them.”
Nobody really knew about it but George loved Gisella, whom he fondly called Ella, even at the brief moment they were together. He was angry when she ran away while pregnant of the twins but he realized he could never be angry with her or the children she gave birth to.
“I will make sure to make them happy Ella.”
The next day, in one of the palaces inside the Imperial City, a certain concubine was throwing vases and chinaware in her room.
“Damn it!” she exclaimed, slamming the last vase she got hold of. “Anastasia! How dare you snatch those children from me?! From the great me!”
Noble Consort Katherine Arche Primavera nee Vimi just received the emperor’s message regarding the care of the new pair of imperial children. She was already looking forward to have the twins under her care. She already made plans on utilizing the children’s untapped power and ability.
“Your highness, please calm down.” Madame Ally said, coaxing her mistress.
“Shut up! You failed on getting me the children! If you only got there faster!”
“But the child Edmund, he-“
“Do I look like I care about his name? I don’t even care about your excuses!” she raged. “You should’ve dragged them!”
“But the princess, she-“
“If you got them sooner, those two should’ve been here already!”
“I apologize your highness.”
“You better be!” she grunted. “Now those two will be under that b*tch Hilda’s care! Of all things! She’s already a nuisance, as is her children!”
Madame Ally and the servants inside the room were just silent. Katherine took a deep breath and sighed.
“Find a way for me to meet the twins. If they’re not in our care, we at least have to get them on our side. And once they are, we can snatch them and have them fulfill their roles in my plan.”
“As you wish your highness.”
***
“…That’s probably what she’s doing now.” I explained to Edmund the moment we woke up the next morning. “From here on out, it’ll be a game of bato lata[1], minus the can.”
“Ugh, I hate that game.”
“Well, we have no other choice but to play it brother dear.” I commented patting his shoulder. “That and we have to start cultivating our potentials.”
“What potentials?”
“Good question. Now listen very carefully…”
- Writer
