Space Between Us

Chapter 3

Her POV

8 months later

Months have passed quickly yet I’m still inside this tiny body. However, I’m not an ordinary person in this world. I’m one of the princesses of the royal family of Artemius. I am Lesley Marionette Artemius, an 8-month-old infant; I have the ability to locate people easily through the use of my senses. I can sense anyone even though they are hiding. It may not be as grand as others’ abilities but it is indeed a great help for me, especially when I need someone to clean my dirty butt; I’ll just crawl towards them since I knew where my maids were.

I’ve met a lot of people here in just a short span of time. The royal family of Artemius is really a big one. I have 9 other siblings - three females and five males. The palace also has a lot of servants. Even though a lot of people are residing here, I’ve always felt that I’m alone. I’m always alone in my room together with the toys I don’t actually like since all of them are boring. The only one who’s keeping me sane here is my playtime with my sister, Leighton.

Emperor Leonard Artemius, my father, rarely comes home since he is busy organizing and managing foreign affairs. When he is at home, he would go to my room to carry me. He would also tell me that I’m his favorite princess. I really don’t know why he did those things because I’m only a half-blood so why would he become so sweet on me? My siblings are pure-blooded and their abilities are a lot more useful and powerful than mine. However, something seems off. I feel uncomfortable when he’s inside my room. My body shivers whenever he’s around me as if something dangerous would happen to me. But, it’s impossible. I’m his daughter so why would he hurt me?

His favoritism towards me aroused the hatred of my other female siblings. I won’t blame them because if I were their parents, I would definitely give equal attention to my children. It’s the emperor’s fault, not them. Why would he make many children if he couldn’t take care of everyone? They are making my new life difficult. My eldest sister, Lianna, would throw her toys at me due to jealousy. Hay.

Every princess and prince is not allowed to leave the palace so I couldn’t do anything aside from eating and sleeping. I remembered the last day I was alive in my previous life where I wished to become a princess since they don’t have any problems at all. Now I know why they seemed unproblematic at all. It’s because they couldn’t do anything since, they might ruin the reputation of their family. I don’t know if this new life is a reward or a curse. Nothing has changed; I’m still unloved and unappreciated.

In my 8 months of staying here, I’ve never stopped thinking about my past life. I know I shouldn’t be concerned about my parents’ sake since they have never acted as my guardians and they constantly abused my well-being; however, they are still my parents. I hope they are doing fine even without me. I’m also wondering if I was already dead in that world.  If that’s the case, did somebody cry at my funeral? I hope so. Because if there wasn’t anyone who felt grief and loss, I would pity myself.

I felt hunger so I crawled towards the bottle near the door. But, this d*mn child named Lianne just threw it outside the room. What a headache. She’s years older than me but she is too immature. Sometimes, babies are a pain in the neck. If it is not a crime to punch babies, Lianne would probably be lying with a bleeding nose. I’ll do that someday when the right time comes. Just wait.

I was going to get the bottle when one of the maids finally came back inside the room. She looked on the floor and took the bottle with her. I’m hungry! Give it to me!

“What happened? Why is Princess Lesley’s bottle here?” she asked. I cried while pointing at my older sister. Ha! I’m not the old Margo anymore. I won’t let anyone step on me. “May I know what you did, Princess Lianne?”

“I did not do anything.” she said while crying loudly. Her sobs are louder than mine. She acted like she’s the victim. Ugh, Lianne is extremely annoying.

“May I know what happened, Princess Leighton?” the maid asked my 2-year-old sister named Leighton.

“I-i d-don’t k-know,” she said while stuttering. She was looking at Lianne who’s glaring at her. I can understand her fear because Lianne is really a mean girl. I won’t blame her since Lianne might hurt her if she spoke the truth.

I didn’t stop crying because I wanted Lianne to feel that I’m not someone she could easily take down. Not me, sweetheart.

The maid carried me since I was on the floor and tried swaying me just to stop my tantrums. But, I didn’t give in. Lianne had always made my days bad and I wanted her to know who I am. I’ll cry even louder in order for her to admit her mistakes and apologize!

The maid put me inside the cradle and continuously patted my tiny legs so I could stop crying. “Shh, stop crying. Emperor Leonard will finally come back to the palace and he won’t be happy if he sees you crying.” I stopped my tantrums when I heard his name, my dad’s name. I have constantly felt this feeling when I would hear his name. A mixed feeling of nervousness and distress. I’m just an 8-month-old infant yet I feel all these emotions. What more if I grew up?

“Drink your milk first then I’ll change your clothes,” the maid said while putting the milk bottle inside my mouth. Two other maids came into the room. “What did you do? The emperor might arrive in the palace at any minute yet all the princesses are still not dressed.” she exclaimed. I was listening to them while I continuously sucked my botte. I've been starving since earlier. I’ve realized that it is really tough to be a baby because the only thing I could do is to cry. If I cried because I’m hungry, they would give me toys. If I cried because I feel hot, they would make me sleep. It’s extremely tiring! I want to grow up already! Why does time fly slowly in this world?

“We apologize, Eleanor. We helped the other servants since we heard that visitors from another kingdom will come to the palace together with the emperor,” one of the maids who just came inside said. Hmm, another visitor? From which kingdom are they? “Let’s get you dressed first, Princess Lianne.” the maid and Lianne went outside the room.

“Let’s go, Princess Leighton.” the other maid walked towards Leighton and carried her so they could leave the room together.

I was left alone with my maid inside the room. She started to caress my hair while I drank my milk. “I pity you, Princess Lesley. When your father is not around, your sisters and brothers are bullying you as if you’re not one of them. You don’t have any mother who will protect you against anyone,” she stopped doing that and started to glance at the ceiling, “I hope my daughter won’t experience what you have experienced even though she’s a half-blooded royalty just like you.”

I touched her hand slowly because I wanted to comfort her and her baby. It’s impossible that she wouldn’t experience all these harsh things but I will be always beside her because I knew what it felt like to be alone in this cruel place. The feeling of being helpless because no one is ready to help you since all of them prioritize titles before compassion.

Both of my lives are miserable. Am I that unlucky?

“Are you done drinking your milk?” I nodded. “Let’s go to your closet so you’ll get dressed.” She took me to my big closet. My closet is as big as the department store of malls. I almost have every color and pattern of clothes and shoes here. This is the only thing that makes me fortunate here. I can have anything I want. But the only thing I only want to fulfill is to be loved and appreciated; not these luxurious wardrobes.

“What do you like to wear?” She put me inside the walker. She started to find the dress I would wear for today’s celebration. I saw a purple dress with a pretty mesh and glittery design. I think I would be the center of attraction if I wear this. If I have a daughter, I want her to dress like this so every girl would be jealous of her.

Eleanor saw me staring at the purple dress so she took it. “Do you want this, Princess Lesley?” she asked while smiling.

“Murmur murmur murmur” (No! That Lianne would be angry at me if she saw me looking more beautiful than her!” I said quickly. I hope she could understand me.

“Okay! Let’s wear it.” she began to undress me. Hay! I hate being an eight-month-old infant!

I was already dressed so she put on her chosen shoes to my feet. The shoes she has picked are a glittery pastel pink one with a ribbon on it. It will definitely look good with the dress. She made me sit on the chair and started to brush my hair.

“You really have nice hair, Princess Lesley,” she said while combing my hair. “I know you can’t understand me but I don’t have anyone to tell these thoughts of mine. So I’ll just tell you.” she stopped

“As the mother of the fourth princess, I am extremely sad. I wished that I could also comb my daughter’s hair just like how I comb yours. I hope I could carry her just like how I carried you everyday. But I don’t have the chance since I am too busy organizing and managing the palace. I’m also embarrassed to go near her because I’m just a maid. I don’t have anything to give her.” she said. I looked at her eyes and the only thing I could see was pain.

“Murmur mur Ma-mi murmurmur murmurmurmur murmurr.” (You’re wrong! I know what it feels like to not experience any maternal love. So, I hope you could be a mommy to her. You’re not just a maid, you’re also a mother so go to her!

“It’s done!” She gave me the mirror so I could see myself. I looked so cute!  “Let’s go!” She carried me outside the closet room and started to walk towards the dining area where the important people of the palace and the visitors will eat together.

When I arrived at the dining area, the emperor immediately took me away from Eleonor just to carry me. “This the third princess, Lesley Marionette Artemius, and she possesses the same ability as mine.” He is showing me off to the visitors. It’s embarrassing! Put me down!

“Hi, Princess Lesley! I am Queen Odyssey from the Narva Empire. You are so cute! If I only have a male heir, I would quickly let him marry you.” the visitor from another kingdom jokingly said. Her husband and my father laugh together.

My father put me down on the chair, “I will be keen towards the men who will try to pursue her. She’s the most special one.” he said. I just chuckled.

I looked at my brothers and sisters who were glaring at me, especially Lachlar and Lianna. If I were going to rank my siblings who really hate me, both of them would go first. Please stop complimenting me, father! I could die here because of their death glares.

Persephone, the mother of Lachlar, Lazarus, and Leighton, coughed. “So, what is the agenda for today?”

“Both of our empires would like to join hands in persuading the royal family of Augustus to join the alliance of empires. If the Augustus empire would be on our side, no one would try to start a war among us and chaos would be avoided. You know, the Augustus empire is the most powerful kingdom.” the visitor said. I didn’t listen to them and started to eat my candies. I don’t know what they are talking about because I have no intentions on taking the throne. I only want to be the happiest one here because being on the top doesn’t guarantee a peace of mind.

We had already finished our meal so all of us went to the large living room. The visitors asked each of the siblings to show their special skills and abilities.

Lachlar started to show his sword dancing. Even though I hate him, I will admit that the way he swings his swords is amazing. Luciano made plants grow through his power and Lazarus made the plants withered by his deadly power. Once he sings, he can kill anything he wants to die. Lennon also boasted his invisibility power. Lianna tried her telekinesis ability in front of everyone which amazed them. Leighton sang to make the plants which withered earlier to be healthy again. Her ability is the opposite of Lazarus, his twin.

It’s my turn and the visitors asked me to locate my siblings who were hiding. I don’t know where they are because they made me close my eyes. Once they were done hiding, I opened my eyes and started to sense their locations without moving to my place, “Lachlar is at the back of the sofa. Lianne and Lazarus are hiding below their bed. Luciano is in the garden. And, Lianne is inside that box.” I pointed to that box. I guessed everything right. Such a piece of cake!

“You are really great, Princess Lesley! I hope I can invite you to our kingdom next time.” she said. I just smiled.

“Murmurmur,” (I would love to!) I said excitedly.

“I think Princess Lesley is already exhausted. Can I carry her to her room?” Lianne exclaimed. Wait, I’m not tired! What are you saying?

“What a loving sister. Of course, Princess Lianne.” father said. Lianne started to carry me towards my room.

When we were already in my room, she put me inside the cradle. “You’re such an attention seeker! Who are you to showcase your ability? Why did you get father's ability in the first place? You are so annoying! Don’t forget that you’re only a half-blood!” she said while pointing at me.

She held my jaw tightly. Ouch. “I hope you’ll die!” then she left. I also heard how she locked the doors using the key.

Her words made me realize that I don’t really belong here. I don’t belong anywhere. Everyone doesn’t like me because I am me. My mother also said those words to me when I couldn’t afford to give her the money she asked. Why does everyone hate me? What did I do wrong? It feels like I’m breathing but not alive because I don't feel like I belong anywhere. I started sobbing loudly due to the pain I am feeling. This feeling is worse than before. It’s suffocating.

‘I hope you’ll die!’ those words kept repeating in my ears. Is it really the best option to die? If I died, Lianne would get the attention she wanted. Lachlar would not be angry anymore because I am gone.

 I haven’t done the things I wanted to, is it okay to die this early?

I was about to pull the pillow beside me when I heard a wonderful harmony outside the room. Wait, this is from Leighton’s harmonica. Is she here for me? The harmony was easing my soul. It made me forget everything I have in my mind since I wanted to hear more of it.

When she was done playing her instrument, she said, “I couldn’t do anything so I just played my harmonica hoping that your wounds inside your heart would be healed.” I’m so touched.

“Murmurmurmur” (Thank you so much, Leighton.) I said while crying.

“No need to thank me. I’m your sister and I would always be at your side through ups and downs.” she told me. This is the first time someone said those words to me. I’m so lucky to have her.

Once in my lifetime, I have felt that I belonged.