CHAPTER 4. Sudden Change

　　The bickering between the families started almost instantly. Their voices drowned out as I did not want to listen to anything anymore. I wanted to run away from this room, from this palace, from everything but reality snapped me back when father stood up from his throne.?

　　All eyes were now on him, anticipating what he was going to say, what he was going to do and yet for a long second all he did was continue to stare into my eyes. His crystal blue eyes pierced into me as though he knew all my deepest and darkest secrets. As though he knew that I would rather run away from my troubles than face them straight on.?

　　He then started to walk, slowly making his way down the short steps until he was approaching where I was standing. Never once did I look away from him even though I could feel my hands trembling, even when I could feel my heart threatening to escape. But the moment he walked past me, I felt my heart sank.?

　　“Father…what are we going to do about Cordelia?” Frederick asked.

　　“Nothing.” was all that came out of my father’s mouth before he made his way to the door. His footsteps grew gradually softer until I could not hear them anymore. I stared aimlessly at the throne where he once sat until my vision grew blurry from tears.?

　　“See? Father does not care about the likes of a puny omega.” Lilian scoffed just as she and her family walked out of the throne room as well.?

　　My knees gave way as I fell to the ground, choking on a sob that desperately wanted to escape my throat. Aiden and my mother were by my side instantly as I could feel their comforting hands on my shoulders but still that was not enough to calm my tears nor could they fix the fact that my life had drastically changed in a blink of an eye.

　　*

　　Days turned to weeks in an instant as I tried to adapt to my new circumstances. I tried my best to avoid being in the same room as my half-siblings which led to me locking myself in my room most of the time. Strange how I was returning back to my childhood , where I spent most of my time confined in this room of mine.?

　　“Princess.” Anne called out suddenly as I was reading a book about myths and legends. I glanced up from the pages to look at her. She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, eyes avoiding mine as she stared down at the ground.?

　　“Yes?” I called out when she did not continue.?

　　“I-It’s a beautiful day today! Don’t you think so?”

　　I turned back to the book, rereading the first sentence over and over again as I tried to think of a reply. I knew that Anne was worried about me ever since the news got out that I was an omega. Once the castle workers caught wind of it, rumours immediately spread around the kingdom until my father had to publicly announce that I was indeed an omega.?

　　I was expecting public backlash as what my half-siblings said would happen but according to Anne, the public were more curious about the origins of my birth. Some questioned if I was even the emperor’s flesh and blood, and to that, I started to wonder as well.?

　　“It is a beautiful day.” I repeated. “Would you like the rest of the day off then? I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere so I can take care of myself—”

　　“No!” Anne immediately replied. “I was just wondering if you would like to take a walk? The weather is perfect for a late afternoon stroll in the gardens!” she beamed.?

　　I pondered for a moment before closing the book shut and placing it on my desk. “Okay, let’s go for a walk.”?

　　Anne particularly squealed in delight, which was understandable since she has been in my room with me most of the time. “I’ll go get your hat!” she said excitedly, disappearing into the back of my room where my wardrobe was.?

　　Once the both of us were ready, we made our way down to the castle gardens. The area emitted the scent of freshly cut grass and sweet floral delights due to how many different flowers grew around the garden. All different sizes and colours, all equally beautiful.?

　　The welcoming gentle breeze against my skin only reminded me that getting out of the room once in a while was something I truly needed to feel alive again.?

　　“Princess, look! The roses are fully bloomed!” Anne called out, pointing out at the bushes of red and pink roses.?

　　I opened my mouth to comment on its beauty but from a distance I could hear the piercing sounds of the bells chiming. Anne let out a startled gasp. “Has something happened?!” she asked urgently.?

　　There are only two reasons why the castle bells would ring. Five rings to celebrate the birth of the King’s new child or seven rings to mourn the death of a royal member. I held my hand out to Anne to stop her from speaking anymore as I listened to the amount of chimes. I knew for a fact that none of the King’s wives were pregnant so that could only mean…

　　The seventh chime rang incredibly loud to the point where I flinched unconsciously. By my side, Anne gasped once more.

　　“Someone has passed away…?” she uttered, almost unable to believe her own words.?

　　I frowned as I tried to comprehend this information. Just then, a few guards approached us in a hurry. Their metal armours clicked loudly as they rushed over. Rodrick was among the group. He looked pale and distraught, clearly avoiding my eyes.?

　　“Rodrick! What has happened?” Anne asked urgently when none of them said anything.?

　　The other two guards exchanged glances with each other as though they were considering what to do. Rodrick then took a firm step towards me, towering me with his tall frame. I watched silently as he lifted his head up to meet my gaze.?

　　“What happened, Rodrick?” I repeated Anne’s question, voice calm and composed to avoid showing them that I was indeed frightened of what he was going to say to me and yet I interlocked my fingers together, clenching onto them tightly as anxiety crept up over me.

　　My mind was already swirling with all the possibilities. Was it my mother? Has she fallen ill and perished? Was it one of my siblings? Did someone get into an accident? All these questions kept popping into my mind but no amount of overthinking would get me mentally ready to hear the truth from Rodrick.?

　　“It…it is the Emperor, Your Highness. He has passed away.”