My day after the morning meal continued as if nothing special had occurred. Nothing truly is special in the Palace, as any potential conflicts between the different concubine factions is the norm. Yet, since I am the one seen to be the most harmless, I am rarely targeted. Thus, no matter how chaotic the situation may seem underneath the tranquil air of the Inner Court, the air around me are truly tranquil.
After spending some time listening to the lectures of my personal tutor, I took the valuable time I have between the morning lessons and lunch time to enjoy myself. Although Mura would like to accompany me, I dismissed her for the time being as I want her to have some time to herself. If I remembered correctly, she has a younger sister, so I believe she would like some time to compose a letter to her if possible. Therefore, I ventured off in the Inner Court without my entourage, as I am not in fear of any potential attacks as it is currently daytime and any concubines who would plot an assassination would not do so in such a direct manner. They would all scheme for it to be made appear to be an accident as killing the child of the emperor is a serious crime and would likely result in the most in depth and thorough investigation by the Emperor's Blades.
However, I still stuck in the area that is in proximity to my own personal quarters. The Inner Court is split into many unofficial territories that are not marked but are abide by mentally. Each concubine's faction control the area surrounding their palace, so it is best if I do not venture into their territories. As for me, I basically lack in any territorial influence. The only reasons why I am able to leave my quarters at all are because to the west of the Palace of Light is the Palace of Visitant, the place where special quests are allowed to stay in, and the only other neighboring territory aside from the neutral paths are controlled by Empress Ervinda. But...I try not to venture into her realm of influence as much as possible, just in case the other factions believe that I have chosen to side with her. That would only bring trouble to myself and Empress Ervinda...
To pass time, I decided to visit the garden located in the Palace of Visitant. That is a place that I often visit to play in as that area isn't under anyone's influence. Therefore, it is a truly neutral spot that I can play in.
I approached the small gate that lead to the Palace of Visitant, passing by occasional parades of servants passing by, and greeting the usual guards who have become quite familiar with me and allowed me through. Even if the guards are new, upon seeing my silk robe with the insignia of Vilheim embroidered upon it would immediately reveal to them my status and cause them to allow me passage.
When I arrived at the tranquil garden within the courtyard of the Palace of Visitant, I took a deep breath and took in the scent of the flora surrounding me. I walked on the small stone arch bridge, gazing at the lotus flowers in the small artificial pond and listened to the soft sound of water being delivered into this pond through the decorative waterfall. All the scenery in this garden, from the intricately planned flowers, bamboo, and trees to the rocks in the rock garden and also to the birds chirping, are all intentionally designed such as to promote a sense of serenity. These gardens are all sanctuaries within the Palace.
To be honest, I can find myself staying here for the entire day if possible. There really isn't much else to do in the Palace, as things are usually restricted for me out of concern for my safety. And I am still too young to accompany Father out on his hunting trips, so whenever that does happen, I usually just watch from the windows of my quarters in jealousy as Loyd and Luna walk with Father's entourage towards the exits of the Grand Palace with their mass supply of Emperor's Blade guards, leaving behind myself and Erith only. But even then, Erith has no interest in playing with me, so I am usually stuck doing things on my own.
Mura would occasionally try and help keep me entertained, but...it is still rather difficult. I would say the funnest thing that she had showed me was flying a kite, but rarely were there enough wind for us to fly one in the confined walls of the Inner Court. Therefore, there really isn't much entertainment in the Palace, so I often have to develop my own. Although I occasionally draw in my room, but I often do not feel like doing so after listening to the lectures provided by my tutor. Therefore, when I am not in the mood to do that, I choose to come here and play in the garden.
Although there aren't much to do here as well, but since I am surrounded by nature, I can always find something. Besides, the eunuchs responsible for maintaining this location are all quite familiar with me. Therefore, sometimes I would just watch as they cleaned the place. Or, I would play in the small dirt pit they had fashioned in the corner of the garden for me. I am extremely grateful for them, as no matter how untidy I make the garden, they would always tidy it up and restore it to its usual beauty. But...after witnessing and asking to partake in one of their cleaning sessions, I try and keep the mess to a minimum. Usually, I would try and return anything that I might have disturbed to its original place as I have experienced first hand how difficult cleaning for them is.
I walked over to the dirt pit that was situated in umbrage and grabbed a fallen twig from the ground. Kneeling down, I grabbed the tails of my robe with my left hand in order to not dirty the hems and began drawing in the dirt with my right. I started with a circle, and then the body, and then I added in the eyes and mouth to make a person. Next to this stick figure, I drew another stick figure, but this one was larger and was of a woman. Then, I began adding in the background and providing the stick figures with further detailing.
When I finished, my legs were trembling and somewhat numb from having knelt down for such a long time. But, because I was so engrossed with my drawing, I chose to ignore the sensation. With a smile on my face, I admired my work that I had painted on the dirt canvass.
"What is it suppose to be of?"
I heard a soft, feminine voice whisper by my ear, and the abruptness of this voice took me by surprise, causing me to fall onto the ground as my legs were too weak to support myself. I looked over at the owner of the voice. She was a girl that appeared to be only a few years older than Loyd.
A soft gust of wind blew by, moving her golden blonde hair and her dress robe. I stared into her golden eyes as my mind raced as it tried to recover from my initial shock. As I stared at her, I tried to process who she could possibly be as I am not familiar with her appearance.
Judging by her well-designed clothing, her elegant posture, and by the fact that she does not recognize who I am, she might be a daughter of a courtier who is sent into the palace to become a servant. There are those kind of people in the servants, many in fact. Therefore, she must be someone who is of a noble birth.
"Are you alright?" she asked me, reaching her hand in my direction.
"It's of my mother and I," I responded, placing my hand in her's as she helped me up onto my feet. Her hand...was rather soft and cool to the sense of touch.
"Your mother?" she said, tilting her head to the side somewhat as she had a rather calm countenance on her face that I would describe as being almost expressionless. Yet...concealed behind that, was a sense of...warmth.
"Yeah..." I responded, lowering my head somewhat as I was reminded of the incident earlier where I am called a cursed child.
Maybe I am the reason why Mother died...
"I haven't seen you around," I said, looking up and into her eyes. "Are you new here?"
The servants in the Inner Court are those who are deemed to be the most trustworthy and loyal among all the servants or they are the offspring of a courtier. Therefore, I have always seen the servants at least once in my lifetime. But...she is someone that I do not recognize. But...since she is within the Inner Court, the most heavily guarded place in Vilheim, and able to walk around rather freely, she must be a daughter of a rather high ranking government official... Maybe even a relative of mine.
"Today is my first day here," she responded. "I've only arrived yesterday night."
"Is that so?" I nodded.
I glanced over at her once again, observing her dress. The usual long, wide sleeves are clean, which meant that she has yet to do any labor. In addition, her smooth hands were free of any scars or calluses, and when I felt them earlier, they were extremely soft. Therefore, she must be telling the truth then as even the most noblest of birth in the servant class would end up developing calluses on their hands after a few days.
"Come sit with me in the pavilion," I said to her and pointed in the direction of the circular pavilion supported with dark red painted pillars and its dark green tiled ceiling. "Tell me about what the world is like outside the Palace."
"If that is your wish," she smiled and nodded.
When she smiled, I find myself staring in awe. My jaws must've dropped slightly as I felt myself losing control of my face when I stared at her heavenly beauty. My face began to feel rather warm, maybe from the fact that I was blushing. However, I quickly turned ahead in order to conceal it. It is unfit for a Prince to demonstrate such a countenance. But...I felt somewhat mad at myself for turning away, as that meant I can no longer stare at her face. Yet...as I walked over to the pavilion and followed the laid out path, I caught myself sneaking occasional glances in her direction.