Memories of a time that seemed so distant now sliced into my heart like a knife. Just like how things are like when the sun rises until it sets, being stuck in a room with no one to talk to or any source of entertainment makes me question the point of living. This isn’t how life is supposed to be, for this is basically solitary confinement.

The silence engulfed me as I was moved from the wretched prison to my now empty room. The new king, my son who had transformed into a monster – Evrart, didn't even bother to acknowledge my presence. It was as if I never existed. If only the younger prince were here, I would shield him from witnessing his brother's brutality and injustice, and raise him with the values he deserves.

Marius is my only chance to correct my mistakes from how I raised Evrart. How long will I wait to be with him?

"I'll be entering," a cold, familiar voice from outside said and entered with Marius who's exactly the one I'm thinking of. My heart felt like it was squeezed, and tears welled up in my eyes as I laid eyes on him. I rushed towards Marius, dropping to my knees to meet him at eye level, enveloping him in a tight, desperate embrace. Marius's eyes were brimming with tears, and his body trembled with fear.

I kissed the young boy’s forehead, and his presence was enough to bring back life through my veins. Hundreds of thoughts flooded through my head on how to warm him up and comfort him. But I couldn’t just yet.

I looked up to see the monster – Evrart, looking at us with eyes void of emotions.

“T-Thank you, for bringing him here,” I stuttered, and I almost wanted to bow onto his feet to express my gratitude, but my pride won’t let me. I may not be the queen anymore, but I can’t let him step over to me further to crush me in pieces. I’m sure he wouldn’t like to see me that way anyway.

“Marius has been a good child. Sorry to disappoint, mother, but I wasn’t raised like him. You raised me to become the monster I am today. I know how much you resent me, and you’re free to keep feeling that. You’ve been dead in my mind, so there’s no point feeling resentment towards you. I hope you won't be my mother in my next life if there is such a thing. The idea of your blood flowing in mine makes me hate myself too. So, stop acting like a victim. There's nothing to pity about you. I'm giving you what you deserve." he said and shut the big, wooden door as hard as he could to express what he feels. He’s got nothing but ill feelings towards me.

I grit my teeth after hearing his words. Those are far from surprising, but if I’ll think about it, it’s still unfair to hear those coming from my son. There’s no slight possibility for him to have mercy on us, or at least throw us away from this place at least. But now that Marius is here, my strength and hope will come from him. With him by my side, I feel like I can do anything.

“Mother, I don’t understand why brother is being like that. He’s like a different person,” the child said, and I embraced him again. I let out a sigh as tears continuously flooded my eyes.

“He hates me, but it’s not what matters now. Let’s talk about you. Did he hurt you anywhere? How have you been? I’m so worried about you, but I couldn’t get out of this room because he locked me up,” I explained briefly because I don't want to tell him everything in detail. I don't want to raise Marius with hatred. He's my second chance. The only chance I have left is to be a good mother.

“I played in the garden with my friends and studied in school for nobles like I used to. But then I heard people saying that you’re dead. I didn’t believe it, so I begged brother to tell me where you are, and if you’re dead, I wanted to see proof.” His voice made my heart feel warm, and I can't find the right words to explain how grateful I am to have him by my side. Knowing that he didn't experience the pain I've been through is enough. It was thoughtful of him to find me. It seems like Evrart wouldn’t tell him unless he asked.

A powerful gust of wind swept into the room, carrying with it swirling embers that danced in the air. It was as if the wind itself had brought forth the flames. And within the midst of this wind, a familiar figure emerged – Eviona, the enigmatic girl who had appeared a few nights ago.

"So, have you made up your mind? It's been exactly seven days since I told you to think things through. It seems like I have the perfect timing because you have your son with you now," she commented, though she looked like he knows something. Her facial expression softened upon seeing Marius. “He’s adorable. It’s good to meet my cousin for the first time.”

Cousin?

“I have no better choice. I want to get out of this hellhole my other son locked me into. But where will we go?”

"You’ll understand soon, so we better get going." Eviona spoke urgently, wasting no time. She firmly grasped the shoulders of both Marius and me, and in a matter of seconds, I felt her release her hold on us, transporting us from Eurhyia to this ... strange place.

The night was shrouded in silence. The small house appeared dim, almost on the verge of darkness, making it difficult to discern the surroundings. Nevertheless, the space felt cramped, giving me the impression that it was not a suitable place for me. I had to constantly remind myself that I was no longer the queen of Eurhyia, and that life would be completely different from now on.

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“You don’t like it here, don’t you?” Eviona asked as she turned to face me. “It’s all written in your face. I can hear your thoughts too, so there’s no need to deny it.”

I covered half of my face with my hand. “How annoying. It feels like my privacy is being invaded since you can read my mind. Would you please stop doing that?”

“I said I couldn’t read; I just hear them. We all have our inner monologues. Trust me, if you’re in my shoes, you’d think of it as a curse. If you think I’m enjoying this, then you’re mistaken. Though it can be an advantage, hearing the thoughts of everyone near me is deafening. It’s always noisy in my head. If I can be turned into a human like you, I'd love to. However, I can’t afford to lose my memories and powers because I have goals to achieve. We can talk about those tomorrow. Someone wants to see you though.”

“And that is?”

“My father. Emperor Elliot Von Gavin Ruivenfiere … or at least that’s the title he used to have. He used to be your betrothed, and he’ll explain everything. I lead you to the drawing-room. He requested me to bring you there.”

As if I could refuse.

It's been a long day for me, but I have no right to refuse however tired I am. Eviona opened the door of the drawing-room and waited for me to enter before closing the door behind me, taking Marius with her as she offered him some hot chocolate. Of course, any kid would love to have that.

The wood crackled softly in the fireplace, and an inexplicable sense of loneliness and desolation hung in the air. Strangely enough, I wasn't taken aback to find him there amidst it all. It was as if, deep down, I had already anticipated this very scenario.

“I’m glad that you arrived here safely, thanks to Eviona,” he began, and my body tensed at his deep, monotone voice. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for long. I hope you wouldn’t mind talking to me for a couple of minutes.”

I nervously chuckled, pretending that it was alright, even if it’s not. I've never been this uncomfortable in my life – being in the presence of the one who used to be my betrothed many years back who’s now a stranger to me. The idea of being engaged to this person doesn’t seem to be a history that ever existed. What if they just confused me for being someone else?

“You said that you’ve been waiting for this moment … then I suppose you have a lot to say.”

“You’re unsure of what to feel after seeing me, don’t you? Eviona probably told you already a bit about your past. Considering that I’m now a total stranger to you, it’ll take some time to explain everything.”

“You read me too well. Is it because I’m readable, or just like Eviona, you can hear my thoughts too?”

"I'm not capable of that," he clarified, avoiding my eyes. He paused as he lightly rubbed the red diamond ring on his finger. "It's not that I read you well, but I can imagine myself in your perspective. For now, I wouldn't discuss what we were like before you lost your memories, but the reason why things ended up like this."

I nodded, and he gestured for me to sit across him.

"I apologize, Corianne," he said, forcing a smile as he looked into my eyes. "It's my fault. I've been a coward. Your sister, Heloise, wanted your position as empress. She knew I would become emperor, and she wanted to eliminate you. She was not only jealous of you but also of our relationship. Most Izavenes are forgotten when their ring is removed, but you, born with a red diamond ring, are different. You became human, lost your memories, and your appearance changed. In Marrossi, people think you're missing, but you've been forgotten. Heloise left your body on the battlefield during the war between Marrossi and Eurhyia. I entrusted you to the prince of Eurhyia to end the war. I didn't know him, but I believed he would keep you safe and give you a peaceful life. I was surprised to learn that he married you and made you queen. I was happy for you, but a part of me felt a profound sadness, as if a piece of me had vanished. I can only hope that things are good in your life."

His last words squeezed my heart. ‘Hope that things are good in my life,’ huh? Only if I can tell him what my palace life was like.

“Now tell me, how was your life with the man who’s supposed to be my enemy?” bitterness is written in his eyes, and his bent hands on his lap were partly shaking, wanting to hear the answer, but at the same time, he didn’t want to, I assume.

“Pierre … I believe he pitied me, and he was sincere that he wanted to keep me. He was a kind and merciful man to most, but I think he never loved me, not even once. Though the servants and nobles are on my side, my family hated me for being me. I despised my stepdaughter and I tried to kill her several times. My older son despised and tortured me the moment he stepped on the throne as an act of rebellion towards me. It’s the summary of everything. Eviona said that she was dethroned. Evrart, my son, did that to me because he’s blaming me for being a bad mother. If it’s true that Heloise is my sister, whoever that is – it seems like violence runs in the family.”

Elliot didn't say a word, and I couldn't discern what he was thinking. All I could see were those deep blue eyes, gazing directly into mine as if he could see right through me – if the Corianne he once knew is still the same as the one who's in front of him.

Who can someone as evil as Heloise and I be loved? I may not know her personally yet, but our methods are the same, even if we're far from each other.

Confessing my sins to someone felt good as if there was a knife that was pulled out of my chest. Though I know that he'll judge me after hearing that, it doesn't matter. After all, Elliot and I are nothing but strangers. Whatever past we may have cannot be brought back, and the old Corianne he knew will not return. I may not know what I was like back then, but I believe he wouldn't love me for what I've become.

"The former empress in-line was the most beautiful in my eyes. If I can return to the day when Heloise was about to get rid of you … would things be different? What if I didn't entrust you to Pierre, but kept you in secret and tried my best to help you get back on track?" he buried his head in his hands, and at the moment, the man in front of me isn't the emperor of Marrossi as they said, but a but a regular man filled with regrets. At this point in life, he should understand that no matter how much he reminisces and regrets, we are in the present, and it's impossible to go back and undo what has been done.

"You were quite the opposite many years back from how you described yourself and the things you've done. Even so, I'm grateful that even if we got separated, what matters to me now is to see you alive, and you're with me. I won't expect the old us to bring back what we were in the past, but somehow, the pain and guilt I've been through all these years are lessened. So, I'll ask you to stay with me, and let me atone for my past mistakes."