It was a rest day. Yes, rest day, where I got to rest my entire being, whether it be my physical body or my mind. A day to spend at my leisure. A moment of peace. I mean, sometimes you just gotta rest lest you find yourself in an endless loop of insanity.
I wanted to confront my father about his decision regarding Eleden, and the latter’s intended actions. But as I decided initially, I'm gonna watch how things unfold first and wait. Plus, if I tackle the topic, they’ll question me how I even knew about it. And they might realize the merchants were still under my control.
Let’s leave exposing that part for last. I’m sure there were other ways to start talking about that topic. But let’s focus on resting for now. As for why resting was important, constantly casting magic strains me out.
So these kinds of days were my soothing respite, for my body and my mystic medium to chill. Turns out, it was quite effective, my body gets a little better when I have a day where I don’t use magic. Add to it my academic lessons and such, so I have multiple days where I didn’t have to cast magic.
Can’t believe my etiquette lessons actually had a handsome benefit.
Now then, what would be the goal for today? Find some new books to read. So we’re going to the library. Sure I have my own office with its own cabinet of books, but options were still pretty limited. And I tell you, the view of winter was beautiful! My office didn’t exactly have a big window where I could enjoy the view.
And what place has a gigantic window? The library! And thus, sometime after breakfast, I headed for the library. I heard Mother’s going to be there as well. Guess I’ll be speaking with her. I wonder what she’s doing.
With a beautiful outfit appropriate for winter, I arrived at the library. The lights, lamps, and so on were active. Faint light coming in through the large window, the side which I remember wrecking. All in all, the book place was aptly lit.
Glancing at the window, the scene was filled with the whiteness of snow. But pleasing, nonetheless. Walking inside, I saw the library lady I often saw hanging out here. Now she really looked like she dressed for the occasion. But let’s leave her to her business. I ain’t talking to her.
I saw a beautiful woman sitting by the large windows, her hair was almost similar to mine. On the desk in front of her was a steaming hot drink, I couldn’t tell what it was from here. She was reading a book.
It would seem it was her rest day as well. Although, she was not exactly busy these days. Not with the boys doing most of the urgent and important work. Guess she was mostly handling stuff involving inside the palace. Trivial stuff.
With a pure and nice smile, I stood behind her. “Mother.”
She looked away from her book to turn towards me with gentle eyes. “Estelia. What brings you here? Come and sit.” She patted the free space beside her.
I gracefully sat down beside her. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
I nodded. “What are you reading?”
“A sea tale.” She picked up her cup and took a sip of her hot chocolate.
Mother has been drinking the more delicious version of the hot chocolate, which was my favorite too. I’m glad to know we loved the same thing.
She continued. “Though a tale, it is quite lengthy, so one could say this is mostly fictional, but inspired by rumors and stories around the area.”
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“What is the story about?”
“There was a ship that crossed the southern sea every five years or so. People say it’s some sort of ghost ship, while others believe it was merely an abandoned ship floating in the endless sea. Sailors, in curiosity, often seek it out. But the moment they get closer, it disappears in a fog.”
Woah, what was it? The flying dutchman?
“The story follows a young woman who finds the marooned ghost ship on their island. There she meets the most beautiful being. A beautiful man, like the whole beauty of the sea concentrated unto him.”
Huh, so it’s gonna be a love story. Typical of Wisteria to get a copy of it.
“Is the man the captain of the ship?”
“Oh yes, he is. At first sight, the young woman falls in love. After becoming acquainted, the man brings her to sea, just for the night. Where they go to the most beautiful places under the sea.”
“Under the sea?” I asked as I slowly leaned onto her shoulder.
“Amazing, isn’t it? The ship goes under the sea.” She wrapped her arm around me.
“Indeed, amazing…”
“When the night was about to end, together they watched the sunrise on the horizon. As the first light of the day came, they looked fondly into each other’s eyes, as if it would be the last time they'd see each other. It is described the man had the most unique of eyes, within them were the like reflection of the stars swirling on the surface of water. He is definitely an extraordinary being.”
Wow, a magical man with stars for eyes… Stars for eyes? Hm? Woah, wait. Could that man be a…? Huh. Curious. Looks like that part of me was not as unique as I thought. Dammit.
“... What happens after?”
“That is where I’m at yet.”
“I see.”
“Do you want to read it with me?”
“... Sure.”
My mother gently smiled. “Is something the matter, Estelia? You are awfully clingy today.”
“Am I?”
I don’t think so.
“... Have nothing else to do after your father removed you?”
I groaned and looked away.
“Dear, are you still mad about it?”
“Nope.”
“You are…” she caressed my head. “It’s fine, don’t you think? Your father has the best of intentions. Although, he has been so busy lately. I didn’t expect it would be that much work.”
Well, they removed me, so the manpower has been reduced. Even more so that I was an integral part of making decisions. Now everything was up to my father. And Eleden, who by the way, was not in at first, and shouldn’t be. I guess it won’t be the same as it was with mine, even with Eleden joining in to basically take my place.
“They still have a lot of things to do today?”
“Yes, more documents to take care of, and a few meetings. One including your father begins to dread — meeting with my brother.”
“Uncle Meril? He’s coming today?”
“Yes. Your father becomes concerned whenever he asks for a meeting. It could mean more trouble.”
“Of course… Uncle tends to be the bringer of headaches.”
“Now, now, Meril is just doing his job.” She chuckled.
“What time is he coming?”
“In an hour, I suppose?”
“Oh… We can start with the story now, mother. Ah, wait.” I looked at Mera for a moment. “Can you please prepare me hot chocolate? I would like to drink while hearing the story.”
“Yes, milady.”
After Mera left, my mother read the story to me. And I must say, I liked this moment with her. I didn’t care for the story, to be honest. I just wanted to hear her voice telling me a story. Reminds me of the younger days when she read me to sleep.
***
I left the library, and as I walked down the corridor, I coincidentally came across my uncle. On his way to a meeting with my father.
He grinned as he greeted me. “Princess, long time no see.”
I frowned. “Indeed, uncle. How are things on your end?”
“Oh, I don’t think I should share such information with you,” he chuckled.
Dammit, I hate it when he gets like this!
I didn’t smile and gave him a stern look. “I heard some things, uncle.”
“Such as?”
“I would like to talk with you after your meeting with my father, in secret.”
“I don’t think we can keep that a secret inside the palace.”
“Does not matter. I want to talk. I want to know what is going on and what you have been doing. I have been kept in the dark for too long.”
“Now you're dipping your toes again, after saying everything would end up alright without you.”
“I realized an unforeseen circumstance.”
“Hm, I had a feeling this would happen pretty soon. Looks like I’m right again.”
“A mere feeling, nothing more. Meet me at my office right after your meeting.”
“You really shouldn’t disregard my instincts, niece. But, I’ll be there.”
“Thank you.”
With that, he continued on his way. I sighed. As I thought, he would be cooperative with me despite the loss of my position. And, I don’t take him to be the kind that snitches on me. If he does, I’ll just hate him.