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Mirror Mirror on my hand,

Who's the strongest in the land?

Appear to me I demand,

Please do help me understand…

- Minerva Anemone

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"Minerva…" A familiar voice I heard calling out to me as I slowly opened my eyes, but saw no one next to me. My hand gently touches the empty space on my bed, longing for someone that I never had, and I do not believe I will ever have. It truly is foolish afterall. How can I wish— let alone hope for someone like him to be with me, when he is facing the same current problem I have now… or has already found another. Sighing and clearing my morning thoughts, I carefully got up to begin my daily routine.

I believe Ordell has already arrived earlier today, and soon he will be having the usual meeting with the Head General in the library. While Endellion and I would be having a meeting ourselves… I thought, brushing my hair while looking at myself in the mirror. Which makes me wonder a bit of which of the two certain topics she has in mind will she try to start with our talk later. I was able to tell that she wanted to say more about one of those two topics last time at the throne room. But she knew it was—

"Queen Minerva?" A familiar voice spoke followed by a knock. "May I come in?"

"Yes. You may enter now, Lady Endellion." I responded, putting the hair brush down. The door creaked open, followed by her light footsteps and reflection seen in the mirror as she closed the door. She had a huge smile that she obviously tried to suppress, but regardless, I greeted her, "Good morning, Lady Endellion. You seem… very happy today."

"Oh. Yes! I am. Well, you see… Ordell was already in my room in the morning—"

"I am aware. And the Head General is very angry about that fact I can assume." I responded, "Do not be too surprised as to how I already know. With how many times and years that scenario has already repeated, it is not that difficult to see the pattern."

"You’re right. I supposed you already had memorized how all of us would act, and react in certain situations by now with how… repetitive we can be." She chuckled a bit.

"Life has always been like that, do you not agree?" I said, finally turning to look at her. "As long as we are still living, we all do a routine upon waking up in the new dawn. Doing the same things everyday, perhaps even making the same mistakes as well, unknowingly." My gaze then looked away. "But that is how life is, and how people are…"

"Then… does that mean that you don’t believe in second chances?" she asked.

"And what made you suddenly ask that?" I responded as I looked back at her before soon realizing where she was coming from, "Ah, I see now. But my dear lady Endellion, you did see what I did that day in the throne room, did you not? I did not punish them that severely where they can no longer learn from their mistakes, no matter how much those mistakes of theirs weigh." I responded, now standing in front of her with my arms behind me. "Would you not consider that as giving second chances?"

Endellion shook her head. "No, your Majesty. I am not saying that what you did for them, and even for my older brother (to which I am very thankful for the help he is getting instead of a severe punishment) wasn’t giving them second chances to redeem themselves. But I just don’t understand… how could you not give the same chance to—"

"Endellion." I quickly said, she flinched on where she stood. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath to calm down. "Please… let us not continue on that topic."

She blinked twice in surprise. But instead of folding in like she usually does, somehow she looked determined which surprised me a bit. "Minerva, throughout my time here, you’ve already known me that much. But I am nowhere close to knowing enough about you. And I want to know you, to understand you… I want to trust you too."

I stared down at her in disbelief before sighing and shaking my head, "It is too early for us to be having this kind of conversation, El…" I then turned to face the door and began to walk there, "...We could at least continue it after having our breakfast?"

"Well, as long as you’re not planning to dodge the question later." she said.

"I can very much assure you. I am a woman of my word." I opened the door and began walking out of the room as she followed after, "Afertall, I had a feeling that you were going to bring up that topic sooner or later. But not expecting it had to be in a very terrible time such as this…" I suddenly stopped momentarily, seeing multiple men from down below, training themselves before soon continuing to walk, avoiding their gazes.

"They’re… still somewhat patient to stay, and I suppose hopeful enough to think they have a chance?" she stated, looking down through the window before looking back at me. "But we both know that they don’t and wouldn’t love you. They’re just here for—"

"Does it matter?" I said. "No one truly marries someone for the sake of true love."

"And you still truly believe that?" She quickly said. "Yes, they are the type who would marry you for the sake of the throne, the name and fame, but it doesn’t mean that there isn’t someone out there who would be different and would truly love you..."

I shook my head. "You have been reading too many fairy tales again, have you not? At least tell me that you had studied as well without being under my supervision."

"Oh… Of course I still do. But I’m not hearing any denial." She paused, placing her hand on her chin. "Though wouldn’t it be fair to say that because of how you’ve been dealing with this war for so long that you’ve been thinking nothing else but that."

"You are correct, the war has been going on for quite some time now as you perhaps already know. And it has taken more from me than I can even count, let alone even measure with a tangible scale. But if I were to ask you instead, would you still take the time to go out and search for that one… what you claim to be a person who would love you for you?" I asked curiously, stopping in my tracks to look at her as she smiled.

"I don’t need to look miles away for the one when they were right in front of me to notice." She replied. "And sure, there are the other’s perceptions and rumors of him, but I wouldn’t let it be my viewpoint immediately. I would still try to get to know him myself, giving him the chance to prove them wrong. Give him the chance to prove that he is genuine with his feelings for me. And maybe… we could finally stop the war too."

She then carefully reached her hand out to me as I quickly looked away, "Tell me. Isn’t that what you were trying to do when you invited him to meet up in that village all those years ago? You wanted this long and exhausting war to end, just like he did."

"And that meeting only led to a tragedy." I snapped. "It was all a just a trap to—"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"You wouldn’t know the entire picture of what truly happened that day until you try to hear him out with his perspective of the story as well…" She responded, clenching her hand against her chest.

"And I know that you wouldn’t believe me if I were the one to tell you based only on my first impression of meeting him, since I wasn’t there when it happened. And I don’t know him that much, but my older brother, Alessio, does. And I’m sure that he has no reason to lie about his experience working under him for years."

There was a moment of silence between us before soon I took a deep breath.

"And what do you expect would happen... once I finally heard his perspective, or perhaps see things from his point of view?" I asked, slowly facing her once more, "Is there truly a chance that I might change my mind and come to a different conclusion?"

"I believe it would give you more insight… I am not asking or demanding you to forgive him right away or anything. I’m just saying that you should at least try…"

I silently stared at her with a stern look before my expression softened. A sigh left my lips as I looked away from her once more. While she waited with anticipation, I closed my eyes and stayed silent for a moment longer, thinking of the very idea for now.

“…After we have breakfast.” I said, looking at her once more. Seeing hope in her expression and her hands now clasped together in front of her, I added, “I am making no promises that I would change my mind. But I will at least… listen to his perspective."

"Then I can safely assume… that once I’ll give you his two letters, you wouldn’t just burn them right after you’re alone, correct?" She asked as I raised an eyebrow.

"…You have two letters from him?" I questioned, my voice with a hint of surprise in it before crossing my arms. "And… just how did you manage to get them here safely?"

"A friend helped me get in and talked to him personally. He was very worried that Alessio never came back after his fight with Valerio." She responded, looking down for a moment. "And since he knew I was going back here on the next day, he asked me to give them to you. To prevent any more messengers from being burnt by Valerio’s men again, and well… so they would finally get to you after all these years he’s been trying to do…"

My eyes widened a bit upon hearing what she just said. How have his letters never reached me? All these years… he has been sending me those letters and I never knew of it? I can feel my heart suddenly pound. And I can only wonder why it is doing so… is it because of anger at the fact of Valerio’s men burning my messengers? Or is it… something else? …No, no… I cannot let myself think of such things, let alone to entertain that thought.

I quickly composed myself, now looking at her silently for a while. "…Then… give them to me after the breakfast is over." I said, now turning away to continue walking towards the dining room, "And pray that my men, and especially Head General Valerio, would not find those letters if they happen to stumble upon us and search you…"

Walking down the hallways in silence, my eyes facing forward with a stern and unmoving expression with my arms behind me. But deep down, I can feel my heart continue to pound and I don’t know why. It feels… I do not know what it feels like. I then soon noticed Endellion soon caught up with me and began walking beside me, but her expression is slightly different than before. Like a mixture of worry and hope… and I cannot decide which one she is feeling more of currently. But she soon smiled at me.

"I’m glad… that I was able to convince you of that," She said, "And I suppose that means that my persuading skills are improving, right? From all of what you taught me."

"You are getting better. Yes..." I responded, still staring at the path in front of us. "But you have another lesson to learn today..."

She then raised an eyebrow at me before I finally looked at her with the same stern expression. "And that is to never expect an outcome that is in your favor." I stated. "You are only going to be disappointed... for it may not happen the way you want it to be. No matter how hard you try or plan..."

"Oh… But I am very aware of those, your Majesty." She said, "That’s what I was thinking of during my time when returning here before. Despite how I tried to reassure him about the same worries before I left… I expected it and was afraid of how you would handle the entire idea, and so I prepared myself and my answers earlier this morning."

I then was about to respond back but decided not to. The mere thought of her preparing herself to answer my potential questions and counter arguments in the event that I refuse the discussion came up in my head. I almost chuckled at the thought, but I was able to hold back and maintain my stoic expression as I shook my head. "I should have seen that coming from you… As expected from my most trusted lady in waiting."

I then stopped walking in front of the two doors of the dining room, looking back at her as she also stopped where she stood, turning to face me. I continued to stare at her with silence filling the area before I spoke once more, "But you must not be too confident, as this still only shows that you still need more experience in the matter…"

"Which is why…" I then suddenly reached my hand out to her, gesturing my open palm towards her. Her eyes then widened upon noticing it before slowly placing both of her hands on mine. And now gripping them within my own, I then stepped closer to her as our height was only a head’s difference. "…You should never, ever get your hopes up to something that has a high possibility of being shattered as a result…"

I stared at her in silence once more, but my stern expression had softened a bit. "And… do not make me repeat that lesson…" I slowly let go of one of her hands, pulling away a bit from her. "…Now, we have breakfast to attend to, Lady Endellion. Shall we?"

She seemed to have been at a loss for words before snapping back from it. She just nodded and allowed me to let go of her hand so we both could enter the dining room together. And as soon as we both entered, her usual bright smile returned as she spoke the words that I knew she would say, "Of course, your Majesty…"

Seeing the others seated, we both walked over to our seats. The usual silence filled the area as we sat still and waited for the food to arrive. And when it finally did, the same usual activity of eating food in silence resumed. Not even one word has been said by any of us as we all focused on eating in silence. But I knew full well that the same usual silence would be ruined at some point… sooner or later, by someone else.

And soon, I was right when one of my advisors was coughing slightly, as if to try and get my attention. Without even looking at him, I spoke. "You may speak. Say what is it that you want to inform me of." He then cleared his throat briefly before speaking.

"It’s about our current supplies…" He began. "…It appears that they’re starting to run low, specifically on food and medical supplies. And because of the Head General’s… very reckless plan last time because of some grudge, most of our men are too exhausted to fight. And those suitors… are getting more impatient and aggressive every day."

I gripped the fork on my hand tighter upon hearing the news, and almost did not want to continue eating because breakfast was quickly starting to not be pleasant to my taste now. "…I see… Well then, how long will these supplies last before we run out?"

"I would say only a week or two at most, your Majesty…" The advisor responded. "But in my recommendation, I believe it's best to call for a ceasefire, and perhaps try to negotiate a truce in the meantime instead. No matter what the Head General may say to disagree with it all, we cannot keep going like this or else this entire kingdom will fall."

Silence fell as I soon finished my food and slowly placed down the utensils on the table. I then took deep breaths to calm myself down before speaking once more, "…And how many others share your recommendation?"

The advisor then looked left and right, seeing the others in the table were looking at me, as if they all knew this was the moment that the peace talk would be brought up. He then responded, "All of us, your Majesty. All of us share the same views and concerns. And the only one who doesn’t…"

"...would be the Head General Valerio himself." I continued, crossing my arms. "I am aware of it already that if he were informed of such a plan from any of you, he would be in pure disbelief, or worse, be in the fit of rage to the point he may do harm..." I looked at the rest of them. "Rest assured, I will be discussing this topic with him later, see if I am able to change his mind, or he will be forced to follow my orders in the end."

The others fell silent until one of the advisors spoke. "Oh, I believe no amount of discussion will be able to convince him, your Majesty…" He said, "Knowing the kind of man he is, his pride, stubbornness, and long grudge against the enemy kingdom would always make him refuse any order that involves the thought of a ceasefire or even an armistice… let alone a truce. Not to mention the fact that he had the guts to go out of his way to do something so reckless without your knowledge several times already..."

All the other advisors all nodded their heads in agreement. One of them even dared to add, "At this point, the only reason his head is still attached to his shoulders is only because of the fact that you’re still around and that you still see some use of him."

The look on my face slowly turned sour on each word they said as I continued to silently listen to them, but I still remained calm as I responded back, “I am very well aware of his… personality and what he had been doing behind my back. Which is why I believe that it is time that it is only right for him to finally realize, and learn when there are some things he has no say in… and remind him of who's in charge here."

And as soon as I said those words, I then slowly rose from my seat and looked at all of them once more. "But for now, I shall do as I said. I will be discussing the next course of action with him first... alone." I added, while the others just stared at me before the advisor who recommended the truce spoke once more. “And if it turns out he won’t listen or agree to your command, your Majesty? What will you do to him then?"

Silence fell in the room before I opened my mouth to respond. "...You will all just have to wait and find out." I responded before I turned and started to leave as Endellion stood up and followed after me, "Continue on with your duties. You all are dismissed…"

The others just continued to stare and watch us leave before they all bowed and said in unison, "Yes, your Majesty…" The last thing I could hear is the sound of chairs scraping against the floor and people beginning to leave the dining room as well. And even when I was finally out of that room, it was still difficult for me to remain calm.

"Are you… going to be alright talking to Valerio on your own about that topic?"

When she asked that, I turned around just to see her worried expression. My eyes softened for a moment as I responded, "Do not worry too much… I will be fine. This is not the first time, and will not be the last time where I need to deal with situations like this." Noticing how that response didn't convince her, I then tried to change the topic, "Ah, I remembered that you have that dance you will be having with Ordell. Why not let me help you pick your dress before I attend my next meeting with Adira and the others."

She then blinked twice before seemingly snapped back to reality as she realized what I had said. "Oh, right! My dance with Ordell!" She responded, scratching her head as she smiled sheepishly, "I suppose I didn't even think of what dress to wear yet…"

"Well then, we have no time to lose I suppose…" I said, taking her hand in mine before we began making our way towards her bedroom, "Come now. Let us go and see what dresses you have in your wardrobe."

We slowly walked through the corridors as I continued to hold her hand. Seeing her not replying to me but only silently walking by my side, I then spoke up, "Do not worry over my meeting with Valerio… You have seen first-hand how he will react to other's opinions over his during my councils. He will be no different this time as well…" I tried to reassure her. "I just need to remind him of his place, and hope that he will heed to the call of reason instead of irrationality for once."

She only nodded at my words but soon fell silent once more, her expression seeming a bit lost in deep thoughts. I then furrowed my eyebrows at her expression and just squeezed her hand a bit, letting her know, and reassure her that I am right beside her and I was not planning to go anywhere. That seemed to snap her out of her little world in her head and turned back to look at me. And without a word, she just smiled at me in return as she lightly squeezed back. Silence then fell as we continued to walk until we soon arrived in front of her room. When we arrived, we let go of each other’s hand. I opened the door for her, allowing her to enter first before stepping in after her and closing the door behind us.

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