Glamgmar Palace, Flezard.
In her private room, Princess Andriandel looked at herself in the mirror while the maid was doing her hair. In the mirror reflected a sharp woman, with lips as red as a berry, sharp eyebrows, skin as white as winter snow and blonde hair tied up like a queen, Andriandel smiled beautifully.
"How do you feel, my princess?" asked the maid.
Andriandel turned her face to the sides to get a closer look at the hair, pressed her hand against the high bun, and smiled:
"Very good, you can withdraw, Baxter."
"Yes, my princess."
Andriandel stood up, brushing off her pastel pink dress. Andriandel is known as the most beautiful woman in the Kingdom. Not only is she famous for her beauty, but she is also more than someone in intelligence. She was highly educated, skilled in horseback riding and archery. In short, she is a woman of complete talent, and any man would fall in love with her.
Augustus entered the room with a dignified appearance. Among the princes, Augustus was the most handsome and the tallest. Although he is only twenty-four years old this year, Augustus has already shown everyone his aura.
Augustus looked at Andriandel, well-dressed, and said:
"I'm sure you're done."
"Yes, my love," said Andriandel politely.
"Well, I'll take you to the Queen."
Augustus held out his hand for Andriandel to take and lead her away. Queen Ymelda summoned her today to the royal garden for a walk. That's what royalty is! The whole life revolves around the garden of flowers of one color all year round, outdoor tea parties, shiny costumes… Just like that, going from day to day. It was rare to get the chance to leave the palace, but only a short while to return to the luxurious prison.
“Do you remember your life before you entered the royal family, Andriandel?”
Queen Ymelda was gorgeous in her sunset dress, her hands holding a freshly bloomed yellow rose that still had drops of morning dew and a few white snowflakes. She smiled thoughtfully at Andriandel, who was standing next to her, looking forward to a suitable answer.
Andriandel is no ordinary person. She clearly understood the deep meaning of the Queen. Andriandel also chose for herself a rose bud that was blooming near her, reaching out her hand to love the soft petals, and softly replied:
“My mother, before she was wed to father, was the proudest lady in the Urysland. Mother once told Grandpa that Urysland would be the place where she would stay forever. But looking back now, she was so happy as the lady of Lanchester. My mother no longer remembers where the old castle was. My father used to joke that I was just like my mother, and everyone said that. Turns out… they weren't wrong at all.”
Ymelda smiled. An answer that was so safe, yet so subtle that she couldn't find anything wrong. Ymelda walked slowly, Andriandel followed closely behind. On the soft snow covered a thin slice of footprints of two people.
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“How long have you been married to Augustus?”
"Ten days to three months, I presumed," said Andriandel respectfully.
“How is Augustus to you?”
"He's very nice," Andriandel hesitated a little.
“Oh, is that so?” Ymelda turned her head to look at her, smiling devilishly, as if clearly knowing there was something she was hiding behind that answer, and giving her a chance to speak out. "You look like you're denying that, my darling."
Ymelda's strangely calm and penetrating expression was like a bow piercing her self-assured heart, revealing for a moment a weak Andriandel like any other girl.
Ymelda suddenly burst out laughing, making Andriandel look puzzled. She continued to look at these innocuous flowers. Then she stopped, and of course Andriandel followed by inertia. Ymelda turned to look at Andriandel, her eyes seemed to be appraising. Suddenly she reached out and stroked the side of her cheek. Soft as silk, perhaps the best description of her skin. Ymelda couldn't help but exclaim.
“Andriandel, I must say you are beautiful…”
"Thank you, my Queen...", Andriandel couldn't understand a little fear in her heart.
Ymelda suddenly clicked her tongue regretfully, saying:
“But… just being pretty isn't enough.”
"Yes?" Andriandel did not understand the meaning of her words.
“The Emperor does not love my sister Sana because of her beauty, despite the fact that she is the most beautiful girl in the region. He loved Sana because she gave birth to Augustus. And he loves me because I am the mother of Abel, Anna and Aaron. My dear, you should know what men love about us women. You're smart, but is that true?"
Ymelda left an unanswered question for Andriandel, in fact she could no longer answer any of her questions, and Ymelda did not expect her to do anything. Women are smarter than each other in words, and Ymelda has never lost her place. With just one word, Ymelda smashed the monument of a talented Andriandel. Princess Andriandel froze completely, and yet Ymelda continued with a smile.
“We can't let men judge us by our ability to have children. But don't forget, what makes us a woman is motherhood. Men can do anything, but giving birth? I doubt it."
"But Augustus hasn't touched me since the night of our marriage...", Andriandel had tears in her eyes.
"That's because you haven't tried hard enough...", Ymelda said, wiping the tear from her left eye. “Do you think the Emperor accepted me immediately after my sister's death. Honey, men are like wild horses, and we women are the ones who ride them. You must know when to tighten the reins, and when to let them graze.”
“But I don't know why he turned me down… aside from intimate matter, Augustus treats me very well.”
“Only two cases, if the problem is not with Augustus, then you have to examine yourself. I didn't give birth to him, but I know that Augustus was not cold to any girl. Andriandel, you must be the one looking for that cause and no one else. You can't expect someone to give you everything."
The wisdom mixed in her every word seemed to make Andriandel realise something. Ymelda continued:
“Andriandel, I am the bearer of your marriage. Don't let me be disappointed with this choice. You should remember that a wish granted can still be taken back. You're smart, I know you can do it, right?"
Ymelda didn't wait for Andriandel's answer, just walked away and left her alone. But she still did not forget to leave her last words.
“A woman can't bear children… How uncharming!”
Her hand grazed a young and green bud, the petals somehow slowly beginning to bloom into a brilliant yellow rose.