The royal garden was alive with activity that morning. The wind, while fragrant with roses and lilies, caressed the golden petals that were glimmering under the sunlight. It was a peaceful day—the kind of peaceful that made the Empress feel uneasy.
Their Majesties, the Emperor and the Empress, occupied the balcony and gazed upon the young ladies with a distance between them. It was a rare sight to see the Emperor's joy reflected in his eyes flickering like a candle. He seemed to be in the garden mingling with the five princesses and their delicate laughter was the only sound as their dresses moved to and fro like silk waves, and he seemed to be in the garden mingling with the five princesses.
Yet the youngest sister was, in a way, the least of all—the one whom everyone believed to be the youngest daughter—was walking demurely beside her sisters. His golden locks were sparkling brighter than anyone else's, under the sun. He had a delicate face and a soft smile that made him looklike the sun's pet at that moment.
But behind the joyful face was the boy Stephen, the one that was supposed to be a nonexistent child.
The Empress was beside her husband, holding tightly with both hands. Though she wore a smile that implied calmness, fear made her heart race. Every step that Stephanie took was like walking on the edge of a knife. If it ever became known that he was a boy… he will die, and so will I.
The fountain was the meeting point for the sisters in the garden.
The eldest, Estella, tossed her long golden hair back and crossed her arms. "You are again dear sister," she said, unfazed. "It is really quite unladylike to keep the others waiting."
Stephanie responded with a polite nod of the head. "I apologize, Sister Estella. I was helping Mother with her morning tea."
The second sister, Clarisse, was not able to suppress a light chuckle. "Giving a helping hand in tea? That's really nice. Who knows, maybe our little princess Stephanie is not dreaming of being a princess but of being a servant."
The two sisters kept their laughter down but jealousy clearly showed through their glaring eyes.
Anastasia, the sister between them, wore an unhappy face. "Stop it, my lovely sisters. Stephanie is only a small child. Do not ridicule her." She said in a low and gentle tone but her power was strong enough to put the others to silence. "We should train her, not mock her."
With a smile on her face, Stephanie turned her face towards Anastasia. "Thank you, Sister Ana. Your kindness is always present."
Anastasia lovingly placed her hand on Stephanie's shoulder. "You are the one who is dear, thus kindness suits you more. Never part with it."
Not far away, Danielle, the quietest one, who had a book on her lap, was sitting on a stone bench. Her golden curls hid her face and she very shyly looked up to speak. "S-Stephanie," she produced a sound so low, "in case you might like it... would you like to come and sit with me? It is peaceful here."
A spark of joy lit up in the eyes of Stephanie. "Surely, Sister Danielle." He went and sat next to her, and a soft smile accompanied their meeting.
But then, peace was hard to come by when we talked about the lives of the royals.
Lady Beatrice,Estella's mother, approached the party with a graceful grin. Her dress was sparkling as though it were made of the finest diamonds. "What a sight! The lovely Estella is becoming more beautiful each day. Her magic studies are getting on very well, Your Majesty," she boasted, directing the last words at the Emperor, who had been observing the stirring scene from the elevation.
Lady Helena,Clarisse's mother, quickly joined the conversation. "On the contrary, my Clarisse has already acquired the skill of elemental magic. Not only that, she went as far as summoning a firebird just yesterday! What an honor it is to be the witness of such a pretty talent in her bloodline."
The women's remarks were full of good-natured rivalry.
The Empress managed to grin, even though she really did not feel like it. She foresaw the way the conversation was headed.
"Ah," Lady Beatrice addressed the audience with an affectedly syrupy intonation, "and little Stephanie, our youngest gem... what is it that she has learned, pray tell, Your Majesty?"
Stephanie went rigid. His instruction had been carried out secretly—his training had nothing in common with theirs. His mastering of the sword and mana control were only known to his mother, as they were kept from everyone else.
Before he could say anything, the Emperor's boom of laughter came from the balcony. "Stephanie is just a small girl," he said, infused with pride. "However, her beauty is already greater than that of the angels! She is my brightest star."
Lady Beatrice and Lady Helena offered smiles that did not reach their eyes, but they were no less spiteful.
Anastasia moved forward and performed a curtsey. "Father is right. Stephanie is a kid but still her presence is stronger than the rest of us combined."
Clarisse said very quietly, "Because she is taking away all the light from us."
Estella shot her sister a look and whispered, "Just a brat. Daddy loves her only because she resembles the ancestor Rupertz more than anyone. Nothing else."
Stephanie caught it—but he was acting. He had a faint smile on his face and was looked down while his small hands were clutching the bottom of his gown.
Danielle perceived his sorrow and took his hand. "Do not pay attention to them," she said softly. "They only... envy us."
Stephanie looked at her with a smile. "I know, Sister. Nevertheless, I want them to regard me as a family member... not an opponent."
The Empress was at the balcony observing the scene and praying in silence. Please, do not let them discover the truth. Grant my son a little more time to live...
Later, as the sisters walked back through the rose path, Stephanie stopped for a moment. The Emperor was watching them from above, and his eyes were caught in the reflection.
He greeted them with a deep bow and a smile. "The Emperor sees us. We have to hide our feelings."
Anastasia also raised her gaze. "Right. We have to give him the glory."
"Clarisse, with a smile on her lips asked, "Proud? For what? Always acting the perfect one? Father never cared for anyone but himself."
"Clarisse!" Estella cried out. "Do not utter betrayal words in the garden."
Clarisse sighed dramatically. "Oh, come on. Even you know it's the truth."
Stephanie did not know whom to choose, and he just said, "Sisters... can we not get along? We are a family after all."
Anastasia replied with a sad smile. "Sometimes, dear little one, it can be hardest to love family."
Danielle said very quietly and put her book aside, "But love is still love even if it hurts."
Silence fell upon the group.
The Emperor, with a big smile, turned to the Empress. "Look at them. My daughters are growing splendidly. The blood of Rupertz flows strong in them."
The Empress forced to agree. "Certainly, Your Majesty... even stronger than you know."
She once more glanced at Stephanie—her son hiding behind the name "Stephanie," adorned with silk and secrets. His laughter was soft, his movements were elegant but his eyes were powerful and bright, the kind of brightness that only she could perceive.
The light of Rupertz.
And in that light... there was also the shadow of a truth that could annihilate them all.
The regal hall's huge windows let in the golden afternoon light. The Emperor sat on his throne with a faint smile on his strict face. The daughters—each one a living example of their mother's beauty and the Royal bloodline's illumination—were around him.
"Ah," Emperor Estevan said with satisfaction, "my dear daughters are the ones. The very essence of Rupertz is in each one of them."
The Empress was next to him, her gaze soft, yet weary. She managed to grin, casting a look at Stephanie, who was very still on a plush cushion, rolling a tiny golden ball. The child's delicate ringlets shimmered in the light of day, and he looked very innocent with his big eyes.
The Emperor pointed to his daughters one at a time. "Anastasia, the eldest of my daughters. A miracle from the sky. She is only thirteen, yet she has already mastered the whole range of power, and beauty, and knows how to use them all in the right measure. A real diamond."
Anastasia made a deep curtsy, and her hair, which was wavy and long, was like sunlight falling. "You flatter me, Father. I only want to make our Empire proud," she said.
The Emperor beamed at her. "And so it shall be."
Then he indicated the second. "Clarisse, my untamed nature. A sound body and a sound mind. I learned that you even managed to outrun the guards on the training ground."
Clarisse, wearing her hair in a short and wild fashion, and having a confident manner, laughed. "It was nothing, Father. I just wanted to see how fast they could get tired."
The Emperor burst out laughing because of her daring nature. "You are like me when I was young."
Then came Danielle, timidly yield behind her curls. The Emperor spoke in a gentle tone. "Danielle, your harp playing is a dream. The palace welcomes your presence whenever you play."
Danielle's cheeks turned slightly red, and she bowed. "Thanks, Father. I... I just want to help bring serenity to our house."
The Emperor nodded with satisfaction. "A heart like this is quite uncommon."
He next turned his attention to Estella, who was only eight years old, but already seemingly very wise. "Estella, my little thinker," he said, "Even your teachers admit that you are very good for them. The Empire requires brains like yours."
Estella smiled demurely. "I only think ahead, Father, as you instructed me."
The Emperor relaxed in his seat, pride swelling in his heart. "And lastly..." He faced Stephanie, his dear youngest, the most brilliant of them all. "My little sun."
Stephanie raised her gaze, her eyes sparkling. "Father."
The Emperor smiled. "You are the delight of my heart. Even in the dark of my days, your beauty is the light."
There was a happiness warm in the room. The concubines were near and they were getting more and more envious with their smiles that looked like they were just polite.
The Empress, not moving and just standing next to her husband, was relieved. Perhaps it is going to be a peaceful day today, she thought. No peril. No mistrust.
But destiny is always a hard master to peace.
The Emperor was about to let them go when a small, innocent voice broke the silence.
"Father," Stephanie said softly, "did I ever have any brothers?"
The whole hall turned into a frozen statue.
The Emperor's smile was like an ice crystal now.
The Empress's heart seemed to have frozen in her chest.
Not even the birds outside the window made a sound.
"W-what was that you said, darling?" the Empress asked hesitantly, her voice quaking.
Stephanie turned his head. "I just asked if I had brothers, Mother. Because I never see any boys in the palace."
Clarisse was biting her lip and turned away. Estella was astonished. Danielle was hiding behind her curls. Anastasia's face went white.
The Emperor's grip on the armrest of his throne became tighter.
"Such a query," he stated in a low voice, "is not for little girls."
"But, Daddy," Stephanie exclaimed, looking surprised, "why not? I am curious. Who knows, I might have brothers someday? It would be fun to play with them too."
The Empress quickly moved. "My dear, that's enough—"
But the boy went on, his innocence and curiosity being the only thing left to see. "I don't see why you don't let boys in the palace. Don't you want sons too, Father? So I can have brothers to protect us?"
The Empress turned pale. She felt her legs giving way under her, and fear almost caused her to faint.
The Emperor's face changed—his eyes were like coals of rage. The warmth in the hall was suddenly ice.
"You have the audacity to talk about sons in my presence?" he rasped, his blood being boiling like the words he spoke.
Stephanie was blinking, completely perplexed. "Have I erred in my words, Father?"
The Emperor took his place on the floor, his majestic robes sweeping the ground of the palace. "You are totally ignorant of the curse that accompanies the birth of sons into this house.
The Emperor then began to descend the steps at a snails pace. The sound of his movement was louder than thunder.
The concubines faced the ground. No one was brave enough to say a word.
Stephanie, who was small and full of wonder, was gazing at him. "But why, Father? Why do you dislike sons? Don't they belong to you as well?"
The Empress murmured, "Please stop, my child, please stop..."
The Emperor moved his hand towards the hilt of his sword. With one swift motion he drew it out and the shining blade became visible as it fell in the light.
The sisters exclaimed in shock.
Stephanie turned away with a shudder but did not retreat. His gaze was not full of fear, but rather confusion.
The Emperor held the sword aloft, displaying the keen edge. "Would you like to hear about sons?" he asked. The depth of his voice and the shaking with rage, made it hard to hear, "Then stay close, little one."
He directed the sword toward the sky. "I once had brothers. There were quite a few of them. They were robust, noble… silly. The blood that ran through them was weak, corrupted, unworthy. Our father—your great-grandfather—he was the one who put us into darkness and he was the one who judged us. He demanded the real Rupertz heir and when he discovered that he had been deceived he threw it away."
He cast a glance toward Stephanie, and his face was as hard as rock. "Thus I got the lesson. I got the lesson that sons are disadvantageous. They are the reason for disgrace. Only daughters bear the light. Only they deserve the crown."
At that moment he drew the sword and held it near the chin of Stephanie, close enough for her to see the reflection of the child in the blade.
"And now, do you still want brothers?"
Stephanie was looking at the image of the Emperor—a tiny, frail, and shaking one. Then, softly, he proclaimed, "Yes… because I don't think brothers are bad. Perhaps all they ever needed was your love, Father."
The Empress was taken aback, putting her hand on her heart.
The Emperor was immobilized. For a moment, his gaze became very wide but then again became hard. With a loud click, he put the sword back into its scabbard.
"Childish fool," he pronounced at a low voice as if he was snarling. "You talk as if love has the power to alter blood. Take this into account—sons are not blessings but rather curses. They bring destruction. They are not worthy of my pity."
He pivoted quickly and started to leave. His stomps reverberated in the corridor.
There was no one who was courageous enough to utter a sound.
Stephanie was there, his eyes wet with tears that were being held back.
The Empress hurried towards him and hugged him tightly, her body shaking. "My beloved child," she said softly, "never... never bring up brothers again. Swear it to me."
Stephanie raised his gaze to her, bewildered and frightened. "But Mother... why does everyone look so sad when I talked only to ask a question?"
Phenicia clutched him more tightly. "Because, my darling... some truths in this world are deadlier than the sharpest knife."
The Emperor's silhouette was gone beyond the palace's golden gates, but his words still lingered—freezing and heartless.
And for the first time, the little prince in the dress felt a burden in his heart.
To be continued...