The Princess' Choice

Eternal fire

Princess Annalise smiled and waved to Berke, who politely smiled back and bowed again for the Princess. The Empress glared at her and Annalise's smiled faded into a serious expression. Somehow this made her only more adorable.

- Lift your head. - an order came and Berke stared into the eyes of the emperor.

- I suppose you know why you are here, but, just be sure... - he said and grabbed a document. He started to read everything Berke did since she came to the Empire. Her eyes met Emmett's cold blue glance and Berke got amazed. "He really outdid this task... Such a profound background check in one day. I'm impressed" - she thought and at that moment the first Prince chuckled.

- Is there something funny about what I'm talking about Sébastien? - the Emperor asked and the prince shook his head. His brown eyes met with Berke's and a shiver ran down on her spine. The Emperor finished reading and said.

- After everything we learned about you, there is no doubt that you are capable of serving the Princess. - Annalise gasped happily.

- But. - As I thought... There must be a But"- Berke thought and Sébastien couldn't cover his smile. - "This is strange, as if he was reading my mind..." - she thought and Sébastien stopped smiling. His eyes turned darker and Emmett noticed the discomfort of his older brother.

- The Imperial family has a huge secret. Will you be able to keep that secret even if you must die in the attempts? - the Emperor asked.

- Your Majesty! I have no doubt in my loyalty of the Imperial family. If your Majesty allows me a suggestion, just to make everyone's mind at ease.

- Go on. - the Emperor said and Berke kneeled.

- I can pledge loyalty, but we are all human beings, so I understand your Majesty'a concern. I have no one and nothing in this world apart from my own life. Your Majesty, allow me a question. - he motioned with his hand to Berke to continue.

- Do I need to know about the secret to serve her Highness? - Berke asked and both the Emperor and Empress as well as the Princes stared at her in surprise.

- No. - the Emperor answered.

- In this case, I don't need to know, nor going to ask about it your Majesty. - Emmett stared at Berke amazed. She kept surprising him every moment he was around her. Her cat like green eyes caught his glance before Berke walked in front of the Princess. She kneeled down.

- Your Highness! Please allow me to be at your service. I'll be what you need me to be. Your Highness's maid, nanny, slave, or even sword. I swear to my life to serve your Highness till my dying days. - the Princess stood up and shook her head.

- You cannot serve me forever! - everyone got confused in the room. Annalise threw a tantrum after she found out what happened the night before and tirelessly begged for Berke to be her maid.

- In this case, until your Highness allows me to be. - Berke corrected herself and Annalise smiled.

- I accept your proposition!

- Sir Douglas, please escort Berke to her new room and with the Butler show her around during today. You'll start tomorrow. - the Empress said and Berke bowed again.

- Thank you, your Majesties! - she followed Douglas and as soon as the doors closed everyone turned to Annalise.

- What was that before?! - Emmett asked and Annalise blushed.

- I cannot make her work as my maid forever... That would be awkward! - she said and the Emperor walked to her.

- Why Anna? - Annalise smiled with a cheeky grin and whispered.

- Because the Eternal fire is not mine. The Eternal fire must illuminate the Darkness. - Each parent and brothers looked at her and sighed. Annalise's foreseeing worked in a strange way. She didn't see exactly what will happen since she was still too young, her power was more of a premonition right now. It made the life of her family complicated. They tried to solve the riddles she used to say and from time to time achieved. The Emperor caressed her hair and left the room along with the Empress. Sébastien held Annalise's hand and said.

- Let's go to your class Lise! - she stomped.

- I want to play with Berke! - Sébastien looked at Emmett asking for help. Emmett rolled his eyes and looked at Annalise.

- Annie, if you do well in class today, this night we will read you a story and tomorrow Berke will wake you up. Okay? - Annalise looked pensive but nodded. Before she left with Sébastien she screamed back.

- You promised Emmett! - Emmett nodded and when he was alone he let out a long, deep sigh. Although Berke's story and what he found out matched, therefore she didn't lie to them, he still felt uneasy. Why is Annalise calling her Eternal Fire? What darkness will she prevent? Emmett wished Annie could tell what she saw more precisely. He left the room as well to take care of his duties.

Later that night.

Emmett headed to Annalise's room with a nice fairytale book he picked up from the library. The lights were still on, in her room. Sébastien arrived the same time as Emmett and he greeted his brother with a silly wave. Emmett crossed his arms in front of his chest.

- You should act more mature Bastien... Soon you'll be the Emperor. - Sébastien leaned against the wall and smiled at his brother. He was a little taller than Emmett and three years older.

- I told you several times, if you want, the crown is yours. - Emmett shook his head.

- I'm not looking for power and I'm not as charming as you brother. People follow you and you can see through their lies, no one is more fit for the position.

- What do you think of the new maid? - Bastien asked and Emmett tensed.

- As Dave said, she is a double edged sword. We must be careful. - Bastien smiled.

- Are your afraid that your neck will be split by that sword? - Emmett sighed again. He was so tired and worried about the Empire's current situation and now this case with Berke.

- Shouldn't I be wary? - he asked and Bastien's smile faded. Emmett knew this expression.

- What did you hear?

- I think she caught me, although, no one knows about our abilities.

- Be careful around her. I don't like that Annie calls her Eternal fire. - Bastien pat Emmett's back with an encouraging smile.

- Let's not burn ourselves with that fire. - they entered to the room. Annalise was standing in front of the window and kept looking out.

- Lise! What are you doing? You'll catch a cold. - Bastien said and rushed to Lise. He reached to close the window when he noticed Berke digging the ground under Annalise's room.

- What the...? - he asked out loud causing Emmett to join them.

- What are you doing? - he asked and saw what got his normally silly brother out of guard. Where the intruder died the ground turned black by his blood. They were too occupied with work to order the gardener. Berke turned the ground upside down to hide the bloodstain. After that she put a few wild flowers there and left.

- Extraordinary. - Bastien mumbled and they closed the window. Annalise got in her bed and her brothers sat on each side of the bed. They read a story for her and when they were about to leave Annalise called Emmett.

- I told you brother, it is good to have an Eternal fire. - she yawned and fall asleep almost immediately.