Hold Me, My Emperor

Chapter Five

Today is the day that I will turn five years old. The days flash by so fast that I never actually noticed it. Days come by happily as if it was like a dream. I didn't waste even a second of that to spend time with my parents. As soon as I learned to walk on my own, my feet roamed around our Manor non-stop. Everything was too different from the shabby orphanage that I lived in on my past life, so almost everything I saw piques my interest. I was too happy to experience this life. During those days, all I ever thought of was having fun and living my life to the fullest. I don’t want to regret anything. And if I really do end up dying for the novel's plot, I want to at least proudly say that I lived a good life.

This year I asked for one specific gift from my brother and parents.

"Hey there, Tia. Looks like you're up." My older brother Emyr said as he entered the door. He’s definitely the kind of person who doesn’t know how to knock, and only does whatever he wants.

"Brother!" I happily shouted and rushed over to hug him. He hugged me back with a small giggle. "Congratulations on your fifth birthday. As promised, here's your gift." He said and handed me a pink box. I opened it and smiled when I saw what was inside. It was the notebook that I requested some time ago! I wanted it to have a hard binding material that it cannot easily get destroyed. Every small detail I asked for was in it. This is too perfect. Way more than I imagined it would be. "Thank you, brother!" I said while jumping and leaned to kiss him on the cheek. His face got flustered from my sudden action and I giggled.

"W-Why do you look so happy with just a note book? You could've asked for jewels like other girls do." He said while blushing. I didn’t ask for it because I don’t really know what to do with it. I prefer having things that I can actually use and not just display. And handling precious gifts like that.. I don’t think I deserve it.

"Whatever you give to me, Tia will take care of it because it's from big brother!" I said happily and he finally gives in and smiled. Looks like he won't be thinking much of it from now on. But! This is not just an ordinary notebook, brother. This is now my official notebook of freedom! On this day forward I shall write my plans in order to save my family and live peacefully! This is my first step! The birth of my Survival NoteBook!

"Come to think of it, what did you ask for?" My brother asked and a loud bang from the outside was heard. The door suddenly opened and a big box of presents was carried by four guards. It looked as good as it was wrapped with red ribbon!

"It's my present. Happy Birthday Tia." My father came in. I immediately jumped onto his arms and he happily carried me. What do I expect from my father! He’s so reliable with things!

"Put it at the corner." He said and the guards obeyed. The guards looked exhausted from carrying such a thing and I wondered... I only asked him for a cabinet with a lock on it right? "Papa! Tia wants to see it." I said and he put me down. I ran towards it and started unwrapping the box. I asked Hasna to help me and we finally took off the massive coverit. It was a maple colored cabinet with six big compartments and locks on it! I love it.

"Thank you Papa! This is amazing." I said and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled at me. My father is a very handsome guy. Despite his age, he looks like a man no older than 25. You wouldn't think he was married and have kids when you frist see him! "You haven't opened it yet. I have something else prepared on the inside." He said and I curiously looked at the maple cabinet he gave me. There’s more?

"Ha.. But Papa, I only asked for a cabinet." As I opened the compartment lock I was shocked to see jewelry and hair pins. By the look of it, they all looked expensive! It's impossible I won't accept it. I don’t deserve such gifts!

"Papa.. Tia only wants the cabinet." I said and my Father held my hand.

"Isn't it the purpose of having a cabinet for a woman? To store her jewelries inside it?" My father said and I froze. Did he really think that's my purpose for asking for this gift?! I only asked him to have a small cabinet made so I can hide my Survival NoteBook inside of it. I made a request for a lock so no one can easily see it!

"After all.. I don't like to see you wearing jewelry from other men. Men are trash. So if they offer to give you jewelry, just tell them your cabinets are already full of Papa's gifts, okay?" He said with such conviction. I can't believe this but you're a man too right?! Is he thinking about my future suitors? He’s thinking far ahead of things.

"Papa.." I called him. “I cannot accept this because I think this is too much. This is too expensive. I cannot accept it, I’m sorry.” I said and he smirked at me.

“What are you saying Tia?” My brother butted in. “Seriously, what do you take Father for?”

"It's alright. This will not affect Papa's wealth if that's what you are worried about. You can have it because you're my daughter. You can have this much." He said and kissed my forehead. Do I really deserve this ? I seriously want to cry out of happiness right now. Maybe because I never had things like this before.