Hold Me, My Emperor

Chapter Six

"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.

"Thank you Papa!" I said and smiled at him. He carried me in his arms and started telling more about my mother’s obsession with diamonds. "You are sweet. You see your Mom is much worse because every year she was asking for something that can cut my head off-"

"Darling. What are you saying to my daughter?" I heard my mother barging in. I smiled at her. My Mother looks stunning as always! What's with this noisy morning on my birthday?

"N..Nothing." My father didn't dare to argue! He already knew where this was going huh?

"Now for my precious Tia, here's Moma's gift." She said and handed me a key.

"But Moma.. Tia did not ask for anything." I said and she smiled proudly.

"You don't have to. Therefore I shall share this key to you. That key is for your mother's jewelry room. In short half of Mircea's riches were in there! Ha ha ha!" My mother laughed proudly. I seriously don't need this but I think I'll just go with the flow for now.

"Thank you Moma. Tia loves it!" I said and gave her a hug.

"Of course my dear. I can't wait for you to grow up and share the same interest with you. After all, diamonds are a woman's best friend." She said and laughed terribly again. I don't think I'll share the same interest as Mother. I am too scared to even wear one. What will happen if I lose something this expensive?

"Tia won't share the same interest as Mother." My brother butted in. "She's not interested in that stuff because she's going to become an ugly book worm." My brother said and I tilted my head. Where does that come from? Me? Ugly bookworm?

I glanced at my father and he had no reaction. I glanced at my mother and she was horrified by what she had heard. "T..Tia. You don't have to be so smart.. You can enjoy other things too! Don’t pressure yourself with your studies." my mother tried to talk to me about it but I just shrugged it off. No Mother, that's not going to happen and brother, is clearly joking with you.

"Lady Amelie, the guests will be arriving soon. We shall prepare for the feast." Ibelina remembered and my mother came back to reality. This is a celebration for my birthday party. Nobles that share connection with my father will come. My mother planned this party and because of that it was quite extravagant. More importantly, the Emperor will also pay a visit on my birthday. The Emperor is a good friend of my father. He was known for being a womanizer as he enjoyed sleeping with women after winning countless wars. He’s a great warrior but that’s all different from being a ruler.

Everyone started working in the hall. They prepared food for guests as well as music. I'm still young so I won't participate in dancing. All I have to do is greet the guests. But why does it have to become like this?

"Is this hair clip appropriate for Lady's dress?"

"Should we change the shoe size?"

"Do you prefer pink or blue laces?"

"Should we clip the hair up?"

"Wait, I forgot about the perfume!"

"Hurry up guys, the guests are here!"

"WHAT?!"

"Hurry! Hurry!"

I'm exhausted right before the celebration starts. Naturally, some children do not have this opportunity like mine. Hosting a party or gathering like this needs approval from the Imperial Family. But since my father is a great friend of the King this is no big deal.

"Lady Tia.. You look so pretty!" Abelina said as I looked at the mirror to see my appearance. I can't believe this. Is this really me? My eyes sparkle because of the jewels that I am wearing. My hair was tied up and my dress is colored pink and I.. I love it. I look so pretty even though my cheeks are a little chubby..

"You look adorable Lady Tia. Happy birthday." Hasna greeted me and I smiled at her. "Thank you Hasna!"

"Now shall we greet your guests?" Abelina said and I nodded my head. She held my hand and outside my door, my father was there to escort me. Our eyes met and he immediately gave me a gentle smile. "You look beautiful, my daughter." He said and kissed my hand.

"Thank you Papa!" I said merrily and we walked towards the hall.

I feel a lot of pressure right now. After all, this is the start of things that will lead our family to its fate. The King has many children and because of that he chooses the best candidate for his children.

 Since Casimir and I are almost the same age I’m sure he will take this time to invite me. In the book Lady Tatiana happily agreed but today, I shall refuse. I need to stay out of the Imperial Family's affairs from the time being.

"Happy Birthday Lady Tatiana Mircea”

"Congratulations on your Birthday!"

"We would love it if you would visit our Manor."

"Congratulations, please accept this!"

"This is an invitation, please consider this."

"Happy birthday Lady Tatiana"

I. Am. So. Tired.

I feel like my soul will soon leave this body because I am so exhausted from all the gifts and greetings. As expected! They want to form a greater alliance with the Emperor and since my Father is his friend, getting close to our family is one of the keys to success. That's why all of them are trying extra hard to gain me and my Father's favor since my brother doesn't care about any of this.

"His Imperial Majesty, Emperor of Obelia, Emperor Leroy Algar Obelia has arrived!" The room suddenly felt heavy and everyone stiffened out. This great presence, no wonder he's the Emperor. His eyes are cold blue and his hair is sparkling gold. He radiates such a powerful aura that cannot be easily shaken off.

"KonKon my friend!" The king greeted him and some of the guests laughed (KonKon- Nickname for Konrad) . I can tell my father was getting embarrassed.

"Please refrain from calling me that in front of others, His Imperial majesty." My father coldly gazed at the King. He’s not affected by the Emperor’s presence at all.

"All hail Obelia, Welcome His Imperial Majesty." My mother said and was a little curtsy. I saw the Emperor smile at her, "Thank you Amelie."

His eyes finally landed on mine. I clutched on my father's pants. This man might be my father's friend but after that incident in the palace this person will remain silent. He will mourn for the loss of his friend but he will not testify anything to clear our family's name. I should be careful about my actions. This man can either be a great ally but also a great enemy. I will stop him at all costs.

"You must be Lady Tatiana. Your name is adorable as you are." He said and smiled.

"Thank you, His Imperial Majesty." I said and did a little curtsy with my tiny feet. This is hard. "Tia is glad to meet you." As my mother said I should say.

I heard guests giggling at how cute and adorable I was. Even the Emperor was captivated by my charms, as expected from Tatiana. She was naturally born with beauty and charm! I can feel his gaze on me and I tried to make it look like I’m not nervous. His immense hands pulled me up and smiled at me with his majestic turquoise green eyes. "Come visit the Palace to meet one of my sons!"

Sh+t. I knew it.

The crowd was shocked to hear that because it was rare for the Emperor to link someone to this child. I need to say it. "No."