Worse.
What a simple word that anyone could easily understand, yet so vague, so complicated, so complex… or was it? Was the word just as Aries thought it was, or was her view simply subjective because it was Abel? Perhaps it was because that word weighed nothing on her, and it was useless for someone to tell her that.
Aries… could be worse, too. Worst, even.
"It's been half a year, brother…" Aries's eyes softened as she brush Dexter's forehead with her fingertips. "Many things had happened, and many things had changed. The boutique… Violet was doing a great job of running it. Matter of fact, Violet was able to buy a noble status. She's loved by everyone, and seeing how she was living well puts my heart at ease."
She retrieved her hand and held his hand. "I would like to throw a banquet for her to celebrate the occasion. You'd be elated to see how she had accomplished so much all on her own."
Deep in Aries's heart, she was aware Dexter's interest in this matter wasn't as huge or deep as hers. Still, the reason she was sharing this was that it had been a habit with Dexter. Even though her brother wasn't truly interested in something, he would listen to her and make her feel he was happy for her.
"It's sad…" bitterness glowed in her eyes. "I'm sad, brother."
Silence instantly descended upon the room as she waited for his usual reply or simply pats on the head. But just like the past half a year, none of those came.
"I will never get used to this," whispered Aries, squeezing his hand mildly. "I don't want to get used to this silence — I can't."
"Everything is taking time, but I've been patient. I was being careful. Soon, all my hard work will bear fruit." She held his hand with both her hands, guiding it to her cheek. "I promise you. Once you open your eyes, I'll be there for you, and you will only hear good things about me."
Aries slowly closed her eyes, resting her cheek on their hands. For the past six months, Aries had never failed to visit him every single day. It didn't matter if it was just a minute or an hour; she would make time to converse with him, even though he never replied.
For sure, Aries would find a way to wake him up. Until then, she had to collect debts, and every single one who was responsible for that incident had to pay.
Aries stayed with Dexter for several minutes, telling him tales she found a little interesting as the empress. When she caught Gustav appearing from the corner of her eyes, a shallow breath slipped past her subtly curled lips.
"Very well." She cleared her throat. "I simply want to let you know I missed you every single day, brother. But I have to go now. Your sister is a busy woman, and she had an empire to manage on top of the march."
Her eyes lingered on his face for another minute before she rested his hand on his side. His wounds had already healed naturally and through unnatural ways. It was still good to see that his handsome face had returned to its natural color. It felt reassuring in a way.
After staring at him and making sure he was lying comfortably, Aries rose to her seat and faced Gustav. The head butler lowered his head; his demeanor was the same as before, but he had stopped wearing the butler uniform because of his newly acquired position as the Empress's Lord Chamberlain. It was the same position Conan held but under the Empress.
As Aries marched toward the exit and walked past Gustav, she cast him a side-eye.
"How was the March?" she asked without taking a pause from her steps.
"The march was doing better, Your Majesty." Gustav followed behind her, only to pick up his pace to open the door for her. "Thanks to you, everyone had survived the winter with almost zero casualties. Your brother will be elated."
"Good." Aries rocked her head while Gustav held the door, but didn't open it. "Any puny rumors regarding the House Vandran?"
"Aside from people speculating why the marquess didn't attend your royal wedding, and why he had made no public appearance since," answered Gustav.
This rumor had been going around after the wedding, and they were able to resolve it by doing grand gestures named under Dexter because 'he was away' and he couldn't attend the wedding. But since it had been half a year since the marquess made a public appearance, people couldn't help but talk about it.
"I see." She didn't have any strong reaction to it, knowing this was inevitable.
Gustav nodded once before the door creaked open loudly in her ears. As soon as the gap widened, Aries caught a few people standing just right outside. When she crossed the threshold, she stopped to look at the people bowing the moment the door opened.
Standing outside was Aries's official lady-in-waiting, Suzanne Calarook, the 16th princess of the land of Topia. Beside her was the Queen's chief knight, Climaco. The rest were a few knights and servants standing on the side, motionless.
Six months was truly a long time and in those months, many things had changed. Not just their titles, but their hearts as well.
Aries didn't say anything to them as she turned on her heel, walking through the hallway of the Rose Palace. Gustav, Suzanne, and Climaco followed behind her, and behind them were servants and knights.
"Your Majesty," called Suzanne, hastening her pace until she was a step behind Aries. "A letter from the Emperor's Palace came in this morning."
Aries glanced over her shoulder, only to see Suzanne handing her a letter with the emperor's seal on it. Her steps slowly came to a halt, accepting the letter from her lady-in-waiting. She didn't wait to read it to her chamber as she opened it, skimming through it.
Aries didn't have any reaction as she folded the paper, lifting her eyes to Suzanne.
"Gustav, Climaco, assist me to the inner palace." She cast Gustav a nonchalant look. "It seems someone upset His Majesty." When she set her eyes back to Suzanne, a subtle smile turned up on her face. "And Suzanne, you can now stop stalling time. Tell that witch from the night council I would love to meet her privately."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Suzanne lowered her head, not a bit fazed by the mention of the witch or the night council. It had been half a year, so Suzanne had adjusted well to the information that initially made her question everything in this world.
They still followed Aries to the entrance of the Rose Palace, but Suzanne and the servants stayed. Meanwhile, Gustav and Climaco, and the queen's soldiers followed her, only for the knights to disperse to return to their post when they reached the emperor's palace. Gustav and Climaco escorted her inside.
Half a year… might be short for many, but not to them. Half a year for someone living within the palace walls was a miracle... and a curse.
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