After breakfast, I tried to search for my brothers but they were nowhere to find inside the Castle, and also Dad. I have an idea to where they are but I don’t want to expect it to be this early. I want to stop Dad from punishing them that’s why I’m trying to search for them to stick around with one of them so I would know when will Dad plans to punish them.
Knowing Dad, he’s not easy on giving out punishments and truthfully, I cried of no one’s fault. I just want them to stop making things with my cheeks but I think, I went overboard for crying too much that I needed to soak my eyes with ice to lessen the swollen spot.
Huh. Now I know, being a normal kid is a headache. I wonder how would it go for spoiled brats? From now on, I need to think many times before I act so this matter won’t happen again.
I went back to my room, just exactly when Kathelina and the other maids also arrived with my midday snack from the kitchen.
“Kath. Let’s go to the training ground.” I invited her after they put everything down. She looked at me and gave me a half-smile.
“Milady, it’s not good for you to be outside in this weather.” She reasoned out even I have already found out, she’s trying to persuade me not to see my brothers.
I know Dad, he’ll punish them to swing a sword. That’s what he did in my past whenever they do something unpleasant. If I weren’t a girl nor a future Empress, he would’ve let me experience swinging a sword when I made mistakes.
The thing I remembered last three days about their silence in the commotion… It’s just like in the past whenever I made a mistake. My simple mistake was already a big mistake for them because I am destined to be the future Empress of this Empire and if it can be of help, I should have no mistake. I’m bound not to do anything undesirable.
Like I have said, as far as I remember, whenever I made a mistake, either it’s a minor or great, I do not remember myself being punished. No one’s talking about my punishment and my brothers were more aloof than they were when they were trying to conceal the punishments they receive that was meant to be mine. They took a part of share on my punishment or should I say the have been bearing it all by their selves in the past that I didn’t even notice.
I didn’t expect that behind their cold acts towards me, everything they did has a very deep meaning. Did they ever get tired bearing my sins? Were there times? From what I have witnessed in the past, I don’t need to ask myself anymore.
They did everything to protect me from any harm that I purposely entered.
Even if it did costs their lives.
This time, I want them to share it with me, if I can stop something that might hurt them, I will, even it costs my life. Not just my brothers but also my Dad. I want to be with them through hardships and wealth that will befall upon us and to this house. It may sound corny but not for me who experienced sadness, regret, mourning and death.
Seeing my family sacrificed their lives for me, it’s breaking my heart to pieces, tearing it, grinding it to dusts, moreover, when I saw how they sacrificed, suffered and died because of me. I saw them all with my own two eyes. It’s me who killed them because of my selfishness. I become greedy to the things I already know I won’t ever have. For trying to escape the fate I could never ever escape.
They might’ve said I’m too filial in the past but in reality, I’m not. Is there a filial daughter who will let her family suffer because of selfishness? Nothing’s worst in a filial impiety I did.
Kath couldn’t do anything but to accompany me in the training grounds. I changed my dress into a comfortable polo shirt paired with pants and boots and I asked Kathelina to braid my silver hair.
If I can’t stop Dad from punishing them, then I will join them instead.
When we arrived in the training grounds, I can only see my brothers in the middle of the place while the Knights who should be the one practicing were just watching on the sides. I can see they’re suffocated than relieved because of my brothers’ presences. For them, my brothers look intimidating in their eyes even at their young age.
My brothers were swinging their swords infront, simultaneously. They formed in a circle, facing each other while swinging their swords in a fighting stance. I wandered my eyes on the place to find Dad. I found him standing straight under the shade of Summer tree, watching my brothers strictly.
“Go get some snacks for everyone.” I commanded Kath.
“Yes, Milady.” She bowed before leaving. I walked towards Dad and he immediately acknowledged my presence by turning his head in my direction.
His expression softened when he saw me. Expression that normal people wouldn’t notice because of his cold and straight facade.
“Maxine, what are you doing here?” he asked when I got to his place. He spread his arms around me, lifted me and brought me to his arms. I can see his curiosity on the outfit I’m wearing but I knew better. He already knows what I was planning since he saw me here in this attire or not.
“Dad, don’t punish brothers.” I pleaded as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He tapped my back twice but didn’t answer so I pulled back and looked at his face.
I looked straight into his eyes, determined. His eyes were a deep and redder like a fresh pool of blood. It were glistening that I didn’t ever see in the past.
Looks like he won’t take back his words and I only have one choice left.
I wiggled my feet to tell him to put me down and he did put me down gently in the ground.
“Do you want me to play with you?” he suggested, trying to divert my attention on something else. He may be thought that he already won my attention when I smiled at him. He tapped my head with his big hand but I said something that froze him on the spot.
“Then, I’ll also play swinging a sword like brothers.”