Read THE REFLECTIONS :: SECRET OF THE TAPASTRY

One could hear the sounds of the clapping hands in everywhere in the ballroom as Aria sang the last line of the song. The crowd had a pleasant expression on their faces, they were all amazed by Aria's melodious voice. On the other hand, Zen noticed Aria looking at her father with an expression that felt like she was hurt at the same time her expression was devoid of any expectations. Zen at that moment realised that Aria was sharing her feelings with her mother, asking her questions without revealing her actual situation.

Soon after this, all the important nobles presented their gifts to Evistia. The people enjoyed the evening talking to each other, eating and finally the big day came to an end with all the guest returning from the palace.

****

37 Years Ago....

'Alen would you leave Princess's hands, it's time for them to return.'

'I am engaged to Evis, so why can't we see each other everyday till we get married?'
'Haha! My child, because both of you should learn the proper royal etiquette in order to be recognised by everyone as the rightful rulers in the future. Both of your reunion shall mark the continuation of the invincible rule of the royal family.'
'I have a wish before we leave, if Your Majesty would be kind enough to grant me the permission.'

'Go ahead, Princess, it's an honour for me to fulfill your wish.'
'The paintig hall where Crown Prince's paintings were displayed was my favourite place in the entire palace, so can you allow us to send each other paintings as gifts till we meet again?'
'Your wish is granted my dear.'
'Thank you, Your Majesty. Then, we shall meet again, Crown Prince Alenward.'
'Next time we meet I wish you to call me by my name, Evis.'
'Thank you.'

Evistia's Room

The tapastry gifted to Evistia by Alenward was hung in her bed chamber on the wall infront of her bed. It was another night with just her steady breath and the silence dancing around her room, Evistia stood infront of the tapastry holding a candle in her hand. The light of the flame reflected on both, the beautiful tapastry and her eyes that seemed like were just a moment away from tearing. For some reason, her focus wasn't on the tapastry as a whole but rather on the part where the constellation of the stars reflected on the surface of the ocean under the night sky. It was a letter written in the language that both Alenward and Evistia invented together to talk to each other through paintings in secret till the very day they got married.

Evis, the Great Emperor of Eravi wishes you a happy birthday. Oh, it is Royal Concubine Evistia now pardon me for forgetting my place. It feels strange, how it took me ages to make you call me by my name and within just a few span of time, it was Emperor Alenward for you again. Do you know, the when we got married, I thought that I have finally become the Emperor, the strongest person in the Empire. I have waited for 5 years for our reunion, for our marriage and now no one could ever separate me from you, that I was strong enough to protect my family. I vowed to myself that I would never leave your side no matter what it would cost me, even my death. I was wrong. The man sitting in the throne of the Emperor is the most cowardly person in existence. That man can set the entire world on fire if it meant to protect his power, to protect his throne. Before I realised, I already became all about talks and an empty shell inside, my life became all about protecting my throne and my power. I do not even remember the person who once vowed to protect you and rule this empire with sincerity and dignity anymore. I wish just this once, for the last time, I can bring myself to speak to you as the man you married, the man you loved-

My dear Evis, my deepest apology to sacrifice us, our happy ending, to devalue our vows to just some mere pawns to save the throne. I wish lord would never burden you or our daughter with the punishment for any of my corrupt actions. I wish Princess Aria would never burden herself with the pain of not being able to be loved by her own father, I wish you'd tell her on my behalf it wasn't her who was undeserved of the love of her father, rather it was me who never deserved to be called her father. My deepest apology to give up on the man who you loved and confided your faith in. I wish you and our daughter eternal happiness. Farewell Evis.

Your beloved,

Alen

As if waiting for Evistia's permission, all the tears accumulated in her eyes rolled down her cheeks. The night which just some time ago was dancing along with her steady breath and the silence was suddenly filled with mourns under the flame of the candle she was holding till the next morning.