"Perhaps, you're undergoing underlying health,"

14/07/2023

"Where's Elodie? Hasn't she arrived?"

THE whole class look at their home room teacher and shrug. Mr. Timber grasps his chin, worried about her. She has never missed a class and is a diligent student.

"Alright," he says, and gets out of class.

He goes to the staff room and sits by his desk. One of the teachers come over and hands him a cup of coffee. "Here you go,"

Mr. Timber smiles in appreciation. "Thank you,"

He takes out his phone and hovers over Elodie's mother's contact and presses it then puts it by his ear, hearing it ring. As he waits, he looks up at the television screwed on the wall and sees a reporter reporting an accident that happened yesterday night.

"Melissa," he calls out, and the lady turns towards him.

"What is i-

"Turn up the volume," he says, and Melissa does so.

'The accident happened yesterday night at seven thirty pm near the Fifth street junction. Nine people are pronounced dead while the rest are in critical condition. It is said that the driver was highly intoxicated and speeding thus causing the deadly accident.'

"That's unfortunate. Sorrows to the families," Melissa says.

Mr. Timber finally dials Elodie's mother and after a few rings, she finally picks up. "Hello,"

"Miss Lynn, it's Mr. Timber--Elodie's classroom teacher," he introduces himself.

"Oh! Hello. What is the matter? Is Elodie sick?" she inquires, but Mr. Timber shakes his head but responds when he realizes that she cannot see him.

"That is what I was concerned about whether Elodie isn't feeling well since she's not in,"

"What do you mean?"

"Elodie didn't come to school today,"

Silence.

"Miss Lynn?" Mr. Timber calls, but when she doesn't respond, he removes his phone from his ear to look at the screen but when he still sees the call going on, he puts it back. "Are you still there?"

"She wasn't in bed this morning,"

"What?" Mr. Timber asks, getting confused.

"I mean, I figured that she had already left because I found her room empty," Miss Lynn explains.

"Hmm..." Mr. Timber responds, thinking. "Have you tried calling her?"

"I-

Miss Lynn is about to answer his question but goes silent. Mr. Timber can hear someone else talking in the background—probably to her and waits patiently.

"I have to go. I'll phone her," is all that she says before cutting the call.

Mr. Timber puts down his phone and proceeds to grade the history papers. He feels that there's something that is going on.

~

5/05/1824

When Serena wakes up, she pats her hands on the nightstand, trying to find something but all she feels is empty space. She flutters her eyes open and looks at the table but groans when she remembers that she doesn't have a phone.

Every morning when she wakes up, she always checked the time but now, she has no clue what time it is. Getting up to a sitting position, she rubs her groggy eyes and slumps her back.

Serena hates this life. She wants to go back. If she doesn't, she'll miss her final examinations and will have to repeat and she's not pumped about that. She'll also miss watching Stranger things season five (let's pretend it's coming in 2023 when in reality it may come 2024 or 2025) because of the way things are going, she might end up going back in twenty thirty or to make things worse, never.

Someone knocks on her door and she tells, "come in,"

Judy walks in with her head bowed. "Empress, the emperor is waiting for you downstairs," she informs her, and Serena blushes.

The events that took place yesterday night still befuddles her. She isn't so sure if she was dreaming or not, but it felt real.

Serena nods. "Thank you, Judy. I'll be right there,"

Judy bows her head again and turns to walk out but Serena stops her.

"Judy, is Miss Jalon...here?"

Judy turns back to Serena with wide eyes. "Empress, how did you know?"

"I heard my husband talking. So, I wanted to make sure. Is she here?" Serena tells her, not caring to lie.

"Yes, empress. She arrived yesterday night at around nine," Judy answers her.

"Okay," Serena smiles. "Thank you for telling me,"

Judy nods and gets out. Serena sighs heavily and gets out of bed. Opening her blinds, she smiles at the beautiful site of the backyard and pool. She makes up her mind to take a swim some day.

She then gets ready and heads down the stairs to the dining room with the aid of Adam again. Serena has bumped into him again and requested him to give her a tour of the place later on in which Adam quickly complied.

Taking a deep breath in, she walks in and even though she was prepared, she still is shocked to see Miss Jalon sitting there with Jade near her husband as if she is his wife.

Far from that, Serena smiles and greets everyone and takes a seat near Jade who narrows her eyes at her.

"Don't worry. Just pretend that I'm not here," Serena tells her, grabbing some biscuits and places them on her plate. She allows one of the serving maids to pour her some chamomile tea and takes a sip from it. She inwardly moans at the wonderful taste and sips some more.

"Serena," Lady Jalon calls, and Serena hums. "How are you?"

"I'm good. Thank you for your concern," she replies as graciously as she can.

Lady Jalon smiles. "That's great. I know it's hard but you're doing wonderful,"

Serena stops eating and looks up at her. "What do you mean?"

Lady Jalon gasps and apologizes. "I apologize. I didn't mean it to come out that way. Please, forgive me,"

Serena scowls at her fake apology but puts on a fake smile. "You did nothing wrong. I want to know what this "hard" thing that I'm going through?"

Lady Jalon wipes her mouth with a serviette. "I heard the news that you are...sick,"

Serena's appetite seizes, feeling betrayed. Does everyone know about her condition? She side eyes Xavier who refuses to look up and Serena is sure that it was Xavier spilling this nonsense to everyone.

"And who told you that?" Serena questions.

"From people. You know when you're out here, word travels first like rampant fire in the forest," Lady Jalon replies, trying to cover up for Xavier. "I also know a good mental hospital,"

"Lillian," Xavier warns.

So, that's her name.

"Xavier, aren't you worried? Serena needs help," Lillian objects.

"I'm fine," Serena replies quickly.

Lillian turns to her and sighs. "If you say so,"

Serena is grateful that the conversation has come to a close but even though her heart is glad, her appetite has vanished. She then clears her throat resulting to everyone to look at her.

"Please," she starts, standing up. "Excuse me. I'm full,"

Without waiting for a response, she starts walking out of the room but a rough hand grabs her wrist. She looks back at Xavier who has a frown on his face as he tries to find her eyes

"You have barely touched your food,"

Serena instinctively looks at her full plate then back to Xavier. "As I said, I'm already full,"

"Are you trying to cut weight or something?" Jade interrupts, and Serena is lost for words but Xavier isn't.

"Stop it,"

Jade rolls her eyes and continued to pour salt to the wound. "You're already as thin as a stick,"

"Yeah. Perhaps, you are undergoing underlying health is-

"Shut up!" Xavier shouts, startling the three females.

"I don't want to hear another word. Do you hear me?" He orders, and both Jade and Lillian shut their mouths.

Serena almost smirks at them but keeps a neutral face. Xavier turns back to her and releases her arm. "You are excused," he tells her, and Serena nods and leaves the room.

Her face switches to a foul one, feeling bubbles of anger in her throat. She wanted to grab Lillian's hair and drag her out of her home. She pretends that she's such an innocent sweetheart but she is a devil—a snake.

To relieve her stress, she wants to go shopping. Lillian had interrupted her plans yesterday but looking on the bright side, she can escape the trip for the day. Thinking of that makes her so happy and requests one of the maids walking around to call Judy to the back porch that faces the swimming pool.

She takes a sit and requests for another cup of chamomile tea since she had to drink it in a hurry to leave the dining room.

As she waits, Judy finally arrives and Serena smiles. "Thank you for coming," she tells her.

Judy smiles. "It's my pleasure, empress,"

"Please, sit down," Serena invites, motioning with her hand to the seat next to her. Judy does so and when the other maid that Serena asked her to bring her tea, immerges and places the tray on the table before taking her leave.

"Tea?" Serena asks her, pouring some in hers.

Judy nods and when Serena is about to pour her some, Judy stops her. "Empress, let me,"

Serena pulls back the kettle from her reach. "Let me do it,"

"But-

"No buts," Serena replies. "Now, stretch out your cup,"

Judy obeys and when Serena is done, she places the kettle down on the tray in the middle of the small round table. They both take a sip, adding more and more until Serena breaks it.

"Judy. What really happened to Xavier's mother?"

Judy stops drinking and places the cup down. She then looks up at Serena and sighs. "She was killed...by your father,"

"Is that all?" Serena asks, feeling disappointed. Surely, there's more information.

Judy stares at her not blinking for a few seconds but does so when she looks left and right as if to make sure no one is listening in on their conversation. Serena leans forward when she sees the look on Judy's face as if she was going to tell her something bad.

"Your father, empress...he was a very noble man. He was very close to the previous emperor—Xavier's father since childhood," she starts, and Serena nods.

"But everything got disbanded when the emperor claimed that he saw his wife cheating on him with your father,"

Serena's eyes widen in shock. "Are you serious?"

Judy nods. "That is what was spread all over the town and here. So, the emperor and empress got into a huge fight and the empress later left her room and no one knew where she was going but your father knew because she was going to see him,"

"And what about my mother? Had she had any knowledge concerning that?"

Judy's eyes soften. "Empress,"

Serena hums, waiting for a response from Judy but when she takes a bit long, she starts getting worried. Is her mother dead? Sick? Gone mad?

"You're mother passed away, Serena. Ten years ago due to pneumonia,"

"Pneumonia?" she asks again, as if she's hadn't heard Judy's statement.

"Yes,"

Serena goes silent—her eyesight focused on the trees that stretched far back. She feels that there's something familiar with this whole situation but she can't seem to figure it out.

"What about Xavier's mother?" she asks, forgetting g about her mother.

Judy's eyes grow wide and she waves her hand down while placing ber index finger on her lips. "Shh," she says, her lips puckered a bit. "Don't mention that in this house,"

Serena nods. "Sorry,"

"It's alright," Judy replies, her voice quieting down. "I suggest that we further this conversation somewhere else,"

"You're absolutely right," Serena says, thinking of where to do so but she snaps her fingers and turns to Judy with a huge smile on her face.

"I know just the right place,"

~

"Ah! Isn't this perfect?"

Serena sits down on the chair by the table that is enclosed towards the end of the restaurant at the balcony of the restaurant they are in. She had requested for a private place and got it. The perks of being rich and a royal.

"Yes," Judy replies, taking a seat as well.

A waiter stands before them with a notepad on his right hand while a pen in his right. He bows in respect and smiles brightly. "What would you like to order?"

Serena opens up the menu and peruses through the different foods and desserts. She hums then looks up at Judy. "What should I order?"

Judy looks up at the waiter. "She'll have a croissant, chocolate short cake with sprinkles on top and a cup of hibiscus tea,"

Serena almost awes at her professionalism but contains it. The least she should do in front of the public eye is to act as if she is a commoner which there's nothing wrong about it, however, she should try her best not to destroy Xavier's reputation.

After the order, Serena goes back to their conversation. "So, what happened?"

Judy carefully looks around and leans closer. "Please, empress. Let's keep it between us or I'll end up getting beheaded,"

Serena nods repeatedly—eager to know. "Sur-Okay,"

She inwardly slaps her mouth because she almost blurted out the modern broken language.

“It was during the winter season, eight years ago and everyone was in the dining room, taking their supper,” she starts.

“Uh huh,” Serena says.

“And during the dinner, the previous emperor was informed that he had a guest,”

“And let me guess, the guest was my father?”

Judy nods. “It was. And that same night, the empress died,”

“Serena?”