"I'm not his posession,"

15/05/23

TIANA patiently waits in the reception area with her fingers grasped together on her lap. The room is quiet except for the sound of typing by the secretary sitting behind the small desk—round thin framed glasses sitting on her face, hair tied neatly behind her head like Tiana's, a white blouse with a tight red skirt.

"How long is this going to take?" Tiana asks but the reply is the same as thirty minutes ago.

"When he's free, I'll tell you to go in,"

A straight firm line stretches across Tiana's chapped lips but she feels a sting when a part of her flesh breaks. So, she quickly wets them and gets out her phone from her pocket.

If Chris—the chief of Police won't help her then she'll have to do things herself.

The office telephone rings and the secretary that Tiana hadn't quite caught her name, picks it up with no delay.

"Yes, Mr. Aspen,"

Tiana's upper lip twitches in disgust at the sultriness in her voice. They lock eyes and Tiana straightens her back, ready to stand.

"Yes. She's right here. Alright. I'll send her in,"

"I can enter?" Tiana asks, before the secretary tells her to and stands when she nods. "Thank you,"

She doesn't bother knocking and walks right in after opening the door to the average sized office. The walls are an ugly beige color with dark mahogany furniture—a bookshelf on the side, a huge desk in the middle with brown leather seats and a coffee table in front of it. The huge window behind Chris lets in a considerable amount of light but it gets drowned in because of the dark interior.

"Tiana," Chris greets without standing up and motions for her to sit down.

"Chris," she says, and forces him to accept her handshake. "Thank you for agreeing to meet me,"

Chris nods stiffly and interlocks his hands that are placed underneath his chin.

"How's your father doing?" Tiana asks.

Both his eyebrows raise a bit as he relaxes on the chair. "He's fine. He's enjoying his retirement very well,"

"I miss working with him," she says, and Chris laughs at the intentional jab.

"Well...you're stuck with me. What can I do for you? You know I'm a busy man,"

Busy shagging with your secretary.

"I want to report a missing case," she starts.

"For who?"

"Elodie Jane Lynn. An eighteen year old who disappeared three days ago, counting today," she explains, and points her index finger downwards.

"Have you spoken with the parents?" Chris asks, and Tiana rolls her eyes.

"How else would I have known?"

Chris' jaw clenched. "She's a teen-

"It doesn't matter if she's a teenager," Tiana rudely interrupts him. "Yes, they are prone to run away from home but I have a bad feeling about this. So, please, allow me to investigate,"

Chris is about to reply but Tiana cuts him off again—this time, her voice softening down to a plea. "Please,"

He doesn't reply immediately but agrees nevertheless. "If you insist,"

"Thank y-

"But," he interrupts. "If this drags out for too long, you'll have to drop the case,"

Tiana stands up and nods firmly. "Understood, sir,"

"You can leave," he tells her, motioning towards the door in which Tiana thanks him again and leaves the office.

The secretary looks up from her notebook, and stares at her with boredom. "When is your next appointment?"

Tiana shakes her head. "Not soon,"

"Alright. Thank you for coming," she replies but Tiana just leaves and removes her phone from her pocket and dials a number.

After a few rings, the line picks up and she starts without a "hello".

"James, we have some work to do,"

James clears his throat and speaks. "Another case?"

"Yes. A missing one," Tiana replies. "Let's meet at the office. I'll discuss the details later on,"

"Alright then,"

She hangs up and presses another number. When they pick up, she hopes that it gives them hope.

"Hellen Lynn?" she says.

"Yes,"

Tiana notices the feebleness in her voice and is filled with pity. "How are you at the moment?"

Hellen sighs. "I'm trying but...

Tiana nods but quickly replies when she remembers that she can't see her over the phone. "I understand. I'm calling you to inform you that we are opening the missing case for your daughter,"

She hears a choked sob from her before Hellen quickly thanks her for her effort.

"It's my job, Mrs. Lynn, meaning I don't want you to jeopardize this case any further with your small investigations, alright?"

"Yeah. Sure,"

Tiana narrows her eyes at the reply but decides to take her word for it. "Also, could you send me a photo of your daughter. A good, clear photo,"

"Yeah, of course," Hellen replies.

"Thank you," Tiana says and hangs up. She hurries over to her car and drives to her office and when her feet strides through the busy hallway, James joins her and hands her a cup of coffee.

"Thanks," she says, taking a sip of her bitter black coffee with no sugar and milk then up at him. "Did you get everyone,"

James nods. "Yeah. They are already waiting in the meeting room,"

"Good,"

James opens the door that leads to the meeting room and Tiana greets everyone who were patiently waiting for her with their laptops open and takes her seat at the head of the table.

"So, Elodie Jane Lynn. That's our missing person," she starts and passes her phone around for the group to see who she's talking about, hearing some tapping from the keyboards. "Eighteen years old, a senior in high-school, disappeared two days ago. Good student, doesn't have a bad record anywhere,"

"When was she seen last?" One of her colleagues, Trisha, asks.

"That's what we want to know," Tiana replies and turns to James who isn't sat. "We'll need to go to her school first and ask the students when they last saw her or seen her,"

James nods.

Tiana looks at the rest of the group. "The rest of you, create a missing person poster, print them and post them in all social sites you know and if possible, along the streets as well,"

"Yes, ma'am,"

"You're all dismissed,"

Everyone gets up after gathering their things and walks out of the door leaving James and Tiana alone. He now takes his seat and with a frown, says, "Do you think that we'll find her?"

"I hope so,"

~

Her eyes flutter open but she blinks a couple of times to get rid of the blurriness. She groans in pain and licks her chapped lips. Just then, she sees two—no, four figures approaching her with worried looks on their faces.

"Serena? Are you alright?" One of them says but it comes out like an echo. So, she shuts her eyes for a brief moment then opens them, finally getting a clear view of the familiar faces.

"Thank goodness," Judy whispers, interlocking her fingers and looking up at the ceiling with a grateful look before smiling down at her. "Thank goodness that you're alive,"

"We were worried sick that you won't wake up," April tells her.

"W-What happened?" Her voice comes out raspy and broken and she immediately touches her neck.

"Water," Jade says. "She needs water,"

"Here,"

Serena immediately accepts the glass but she freezes when she sees that Lillian is the one holding it. So, with fury, she slapped it away, making the glass slip from her hands and shattering into tiny pieces when it met the floor. Everyone gasps except for Serena.

"You!" She seethes, and Lillian's eyes widen. "You're the one who did this to me,"

Lillian shakes her head. "No. It wasn't,"

"You're the one who sent me the flowers!" Serena snaps.

"Yes, I did-

"Get out,"

"Serena," Jade interrupts and hands her another glass. "First, drink some water. I'm sure you're parched,"

Serena accepts the drink and chugs it down her burning throat.

"I'm so sorry," Lillian apologizes and Serena glares at her.

"Not another word," Jade orders and Lillian shuts her mouth. The room is silent except for the cackling of firewood in the chimney and that's when Serena notices that it's night time.

"What time is it?" she asks.

"It's eight o'clock," Judy answers.

"How long was I asleep?" She inquires, looking at everyone but narrowing her eyes whenever they landed on Lillian.

"You have been asleep for two days now," April says and Serena's eyes widened in shock.

"Two days?"

Everyone nods.

"And, what about the party? I haven't finished planning," she says but stops when she sees the disappointed look on all of their faces except for Lillian who looks like she wants to crack a laugh any moment now.

"Why are you all silent?" She asks again, and focuses her sight on Judy who isn't looking at her. "Judy?"

Judy meets her eyes and anxiously glances at both April and Jade before going back to Serena's. "The preparations have gone well,"

"I guess the both of you did it?" Serena pitches, referring to April and Jade but none of the girls utter a word and it makes Serena more anxious. Did something happen? "Well?"

Her voice is turning crisp and Judy flinches.

"I did it," Lillian jumps in.

"I didn't ask you," Serena spits out.

"But no one is answering you," Lillian bites back. "As I said, I'm the one who finished the preparations,"

Serena turns to Jade for confirmation but she cannot even look at her so, she turns to April whose face is red and mouth set into an upset frown. "April? What is the meaning of this?"

April sighs. "Yes. Miss Jalon, finished the preparations,"

"Who gave the order?" Serena questions because she knows that it isn't her and it can't be Xavier because he's in-

"Xavier did," April replies and Serena's fiery demeanor dimmed.

"Xavier?" She asks, as if she didn't hear it right. Then turns to Lillian who has a smirk on her face. "How?"

"He wrote me a lett-

"Show me," Serena cuts her off and Lillian purses her lips before turning around to leave the bedroom to retrieve the letter.

"She's not lying," Jade says after Lillian leaves and Serena snaps her head to her. "I didn't believe it myself as well,"

"Me neither," April adds.

"It was an abrupt choice, empress," Judy says and eyes the two girls. "One that we didn't see it coming,"

The door opens and Lillian walks in with a letter in her hand. She stretches out her hand for Serena to take in which she does and hastily opens it—her eyes skimming.

To Lady Jalon,

I received your letter and yes, you are permitted to take over the tea party preparations. Make sure to be precise and do not embarrass me.

From,

The emperor, Xavier Alexandria.

The letter isn't much of a letter but rather a note for how short and brief it is but this is Xavier's handwriting. Serena had seen it herself when she went to his office.

She scoffs, crumpling the paper into a ball and throwing it away making Lillian scowl. "This is unbelievable," she mutters, shaking her head. How can Xavier do this to her? How can he give her such a heavy duty work of an empress to an aristocrat below her? How can he turn back on his word?

Although, he mentioned that Lillian wrote him a letter. What did she write to him?

"What did you write to him?" She orders, glaring at Lillian.

"I'm not going to tell you," Lillian says.

"And why the hell not?"

"Because it does not concern you,"

"It definitely concerns me because I'm his wife!"

Everyone jolted in shock and awe at Serena's outburst and so was she. She cringed at herself for losing her control but Lillian knows how to rub shoulders with anyone. She's angry at her for speaking with her husband behind her back but also because Xavier didn't even ask if she's alright.

As far as she knows, this new body has a problem. The old Serena is allergic to Peonies and they almost killed her. Killed her in a world that she has no idea about and how to go back home. She feels like a stranger and an outcast because of what her father supposedly did seven years ago. Her marriage with Xavier is picturesque and to make things worse, Lillian knows that part of the information meaning that she can seduce Xavier and end up as the empress.

"Careful, Serena," her voice deepens, her eyes glinting wickedly. "You wouldn't want to press my buttons,"

Serena fists the comforters in her hands and angrily bites on her lip because she knows. She knows that Lillian has an upper hand. With her knowledge about her father's letter, she can use it against her.

"Stop it," Jade intervenes. "Let's leave Serena be,"

"Yes. You're absolutely right," April agrees and encouragingly squeezes Serena's left shoulder. "You should get some rest,"

"I've had enough rest," Serena mutters.

"I know," April smiles. "I meant you that should get some rest since the party is tomorrow,"

Serena's head snapped up to April with her eyes wide. "Tomorrow? The party is tomorrow?"

April nods. "Yes,"

The week had flown past so fast and Serena feels like she's failed. She's failed as a wife and an empress.

"As long as you've done your part, Serena," Jade comments. "I'll make sure to tell Xavier that,"

Serena turns to her and gives her a small smile. "Thank you, Jade,"

Jade smiles back then motions with her head for the rest to follow her out and Judy respectfully bows her head before heading out. Lillian does too but Serena stops her, making everyone else halt on their steps as well and stare at the two with confusion on their faces.

"It's alright," Serena says, and with reluctance, the three girls exit the room leaving her and Lillian behind. When the door softly shuts, Serena glares at an amused Lillian.

"So, what can I do for you, empress?" She mocks and Serena's upper lip twitches.

"Empress, huh?" She mocks back but Lillian just shrugs. "I'm surely not your empress since you're exchanging love letters with my husband?"

Lillian laughs. "Love letters?"

Serena quirks an eyebrow. "Are you not?"

Lillian hums, placing her right index finger on her chin and pacing slowly back and forth across the room. "Maybe,"

"Maybe?"

Lillian stops her pace and smirks before sitting at the edge of the bed—not too close to Serena because she doesn't know if the sick patient will hurl herself over to her and restrict her breath.

"Maybe I'm trying to save him from a liar," she continues, but Serena clamps her mouth shut. "I know that you have been in contact with your father,"

Serena refrains from showing emotion and tries to relax. "I'm afraid that I don't know what you're talking about,"

Lillian smirks. "Don't play dumb, Serena. It doesn't suit you,"

"Willing to be a mistress doesn't suit you as well, Lillian,"

Lillian's smirk falters just a bit before it goes back up. She stands and walks over to the balcony doors that were locked to keep the harsh cold wind from seeping in. "I wouldn't have been a mistress if you hadn't come into the picture,"

"Care to explain?"

Lillian doesn't say anything for a while and it makes Serena become antsy. She hates being in the dark—especially, when it comes to Lillian.

"I mean..." Lillian begins, then swirls to look at her but this time, her face is set in a deep ugly scowl and her eyes are drawn to slits. "...that Xavier would have chosen me..." she takes a step forward, jabbing her index finger at her chest. "Not you,"

Serena's gaze shifts to the pointy finger belonging to Lillian and heaves a short chuckle. Lillian draws back, offended at the reaction.

"What's so funny?" she asks.

Serena shakes her head. "Nothing,"

"Well cherish it because it will be your last," Lillian snarls and Serena smiles, feeling amused.

"What?"

Lillian crosses her arms. "You heard right because your husband knows about your small secret between you and your father,"

Serena's lips fall and Lillian smiles triumphantly. So, Lillian did have the letter and sent it to Xavier, explaining why she was demoted from continuing with the plans. She should feel scared. Terrified. But, all that she was thinking of, is her diary.

If it has been two days then that means that Judy managed to break the lock. So, with haste, she jumps to her feet, startling Lillian and starts pushing her towards the door.

"What?" Lillian asks, confused but Serena doesn't say anything and manages to kick her out of the door, making her stumble.

Serena then turns to one of the guards. "Call Judy,"

The guards glance at each other, not understanding and Serena groans. "My personal maid," she explains and the realization sets in their faces and one of them hurries down the hall.

"Serena," Lillian calls out.

"Goodnight," is all Serena says and slams the door. She immediately starts pacing up and down, threading her fingers through her hair, feeling sweat forming on her neck and palms.

Everything will spiral out of control if Xavier comes back and she has no idea on how to defend herself. She can tell the truth, of course, but what will that get her? It's not like she's in much talking terms with Xavier apart from their sexual innuendos here and there.

She stops in her tracks. "Should I seduce him?"

But, she has never done that before. In fact, she's quite inexperienced in that factor. She has the face but the confidence is lacking.

A deep cuddling scream bubbles in her throat but she contains it because the last thing she wants is to act mad in front of everyone. So, she shuts her mouth and slumps on the bed.

This is terrible. This is absolutely terrible.

~

• Serena •

Serena hardly got enough sleep. Her eyes are feeling heavy, threatening to shut and carry her to a deep slumber but she fights to stay awake because this is an important day. She'll be meeting the queen and has to be on proper behavior.

Droplets of water cascade down her cheeks and soon, the ice that was held over her eye bags are removed and replaced by a soft cloth wiping gently on her cheek.

"They have reduced the swelling," Judy says.

"Do I look that terrible?" Serena asks even though she had seen herself in the mirror.

Judy just smiles. "We can work with it,"

And so she does. Judy tries her best to cover up the dark circles with some makeup and holds Serena's black hair in a low neat bun.

"Tying your hair back shows simplicity and elegance," Judy says, pinning down her head with a few beautiful pearl pins. "And you need to look your part as an empress,"

"Yes," Serena replies softly.

"Emeralds are a distinction of your beautiful eyes," Judy continues, clipping an average sized necklace around Serena's neck. It feels immediately heavy but she is willing to sacrifice her comfort.

Her hands lightly touch the necklace. "This is beautiful,"

Judy smiles more and moves away to help her stand. Serena's dark green three quarter straight dress is decent with a heart neckline and long sleeves. It's not too tight and perfect for such an occasion.

"Do you think this is alright?" she asks, tilting her head, and touching her thighs.

"I think it's perfect," Judy says, and Serena turns to face her with a warm smile before giving her a hug, catching Judy by surprise.

"Thank you, Judy. For everything,"

Judy blushes. "It was nothing, Serena,"

Serena releases her hold but her hands still grasp Judy's shoulders. "It was. Without you, I don't think I'll be alive today,"

Judy furrows her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

Serena lets go and resumes looking at herself in the mirror. "I mean that if you hadn't unlocked the diary, I would have done away with myself the previous night,"

Judy's eyes widened in fright. "My goodness, Serena. If you had done that, everyone would be devastated,"

Serena looks down at her class feet in sheer stockings with a sad smile. "I don't think anyone would care,"

Judy frowns. "I care. April cares and so does Jade and the emperor,"

Serena shakes her head. "Maybe you, April and Jade but not Xavier. In fact, I think that he would be happy. The daughter of the man who killed his mother is dead,"

Someone knocks on the door interrupting their conversation. When Serena allows them to come in, Jade and April appear, already dressed and looking gorgeous. Jade is in a blue A-line dress that has short puffed up sleeves with a straight neckline above her chest—her hair in a half up and down hairstyle with little to no makeup at all on her face while April is in a straight long yellow dress that has a corset top at the top with long puffy arms. Her blonde hair is let down and free but has clipped a few strands of the front.

"Good morning," she greets them.

"You look exquisite," April compliments.

"You look very pretty," Jade says, a little too softly but Serena hears it and surprises her with a hug.

She feels like this will be the last time she'll be on such good terms with Jade since Xavier already knows her secret. She's not sure if he'll tell her but deep down, she hopes that he keeps it to himself. She's willing to do anything to keep their friendship intact but that will be difficult because of Lillian. If Lillian tells her first, Jade won't believe anything that Serena will say and that makes her grow in fear.

Jade awkwardly returns the hug. "Uh...is everything alright?"

Serena squeezes her some more before moving away. She can feel the tears brimming her waterline but she fights not to blink so that they won't roll down her cheeks and ruin Judy's hard work. Judy then comes into the rescue. "The empress is just nervous about today,"

Jade nods and smiles. "Don't be. I ensured that Lillian didn't change anything you had chosen,"

"What did she do?" Serena curiously asks.

"She only did the invites and sent them out," April answers and Serena turns to her.

"To the list we were creating?"

April wets her lower lip. "Some of them,"

"Some?"

Jade sighs. "She mostly invited her friends,"

Serena quirks an eyebrow. "Are they your friends too?"

Jade's face contorts to one of disgust. "No! I don't like any of them,"

"Then why are you friends with Lillian then?" Serena inquires some more and both April and Judy lean in to hear the answer.

"Lillian is different,"

"How?"

"You don't know her like I do. She has good in her,"

Jade takes in their doubting looks and groans, throwing her hands in the air. "Yes, she's done some mistakes-

"You mean trying to kill me?" Serena interjects and Jade looks away feeling shame. "She knew, didn't she? That I'm allergic to peonies and still brought the damn flowers!"

"She isn't overly fond of you," Jade says in a low tone and Serena scoffs.

"As if I didn't realize that sooner," she retorts sarcastically.

"That doesn't excuse what she did, Jade. She almost killed the empress. Xavier's wife," April joins in, stating a fact.

Jade sighs and sits on the bed, looking down at her hands. "I know,"

"She said that she wrote to Xavier," Serena starts and everyone pays attention. "I bet that she didn't tell him that she tried to kill me,"

"And how do you know that?" Jade queries.

Serena frowns. "Because Xavier never asked if I was alright,"

"As if he has ever cared," Jade mutters but Serena hears it. Everyone heard it.

"Jade!" April exclaims. "How could you say such a thing?"

Serena swallows. "It's fine. She's right. I don't know why I said that in the first place,"

Jade stands up, approaching her while shaking her head. "No. It's not fine. I apologize,"

Serena gives her a sad warm smile. "Sometimes I think it's best if we just divorce,"

Gasps are heard and Jade looks surprised as well but Serena doesn't care about what they think. She doesn't have a say in this house and will never have as long as her husband doesn't love her.

"Serena," Jade says in disbelief and Serena chuckles.

"What? Shocked? I'm sure you've thought that way sometimes."

"Yes, I have but-

"It's alright," Serena cuts her off and sighs tiredly. "I've already made up my mind,"

"On divorcing Xavier?" April asks, eyes wide like saucers.

Serena nods. "Yes,"

"He'll refuse," Jade says. "Trust me. I know my brother more than you think,"

Serena shuts her mouth but continues to say, "Well, he doesn't own me,"

"He...actually does," April tells her and Serena fights the urge to glare at her but April raises her hands in surrender. "I'm just saying. Xavier isn't someone who just gives up on something he possesses,"

"I'm not his possession,"

"Oh, but you are,"

Every head snaps to the door and Serena feels the blood draining from her face. There stood Xavier in a black military royal dress coat over black trousers and black boots. His stark white hair contrasts well with his attire but Serena flinches at the icy gaze in his eyes.

"Xavier,"

"Emperor,"

Everyone greets except for Serena whose mouth is screwed shut. Now everything is numb, ice-cold, and fragile. Her fingers are frozen to the bone, her heart stopped beating with the same vitality, and her legs aren't strong enough to hold her weight so she stumbles slightly.

Xavier slowly approaches her making the three girls part like the Red Sea until he stops a step closer to her. Serena flinches when his warm hand holds her cheek and as much as his thumb gently grazes her flesh, she doesn't relax. In fact, it worsens her nerves.

The corner of his mouth rose in a smile. "Serena,"

He said her name in a low baritone, sending shivers up her spine at how husky he sounded.

"Aren't you going to greet your husband?"