"I think this belongs to you,"

15/07/23

HELLEN patiently waits for her ride to come as she stands awkwardly outside the police station. The weather is starting to warm up and she shrugs off her sweater. Just then, her phone rings and picks it up when she sees that it's Mr. Timber. "Hello,"

"Hey, Hellen. I'm so sorry. Are you still at the police station?" he asks, and he sounds out of breath.

"Yeah. Right outside,"

"Okay, I'm almost there,"

"I can see you," Hellen tells him, and waves her left hand towards a staggering and confused Mr. Timber.

"Really? Where are y-Oh! Never mind. I see you," he says, and hangs up then breaks out into a jog and bends down after reaching her, his chest heaving and Hellen starts getting worried--bending to check up on him by placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

Mr. Timber waves his hands, nodding and stands upright. "Yeah, I'm fine,"

He coughs and rubs the back of his neck with a sheepish smile on his face. "I'm so sorry for arriving late. My wife—she's pregnant and I had to take her to hospital at four a.m. in the morning because of...

"Contractions," Hellen finishes for him and he nods. "I'm sorry as well. How is she now?"

"She's fine. They gave her some medications and when she immediately fell asleep, I left,"

Hellen starts feeling guilty. "You shouldn't have done that but thank you for turning up anyway. I would have understood,"

Mr. Timber smiles. "No problem. I also want to find Elodie. I just hope that she's okay wherever she is, plus I'm also worried because her final exams are coming up,"

Hellen agrees to his statement. "Same here,"

"Were you waiting for me so that we can go in together o-

"I already went in," Hellen interrupts him and his eyes widen in surprise. "And they didn't help,"

Mr. Timber doesn't reply, waiting for her to continue.

"They kept saying that she may have left home because she was stressed and that teenagers tend to do this when their exams are coming up and I told them that Elodie isn't the type of girl to do that. My sweet daughter isn't a wild girl. She would never leave home for this long,"

Mr. Timber wants to give her a hug but he decides to leave her be. "It's been one day,"

Hellen shakes her head, dabbing some few tears that had escaped a few seconds ago. "This is the second day,"

"So," Mr. Timber says, pocketing his hands. "What are you planning to do?"

Hellen stares at him and when she's about to answer, a black Honda stops in front of them and the co-driver's window slides down. A middle-aged man with black shoulder length hair that is held at the back of his head in a small bun and facial hair at the bottom of his chin, smiles.

"Hellen," he calls.

"Floyd," Hellen imitates and Mr. Timber looks at the two with a confused face.

"Hellen, who's this?" he asks, and Floyd waves his hand at him—Mr. Timber unsurely returns the favor.

Hellen turns to Mr. Todd with a serious face on. "This is Floyd and he will help us find my daughter,"

~

"So, when will you be back?"

"In a matter of a week,"

Serena nods, watching Xavier pack up his files and give it to his secretary, Harold. It was eleven in the morning, and he was leaving to go to the Palace where he had a meeting with the King. Serena doesn't understand the hierarchy placement but if Xavier is that close to the King, then it means that he's really powerful. Influential.

She smiles and holds her hands together behind her back. "Okay. Safe journey,"

Xavier nods, and Serena takes the cue to leave but he stops her.

"Yes," she says, watching him send Harold away who shuts the door after leaving.

"Remember what I told you?" he says, coming closer to her, and Serena tries her best not to move.

Craning her neck to look up at him, she smiles and nods. "Yes. I need to have a tea party, invite the queen and be friends with her,"

Xavier nods his head. "But I also need you to do this so that the rumors can die down that you're not mentally well. I need you to show people that you are capable of being an empress,"

"I understand,"

"This is crucial, Serena. For my position as well,"

Serena nods again. "I understand. I'll do my best,"

Xavier doesn't offer a reply but stares at her and Serena starts feeling uncomfortable. His warm hand grabs her cheek and she gulps as she watches his head come closer to her but moves to the side towards her ear. "Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone because I'll be watching you,"

Serena nods stiffly and feels his thumb and index finger move to her chin and tilts her head up at him. He nods as well and kisses her cheek before straightening up and walking towards the door. "I'll see you in a week,"

~

As Xavier walks down the hallway, he comes across Lillian who has been waiting for him near the stairs and she smiles before jogging up to him. She wraps her arm around his and Xavier refrains from throwing her off him. Her touch makes his skin crawl and can't help but compare it to Serena's. He wanted her to touch her, not Lillian. So, he respectfully removes her arm and Lillian frowns—her cheeks flaming because of the embarrassment.

"When will you be back?" she asks the same question Serena had, previously.

"I'm not sure," he replies, walking down the stairs, Lillian hot on his heels.

"Oh," she says dejectedly but that emotion is gone when she beams and repeats the action she had done—enveloping his arm and Xavier can feel anger and frustration bubbling in his throat. "Well, I'll still be h-

"When are you going back home?" He asks, and Lillian drops her smile.

"Why? You don't want me here?" she asks, sounding very much offended.

"I'm sure your parents miss your presence back home," he dodges the question.

"We write letters to each other and they don't mind. They told me that I can stay for however long I like," she says. "Unless, Serena told you to tell me to leave, did she?"

Xavier shakes his head and when they reach outside, he instinctively looks up at his office window and his eyes slightly widen when he sees Serena there—looking down on him. Lillian notices the distraction and looks up to see what he was looking up and her mouth forms into a straight line.

Xavier doesn't know what came over him but he ripped his arm away from Lillian's hold and moved back. He doesn't want Serena to think anything bad of him. Serena smiles and waves which Xavier responds to and it doesn't last long when he feels a small body wrap around him and lips touching the corner of his mouth.

What the--He moves back as if he was burnt and glares hard at a smiling Lillian before looking up again at the window but finds no one. She left.

She saw and left. She thinks that they kissed.

He takes a step forward to go back in to explain that nothing happened but George stops him saying that they are going to be late. He sighs and gets in the carriage, his eyes still on the window—not sparing a single glance at a fuming Lillian and if he wasn't mistaken, he saw something or rather someone, move.

~

Serena puts a hand on her chest and can feel her heart beating frantically. Did they—No. Xavier won't do that to her. Or did he?

It was clear as day, they kissed. She feels a pang on her chest thinking of the times he would evade kissing her but here he was, doing that with Lillian. However, it's not like Lillian is innocent. She is a grown woman and she has committed a grotesque sin. Kissing a married man.

If society was to know this, would her image be ruined? Serena balls her hands into fists and bites her lip. She has never had such hatred for someone like her bullies back home. The hate forming in her heart is making her think of inhumane thoughts to do to Lillian. When she sees her face, she isn't sure if she'll end up hitting her until she's no longer pretty.

She takes a peek but her heart falls when she sees his carriage leave the estate. Her shoulders slump and she leaves the office and the moment she does, a guard bows his head in respect and locks the door. It's as if he was waiting for her to leave so that he could do that. She doesn't question him and slowly walks down the hallway to the foyer downstairs where she wants to start forming a plan for the party.

"Serena,"

She stops and feels her throat harden but she smiles and turns to a smirking Lillian. "How may I help you, Lillian?"

"It's lady Jalon," she corrects her and Serena lifts an eyebrow.

Oh. Back to Honorifics, I see.

"Well, it's empress, from now on," Serena bites back, with a soft smile and Lillian bites her lips, fury in her eyes but she shakes her head and continues walking closer to Serena.

"Xavier already left,"

Serena is still smiling. "I have eyes, Lillian. So, I know that,"

Lillian shrugs. "Well, I just wanted to tell you that,"

"Thank you for the obvious information. Now, if you excuse me," Serena says, turning to leave before hitting her across the face.

"He kissed me,"

She stops mid-way and closes her eyes, trying to maintain her anger before turning with a fake smile on her face. "Alright,"

Lillian's mouth twitches upwards and she moves closer to her in a speed of light, raising her arm in the air and Serena gets ready to defend herself when Jade interrupts their heated session.

"Lillian,"

The girls look up at Jade who was in the middle of the stairs with a disapproving look on her face. Lillian quickly puts down her arm and smiles as if she wasn't caught wanting to hurt the empress.

"Jade. How was your sleep?" she innocently asks.

"Fine," she answers, and looks at Serena. "Has my brother left?"

Serena is about to answer but Lillian cuts her off. "Yes. He did. Just a few mi-

"I was asking the empress," Jade rudely interrupts, and Serena wants to laugh out loud.

Lillian's mouth drops before she swallows. "Oh,"

Serena decides to come in. "Yes. He left. I thought you were already awake,"

Jade nods and gracefully proceeds down the stairs and Serena wonders if this is the same person who had called her a witch the first time they met. She is completely a different person—quieter and more reserved. Did something perhaps happen?

She comes closer to the pair and stands in front of Serena. "He told me that you are planning a tea gathering. Would you like some assistance?"

Lillian scoffs. "What? I wasn't aware of this? When is this?"

Jade slides her eyes at her, with no reaction. "I was also aware last night. My brother told me,"

"Xavier didn't tell me anything," Lillian complains and Serena rolls her eyes.

Maybe because you're not his wife.

Jade ignores her and starts walking ahead to the same place Serena was going to before Lillian stopped her. "Let's go, Serena. We don't have time,"

Serena hums and throws a smirk at Lillian. "See you around, Lillian,"

The two women head out to the foyer and take a seat around the table. The view is still beautiful as always and Serena keeps her focus on the edge of the shrubs that lead to darkness from her view. "Where does that lead to?" she can't help but ask.

Jade follows her sight, then back to Serena—her face looking surprised. "Oh. You don't know?"

Serena hums then shakes her head. Jade stares at her and Serena feels some sort of de ja vu because of it. "No,"

Jade looks down at her feet. "That's where my mother is buried,"

Serena's eyes widen and she starts apologizing profusely. "I'm so sorry, Jade. I didn't mean to. I didn't know. I'm so sorry,"

Jade chuckles. "So, you did lose your memory,"

"Huh?"

Jade looks up at her, her mouth set into a small smile. "I thought you were lying to us. That you've lost your memory,"

"Oh," Serena responds, looking down at her fingers. Jade doesn't say anything and Serena timidly looks up at her. "Is it okay if I can go there? To your mother?"

Jade's eyes widen before they relax and nod. Serena is shocked to see her agree to the idea but smiles. "Thank you,"

She stands up to go but Jade grabs her wrist. Serena looks down at her with confusion. "What? What is it?"

"You're going now?" she asks in disbelief and Serena looks back to the bridge then to Jade and nods.

"But, It's a distance,"

"I don't mind," Serena says while smiling.

Jade thinks about it before answering. "Maybe another time,"

"Okay,"

"What was your mother like?"

"She was the sweetest, sensitive person I've known. Kind and a little firm,"

Serena sits down and gives her undue attention, ready to hear more but Judy comes out with April. Serena's eyes widen in horror and she springs up, startling everyone. She walks over to April and hugs her. "I am so sorry,"

April is flabbergasted and is about to return the hug but Serena moves away. "I totally forgot about the meetup. It's just...I'm so stressed with this whole-

"Xavier told me," April cuts her off with a smile.

"He did?" Serena asks and April nods.

"He requested—demanded that I help you out. So, should we begin?"

Serena nods, looking happy and invites her to sit down. April then hugs Jade and Judy asks them if they would like to drink anything.

"Oh," Serena says. "Can you bring me some wine. I would love some wi-

"He said that you shouldn't drink,"

Everyone turns to April who has a smile on her face. Serena furrows her eyebrows. "What?"

April nods and turns to Judy. "Bring us some tea,"

Judy bows and leaves the three women alone.

"Are you serious? He told you that?" Serena asks her for confirmation.

"What did you do, for him to say that?" Jade asks, her voice filled with amusement.

"That's what I'm thinking," April laughs, and turns to Serena who looks astonished. "What did you do?"

Serena shakes her head. "I didn't do anythi-

"You should have read what he said. He wrote, 'And don't you dare let her drink in my absence,'" April narrates, deepening her voice to sound like Xavier's even though it was far from it.

Jade chuckles first then Serena follows. Was it because of how she acted when they were in town? But, the heat was too much for her that day.

"Oh, by the way...here. I think this belongs to you," April says, getting something from her purse and hands it to Serena.

"What is that?" Jade asks.

Serena's eyes widen when she looks down at the leather book held in April's hand. Is that...her diary?

She slowly grabs it, turns it three sixty and reads the inscribed letters on it, 'Diary' with a small rusted padlock on it.

She looks up at April who has a smile on her face. "Glad?"

Serena looks down on it and smiles back. "Very...how long have you had it?"

April purses her lips, squinting one eye. "Uh...not long. Probably three days? Someone dropped it off the mail and said that it belongs to you,"

"You lost your diary and had no clue that you did?" Jade queries.

"Someone dropped it off?" Serena asks, realizing what April had just said.

April nods and thanks Judy for the tea before taking a sip. "Yes. They said that I should return it to you urgently. That's all,"

Serena hums and looks up at Judy whose face looks guilty and she squints her eyes. "Are you okay, Judy?"

April and Jade look back at her, analyzing the mood. Judy then bows her head. "There's something I would like to tell you, empress. It's important,"

Serena nods and excuses herself, following Judy inside the home. Judy doesn't look back and continues her way until they reach the library and when they enter, she shuts the door.

"Judy, what's the ma-

"Shh," she tells her, and Serena shuts up, taken aback by how she's acting. She watches her walk around, craning her neck by looking left and right as if to ensure that no one is in before she locks eyes with Serena.

Serena raises her eyebrows, confused by how Judy is acting. Her face then morphs into a guilty one as her eyes cast downwards to the floor.

"E-Empress," she says, her voice wavering as if she is about to cry.

Serena walks closer but Judy takes a step back making her halt. "Judy. I don't like the way you're acting right now. Did something happen?"

Judy sniffles, and Serena bends to check her face but Judy digs it further. "I did something terrible," she whispers so low, that Serena would have missed it.

Serena shakes her head. "What did you do?"

Judy sniffles again, wipes her nose with the back of her hand which is unhygienic, and drops to her knees in a flash, startling Serena. However, Judy doesn't look up and she clutches her hands so that they can stop trembling.

"I didn't mean to. I just wanted to protect you but I was so careless," she rambles, her pitch increasing.

Serena crouches and puts her arms around her knees. "I don't understand what you're trying to say, Ju-

"The letter is gone,"

Serena stumbles on her butt. "W-What?"

"I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry, empress," Judy cries and gets into a bowing position—her posture resembling a downward dog lay with her forehead propped on top of her knuckles. "The emperor almost got a hold of it and so I had to intervene and claim that it was mine and took it to my room but when I woke up, I didn't find it where I left it last night,"

Her last sentence comes out muffled but Serena heard every single word. Xavier found it?

"You said Xavier found it?" she questions, ignoring the rest.

Judy nods, still lying down. "Yes. I found him in the middle of opening it,"

Serena crumbles up on her feet, dragging Judy with her. "Come on," she hisses out. "Get your act together and tell me everything,"

Judy finally looks up, her eyes frightened, wet, and red but Serena doesn't pay attention to it and goes straight to the most important thing going through her mind. "Did. he. read. it?"

Serena's eyes are protruding from their sockets, and her breath is coming out in quick breaths. She can feel her heart hammering in her chest and dizziness obscuring her sight. If Xavier found it, then he wouldn't be as friendly as he was this morning. Of course, he's unpredictable but Serena knew that he wouldn't have been able to withhold his anger.

He would have been either cold, rude, distant, and quiet or would have lashed out at her before he left. Or is he waiting until he comes back? When there are no interruptions? The thought of it, made goosebumps rise on Serena's arms.

I think I'm going to die here.

Judy shakes her head. "No,"

A sigh of relief escapes Serena's lips as her shoulders sag and she plummets her butt on the nearest chair. She fans herself with her hand and takes deep breaths in and out.

"But empress," Judy starts, sounding unsure. "The letter...it's..."

"Gone," Serena finishes for her. "I heard you,"

Judy gulps and sits next to her. "Aren't you worried? You will surely get into trouble,"

Serena takes a painful swallow avoiding Judy's eyes. "I know. But...I don't know what to do. We have no idea who has it or what they are doing with it now,"

Judy wipes her eyes and looks down at the table. "Please, accept my apologies, empress. I don't deserve your mercy,"

Serena taps the table and Judy looks up. "Tell me, everything that happened,"

Judy licks her lips and doesn't let her sight waver from Serena's. "It started that night after you both came back home from your date...

Flashback

Judy hummed quietly to herself as she hung Serena's clothes in the closet. The emperor requested that his things be moved over to the smaller area in the closet so that Serena could have enough space for her clothes. In that order, Judy couldn't help but smile. Surely, Serena was warming up the emperor's heart.

She seemed so excited for today and since the sun was starting to set and dusk was coming in, Judy knew that they had a wonderful time. She wondered if Serena would tell her what happened—like they were the best of friends but she tried not to get her hopes up. Maybe, Serena doesn't feel that way.

Throughout their time together, Judy felt a close bond with her especially when Serena fully trusted her and left her with the letter. It seemed important to her, therefore, meaning a close companionship.

However, Serena has never been a bad girl or empress. It's rather the people around her treat her badl-

'Bang!'

Judy's body jolted in shock and she dropped some of Serena's dresses. She quickly picked them up and speedily did her job but curiosity got the best of her and she took a peek at the bedroom.

There lie both the emperor and empress on the bed, as Xavier brushed a strand of Serena's hair away from her face. Judy cannot see that well because of the emperor's form that laid beside the empress—one hand suspending his head while the other moved about Serena's body.

Judy knew that what she's doing was wrong and decided to finish up her work later on after the emperor had left but when she's about to, Xavier moved and stood up from the bed. He opened the drawer of the side table on Serena's side of the bed but his arm froze mid-air before slowly disappearing into the drawer and taking out the...red letter.

Judy inwardly gasped and slammed her hands over her mouth to refrain any noise from coming out of her mouth and turned to the messy pile in front of her. What will she do? What can she do? The empress was sound asleep and if she didn't intervene, something terrible might happen.

So, without thinking, she jumped out of the closet and called out Xavier's name.

The emperor was startled and turned to her with a scowl on his face. "What are you doing here?"

Judy looked down at the letter and saw the white piece of paper almost drawn out with the emperor's thumb and forefinger pinching the edge.

'Good,' she thought. 'I came right on time,"

Judy bowed in respect. "I came here to sort out the empress's clothes,"

Xavier nodded and looked down at the letter, ready to take a read but Judy stopped him again.

"I'm afraid, emperor...that that is mine,"

Xavier resumed to look at her and frowned before waving the flimsy paper in the air. "This?"

Judy nodded. "Yes,"

Xavier narrowed his eyes. "Then why was it in my ro-

"While you were out with the empress, I came with it because I was about to head out to go to the post office but thought of finishing my work first and then get on with it later on but you arrived early," she interrupted him, hoping that her head won't be dislocated from her body due to her rudeness.

Xavier was about to respond but Judy continued.

"And, that letter is dedicated to my lover back home,"

Listening to the last reason, Xavier cleared his throat and hurriedly returned the letter in place before handing it over to Judy. "Here. Take it,"

Judy walked forward and received it with a bow. "Thank you, emperor,"

"Don't repeat that mistake ever again," Xavier commands, and Judy doesn't lift her head.

"I won't, emperor. I apologize for my mistake. Do, pardon me,"

"Just leave," Xavier told her.

"But the clothes...

"You'll resume tomorrow. Right now, my wife is sleeping and she needs some silence,"

Judy nodded and stealthily left the room.

End of flashback

"Is that all?" Serena asks, and Judy nods.

"After that, I went back to my room and hid the letter in between my clothes,"

"And you never went back to check on it until...today?" Serena inquires, pointing downwards with her index finger.

"Yes. I have been so busy lately that it left my mind completely. When the emperor had gone, I dashed back to my room to retrieve it but it wasn't there anymore," Judy explains.

"Do you sleep alone?"

Judy nods. "I do, empress,"

Serena nods, grasping her chin. "Then that means that someone went to your room and looked for it,"

"Yes. I found my room disheveled. It was terrible," Judy whispers, choking back a sob.

Serena abruptly stands up and brutally chews on her lip. She drags her fingers through her hair and paces back and forth before stopping and staring at a saddened Judy.

"How—" she stops, and takes a deep breath, trying to gain control over her emotions, which hiver somewhere between rage and frustration. "How could you be so careless?"

Judy nods and goes on her knees again and Serena feels terrible. "I sincerely apologize, empress. I'll accept whatever form of punishment bestowed on me,"

Serena doesn't feel good after hearing the statement because she is a hypocrite. Why didn't she burn the letter? Why wasn't she careful? It was her letter, not Judy's. If someone is to blame, it's on her. So, she holds Judy's shoulders and with a determined look, she says,

"We need to come up with a plan,"

"What is it?" Judy asks, hoping in her voice.

"I don't know," Serena replies. "But, I need you to go and look for that letter. I have a feeling that it's one of the staff,"

"Staff?"

"Has there been a new recruitment, lately?"

Judy thinks hard and nods. "Yes. When Lady Jalon came, she came with her maid,"

Serena stands up and Judy scrambles to her feet as well. They are both nervous and Serena can feel her palms get sweaty, so she roughly wiped it off on her dress.

"Do you think it might be...them?"

"Who?" Serena asks absent minded.

"Lady Jalon and her maid," Judy whispers as if she would be hanged for saying such an accusation but Serena ponders over it and it all makes sense.

What if Lillian has it? She'll surely hand it over to Xavier—ruin her marriage and Serena might be sent away or worse, executed.

If Xavier finds out that she's been in contact with her father, he'll start getting suspicious and think that she's in cahoots with him. But, Serena won't let that happen. Since her diary has been found, she can learn about the past and possibly use it as an escape plan from Xavier's wrath. So, all she has to do is read it and defend herself.

"You might be right. I suspect that Lillian might have it and is waiting for the perfect time to use it against me," Serena agrees to the idea.

"So, what can I do?" Judy asks with determination.

"I need you to spy on her new maid. What's her name?"

"Mia, empress," Judy answers.

"Mia," Serena repeats, trying to remember the name for future purposes. "Spy on her,"

Judy nods without thinking too much of it and Serena is thankful that she hasn't asked questions or acting weary of it.

"I, on the other hand, I will have to break the lock of my diary because I have no idea where the key is and time isn't on our side," Serena continues.

"I know a good man who will do that for you," Judy tells her.

Serena looks expectedly at her. "Where is he?"

"He's in town. His name is Michael Scott. He owns a pawn shop,"

"A pawn shop?"

Judy yeses. "We will go together,"

Serena assents to that. "We'll go tomorrow, at first light. What time does he open?"

"Pretty early, empress. If I'm not wrong, at around seven o'clock,"

"Is it possible to inform him that I want him to open earlier?"

"Unless we write a letter to him and send it by today," Judy suggests.

Serena gives a firm nod. "Then do that,"

Judy nods and they leave the library but they have no clue that someone has been lurking in the shadows.