After her short exposure to the luxury of the court. There was no way she could ever be satisfied with the life she’d been born into. Her frustration, envy and hate only grew with time.
The beauty she’d put so much hope in had failed her when she needed it most. And then she was destined to a life of drudgery, while the less beautiful Azena had taken her place, and all that was rightfully hers.
But her luck had held out, when two years after the selection, under pressure from the ministers, the Crown Prince was forced to call her back to the palace when his Princess hadn’t given birth to a child.
It was thought that she was barren at the time. In those two years Valeria had grown bitter and distraught. It was known that the Crown Prince could’ve chosen to keep her at his side as a consort had he so desired.
But he was too enamored of the new Crown Princess Azena to see anyone else. But then the new decree was issued and she was rushed back to the palace and there her new life began.
She promised herself that she would never know want and poverty and again. And though the Emperor rarely visited her bed, she was lucky enough to bear him a son.
She hid her resentment of the Crown Princess well, and did everything in her power to gain the Crown Prince’s love, but it never came about.
Still, she’d been ecstatically pleased with her new life. As the mother of the future Emperor’s only son, her future was now set and no one could remove her from the palace again.
She had three years of ruling it over even the Crown Princess as the only woman to bear the Crown Prince a child. And then he became Emperor upon the death of his father.
That same year, while Valeria was plotting the future in her mind, the Empress became pregnant. She was so loved and cosseted by the Emperor that it was impossible for anyone to get close to her during her confinement.
And so Valeria’s plans to abort the child came to naught. She lived in fear those nine months and spent every day on her knees praying for the birth of a girl child, or better yet, that the child would die before it drew its first breath. Even better would be the death of the mother as well.
Once Empress Azena became pregnant, the Emperor once again no longer even looked at his Royal Consort, the mother of his firstborn son. She knew as well as everyone else, that the only reason he’d ever visited her bed was to bear a son anyway.
And though he never treated her ill, she couldn’t help but resent him and the love he bore the Empress.
The Emperor was delighted with his son. But in his heart he wished for a child with his beloved. He never did get over his anger at being forced to bed another right under the eyes of his love.
And once the consort gave birth to a son, he never visited her in private again. Not only for his wife’s sake, but because he just never warmed towards Consort Valeria, who seemed to have much going on behind her eyes that he didn’t like, or trust.
And then Empress Azena gave birth to a healthy baby boy and there was no question that her child would be named Crown Prince when the time came.
Those ensuing years were hard for Consort Valeria who used her time forming alliances with the leading political factions and greasing the necessary palms behind her husband’s back. Her one goal to get her son on the throne.
She’d planned well and had sprung her trap, but alas Prince Kai had been lucky enough and had enough supporters that he’d been able to elude her snares.
It was still a bone of contention that her own beloved son wasn’t as well loved by the realm as the son of the Empress.
She was sure that it was because of her lower birth and not because her son was already seen as a cunning manipulator who only those who were of the same bent could stomach.
His own father had grown wary of the boy ever changing his less than honest ways and blamed the mother for the way the child had turned out.
After the failed attempt to frame and remove Prince Kai who was in fact chosen to be the Crown Prince, Consort Valeria did not stop in her machinations to one- day rule the throne.
Her lust for power thwarted once again, she turned her mind to a new ploy. Well, not new, just one she had set aside until the time was right. It was time to rid herself of the thorn in her side that had outlived its welcome.
She exacted her vengeance against Empress Azena who stood with her enemies during the attempted usurpation of the throne, by slowly poisoning the other woman. A fact that though many suspected, none could ever prove.
When it came time to name a new Empress, she once again turned to the political faction of her choice to put pressure on the Emperor.
And though it was not customary for a Consort to gain the title of Empress, he’d been forced to elevate her status instead of bringing in a younger wife to sit beside him on the throne.
The Emperor had long suspected her of much, though he never gave his thoughts away. And she was too filled with her own importance to realize the message he sent, when even after being forced to name her his Empress, he’d chosen new concubines for his harem for the first time.
When he felt the need for female companionship, it was never her he turned to. And though she never knew why it was that her husband kept away from her bed, she still resented his attentions to the others. Some of whom had died at her hands when they got too close to the Emperor.
This is the woman who sought to rule the harem through intrigue and murder. The one who feared the young Prince Jai and sought to implant her granddaughter as his wife though they were first cousins and such a thing had never been allowed.
The battle for the throne was about to commence and all eyes were on the palace. All except the old seer who spent the days leading up to the selection preparing for the day that was soon to come.
Over time, since she was the only one who saw clearly the things done in the dark, she’d ingratiated herself into the Empress’ good graces.
Now the other woman saw her as a trusted confidante, someone who had the skills and means to get things done. Things that not many would dare as they were forbidden in the kingdom, unclean.
She’d committed many acts for the Empress over time, some of them she was not too proud of. But it was all done for this day that was about to come.
How else was she to gain the Empress’s trust so that she could one day save the young girl whose life would soon be in her hands?
Prince Jai
“Eunuch Van, have you heard? The ban has been announced.” It had been a long three months since I first saw her. Three months of torture as I imagined all that could go wrong.
I’d spoken privately with both father and grandfather about my pleasure in Mia, even sharing with them the story of the day we met.
In those three months her father had been reinstated to his former position. Along with his son, they were now in charge of the imperial guard and were well on their way back to their former glory.
Her family name had been cleared and her father’s title and lands restored. That had caused quite a stir, not least of all from Empress Valeria and Prince Loren.
They’d got the ministers who were firmly in their corner to stir up the people. But in the end, the Emperor’s edict had stood. There were many who remembered the service of the Morgana clan.
And then there were those who’d never believed that Dunal Morgana had been guilty of treason. Those who’d kept their silence for fear of losing their heads had been brave enough to come forward now that they had the support of the Emperor.
In the end it had gone well. I’d spent those days at the edge of my seat and staying up late at night worrying about the outcome. I shouldn’t have, not once grandfather gave his word.
And usually I wouldn’t, but this time the results meant a whole lot more to me than in times past. With her family’s issue I found that until I heard the final word, until all was settled and there was no way for it to be undone, I didn’t hardly breathe.
If her father’s name had not been cleared there was no way I could make her my P
rincess Consort. I know, I’d looked just in case things didn’t go well. And though my will to have her was strong, there would’ve been no way. Unless I wanted to cause unrest in my nation.
Which is something I would never wish for let alone bring about myself. But now it was done and there were no more obstacles in my way.
“Yes Your Highness I’ve heard. Now maybe you can get some sleep at night and the rest of us can be at rest.”
“I won’t be at rest until I see her again. It’s been too long. Do you think she still remembers our meeting?”
It was my one regret that I never got to meet her as the Prince. The day after we met, she and her family had left the capital for their family holdings a few miles away.
And though her own father had returned to the palace a time or two, I was never again able to see my Princess. I had the good fortune to meet him once, but had become too tongue tied to ask the questions I wanted about my beauty.
After all, if things went the way I hoped, he would one day be my father in law and what man didn’t find that a formidable prospect, Prince or no?
I’d liked him right away at any cause, and could see where my Princess got her straightforward manner. I’d started thinking of her as such since my meeting with grandfather. Mia, my Princess.
Now the day was finally here. The decree had been sent out for all the eligible daughters of the kingdom to abstain from marriage.
In a few weeks hundreds, even thousands would descend on the city, but it was only the final three that mattered to me. As long as she was numbered among them I will have my choice.
“Your Highness, where are you going?”
“I must speak to mother and father, nothing can go wrong.” I flew out of my chambers and headed outside with my retinue of servants hot on my heels.
It’s been a while since I’ve kept them on their toes. Seeing as I’ve been moping around here for the past few months. But today there was new purpose in my step.
I had no doubt that she would soon be mine. That beautiful forward girl who’d stared me down that day. What little I’d gleaned about her since then has only made my fondness for her grow more.
I’d hoodwinked grandfather into getting more information out of her father. He’d laughed and called me a rascal but in the end he’d done as I asked.
Now I know that unlike most young ladies of her class, she was well read, with a sharp intelligence. But what’s more, from the stories her father told, she also had a good heart.
I’d suspected as much that day. Beneath her surliness and forthright manner, there was the sense of a gentle lady. Her care for my attendants had I been caught had not been forgotten. Not many of our class would’ve cared one wit.
And her joy in the bluebird, for some odd reason that stayed with me most. The simple joy on her face, the genuine laughter at the pleasure she’d found.
It’s as though I’d been allowed to see that soft warmth in her when she did not know I was looking. And I well know that’s the best, to see someone’s true colors when they’re not aware that you’re there.
But what’s more, everything about her reminds me greatly of the grandmother I’ve missed all these years. And now she was going to be mine.
For the rest of my life I’ll get to be close to that warmth. Someone to rule beside me in the years to come. Someone I could love and respect. For someone in my position I could not ask for more.
NARRATOR
News of the selection reached the Morgana household the next day. It had been three months since their lands had been returned to them and in that time they had yet to return to the place of their exile.
The servants had been tasked with packing up their belongings and transporting them back to their residence outside the city, which is where they stayed mostly, when not at the city dwelling.
Upon news of the selection lady Mia threw a royal fit of monumental proportions. Her father had spent the better part of the morning trying to console the distraught child who refused to hear reason.
“Mia, I have spoiled you these many years but this is the limit. You cannot ignore the royal decree. All young ladies of marriageable age from good families must take part in the selection.”
“But I don’t want to serve him.” Why must I take part in this stupid selection if I have no interest in becoming a Princess?
“You mustn’t say such things. If chosen he will become your husband, I raised you better than that.”
Her mother entered the room with that admonishment, but both parents knew that in the end, it was the father she would listen to if anyone at all.
Now he pulled his youngest and dearest child onto his lap and brushed her hair with his hand soothingly, the way he did when she was just a child.
“You must restore honor to our family name, this is the only way. Though the Emperor has returned my title and lands there are still those who will look down on us.”
“I’ve met the young Prince, he’s a lot like his father. It’s obvious that he’s going to be a good man one day. A great leader. Nothing at all like his uncle the tyrant.”
Dunal had been long in the habit of telling his children the truth of the matter and left nothing unsaid. He’d learned long ago that it was the things held back that could cause the most harm.
“If you’re lucky enough to be chosen, try to live in peace with him and if you can, gain his favor.”
“Who knows mother, I may not be chosen after all this fuss.” Her voice held lots of hope.
Husband and wife shared a secret look over their child’s head as they were both certain from the conversations between the Emperor and Dunal, that their daughter was indeed the favorite among the young man’s family.
In another part of the kingdom, closer to the royal palace, another young lady had a very different outlook on the matter. In fact her feelings were the complete opposite of young Mia’s.
Princess Rowena has been looking forward to this day for quite some time. Ever since the day she first met her cousin years ago when he was fourteen and she twelve.
Even though they were related, her life outside the palace had not afforded her many opportunities to meet him in the past. As the son of the Crown Prince he lived by entirely different rules and was kept more secluded than his counterparts.
So though she’d met any number of relatives over the years, most of them on her mother’s side. He had always been shielded and kept away from others.
But then, when he was fourteen there had been a grand occasion for their grandfather’s seventieth birthday and all the family and nobles were there.
From the moment she first laid eyes on him, her young budding heart fell at his feet. She well knew the laws of the land, that because of their close relation they were not allowed to wed.
But after just that one meeting nothing would do but she have him for her own. She’d thrown a fit upon hearing that it couldn’t be done when first she brought it up to her mother and father.
What she didn’t know was that her grandmother had already set her eyes in that direction on her behalf. As a child who’d been spoiled by her grandmother the Empress, she knew that nothing would stand in the way of her getting what she wanted. And what she wanted most was him.
Now the day was finally here and she was bursting with excitement. She wasn’t overly worried about the other girls that would take part; that was just for form she was sure.
She’d been assured by her grandmother and father that even though the Emperor had taken charge of the selection, they had taken measures to ensure that she got what she wanted in the end. She didn’t see why her grandfather should go against her anyway.
“This is cold, get me another.” She threw the tea at the maid who didn’t move fast enough to please her, hitting the older woman in the face with the delicate teacup.
“I’m sorry highness, right away.” She bustled away to refresh the teapot not taking a moment to wipe the blood that dripped from her brow. She knew if she did she�
�d get worst.
Princess Rowena sat back resplendent in one of the new gowns the Empress had had made for her. She would be getting a whole new wardrobe in fact in the coming weeks.
It was all part of the selection process. Each girl, no matter how poor, will have to wear their very best to stand out among the many hopefuls.
Princess Rowena did not worry overly much about anyone outshining her, she knew, like her grandmother before her, that her beauty was above par. For years she’d been told that her beauty was high above others.
And then she remembered that girl Mia. The one the Prince had stared at that day. She had a moment’s distress at the memory. In fact it had plague her mind for days after. But since she had never seen the girl again after that day, she had soon put it out of her mind.
But what if the girl was part of the selection? What if she made it to the final three? Was the Prince still interested in her? Or had his interest waned with time?
It didn’t matter anyway, she was assured that he will be hers. It didn’t matter either that the few times they’d met he’d not shown much interest.
And then there was the day that he’d come upon her disciplining a servant. The look of distaste on his face had made her feel small. But who didn’t discipline their servants harshly once in a while?
She was the daughter of a Prince after all, the Emperor’s own son. And was allowed such behavior when displeased. Still, she wished that he would at least look at her the way he had that Mia girl that day.
It bothered her greatly each time she thought of it, no matter how much she told herself not to let it. She ignored the new pot of tea the servant offered as her mind wandered to the days ahead.
Once she becomes Princess Consort she will move into the palace and be close to him always. Then when he ascends the throne, she would be his Empress, the greatest and most powerful lady in the kingdom.
Flower In The Palace Page 7