Arc 2 - Are You, Anxious Veronica? - Lost Forever

"What have you been dreaming about recently? Is it the same as before?" The voice that spoke these words were dim, it was filled with a harsh tone and a subtle touch of annoyance. It also happened to be the voice of a woman.

"No..yesterday I dreamed about fields of flowers and I saw my mother..she was looking at me disappointed, though shortly after she began to fade away like petals blowing in the wind " Veronica answered.

The two were in a dimly lit room, the curtains hid the cloudy skies. Finally it had begun to rain, but unfortunately, it was accompanied by the loud sounds of thunder.

"Really? That's peculiar..." The woman began lightly tapping her clipboard. "Shall we have you undergo water therapy again?" The woman asked hiding a look of wickedness. Veronica could only stare at the ceiling, she was too afraid to look in her direction.

"I'm not sure, I don't think I need it anymore" Veronica answered calmly, stuttering could risk everything when it came to chatting with this woman.

For the past two years, Veronica was doing therapy after the Empress scolded her for three days straight.

Continuously Veronica had to endure this woman spouting nonsense in her head and forcing her to go underwater, overtime Veronica could feel her memories befuddled and out of place. Moreover, no one had even paid attention to her enough to realize this neither did her own mother.

Veronica's mother was timid, and she didn't have any love for the Emperor, and she didn't feel the need to cater to Veronica as her mother. That was expected from anyone who stayed in the palace over such a long period of time, they become selfish and lost or even worse, drunk off of power.

The tapping on the clipboard came to a quick stop. "I hear you've been conversing with the newest Noble Wife, is that true?"

Veronica had already known this lady was fishing for information just to go and tattle to the Empress herself. It made Veronica wonder why the Empress continuously keep her in this therapy and was watching so closely.

"I don't know what you're talking about Ms.Pique" Veronica responded with confidence to assure the woman. Ms.Pique glared at Veronica, but a fake smiled began to form on her face. "Is that so?" She got up from the chair and opened the window, and the cloudy skies were exposed. "Well then, that will be all for today..."

Veronica got up out of the red and gold chaise, walking cautiously. She could feel the stare of Ms.Pique piercing into her back. Her hand was on the doorknob and weirdly she could feel a sense of deja vu.

"The Empress?..." her words came out as a whisper, but Ms.Pique could hear her ever so clearly. "What did you say about the Empress?" She was already behind Veronica "Huh...?" Veronica began shaking as her presence was so close. Ms.Pique grabbed Veronica's hand and began pulling her towards the room filled with the water pool "Let me go! Why are you pulling me towards there!?" Veronica was smacking Ms.Piques hand and tugging away, though her strength had rivaled Veronica's immensely.

"Looks like we'll have to have water therapy today after all!" Ms.Pique opened the door, there it was the pool filled with water, and it was five feet too deep for Veronica.

Veronica's eyes stared at the water with a sheer look of horror in her eyes. Fear crawled up her skin like a bug after seeing what was in front of her "PLEASE! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!? I DON'T WANNA GO THERE! PLEASE!!" Veronica began pulling away harder as if her life was on the line.

Ms.Pique ignored her pleas and her legs were in the water, and she pulled in Veronica with her. At first, it was hard for Veronica to breathe and she was drowning in the water until Ms.Pique pulled her up.

Veronica was coughing out the water in her lungs.

"Shall we go under again?"

Those words made Veronica's eyes well up with tears as she was pushed under the water again, and again, and again until she couldn't remember why she was crying.

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Marie was looking at a children's book while Eleanora was gazing outside, her green eyes narrowed.

["It's raining quite early, we were supposed to have a drought for seven months, but now it's raining..."]

Fumi was carrying a tray of sweets to the table the two were sitting at. Fumi had small droplets of tears on her face, Marie looked at her curiously and worried.

"Why are you crying?" Marie asked Eleanora glanced at Fumi giggling having a theory as to why Fumi was in such a fuss. "This library is too big!! Who is gonna need all of these books? I got lost three times!"

Eleanora put a finger on top of her lip signaling Fumi to quiet down, Marie put her hand over her mouth trying not to giggle loudly. Fumi began pouting even more as they were laughing at her misfortune.

"You guys are so mean"┌(˵༎ຶل͟༎ຶ˵)┐

Fumi began pouring the tea into an elegant teacup before Eleanora, and she gave a small glass of orange juice to Marie. The food in front of them were croissants, fruit, macaroons, and doughnuts. Eleanora grabbed a doughnut and bit into it, savoring the taste "I'll have to go into the royal kitchen soon..."

Fumi looked at Eleanora "Why would you go into the royal kitchen? You're a Noble Wife, you don't have to do such lowly duties..." Fumi spoke said placing the teapot down. Marie turned a page in her book and taking a sip of her orange juice.

"I don't think any job should be regarded as lowly, they work very hard in the kitchen, you work just hard to Fumi..." Eleanora said with a smile, Fumi blushed and smiled "I would like to learn how to cook...I've always wanted to make something homemade" Marie looked up from her book and eyed Eleanora excitedly "Can I come too?"

Eleanora gushed at Marie's cute face "Of course, we can invite your father and Veronica as well". Eleanora thought it would be a great memory for him and the girls to share, as he would be en route to become a better father. Marie's eyes widened "Do you like Papa now?"

Fumi chuckled "So you've finally fallen for the handsome Emperor..."ヽ(͝°͜ʖ͡°)ﾉ

Eleanora closed her eyes "Of course not, I'm no fool!" Her right eye opened to see blank looks as if the two didn't believe her. Both of her eyes now open "I"m telling the truth!"ヾ(;´▽｀A

Eleanora sighed in defeat as the two continued to giggle and tease her. "Moving forward, would you guys like to visit Veronica later?" Eleanora asked grabbing her filled teacup, there was still steam coming from the drink. "Yes!" Marie agreed quickly.

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Eugene's eyes glared at the stacks of papers in front of him "Wilfred, please inform me on why I have five stacks of paper taking up my view?" Eugene was irritated and annoyed, rainy days benefitted their kingdom since the region was always sunny even in winter. Although Eugene didn't enjoy rainy days, it made him feel confined and it brung back harsh memories.

"You're Majesty these are the papers regarding reconstruction, complaints, and the finalization papers regarding treaties with the other countries" Wilfred answered, Eugene's hand crept up his neck and he rotated his head slowly in a circular motion getting to crooks out of his neck.

"I see, what about the delivery that Eleanora was supposed to be getting?" He asked his trusty right-hand man another question. "It has been delayed until the rain clears, the purifiers for the water also need to be dispatched to provide more clean water" Wilfred added on.

"Okay, bring in Celia I need her to sort through these stacks for me"

Wilfred nodded staying silent for a moment "There is also something else your Majesty..." Eugene stood up agitated by the stacks of papers in his way, he came to the front of the desk, standing by it "Go on Wilfred, you know I hate to wait"

"I found something regarding Princess Veronica's therapy..." Wilfred answered afraid to look the Emperor in his eyes. Eugene's eyebrow raised in curiosity "Really? Go on then..."

"She doesn't have any records on paper of her progress...nothing is there, the Empress also manages her therapy sessions," Wilfred said finally looking Eugene in his eyes.

"When is her next therapy session?" Eugene had a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time,anxiety, it made him feel weird and itchy, he didn't like it.

"I think it is today your Majesty"

Eugene nodded, "Well then, I shall go see her after this, where is her mother?"

Wilfred chuckled "You haven't visited Lady Muriella?" Eugene's face stayed in the same cold expression "Why would I visit a quiet woman such as her, she doesn't even want to care for her child properly" Wilfred agreed "That is true..."

Though Eugene's heart felt a little sting after those words came out his mouth, he was speaking so freely forgetting he was in the same category as the woman. He hadn't been properly caring for his children either.

His heart kept repeating the word

Hypocrite

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They walked down the long hall being greeted by maids and guards "Have you visited your mother recently Marie?" Eleanora asked holding her hand, Marie's face turned into a sour pout "I'm never going to see that woman again!"

Eleanora wasn't exactly surprised, but she didn't want to encourage that behavior. "Maire I know your mother wasn't particularly good to you, but I think you should at least try to talk with her, I don't have my mother anymore and I would do anything to see her one more time..." Marie listened to Eleanoras words closely and nodded slightly.

Fumi grinned ("Lady Eleanora is such a kind person!") (b^_^)b

They arrived in front of Veronica's room, two guards stood there silently. Eleanoras eyes narrowed a bit.

["Is the Emperor in there? Or perhaps the Empress?"] (;¬_¬)

"Excuse me, is Veronica in the room right now?" Eleanora asked politely, Marie eyes the guards with her bubbly blue eyes. "No My Lady, the Empress simply told us to stand here"

Eleanoras eyes shifted over to Fumi and then back at the guard, Marie looked confused at the interaction "Do you know where Veronica might be?" Eleanora asked again

"No My Lady, I apologize" He answered staying exceptionally still. Eleanora, Fumi, and Marie began walking down the left hall. "What's happening Mama?" Marie said unsure. Fumi sighed "Something isn't right, it's weird to have someone guard an empty room when no one is in there" Fumi spoke frustrated

"Actually we asked if Veronica was in the room, not anyone else, but I'm sure it would be quite noisy of us to ask if someone else was in there," Eleanora said walking in a slightly fast pace. Marie's little legs we're trying to keep up.

[" Plus I don't want anyone having to feel the need to watch me closely, asking such questions in public was stupid, I couldn't slip up and let the Empress think I'm trying to get information, I want to avoid such altercations"]

Eleanora stopped and picked up Marie now in a hurry "I'll carry you, we have to move quickly and find Veronica" Eleanora said with a smile.

Fumi inquired "Does she have therapy today?" Eleanoras eyes widened "She might! The afternoon is approaching so she might be finished with her session!" Marie felt afraid, and Eleanora couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with Veronica, she could taste her anxiety.

”Do you know what room she has it in?” Eleanora said rushing down the hall with Marie in her arms ”A room with a small pool...” Marie said, Eleanora looked in Fumi’s direction ”Lets hurry over there” Fumi nodded.

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Veronica could hear voices from different places, she couldn't exactly put her finger on it, but it sounded so familiar. She could feel how wet her clothes were, they felt heavy on her tiny body.

Veronica's vision was blurry from the water droplets sitting atop of her eyelashes. Veronica could barely move her body, she was so sore from the water it made her muscles weak.

("MY HEAD!!!") Her eyes squinted from the sudden migraine, her hands reached up to her head tugging her hair. Her body was now in a fetal position trying to cope with the aching feeling in her brain.

"You think telling your father will save you?"

Voices were echoing through her head, she began to see visions she's never seen before.

"I will never let you get another peaceful day in your life, I will make sure you rot in this place until my son takes over the throne, then I will kill all of your siblings-"

Veronica gritted her teeth and tears were erupting from her eyes as the voice got louder.

"Enjoy the water, I'll make you go down until you forget everything you saw"

"Veronica! Veronica!"

Her eyes opened but her vision was foggy, all she could see was the Emperor's dresser.

"The Emperor's dresser?"

Marie disregarded Veronica's jumbled words and continued shaking her. Veronica's body was cold as ice and she was shivering unconsciously. Eleanora and Fumi followed in after left with a grave expression of shock.

Eleanora made her way over to the girl and picked her up quickly, Fumi grabbed Marie's hand following Eleanora out of the room, droplets of tears fell down Marie's face as she watched Eleanora run with Veronica.

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Marie's eyes blinked deliberately as memories from earlier replayed in her cranium. Eleanora couldn't shake off the feeling of resentment, thinking about who did this to Veronica made her anger deepen.

"Where are the guards!? Do they know how serious something like this is!" Eleanora stood up as the maids and doctor was startled by her demands. "The third princess almost died! Someone tried to kill her and I need someone to tell me why I don't have any answers!!?" Marie's head was down, as she listened to Eleanoras yells. Fumi patted Maries back soothing the girl.

Eleanora took in a deep breath "Where is the Emperor?"

"H-H-He's possibly in a meeting with the royal council" one maid spoke up. The doctor cleared his throat "I'll be sure to update you on Veronica's condition, but for now I can't determine if she's gonna be alright" Maries face made a horrified expression.

Eleanora tried not to take those words to heart, she didn't want to believe them. "I'm going to see the Emperor" Eleanora said hurriedly walking to the door. "If you interrupt the meeting you could be thrown in jail or killed on the spot!" Fumi said with shaky eyes.

"I'll be fine!" Eleanora gave a reassuring smile and her eyes landed on Marie who just as afraid as anyone in that room.

Marie hopped off the seat,  she ran toward her and gave Eleanoras leg a tug "No!"

Eleanora got down and pulled Marie into a tight hug, "I promise I'll be okay..." She gave Marie a small kiss on her cheek and patted her head gently. Marie's eyes were watery and she let go of Eleanora letting her leave.

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PHEW I ALMOST CRIED WRITING THIS CHAPTER...like I'm so cruel to my characters lmao

Anyway sorry for taking so long buddies mwah!

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