Chapter 2: Elizabeth’s Palace

Elise clenched her tiny fists, feeling the weight of her father’s words but stood her ground and looked at him, “Mother died protecting me…did she not?” Her eyes dropped to the floor refusing to look at him with tears streaming down her face.

“I know I said that now that I’m back I wont care for father anymore. But I cant run away from the fact that you’re my father and I’m your daughter. Blood is thicker than water after all.” Elise said to herself as she wiped her tears with a handkerchief Marcus had given her. As soon as she looked at her father who is surprised with her words.

Lucas who was confused but a hint of happiness was felt in his heart. He continued to listen to her.

“Mother’s death may have pained you but memories that made you the happiest person is bound to be with you even in your after life, right, Father?” Elise gripped her dress as she looked at Lucas on the eye.

Lucas who was taken a back with her words sipped his tea. “Ha…” he sighed brushing his hair back still maintaining his composure. He looked at Elise’s eyes surprised with the maturity she has in handling this unpleasant atmosphere.

Lucas placed his teacup down with a quiet clink as he turned his way to Elise again with a hint of respect and warmth towards her. “You speak with wisdom despite being a child, Elise,” he said, his voice mixed with softness and a hint of pain through his eyes that she had never seen before in her past life. “Your mother, she was the light that taught me what happiness actually was. When she died I couldn’t handle the pain-“ but before he could finish, Elise added.

“Sorry for interrupting you, father, but I too, want to be that light that can bring you happiness, father.” She relaxed her hands as she made eye contact with Lucas.

As he looked at her eyes, there were full of determination. Just like how Elizabeth used to be when they were still young children.

“You truly are your mother’s daughter,” he mumbled to himself smiling with a glimpse of happiness.

As they finished their food, Lucas stood up and walked toward Elise reaching his hand out, “Let me escort you back to your Palace,” Elise nodded and took his hand, Lucas then suddenly carried her once again leaving the maids and Marcus shocked. Lucas is the kind of man to not care for others.

As Lucas carried Elise back to the Sapphire Palace with Marcus by his side, the maids and guards who had been frantically searching for her throughout the palace sighs of relief seeing her safe, but the atmosphere changed after Lucas, the one who had neglected Elise for all this years.

“My lady!” She exclaimed, her voice filled with relief and worry. Flora rushed to Elise hugging her tightly, “I was so worried, don’t do that ever again” Elise reassured her by hugging her back tightly. “I…ran into father when I got lost…”

Flora looked at Lucas with anger but was thankful that he didn’t do anything to harm Elise.

As Lucas noticed the angry and concerned look on Flora’s face he quickly left his cold eyes piercing through all of the maids who are in charge of taking good care of Elise.

Lucas then turned to Marcus. “Ensure that the princess’s safety is always prioritized, I want you to be her knight, and make sure that the other knights are also well trained enough to protect the princess.” He ordered as Lucas started to walk but stopped. “I would like to have an audience with you every weekend, Elise” Marcus and Flora were both surprised with what his majesty had just said.

As Lucas made his way out of the Sapphire Palace, his words echoed in the grand hall, leaving everyone stunned. Marcus bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty. I will ensure her highness’s safety.”

Flora, regained her composure, turned her attention back to Elise, kneeling down to be at her eye level. “My lady, you must never wander off alone again.”

Elise nodded solemnly, her eyes still wide with the intensity of the recent events. “I promise, Flora. I suddenly got lost and couldn’t find my way back, sorry for worrying you.” Flora gave her a gentle smile and hugged her.

“I’m glad that his majesty has seen you now.” Flora smiled filled with happiness.

“I guess he never visited me once back then.” Elise told herself gripping Flora’s hand.

3 days has passed since then and Elise started to get books from the library and find what kind of magic can help you to travel back in time. She spent days going to the library and studying more about the forbidden magics, and also came across a book that can help summon spirits. The Eisenburg family was the only people who has a connection between the Goddess of light and the Eisenburg family.

Elise spent time regularly in the library studying about the history between spirits, as she was reading, Marcus approached her. “Your highness, you’ve been spending so much time inside the library studying about spirits. You are quite bright for your age, your highness.”

“He’s not entirely wrong, he might have find it weird for a 3-year-old to be able to read and learn so much…” Elise told herself.

“I have heard the story once from Her Majesty, His Majesty’s mother, who was like a mother to me as well. It is said that a family ancestor of the Eisenburg family, Lady Sera Eisenburg, was blessed by the Goddess of Light, Elaris. The Goddess, more powerful than any other spirit, possessed the ability to heal the sick and cure incurable diseases. Lady Sera, known for her pure kindness, lived a full life and bore two princes. Prince Nicolas Eisenburg was crowned the prince of Eisenburg, while Prince Leo chose the path of magic. Both princes succeeded in summoning the Spirit of Light, marking them as powerful summoners,” Marcus explained, and Elise's eyes widened, learning such significant details about the connection between the Spirit of Light and the Eisenburg family.

“But the tale does not end there,” Marcus continued. “When the late Empress was around your age, she managed to contact a powerful spirit. Despite not being of royal blood, her identity was shrouded in mystery. Empress Elizabeth Eisenburg was one of the most powerful magicians in history. She married His Majesty, Lucas, as they were compatible and loved each other dearly. However, His Majesty couldn’t save her, even with his ability to heal using the Spirit of Light, a power stronger than that of a priest. He wasn’t strong enough to save her, and she passed away.”

Elise clutched the book tighter, her mind flooded with thoughts. "He still neglected me all those years, not even celebrating my birthdays, because he was consumed by the loss of his wife," she thought.

“Excuse me, my lady,” Marcus said softly, lifting Elise and embracing her. “It must have been very hard for you.”

Tears began to stream down Elise's face as she clung to Marcus's clothes. “Will Father ever love me?”

“I know I can’t forgive him for what happened before, but I still yearn for my father’s love, despite the neglect in my past life,” she thought as Marcus comforted her.

Once she calmed down, her eyes puffy from crying, Marcus couldn't help but laugh softly. A knock on the library door echoed through the halls. “My lady, His Majesty would like an audience with you.” Marcus quickly stood up and offered his hand to the princess. “Let us go, Princess.” Elise smiled and nodded, taking Marcus's hand and carrying her book.

When they arrived at Lucas's palace, the maids and knights greeted the princess, with Lucas standing outside the palace doors. “Welcome, Princess Elise,” they said. Elise had never been greeted like this in her past life, where neglect was the norm, leading to her lonely and painful death.

Elise curtsied gracefully shocking everyone surrounding her. “Thank you for personally coming here, Father,” she said, catching a glimpse of happiness in Lucas's eyes. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. “What was that... just now?” she wondered.

Out of nowhere, Lucas picked her up. "I don't like being treated like a baby. Why does he always carry me whenever he sees me?" she mused, knowing she was still a child.

Marcus chuckled at His Majesty's behavior. “At least he’s slowly warming up to her,” he murmured, following behind them.

Lucas turned and glared at him, sending shivers down Marcus's spine.

“What is happening right now?” Elise wondered, confused by the dynamic between them. “They look like siblings…”

“In my past life, Marcus never visited me at my palace. He was always occupied with his duties as the leader of the knights. He grew up with my father and mother. My mother was a noble from the Falkenheim household,” Elise reflected, trying to glimpse Lucas, only to be startled by his confused expression.

“How long was he staring...” she mumbled, only for Lucas to pinch her cheek. “Pillow...” he mumbled.

Confused, Elise tilted her head slightly, aware that many eyes were on her.

“The princess is very cute! She’s just like Her Majesty!” the maids gossiped.

Upon reaching Lucas’s study, he gently placed her in a chair. “Bring the strawberry tarts quickly,” he ordered a maid.

Elise's feet dangled above the floor, and she took a deep breath, grabbing a strawberry tart. “Father,” she began, her voice steady despite her nerves, “I’ve been thinking a lot about our family’s history and the power of the spirits we can summon. I heard from Sir Marcus that Mother was a great summoner and our saint. Do you also know how to summon spirits, Father?” Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“I never learned to summon the Spirit of Light in my previous life. No one taught me such important things. But now, I must survive. I can’t let my father or Heinrich Falkenheim kill me again,” she thought, sipping her chocolate milk.

Lucas froze as Elise mentioned the Spirit of Light and his late wife, Elizabeth. He looked at Elise, “You’re a very clever child. When did you learn to read? I don’t recall providing you with a private tutor.” Lucas sipped his tea elegantly and added, “A three-year-old child who knows palace etiquette, can read, and wants to learn about the Spirit of Light?” He smiled, surprising both Marcus and Elise, who managed to maintain their composure, though Marcus cleared his throat awkwardly.

“You are not ready yet, simply because you’re just a mere child. You’re still weak and too small. Handling such great power could end up killing you,” Lucas said, standing up and patting her head. “You have a long way to go, so take your time.” Lucas maintained his composure, covering his mouth with a fist as he cleared his throat.

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