A sense of peace settled over me in the abandoned palace. We spent our days gardening and playing games that challenged the princess's logic and critical thinking skills.
 
She was only two years older than my children, but she was so mature, it was like playing with a friend.
 
"I planted these!" she shouted, pointing to the lilies.
 
"Oh? I planted more than you, Your Highness," I teased, earning a pout from her. I picked her up to apologize, but I noticed someone watching us from afar. I recognized him instantly.
 
"Princess, would you like to go out to the flower festival?" I asked, but she hesitated before agreeing.
 
When the festival arrived, I took her to the bustling streets where the common people gathered. We shared a taste for simple things, avoiding special treatment, so I brought her here, and it seemed like I was right.
 
The problem was, the Empress was following us, hiding in the shadows.
 
I led her on a chase to lure her out of hiding, pretending we had just found her.
 
"Oh, Empress..." She panicked and covered my mouth.
 
"Mom, why are you here?" the princess asked, leaving the Empress flustered as she searched for a lie.
 
"She’s been following us. She wants to join us," I revealed, causing the Empress to blush with embarrassment.
 
"Lady Gracia, that’s not true!" she protested, but I pulled the princess away.
 
"Okay, we’re leaving then," I said, but for the first time, the Empress took the princess’s hand. It was clear she’d wanted to do that for a long time, but the princess had been hesitant.
 
"W-Wait. Can I come?" she asked, her eyes pleading. I waited for the princess to agree.
 
"You can come, but I don’t want to hear any whining," the princess commanded, her voice sharp. I chuckled. They were so cute together. As they got engrossed in the festivities, I subtly removed the princess’s hand from mine. They were already holding hands, and they didn’t even notice.
 
I’d noticed for a while that the Empress wanted to get closer to the princess, but she was always so distant. I also saw the sadness in their lives. One hiding her true self, the other visible to everyone, but never truly herself because of her status.
 
"Gracia, look! There’s a circus show! Let’s go!" the princess exclaimed.
 
"It’s so loud and lively, like a commoner’s banquet. No laws can stop the fun," the Empress marveled, pulling me along to different attractions.
 
At the end of the evening, I let the Empress put the princess to bed and waited outside the room.
 
"Gracia. I mean Lady Gracia, why aren’t you resting?" she asked as she emerged from the room.
 
"My shift isn’t over yet," I explained.
 
"I’ll take care of it. Go to sleep," she commanded. I bowed before turning to leave.
 
"Wait! Thank you for everything." My eyes widened. It was rare for the Empress to thank anyone, so I turned back.
 
"I really wanted to get closer to the princess, but she always pushed me away. I admit that I was lonely at the top. When I heard about you three years ago—a royal with royal blood who turned her back on power for happiness—I was so impressed. You’re so brave to do that. So I’m sorry for what I did. I wanted to protect my relative, so I tried to humiliate you, to make things difficult for you. While watching you take care of the princess, my conscience kept stabbing me. For a year, I let Jasmine steal your life. Your family, your children. I’m so sorry," she confessed, her voice filled with remorse. I couldn’t hold back my tears.
 
"I don't need that anymore. I just want my children back," I said. She stepped closer and took my hand.
 
"From now on, I’m on your side. I’ll help you get your children back, I promise."
 
After a year of struggle, a year of relentless hardship, I was finally going to get my children back.
 
Tears streamed down my face, and I knelt before her. "T-Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you so much."
 
"You’re also a distant relative of the royal family. From now on, I have no other family but the royal family. So can you at least call me sister?" she asked, her voice laced with hope. I hesitated.
 
"Your Majesty, I respect the laws of the empire; I can’t do that."
 
She laughed and flicked my forehead. "You’re so different from Jasmine. And, by the way, you’re always the topic of conversation between me and the Crown Prince because you’re so sensitive about the laws," she said, not pushing the issue further.
 
Since my shift was over, I said goodbye and left the palace. Despite the distance, I went to our house in the city, where Mathias and the children were now living.
 
I just wanted to peek in, but Mathias saw me.
 
"A-Ah. I just happened to be passing by. I-I’m leaving right away," I stammered, turning to leave. But Mathias grabbed my arm.
 
"I’m sorry I didn’t follow your instructions about raising the children. They’re still awake. W-Would you like to see them?" he asked. I wiped my tears and nodded.
 
I put on a veil before revealing myself to Dana and Josh. I’d done so much wrong, and I knew they were terrified of me now.
 
"Daddy, who is she?" Dana asked.
 
"Daddy, we've been waiting for Mommy, but she hasn’t come. Mommy promised she wouldn’t leave us during the flower festival. She said we’d celebrate together," Josh complained, his voice laced with disappointment.
 
They didn’t recognize my face, but they remembered everything. They thought it was Jasmine.
 
"Josh, my son. Mommy hasn’t forgotten you," I whispered, my voice cracking. We were both surprised.
 
"M-Mommy, your voice is back?" Josh asked, his eyes wide with wonder.
 
"It’s Mommy! I know Mommy’s voice!" Dana exclaimed.
 
I couldn’t help but hug them both, my heart overflowing with joy. "I promise, you’ll be with me again. I’ll do everything to escape this plot," I whispered.
 
After a night of hardship, my heart was filled with happiness. I was finally with them.
 
"They’re asleep. I’m leaving," I told Mathias, turning to leave. He pulled me back into a hug.
 
"Gracia, this is without any lies. Can you please come back? Let’s go back to our old house and live a simple life. I promise, I won’t make the same mistake again. For the children, Gracia, I love you. I love you so much. I made a mistake, but I can change. About Jasmine, I married her because I thought you were dead. I was pressured to find a mother for the children, and I was blamed for it. When Jasmine arrived, the children were happy again, and she reminded them of you, so I had no choice but to marry her," he explained, closing his eyes as he confessed his lies.
 
"I-Is that so? I’m sorry, I didn’t consider your situation. I’m willing to…” When he smiled, my expression turned blank, and I raised an eyebrow.
 
"...Is that what you expected me to say after your long, fake confession?" I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm.
 
I grabbed his collar. "Mathias Riverlilies, I’m not as weak as you think. I don’t forget easily, so don’t try to make me forget your betrayal!" I roared, my anger burning bright.
 
"Gracia, we’ve been married for four years. Can’t you forgive me for one mistake, for the sake of the children?" he pleaded.
 
"NO! For those four years, you weren’t even a shadow in my life. Don’t use our marriage as an excuse. For the sake of the children? I raised them without you, and I’ll continue to raise them without you!" I shouted, pushing him away.
 
"Mathias, I only realized now that you’re a leech! You go where the power is. Now that Jasmine’s reputation is ruined and you’re going to be implicated, you’re begging for forgiveness? I regret ever letting you manipulate me!" I said before leaving the mansion.