The Empress quietly sat in the garden. It had been a while since she was truly alone. The air was chillier than usual, but never enough to match her icy heart. She lifted the hot cup of tea to her lips and drank it, even when it burned her tongue.
"I never wanted this to happen." The Empress glanced towards the side, where an exotic species of flower was recently planted. It used to bloom so brightly that everyone would compliment it. But now, the flower was wilting, its petals turning brown.
"I should've protected you better." The Empress settled the teacup down as she let out a quiet sigh. No one had protected her when she was freshly planted in this palace. Everyone did their best, hoping she would wither off somewhere and die. But look at where she stood now.
"Then again, it would be unfair, wouldn't it?"
