The Tiger Within

The sunlight was warming the garden paths as the servants set about bringing out meals. The Emperor and the Empress were seated under her favorite Willow tree. The branches cascaded over in a flowy curtain around the table, casting gentle shadows across the meal table. She was relaxing in her wooden wheelchair. A warm green blanket tucked around her legs. Her hands were folded lightly on her blanket as she watched for her son and Granddaughter to arrive.

"Eve, my love, can you believe it? Our son is wishing to get married. He actually picked a woman that I think will be wonderful for him. Strong and talented." The Emperor commented smiling at his lovely wife. The Empress smiled.

"I can. I remember his first wife. She was beautiful but fragile. I was worried about her surviving in a harem. Kyera however, I think she will do much more than survive. She will command the harem and hopefully, learn from my mistakes." Evelyn replied nodding her head as well in approval. She still kept a decent amount of her emotions and personal approval in Kyera deep within. Though she had to lean on the Emperor for survival right now, she had no intentions of being more vulnerable than she had to be.

His eyes darkened a bit as he looked over at her. "You made no mistakes. Empress, we have the most harmonious harem of this dynasty. There is nothing for you to feel disappointed in yourself over." The Emperor corrected her but the Empress had to restrain a laugh. If he only knew how much she had suffered, how much her children had suffered because this was how he felt. He refused to see the pain his lack of attention had caused. Yes, he had become better to her now, he seemed to truly care, but she would not allow herself to put her faith in it yet.

"That right there proves how many I did." Eve replies softly as she watched her Granddaughter enter the glen. Before he had a chance to ask what that meant, Raina ran over to her grandmother and quickly curtsied to her before hugging her tightly around the neck.

"Empress, did you hear! I am getting a Mommy!" Raina told her excitedly. Evelyn couldn"t help but laugh at her child"s excitement. That alone made everything worth it.

"Yes, I did, little one. Where is your Mother to be and your Father?" The Empress asked with a smile. She looked over the child"s head and out over her head. She was surprised not to see the adults close behind.

"They will be along in a moment, h.e.l.lo Emperor." Raina greeted, curtsying to her grandfather. He smiled and opened his arms, kneeling down to hug her. The child smiled and hugged him back, having completed her Princessly duties.

"It is good to see you, little Princess. I hope you slept well last night." The Emperor added gently smoothing her hair. The cloth that had been hiding the bruise had been gone a while now but he found himself looking at her cheek for signs of that trama it left. All that was there was smooth skin but he remembered how purple and swollen it had been. He glanced at the Empress, perhaps there was more than he saw to his little family. A dark underbelly to a beautiful white Leopard.

"I slept well, Grandfather. I was excited to see you today. I hope your health has been well and your mind bright. May I take my seat or should I wait for father and Lady Kyera?" Raina asked waiting behind her seat. He smiled at her and nodded.

"Yes of course, take your seat dear." He agreed, and a maid servants stepped up to try and push the empress into place, but he raised a hand to stop her.  The Emperor personally moved behind the Empress and rolling her closer to the table, her hands were lifted a bit, to catch the edge of the table should he push her in too far. To her surprise he placed her perfectly so she was comfortable in her seat. He took his seat beside her and smiled at her.