Chapter 4 4

"Mother?"

"Aiko dear are you alright?" Razia sat beside her with concern.

"What happened?" Aiko asked.

"You were brought back here because you felt unwell"

"I...." Aiko looking confused "don't know what happened actually"

Razia frowned "what happened there?"

"Everything was fine when we reached there. Then when I stepped inside the inner room I smelt a incense then I don't know what happened"

"Did they burnt the incense after you went?"

Aiko shook her head "no the incense was already burning before we reached there"

"You felt unwell but what about others?"

"They were there like nothing happened, they behaved normally. I don't know how I ended up like this" Aiko said but now she was feeling better which confused her.

"Are you fine now?" Razia patted her daughter's shoulder.

Aiko nodded "Yes i feel better now. I feel like that nothing happened"

Razia frowned and clenched her hand . Though her daughter is a little naive but she clearly understood the point.

This new empress is really cunning. She is not someone to defeat easily.

Next day, Cairo took Priscillia to Earth Palace in West side. Since Priscillia has arrived in the palace she needs to know everything. Besides she is not only an empress now but also many roles has tangled with her. When they reached, two guards who were guarding the door bowed and opened it. The smell of herbs was really strong as she entered. If someone was not aware of it, it could make anyone feel dizzy. Cairo looked at Priscillia, but for her surprise the other person did not even react. She clearly remembered when Aiko first entered Ash Palace, she ran out covering her nose without giving a second glance. Thinking about that Cairo sighed. If only....

"This is Second Prince's residence" Cairo sighed heavily.

"What happened to second prince mother?" Priscillia asked.

Cairo sadly looked at her "Panshak is my sister's son. Back then after I married to his majesty my sister came to visit me but his majesty's cousin molested my sister ripping of her virtue and dignity. She couldn't take the result and tried to kill herself but his majesty saved her. After lots of thinking I and his majesty decided to get her marry his majesty to save her from humiliation. Though my sister rejected but I forced her. After few months, my sister fell ill but discovered that she is pregnant. With difficulty she managed to give birth but couldn't withstand the pain she kept inside and finally left behind her child" she sighed.

Priscillia patted her shoulder "His Majesty never showed any preference between Zichov and Panshak. He raised both princes with equal affection and even Zichov always loved his younger brother though he know Panshak was not his real blood brother. The two get along so easily, learnt everything they need. After many years the palace was under attack suddenly and your father saved his majesty's life so his majesty bestowed marriage between you and Panshak. Then when Aiko's father late Emperor Vektor asked his majesty's help in war. Though they won but Emperor Vektor was badly injured and died. The enemies threats were serious so his majesty bestowed marriage between Aiko and Panshak and brought them here to live under his care. 3 years ago in Pardle War, Zichov, Panshak and his majesty went to defeat enemies but unfortunately his majesty couldn't make it and Panshak injured his legs and till then he couldn't recover from it" she sighed again.

Priscillia looked at her and knows how difficult it would be for her to endure such situations. She faced so many things in this years. She couldn't help but feel pity. They walked inside to the inner room and found a young man sitting on bed. The light quilt covered his lower body from waist to toe. His face was pale. Though he still possess the strong aura but the body gave a weak vibration. There was an old aged man sitting on a stool beside the bed checking his pulse and a maid standing there holding a bowl.

"Mother" the young man smiled as soon as he saw two women approaching. The old aged man turned around and stood up before bowing.

"Your highness"

"Please rise Imperial Medic" Cairo said waving her hand. Then she turned to Panshak.

"How are you feeling my child?"

"I am fine mother" Panshak replied with small smile, a smile that did not reach his eyes.

"I brought your sister in law to meet you, she is Priscillia, Master general's daughter" Cairo said smiling.

Panshak looked at Priscillia and she nodded "forgive me sister in law for not being able to give respect that you deserve"

Priscillia smiled "don't bother with it Panshak, we are family and you are my brother. You don't have to go for formalities in private. Families are not bound with royal rules"

Panshak was surprised for a moment and even the others present in the room. Cairo looked at Priscilla who was smiling at Panshak and smiled shaking her head.

"How's the prince's condition imperial Medic?" Cairo asked.

The old medic bowed "it is same as usual your highness. His highness's condition is kind of difficult to give appropriate answers. I couldn't find any wrong in his pulse and medicine should work but still it's not giving any better result in return"

Cairo sighed "this has been happening for 3 years now"

Panshak's faced turned white as he heard. He clenched his fist trying to stop the anger raising in his heart. For a warrior like him to stay crippled for life was something unacceptable. He tolerated the pain for these years but how long will his heart be able to take such pain?

He forced himself to get up "mother, I don't need any medic anymore. I can't hold back this...." On saying this he suddenly fell to the ground. For his legs he couldn't support his body straight nor able to stop himself from falling.

"Panshak" Cairo screamed in horror. But before he could fall two arms already caught his body in the middle.

"For a warrior like you it does not give any face to lose your will like this" Priscillia's words stopped everything for a moment. She helped him seat properly on bed. She pulled up the quilt and her fingers brushed passed his wrist and she stopped suddenly. She narrowed her eyes before moving away.

"Panshak what do you think you are doing? You want me to fail as a mother?" Cairo cried.

Panshak looked guilty as he looked down. Old medic sighed. If it was not for the empress something could have happened to the prince and he didn't know how he would face his majesty. His Majesty would have chop his head off personally in anger.

"Mother please forgive me. It's painful to survive with this" Panshak replied. Cairo looked at him and patted his hand.

"You are my son, how could you think of leaving me alone in this world? Do you think your brother will be happy to see that? How could you forget that all these years he is trying to do is to get you to recover from it. You can't waste his efforts nor your strength, you can't afford it right now"

Panshak looked ashamed suddenly "I am sorry mother, I forgot for a bit"

Priscillia looked at them "mother, if you allow me then I would like to take care of Prince Panshak"

Cairo turned to her "Priscillia you.."

"Mother, Panshak did not have any relation with me before but now he is my brother in law. And as a sister in law I too have some rights isn't it?"

"Are you sure?" Cairo asked and Priscillia nodded.

Cairo looked at Panshak "I don't have any problem mother"

"Well, in that case I agree" Cairo nodded.

"I will visit you later" Priscillia said before leading Cairo away from the room.

In the Zuma Palace.....

"Are you sure?" Razia frowned. The maid nodded.

"Mother what's this woman doing? Taking care of a cripple?" Aiko made a face of disgust.

Razia smiled "it's good for us. Now that she is indulging herself we should take the chance and drive her out of the palace for good"

Aiko widened her eyes as she looked at her mother "mother, are you sure you can do that?"

Razia nodded "why not? It's better if she leaves sooner than later. Once she is gone then you can take her place in no time"

Aiko looked exited "you are the best mother. I really don't like that prince. Who wants to marry a cripple who couldn't even get up from bed?"

Razia stroked her head lightly "you don't have to worry, your mother won't let her gain anything"

Then an evil smiled played on her face.