DISCLAIMER: While I wish SO HARD upon the stars to have 4 beautiful turtles to be at my beck and call, they are and will never be mine. They belong to their rightful owner/s.

Chapter 3: Ward

The entourage found their monarch in the middle of the grand room, alone, silent and ready to go. All are focused in getting her to the airport safely and to depart for her homeland, all in a flurry, always in a hurry, save for one. Her governess, Midorikawa-san.

Midorikawa-san sensed a quiet reverence to her ward, who is often temperamental and demanding, but still held a quiet and gentle demeanor in her whenever she is within the confines of her consort, her books, or her gentle cats back at the palace. Midorikawa-san understood the influx of her moods, because of the demands and burdens that is weighted on her ward's shoulders. Being young and made to rule, with her father barely clinging to the last strand of his life, it is a lot for a 16 year old woman-child to absorb. But after she rose from her captivity, and her brief solitary confinement with her mysterious protectors, she tackled head-on the state issues as any experienced politician, blowing those who doubted her aside, rendering speechless with no ill word to spew. Having been under her father's passive rule, and remained with her till the monarch's swift, hurried coronation and ascension to Regent Dowager Empress, she saw the difference of her despite the disability.

Midorikawa-san love the child as if it's her own, having witnessed to most of her struggles and victories, couldn't help but theorized that if one is missing a sense, the rest are heighten to make up for the one that is lost. She watched her ward from the corner of her eye as the city whizzed past them silently. Her hand is on the window. Her gray eyes grazing on the passing scenery. Unseeing yet seeing.

Is she feeling the cold of the window from the outside? Does she feel the energy of the full moon? With a small hint of pride, the monarch has not allowed her disability to hinder her skills or add to the burden that she is carrying. If anything, she manages to push the boundaries that most set for her. And Midorikawa-san, for the first time in her life, knew this child will change the world.

Her father would be so proud.

As they finally got to the airport and made their way swiftly to the private plane, skirts and trenchcoats shuffling swiftly, her ward suddenly turned back and looked to the far distance. The governess, sensing the solemnity of the scene before her by way the sudden breeze fluttered her hair and dress, she signaled to her entourage to give a moment.

Until finally she turned around and without further word, was lead inside the plane.

What happened to her at the time of her disappearance is something everyone has yet to know and most probably won't. For the Empress is not willing to divulge in any details, even to her, save for the answer that everyone knew is reserved for the press and for the public to digest and let go. All that matters is she is safe. End of story.

But the governess knew, that a piece of their monarch had found a place in this city.

As she glanced at the Empress, who has now settled in across from her and between her ladies-in-waiting in their spacious cabin, she wondered where or to whom she left a piece of herself behind with?

Alas, Midorikawa-san will never know.

Author's Notes:

Almost done. I admit that the writing process is almost like releasing energy. Which feels great.