And looking at her father's dazed expressions, Mia told him what her mother asked her to inform him.

Unlike what she thought, her father's condition was better than hers. He seemed to have regained his composure in an instant as if nothing much had happened.

In the whole world, only her mother knew her father, the Emperor well and transparently. And Xiao Liuyue assumed that probably what her mother said was indeed a way to distract her father temporarily.

Her mother was the legendary immortal nine-tailed fox but that curse caused her death. By the time her father was there, her body had turned into golden ashes which disappeared in the air as if the person never existed.

As heartbroken and lost as she was, Xiao Liuyue just locked herself in her room after her father left.

She only came out around midnight wanting to check on her father. After she got a grip on her emotions, she realized that maybe he is putting on a tough front.

But when she walked to his chamber, he was working.

Looking at her, he stood up and walked towards her, "Are you feeling better now?" The man gently asked.

He had always been this gentle to her. Her lashes fluttered, "Mother..."

"Shhhh...My precious," He pulled her into his arms and stroked her striking silver hair, "My Little Princess... When you were born, you were so tiny that my hands trembled when I first held you..."

She pulled back from him and looked into his weary eyes that seemed to be looking into a distance.

Her father was the most outstanding man in their Kingdom and around all neighboring kingdoms. Not only by looks but also by his abilities.

But there was something wrong with him....today.

The presence that would always be glowing like stars was dim even though it seemed like he was alright.

"But once I held you... I knew my Liuliu was going to become my second favorite..."

A teardrop rolled down her eyes as Xiao Liuyue smiled, "Mother is first..."

The Emperor did not say anything. He just smiled, "Go. It's late. Take some rest."

Even if she caught a common cold, the whole palace would be in chaos given her parent's overprotectiveness.

She inhaled a deep breath and glanced towards the wooden desk, "You should go to sleep too," Her voice came out hoarse.

The Emperor nodded, "I was looking over the work that your mother had asked me to. It is done now so I will go to bed."

Xiao Liuyue looked at her father with a strange expression. He was casually mentioning her...just like he used to do when she was alive...

She held his large and rough palm, feeling a warmth sinking in her cold ones, "I won't leave until Father is awake," She softly said and pulled him towards the bed.

The Emperor laughed, "My Liuliu has grown up. She does not go to chase pretty boys and spends her time with an old man instead.

Xiao Liuyue walked behind him as she helped him take his robe off, " You are not an old man. No pretty boy can ever compare to you," And it was not an exaggeration on her part.

It was the truth.

The Emperor removed his shoes and climbed on the bed as he laid down, placing his head on the pillow.

Xiao Liuyue pulled the sheets onto his chest as she sat beside him.

The man turned his head to look at her with eyes filled with endless love.

His gaze made her feel overwhelmed for some reason.

"Close your eyes, father. You will get sick," He has been working endlessly for a long time.

He held her hand and kissed her knuckles, "Liuliu..."

"I am here," She mumbled as she watched the exhaustion taking over as his eyes slowly closed.

"Father always loves you," His voice got lower towards the end.

Xiao Liuyue smiled despite the tears welling up in her eyes, "Liuliu also loves you..." Her voice trembled.

She stayed in the Emperor's chamber for a long time and only after ensuring that he was breathing evenly, deep in his sleep, she removed his grip from her hand and walked back to her chamber.

Her mother's last words, her soft smile, her gentle caresses, her love, her beautiful face... Everything passed by her mind like a soft breeze as if it was lulling her to sleep.

The next morning when she opened her eyes, the entire palace was drowned in silence.

An eery silence.

It was like... There was a pause in the space.

There was nothing, and no one around her.

She walked out of her chamber and her maidservants got to their knees, sobbing endlessly.

Xiao Liuyue glanced at them..."What happened?"

One of the ministers who was walking towards her chamber stepped in front of her before falling on his knees, ''Your Highness, the Emperor is no more."

The Emperor went to sleep and never woke up.

Xiao Liuyue felt like her blood was freezing. She moved a few steps back but her footsteps turned light, her head was airy and she slumped on the floor, looking at the wall blankly.

"Your Highness!!"

She just sat there in a daze, like her soul had left her body.

And suddenly the corner of her lips tugged up in a mocking smile, "I should have known...." There was a desperation in her eyes.

Her mother should have known too. How could he ever get over her death?

How could that man ever get over her death?!

...

Mia closed her eyes as the terrible feeling in her chest expanded as if it was about to burst.

All this time, she thought she got rid of all her emotions with every new birth, that her heart was dead and cold.

But the reminder of that misery left her anguished.

Taking a deep breath, she stood up from the stairs and walked out of the house before striding down the stairs on the cliff that led to the sea.