Best Friend

Ah She is always like this

Look, Esmeralda, you dont have to be so serious about this. Its all right.

Mias hesitant smile as she stood in front of her brought back a memory

The scene from five years ago came back to Esmeraldas mind. She was a little nervous because she was having a tea party at the Greenmoon house. And there was a good reason for that: Princess Mia Luna Tearmoon was going to be there. The princess had never been to a gathering like this before.

Since it was decided that Esmeralda would be hosting Mias first tea party, she has been making careful plans with the help of her father. Because she worked hard, the party went off without a hitch. Mia was so happy about the delicious cake she had been given that she almost smiled at the maid who brought her another piece.

Oh, wow, thank you, umwas it Nina? Could you please bring me one more slice when Im done with this?

Mia asked the girl by name, and she seemed proud of herself for being able to do so. She must have learned it by listening to the maids talk about it.

Esmeralda couldnt help but smile wryly when she saw Mias proud smile. She thought the princess was too young to know that what she was doing was wrong. She decided that since she was the older sister, it was her job as a big sister to teach the princess how to act in a proper way.

Miss Mia, the highborn dont walk around trying to remember everyones names. You shouldnt really call the maids by their names.

My? What gives?

Mia asked, tilting her head as if she didnt understand.

Why cant we use their names?

Well, because

Esmeralda stopped to think for a moment.

Because you and I come from noble families. We are in charge of most people, so we must be above them. Better than them. Thats what nobles have always done.

She didnt think much about what she had said. It was the foundation of her whole worldview

Thats a dumb idea.

But the young princess quickly turned it down.

Remembering peoples names is so much easier. Why do we have to make things harder on ourselves?

Esmeralda was hit by Mias words like a thunderclap. She had never looked at it that way before. It had such a loud effect that

I mean, isnt that maid about the same age as us? She looks like the kind of person who would keep bringing me cake as long as I kept asking for it. It would be much simpler if I could just call her by her name every time.

She didnt understand at all what the princess said in the end.

Mia had always been a littleslywhen it came to getting what she wanted.

Even though she was only eight years old, she was already wise about people and good at math; showing signs that she would grow up to be the Great Sage of the Empire.

Or maybe just a glimpse of someone who has a sweet tooth.

In any case, (the first half of) Mias words struck a chord with Esmeralda, whether they showed a young genius or a young glutton. She was very moved by them because they echoed feelings she herself sometimes had trouble with.

Remembering the names of her maids, making friends with one of them and naming her as her personal attendant, sharing hobbies and bedtime whispers, returning favours and apologising for slights

She longed for these kinds of interactions. They seemed much easier and more fun than what she had now. So why couldnt she do that?

When she first thought of the question, she went to her father. His answer started with a nervous smile.

Because we are nobles, Esmeralda. This is how noble people are.

It wasnt a very good answer, but she took it anyway. It wasnt important to understand. Things were like that. That was the end.

That answer stuck with her, and as time went on, it turned into an invisible chain that connected her mind and soul from the inside. The rules of being a noblewoman both made her who she was and kept her from thinking freely. Thats why she looked up to Mia Luna Tearmoon, the young princess who didnt have to follow any rules.

But it was a far-off admiration that came from a quiet longing for something she knew was out of her reach.

Listen, Esmeralda

Even the wise words of the ancestor who started their empire, which by definition should be heavy and binding, didnt change Mias mind. She threw them away because she didnt want to be tied down, and she told Esmeralda to do the same. Not to worry so much about them.

Mia was completely unmoved by power that was so strong that Esmeralda couldnt fight back even if she tried. Its always been that way. Every time, always the same.

Mia, who flew above noble customs as if she had wings of freedom, and Esmeralda, who looked up and criticised her high-flying friend for her strange, unprincessly ways that were an insult to the traditions and power of the imperial lineage.

But behind the criticism was a longing, a desire that had been pushed down for a long time but never died.

Yes, shes right Now I remember I have always admired her.

The thought came back to her. She had always wanted to be Mias best friend because she thought she was so cool.

But she knew the truth deep down. Knew too much about it. She always wished she could be, but she never could.

She wasnt worthy of being Mias best friend. Mia was up there, and she was down here. How could she be?

She didnt feel the fluttering wings of freedom on her back. Instead, she felt the cold weight of chains that were much thicker and stronger than she had thought. It was painfully clear that she didnt have the courage to cut them off.

She did not deserve to be Mias friend.

When the thought came back, it brought with it the feeling of suffocating resignation that a heart used to despair was used to.

And yet

Instead of following the first emperor, why dont you do what I say? Free yourself from the chains of an old oath of loyalty to him, and strengthen your friendship with me, your best friend.

Mia didnt care about it at all. She stepped in, brushed Esmeraldas dark thoughts away with a shrug, and turned her world upside down.

She was so willing to take on the coveted role of best friend. She asked Esmeralda to stay by her side, not to be loyal to the first emperor, but to be her friend instead.

She didnt say it, but her action said, You can do it, too.

She did all of this with a mischievous smile, as if it were just a game they were playing together. Even so

Icant.

The word that came out of her mouth was no. Was it because of the way she was brought up? Or had she given in to the absolute power of the first emperor?

No, neither of those was it.

Before Mias warm welcome, those worries had already gone away. But one thing kept coming back to mind.

It was a small thing that hurt her heart, and because of that, she couldnt take Mias hand. She had a dream in which she told a sad Mia that she would throw a tea party to cheer her up, but then didnt follow through.

Even though it was just a dream, the regret was very strong. She didnt know when, where, or how, but she felt like shed hurt Mia at some point.

Of course, it couldnt be true. Nothing about it was true, except that it hurt her heart. She couldnt call herself Mias friend as long as that pain was still there.

I Im sorry, Miss Mia. I let you down.

Her sadness made her tell the truth.

You did?

Mia gave her head a scratch.

Really? When?

I promised you Id throw you a tea party, but I never did. I broke my promise

Some small part of Esmeraldas mind that was still able to think clearly was upset by how she was talking.

What did she want to say? It was nonsense. Mia had no idea what her dream was about. This would only make her feel worse. But she was surprised when

Oh, I see Well, then

Mia wasnt confused. She did not laugh. Instead, she looked serious and seemed to be thinking deeply. She finally said, Id like a cake.

Huh?

Esmeralda blinked.

Yes, I like the idea of cake. Those that are extra sweet are best. Id like to indulge in some sugar. So, once we get off this island, Id love it if youd invite me to one of your tea parties.

Esmeralda kept batting her eyes. After Mias next comment, she gasped when she realised what she had said.

There, well all swear to be true to the empire.

She looked right at Esmeralda.

Not to the old one who is trying to destroy the continent. To another. A better one, where everyone wants to live in peace and stability and will work hard to make that happen.

A drop of water fell on Esmeraldas hand.

She looked up, confused. The roof was not wet. Not until then did she realise that she was crying.

Tears? Imcrying? How come? I dont need to cry

She felt that faint pain in her heart again. It was a constant reminder of a promise shed made long ago. It was a sad promise because it never came true and was doomed to die along with the dream that made it.

It was all in a dream. Mia has no way of knowing about it. But

She looked back at Mia. She felt like she was looking at the Mia from her dream, as if that Mia had crossed the line between reality and fantasy to give her a chance to make good on the promise she had broken.

She finally reached out

Okay, Miss Mia, Ill do it. Ill find the best people who make cakes and have them make the best ones. Then Ill invite you to my tea party.

And she grabbed the hand of a friend who was more important to her than anything else. Her best friends hand.

As a bit of background, it was getting dark when this scene was happening, so Mia hadnt eaten since three hours before. She was very, very hungry because she had skipped breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Just so were clear.