Elena blinked, unable to believe that she outed herself to her family. What would they think of her now? “Mona, it’s not what you think…” Elena took a step forward but Mona backed away. Even the boys who were always in support of the her looked at her like she was the devil. “I can explain..” “There is nothing to explain, Elena. Did you or did you not?” Her husband cut in. Cedric was thrilled by the news. Elena was certainly the woman he needed on his team not her weak daughter. “I did, alright. Were you expecting me to watch my daughter get married to a nobody? Everything I did was for her good!” Eena defended. “You are so unbelievable, Mother! You decapitated a man that I loved for your selfish desires! How cruel can you be?” Mona was pissed to the point that tears pricked her eyes. “And to think you made it seem like an accident. What if those men succeeded in raping me? What would be your excuse then?” “They wouldn’t. I only asked them to pretend like they wanted to. At le
When a guard informed Ivory that the king had to go with the Lords to check out the kingdom borders and would be returning the next day, she was somewhat relieved. She didn’t need him around her whilst she was trying to sort out this misunderstanding. Bile rose in her throat once again and she dashed to the bathroom to throw up. Wiping her mouth, she became even more skeptical that the reports were mixed up. She was clearly showing signs of pregnancy. Ivory returned sullenly to her bed and tried to think it over. The King hadn’t touched her in a month, she had been unconscious for weeks and she just woke up days ago, how was she a week pregnant then? She chewed on her nails as she reasoned the situation, an act that would be deemed unbefitting of an empress. “If I keep thinking about this, I might go crazy. I just have to wait for the doctor’s report. Maybe this is all a big misunderstanding,” she mumbled. Once she convinced herself of that, she relaxed and distracted her mind wit
Styles arrived at the border with Ragi and he met the intruders at the border. They were heavily built with tall intimidating frames. Ragi, however, remained unfazed by their forms. Styles got off his horse to meet them and that was when the hefty men gave way to reveal the small petite woman. Her attire suggested she was a royal. He could barely make anything of her face because of the veil that concealed her face but her delicate steps and apparent grace made her appear like the most fragile creature he’d ever seen. “Greetings, your majesty,” she bowed and the men followed suit. “I am Princess Heli from the Yung tribe. I have been sent by my people to formally seek the protection of the black empire against the tyranny of the Wang empire. Do not send me away, I beseech you.” Her voice was melodious, blending with her stunning grace. Styles glanced at Ragi who nodded in approval. “Your greetings have been accepted and your grievances duly noted. What I do not understand is why y
“That will not happen. I am already married and I do not have plans of taking another wife,” Styles told her. Heli slowly removed the veil to reveal her beautiful face. Styles was instantly mesmerized by her beauty. “May I ask that you kindly reconsider your offer?” She asked coyly. Styles was unable to look away even when he wanted to. It was like her eyes had him entrapped. “I. Have. A. Wife.” He articulated the words and she touched his face lightly. Styles wanted to catch her hands and peel it off his face but he couldn't. Something above his power was restraining him from doing his will. “I know that but you are Emperor but nothing prevents you from taking another wife. I only want the good of my people and I do not trust to be fair to them so it is only right I wed you so I will get enough power to make decisions concerning their welfare,” Heli told him. She stood up and walked over to his side. She dropped her arms on his shoulders and leaned over to look at him. “What. H
“Your Majesty, what a pleasant surprise,” Ragi moved out of the way for her to come in. Ivory walked in. “I'm sorry for barging in on you, unannounced,” she apologized.“It's totally fine. I'm glad to have you here. What may I offer you?” He asked. Ivory didn't really want anything but she realized she needed the liquid courage to ask this outrageous question in her head. “Your finest wine. Impress me,” she shrugged, taking a seat. Ragi walked to his bar and picked out the wine on the topmost shelf. “I hope this doesn't disappoint you. It is not the finest wine in the kingdom but it is the finest in my possession,” he told her. “That is quite sweet of you. Almost ungeneral-like,” she teased. Amusement lit his eyes as he grabbed two glasses. “I heard you were not feeling well. I assume you're better now?” He threw a glance at her.“Thankfully.”Ragi poured the drink in both glasses and offered her one which she gracefully accepted. She took a sip and her eyes widened. “This is in
“Marriage?” Lord Blane spoke up after the prolonged silence. “You have barely been married for three months and you are considering the possibility of taking another bride?” “I love my wife but do not get me wrong. This marriage is purely a transaction. There are no feelings attached. She offered herself as a price for her people's freedom, do you expect me to dash her hope?” Styles asked the council.They shook their heads with disappointed expressions. It was unlike the emperor to make such rash decisions.“You barely know her, your Majesty. What if she is not the angel you presume her to be? What if she's a woman of questionable character?” Lord Orio asked. Styles gave a thought to the possibilities, “I don't think so. Princess Heli seemed like a very noble woman to me. She is only desperate to protect her people and retrieve the ones who were forcefully enslaved to another land. If anything, I think she is brave.” “Brace? Do you call a marriage proposal brave? Why are we not lo
“May I have a word with you?” Ivory was beyond surprised. This had to be a dream. Klein, talking to her politely? Certainly a dream. “Why?” She couldn't stop herself from asking. “Why do you suddenly want to talk to me?” “I would have gone to the Emperor but he is unavailable for now. I thought I should see you since you have almost the same authority as him.” Ivory resisted the urge to tell him that the next authority after the Emperor was his second in command, which was none other than General Ragi.“What do you need?” “My father is severely sick. Can you permit me to take him to the royal ward to be attended to?” He asked.“Pa is sick!” She gasped. “Why am I just being informed? Take him to the royal ward immediately and tell the doctors I instructed them to attend to him immediately. I need to get ready and inform my husband of my whereabouts.”“Is that the only thing you'd be informing him about?” Klein muttered and Ivory froze on the spot.“I beg your pardon?”“Pardoned,”
The Emperor wants to take a new wife. They say she is the princess of a primitive village. They call it Yung,” Cedric informed Mona. Her mouth went agape. “The Emperor wants to take another wife? It's been barely four months since he got married. Why does he need another wife?” She asked. “I wouldn't know that but this is our opportunity. From what I have gathered, the Empress doesn't know about this yet. If we can inform her ahead of him with a little twist here and there, I am positive we can get her to work with us,” Cedric said. Mona frowned. She didn't like the idea of working with the woman who stole her man. It was better to leave her to die of the heartbreak“Do we really need her?” Mona grumbled. “Of course we do. She is the closest to the Emperor and if she is against him, it would give us easier access to him, don't you think?” Cedric asked her. Mona could not tell him that she was still bitter about the fact that Styles chose a maid over her. “I am only worried if she