Liah sat in her quarters thinking about the Queen's words. She'd known Eina for a long time and just like her, Eina’s parents were also criminals. The girl would do anything to keep her parents' heads. The only one who would want General Ragi out of the way was Lord Cedric. This Lord Cedric was the one who let Eina's parents get away with her crimes.With the two pieces coming together, she realized that Eina was working under Lord Cedric just like her. She knew this before her talk with the queen.The leaf the Queen wanted used to be one of their most cherished plants. Although it was almost extinct because men like Lord Cedric knew the effects it would have on their activities so they had the plants destroyed. She wasn't lying when she told the Empress the plant was not in the black Empire. She only lied about knowing its existence. She wasn't friends with Eina but Liah knew what Lord Cedric was capable of. The man was one of the cruelest men to ever exist and if this was his as
Four days went by and Ragi was set up for trial. Eina stood proudly, confident that she would win the case effortlessly. The Emperor and his Empress sat at the highest point of the table, followed by the council Lords and lastly, the judges. Small murmurings were going around as the people discussed and argued about the case. Once the hammer hit the table, everyone fell silent waiting for the procession. “I know you all are aware of the reasons you are gathered here today but there would be a slight change in today’s session…” Murmurings arose once again and the hammer hit the table once again to get them silent. “We plan to get this over with as quickly as possible which is why we will be introducing a long-age tradition instead of the customary swearing”. Lord Cedric shifted uneasily in his seat. What was this new twist they were introducing? He was certain that the Emperor had something to do with the new development. his eyes flickered to Styles’ who remained sitting on his se
“We need more forces!”Cedric said suddenly. Mona stared at him as though he had gone mad. “Why are you giving me that look? You should know that the two of us cannot do this alone. We lost Tacki and now, Eina is gone too, thankfully before she exposed us. We need more forces.” “More forces? This looks like a lost cause to me. Can you not see how tragically our plans fail when we are so close to executing them?” Mona asked him. Cedric’s displeasure was evident on her face. He couldn’t blame the brat for whining. If she had been with him in the beginning, she would have seen bigger plans with no loopholes crash. He couldn’t bother explaining to her either. All the girl wanted was to be Queen. She didn’t know the hard work that came with the position. “If you are no longer interested in working with him, feel free to leave. I will not force you to work with me to the top. It is solely your decision!” he stated. Although he sounded calm, Mona could see the fury in his eyes, He di
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