The plan was simple yet the execution turned out to be a lot harder, just like Mona expected it would.Cedric gave her the injection as agreed but distracting Ragi was a bigger problem. The man wouldn't move from position and even if they did succeed in getting him away, there were guards positioned inside and outside the ward.In other words, it was impossible to get in. Cedric, after weighing the situation, called for an abortion. If they went ahead with the plan, they were likely to get caught and that would be disastrous for all of them. “I told you we needed a plan B. I knew a plan that simple wouldn't be that easy to execute,” Mona said. “Now is not the time for blame. I hate that man. I hate him with every fiber of my being. He keeps ruining my plans, every single time!” Cedric groaned.“Uhm… what crime is punishable by death in the Black empire?” Mona asked, surprising Cedric.“And why do you want to know that?” “Because if we frame him for it, he would be out of our hair
The more Malk thought of this place, the crazier it became. He was supposed to unalive the question and believe that the cunning Lord Cedric would save him.Was it too late to back down? Probably. He picked up the operating knife, eying his colleagues suspiciously. They didn't seem to take notice of anything as they focused on her daily check-up. Now was a perfect time to strike. So without hesitation, he plunged the knife into her stomach and the doctors burst out a yelp. He pulled it out, attempting to stab her again but this time, he was pulled back by soldiers. Malk prayed to the heavens that he hadn't made a mistake trusting Cedric even though everything in him told him that he did. The doctors sprang into action immediately. They couldn't afford to lose the queen now that she was recovering. The strike was deep so the bleeding was a bit harder to control.Meanwhile, the guards led Malk to the prison, waiting for the King to arrive. Styles didn't waste a minute when he was
Liah stopped in front of the guards with a tray of food. “Who are you?”“General Ragi asked that I bring the prisoner food to brace him for the trial ahead,” Liah lied. She had been going about her normal chores when Cedric sent for her. This time, he threatened to kill her if she failed to deliver the assignment.He wasn't bluffing so she couldn't risk it. Besides, this was relatively easier than the last assignment. She didn't know Malk so killing him wouldn't bother her half as much as incapacitating the Emperor. So she made a mask to hide her real face so that even if the poison was discovered, she wouldn't be a suspect. “Are you sure about this?” The guard asked suspiciously but Liah showed no sign of fear. “You can go ahead and ask him. He will be down here in an hour anyway,” she shrugged. The guards seemed to be convinced and let her in. Liah arrived at his cell and dropped the food. Glancing back to make sure the guards weren't eavesdropping, she whispered.“The Lord p
A few days went by and Styles didn't leave Ivory's side. Ragi made sure to tighten security and all pieces of equipment and doctors were double-checked. They couldn't take the risk of another accident. The Empress was slipping in and out of unconsciousness but it was better than being dead and Styles was happy with the development. Cedric didn't like this one bit. He went around the Elders's houses trying to convince them that Styles was neglecting the affairs of the kingdom because of a woman.The visits were unsuccessful, of course. Unlike he hoped, the Lords understood the feeling of loss and decided to support the Emperor until his wife was back in good health. They also reminded him that Ragi was filling in for him even though there were no pressing matters in the empire. Cedric’s annoyance only grew. It seemed like his nephew had the entire council of Lords wrapped around his fingers. So he decided to pay the Empress a visit. As expected Ragi was the first person he came a
Styles rested in the bath, shutting his eyes to enjoy the burn coating his skin. His head was thrown backward as the steam enveloped the room, making it difficult to spot anything. He needed this after the three days tarry by his wife's side. Ragi had to force him out because it was unbefitting of an Emperor to skip his bath for three consecutive days. Styles couldn't argue. The man had a point. So he let his wife under the care of the security and went to have his bath. “This feels so good,” he mumbled, sinking deeper into the water. Usually, the maids were supposed to help him bathe but Styles had them dismissed since he got married. He didn't want any other woman touching him except his wife. Ivory had gone a thousand shades of red then and he found it absolutely adorable. Sometimes, it surprised him how easily the woman was occupying his heart. If only he met her before he got entangled with Mona. Now, he was going to do his best to protect her from his enemies. He was goin
Cedric and Mona froze at the sight of Ragi. Mona was visibly consumed by fear. Was he here to arrest them? Cedric quickly regained his composure. Ragi was the last person they needed to mess with at this point.“Did you want something?” Cedric asked. “Want something? No, nothing at all,” Ragi shrugged. “Then why are you here?” Cedric asked him. “To inform you that the assassin has been caught and your presence is required at the council meeting,” Ragi answered in a monotone, betraying nothing of his thoughts.Mona swallowed thickly, forcing herself to remain calm. The situation couldn't be as bad as Ragi was making it seem. The man was probably trying to scare them.“And why did they send you to deliver this message? They usually don't care if I attend a meeting or not,” Cedric’s suspicion echoed in his voice but Ragi didn't seem bothered by it at all.“Because you must attend this meeting. They sent me to drag you to the palace if I have to, which is why I am here.”Cedric and Mo
“I just knew it! Tacki couldn't have resurfaced from the blues after attempting to kill your father years ago,” Ragi exasperated.“You need to calm down, Ragi. You might be overthinking things,” Styles tried to tone down the situation. He knew how Ragi could get when he was infuriated. “What are you trying to say, your highness? That I don't know what I'm talking about. Your uncle is doing his best to frustrate you out of the throne or kill you on it and you tag it overthinking?” Ragi growled. Styles moved back a bit. Ragi had never spoken to him in that matter. “Do you have any idea what his next course of action would be? This is his attempt at assassinating you and it failed! What other proof are you looking for!” “Ragi!” Styles snapped and the man blinked. “Please calm down.” An apologetic look morphed on his face. He didn't mean to disrespect the Emperor. The recent happenings stressed him out and he was worried the Emperor would get badly hurt or worse, killed. “I'm sorry,
Ragi stared at the girl in disbelief. His piercing gaze made her uncomfortable. She was accusing him of rape when she was the one who tried to jump him in his sleep. “Did you say I tried to rape you?” His tone was so harsh that even the soldiers flinched. “Yes,” the girl avoided his eyes. “I came to serve you fruits and you grabbed me. You ripped my clothes too!” The scene was too ridiculous for imagination. Who could have tasked a mere servant with such a stupid task? To think she had the audacity to carry it out. The soldiers stared helplessly at him, uncertain of what to do. “Are you sure it was Ragi?” Styles spoke for the first since he arrived. He knew Ragi like the back of his palm. The man is too principled to lay a woman against her wish. There had to be some sort of misunderstanding.“I am certain, Your Highness. He grabbed me and ripped my clothes because I wouldn't take them off willingly. I tried to explain to him that I have a partner but he wouldn't listen,” she sn