*Horn blows as Princess Heli walks into the throne room*“Greetings Emperor Styles” she greeted with a slight bow. The Emperor had a skeptical look on his face while Ivory just looked spiteful….and for good reason too. She was always wary of women around her husband as she knew the long held tradition of emperors keeping a harem. Luckily for her though, Styles had shown little to no interest in keeping a harem of any form and she planned to keep it that way. “Princess Heli, I must say it is a surprise to see you here” Styles responded. Heli smirked as she looked him in the eye. “To what do I owe this honor?” He asked.“Nothing more than my interest in breaking up old norms that have kept our kingdoms isolated from each other” she said.“Hmmm, go on” he nodded as he leaned forward with piqued interest. He was still clearly fascinated by her beauty but more so by her intellect and manner of behavior. Though isolated from each other, most Empires and peoples had at some point in time he
Ragi and the Empress are in the empress's chamber, discussing about the princess. Ragi clearly has his suspicions but the empress simply doesn't like her and is on the defensive, particularly because of what happened between her and the Emperor. She now views Princess Heli as a threat to her position of empress and is willing to do anything to stop her. “I'm telling you she's up to something” the empress said to Ragi. Her face had suspicion and paranoia written all over it. “I don't like the feeling I'm getting from her. I don't like it at all” she said as she lay down on her bed. She looked really pale and fragile. “I feel the exact same way, your Grace” Ragi responded, “I felt suspicious of her from the first day I set my eyes on her. She's definitely planning something ulterior. I'm sure of it” he added. “What shall we do, your Grace?” He enquired. “We need to watch her…to monitor her every move, from what she eats to what she drinks to even who she talks to and interacts
Nighttime had fallen upon the land and the night life of the capital began to awake. Colorful paper lanterns can be seen hanging over the stalls and shops of the traders and the city is just as active now as it was in the day. Meanwhile, back at the Emperor's residence, Princess Heli prepares herself for a successful hunt. She had made no attempts since she arrived here and the drainage of her dark magic was starting to take a toll on her. “Are you ready, Princess?” The eunuch whispered to her. She nodded and assured him that she was okay. Then the eunuch said to the maids standing in front of them. “We will be moving out tonight to see the city sites. Princess Heli here isn't feeling too well and will not be going with us however, we need not make the public know that she is ill. Instead, one of you shall dress in her attire and masquerade herself as the princess. That way we can move without any suspicions. Are we clear?” He asked. “Sir yes sir!” The maids answered as a sm
Ragi followed from a distance, each moment causing him to be more suspicious than the last. The princess who was supposed to be sightseeing was yet to say a word or even acknowledge the places they were going through.She was silent and stiff with occasional nods but nothing more. “Sir, I don't think they mean harm. We've been following them for hours now and all they have done is enjoy the view of the city,” one of the men spoke up. “Enjoy? Do you call this plain walk with occasional nods of enjoyment? If you ask me, this seems like some kind of arrangement. They probably know we are onto them so they are trying to behave as naturally as possible,” Ragi argued. The men exchanged glances. They didn't buy his theory but none was brave enough to dispute it. “So we keep following them?”“Yes. I will return to the palace to speak with the Emperor but you must make sure to keep guard. Watch them closely, alright?” He instructed.“Yes, General.”Meanwhile, Ivory was seated in her room,
When the Emperor called another meeting with the council, they suspected something was about to happen, and just as they perceived, he dropped a bomb on them. “I am sure you are all wondering about the urgency behind this meeting. I want to inform you all that after careful consideration of the Yung proposal, I have decided to accept the marriage treaty,” Styles declared and they jumped to their feet in shock. Ragi was the most stunned. The Emperor assured him days that he would never take another wife and now he was planning to wed the Yung Princess?“Your majesty, you…” Ragi started protesting when the Emperor cut him off.“I will not take anyone's opinion on this. It is a choice and I will appreciate it if you get to work with the marriage preparations,” he stated.“What about her father? You said you would speak with him and…”“Her father is dead. The fate of her people lies with her now and you can see she is doing her best to save them,” Styles intercepted.The Lords exchanged
“The rumors are circulating again. Are they still false?” Mona asked the minute Styles entered the room. “I am not ready to discuss this with you,” he took off his jacket and then cast her a look she couldn't decipher. “You should leave now, I need rest.” Before Ivory could speak, the door opened and a second guest entered. Heli noticed the tension in the room as soon as she walked in but none of it concerned her. “Your Majesty,” she bowed. “I hope you don't mind company. I am bored out of my mind, some interaction would help,” Heli spoke, deliberately ignoring Ivory. “Of course not. You are welcome, anytime,” Styles gleefully replied. Ivory's fists clenched as rage fueled within her. Heli threw her a glance, then with mock remorse, she said, “I didn't notice you had company already. I hope I am not interrupting anything.” “Nonsense! You are not interrupting anything. The Empress was just about to leave,” Styles answered and Ivory gaped at him. This was nothing like the man sh
“Your hands work like magic. I haven't had a massage this good in years,” Styles confessed, moaning softly as her fingers worked on his shoulders. “Do not flatter me, your highness. I can only try. I am sure I am not even half as good as your wife,” Heli said coyly.“Who? Ivory? I doubt she beats your expertise. I haven't even had a massage from her before now,” Styles answered honestly.“Oh,” Heli moved to his back. “I suppose you're not on good terms? I felt the tension in the room, right from the moment I walked in.”Styles didn't respond and Heli rolled her eyes. There was still some resistance to her magic. This meant she needed more blood. “It's okay if you don't want to share. It is really not my business. I know I'm an outsider and I shouldn't even be here…” she paused, waiting for her manipulative words to take effect.“Do not refer to yourself as an outsider. You are soon going to be an Empress in this great kingdom,” Styles told her.Heli smiled, “Does that mean you will
“What brings you to my abode, Cedric?” The voice would have been scary to anyone else but Cedric had known this man long enough to tell that he wasn't half as scary as his voice was. “I brought a proposal I'm sure you would be interested in,” Cedric responded, staring at the curtain separating him and the man with a relaxed expression.There was no response for almost a minute.“Hope you don't mind asking your maids to entertain me while you contemplate on my words,” Cedric said, signaling one of the maids over. “I'll like some meat and strong wine,” he ordered and she nodded before leaving. “Does this offer have to do with taking a life?” The man asked. “Does it matter?” Cedric retorted. “It does. I told you I do not walk that path anymore. I am trying to give back to my people what nature has blessed…”“Cut it out, Rim. You didn’t recite a speech when we were eliminating the Emperor,” Cedric interrupted.“No, because then it seemed like nothing It is one of the acts I am asham