“Traitor!”"Murderer!"“Monsters!”"Witch!"The ridicule and swearing that rained down on Amanda White's figure on the stage of her death. The girl was still smiling beneath her black covering.Illarion Black woke up with a ragged breath, his whole body drenched in sweat, his eyes glazed over. He coughed slightly when he regained consciousness and tried to get up from sleep, but his body still felt unsteady."Lord!" cried a woman and a man beside Illarion in unison.The Black Prince, who was now sitting, accidentally leaned against the woman's chest because Illarion's body still felt weak. "Amanda?" he whispered as he turned to the side, hoping it was his wife. But, he had the luxurious bouquet of roses scent instead of Amanda's signature vanilla scent.A beautiful woman with blonde hair and eyes like the blue sky during the day stared back at him worriedly. “Are you dizzy, Prince?”"Ah, the antidote that you gave him is effective, Queen Zaina," praised Yurigov, standing behind the r
Now there was only the clatter of steel chains against the iron bed. Illarion was still trying to break free.Queen Zaina stepped out of the Black Prince's private room. She came out with teary eyes, not expecting the sight she had just seen. The Black Prince shed tears. 'Why does he look so weak? Did he really love Amanda? This isn't the Black Prince I've known all along!'Ratu Zaina's feelings are raging. Whether it's because she can't accept the helpless figure of the Black Prince or because Illarion Black already has someone very important in his heart, someone who even the ruler of Eden thinks is incomparable to her.Yurigov slowly closed the large window with black curtains as the sound from the direction of the Black Prince's bed faded, along with the black-haired man's consciousness."I'm willing to hate by you ,Prince, for the rest of my life for this. But it's the good of all of us."The sound of gunshots rang loudly outside, in contrast to the Black Prince's room, which wa
Illarion had just visited the residence of Duke Alantoin, which had been neglected since the entire family of Queen Minerva's older sister had been exiled. "You intend to return now, Your Majesty?" asked Illarion Black's aide after all their business on the scene was over. "No, I guess I'll stop somewhere first," Illarion said after thinking to answer Kazim, his bodyguard's question. "To Sulli, I want to meet someone there."Kazim's face showed a question mark, but the man nodded obediently. "Just the two of us, no need to bring troops," Illarion ordered further.Two hours from the former residence of Duke Alantoin, Kazim and Illarion Black had arrived at the city of Sulli. The city's typical cold brought Illarion back to when he picked up Amanda.Seeing his Master, who was suddenly silent, Kazim wondered to himself. 'This isn't the first time I've seen the King stare blankly into the distance; in this quiet city, he's been pensive more and more.'"What's wrong, Your Majesty?" aske
Brenda couldn't hide her smile behind her fake tears of loss. Meanwhile, Ben Broke looked choked up in his chair.“Your Majesty-.” Ben Broke's voice trailed behind sobs. 'Even until the end you are still a dutiful child, Amanda.' Ben Broke's sobs grew louder to form a very strange hum. Brenda even wrinkled her nose. 'Since when was he good at acting?'But it wasn't an act, a feeling of guilt that was as overwhelming as a sledgehammer hitting Ben Broke in the chest. "I am does not deserve that trust," Ben Broke refused in between his tears that had almost subsided.Brenda widened her eyes, unable to believe the words that slipped from her husband's wrinkled lips. 'He's crazy? has he lost his mind? how could he turn down his only chance to become rich even worse than before?'“I hope you can take up this task Duke. Maybe that's the only reason I can reduce my guilt towards you, for not being able to take good care of your daughter."Brenda pinched her husband's hand, wiping away fake
Illarion, who couldn't sleep that night, took a short walk into Amanda's little manor. There were only three rooms: the living room with the fireplace, Illarion had seen the painting of Amanda's family, the kitchen, and the bedroom with a living room. 'Even this bathroom doesn't have a bathtub, just a bucket, and cold shower. Doesn't Amanda like warm water?' Illarion thought for a moment, then shook his head. "She even took a long, long bath in warm water." The water splashing when Amanda took a shower that was heard in Illarion Black's room at that time made his mind imagine something that tempted his desires.Illarion dusted off the nightstand beside Amanda's bed while looking around his late wife's room. He had felt awkward with this castle, and many questions were spinning in his head. 'Furniture in the castle and this room also looks very left behind, does Amanda really like the old style?' thought Illarion as he patted the dust on the brown sofa where springs were sticking o
"Tell me about your sister, then I will give you more pleasure than this," said Illarion, winking and smiling crookedly. Gisella, with hunting breaths, now sat tied up on the bed. “What do you… want… to know, My Majesty?” sighed Amanda's step sister. "Why... don't we... get to the heart of the game... does that sick girl matter now?" insisted Gisella, whose body was thirsty for touch. Illarion shook his head. "Could you be patient and give me what I ask for without arguing?" asked Illarion as he took the girl's hand in front of him. He wanted to give Gisella an intimate touch by playing with her fingers. "I'm not a patient man, even though now I tell you to be patient," said Illarion with a smile. And then he twisted Gisella's index finger causing a 'crack' sound. Again the girl's roar sounded outside the castle. "What's that big?" muttered Brenda, and her mind went wild. "Y-she... is my half sister, her mother has died..." Gisella said while looking at her index finger twist
"I guess it's my fault I listened to you too much!" snapped Ben Broke, blushing furiously. "You slapped me!" screamed Brenda, who did not accept her husband's treatment. Before the husband and wife could argue, the castle door opened with a loud rusty hinge. The figure of a tall, handsome man with black hair appeared behind the wooden door. The two pairs of former Illarion Black's in-laws stood rooted to the spot to find the man buttoning his shirt and casually exiting. “M-master.” Ben Broke opened his voice. "Send these people to the mines. I think they need newly enslaved people in the mines," Illarion ordered Kazim, who was already behind the Broke husband and wife. “W-what do you mean, Your Majesty?!” Brenda asked frantically. "Your Majesty the King, forgive us if there is a mistake," begged Ben, bowing slightly. Illarion stopped in his tracks. "You don't mind if you lose another daughter, do you?" asked Illarion with sharp eyes. Ben Broke out of sight, only for a moment,
Hera then met Illarion's eyes. "See, even your eye bags are getting darker." Illarion chuckled displeasedly at the fussiness of the woman who was now putting her hands on her hips in front of him. “Let me fight and I will sleep well!” Hera shook her head. "No! Royal officials are always worried when you go to war, and so am I. You don't have Illarion's successor yet! Sleep one of the women, get them pregnant and you can go to war wherever you want," ordered the beautiful woman in a sexy dress. “Sometimes I regret bringing you back to Anarka,” Illarion said. Hera smiled. "You're not impotent are you?" she asked playfully but was met with bulging eyes by Illarion. “Or are you finally starting to like Kazim?” asked Hera again while hiding her chuckle. "You!" Illarion yell to Hera. If Hera weren't Illarion's mother's other sister, surely the woman who dared to joke around with the Black Emperor casually would be in name now. Hera had been living in the Grandal area. Queen Minerva g
Illarion stopped in his tracks, not wanting Amanda to distance herself further from him. While gazing into Amanda's amethyst irises, the man with obsidian hair asked, "What if it's all true?" Amanda leaned against the cold stone wall in the underground chamber, not wanting to fall in front of Illarion Black, who had just revealed something Amanda had never suspected in her entire life. Her beloved friend Aime, who had been replaced by Illarion, had died because of the actions of the man she loved the most. 'I was even willing to die for this man with black hair,' Amanda thought. "I guess we're not destined to be together, Emperor," Amanda replied. The sorrowful expression that Illarion displayed upon hearing Amanda's words made Karak's laughter resonate once again in the underground chamber. "Karma! Hear that! It's your Karma, Illarion!" the old man interjected amidst his terrifying laughter. "Don't leave me again, Amanda," Illarion pleaded weakly as he followed the girl's steps t
"I am Karak."Amanda's purple eyes widened upon hearing that name. Karak was the man who poisoned Illarion during the dance party at King Abraham's birthday. It was then that they met Galela and Balton, who saved Illarion and provided the antidote for the poison.'Is it because of that incident that Illarion is torturing this man? Because he once poisoned him?' Amanda wonders why this old man gets punishment like this by Illarion Black."It seems like you recognize me," Karak guessed, narrowing his eyes. The chains on his back rattled. "Ah, my abilities are truly extraordinary."'I shouldn't get involved in this. I should leave,' Amanda thought."Hey, don't you hold a grudge against that man?" Karak asked.Amanda, who was about to turn back, halted her steps. "Why would I?""For sacrificing you.""What do you mean?" Amanda asked.Karak chuckled softly before answering Amanda's question. "Who do you think poisoned the King? The previous King.""Huh?" Amanda murmured, looking confused.
Princess Hera's face immediately turned pale. "Of course, the spring colour is the most suitable, like the colour of falling leaves," Amanda said with a smile, patting her sister-in-law's arm. "Oh, yes, of course," Princess Hera replied with a forced smile. "We were discussing the perfect dress colour for spring, my Lord," Amanda explained. "Oh," murmured Illarion, then he got into the carriage. "My sister will stop at the Main Palace. She will stay there for a while to prepare for our wedding celebration," Illarion explained to Amanda. "Ah! Thank you, Princess Hera. I hope I'm not causing you any trouble," Amanda expressed. "Oh, certainly not. I'm happy to finally do this after waiting for the emperor's wedding for ten years," Princess Hera replied, appearing to laugh. But that only furrowed Amanda's brow. 'Why does Princess Hera look so uncomfortable next to her brother?' Finally, Amanda White and Illarion Black arrive at the black palace after escorting Princess Hera to the
"What are you doing?" Princess Hera asked, investigating while pulling Illarion's arm as soon as the dance party ended.The Black Emperor immediately brushed the woman with dark ash hair hand. "What do you mean?""High Priest, what are you doing to him?"Illarion shook his head and scoffed. "Tsk! Do you suspect me, Sis? Isn't that going too far? I am also deeply saddened.""You're not good at acting, Illarion!" Princess Hera stated firmly.The handsome man with a scar on his right eyebrow laughed cynically."You've gone too far! You're just like our late father, the previous King."Illarion immediately stared sharply at his sister. "Don't compare me to that old man who sold you for power.""What's the difference? You also kill to justify your goals! The High Priest is a holy person, a representative of God, Illarion!" Prince Hera shouted. "I never expected you to become this bad.""I was the one who saved you!" Illarion retorted, clenching his jaw and tightening his elbow."We'll see
"I should have sent someone to fetch her," thought Illarion as he searched for Amanda among the hundreds of guests.Illarion face lit up with a wide smile when he saw a figure with snow-white skin passing through the hall's main entrance where the dance party was being held.All eyes once again followed the steps of Illarion Black, amazed by the physical perfection of the leader of the deadliest army in the entire Black Continent. Their breaths were caught as the Black Emperor knelt before a woman."Who is she?" "I heard she's the daughter of Duke Gree, but wasn't she sickly and had a child out of wedlock?" Question after question rolled in hushed tones, too afraid to voice out loud who the woman now offering her hand to the Black Emperor was. One wrong answer, and their heads might roll before they get a chance to find out.After Illarion gently kissed the back of Amanda's hand, he stood tall and led the girl with pink tresses onto the dance floor, accompanied by beautiful music. The
"Max!"Amanda called nervously, startled and looking embarrassed, when she almost got caught kissing Illarion by a young boy and Virginiana."You're too young, ten years old, to hurt me, little boy," Illarion said, slightly annoyed because he could taste Amanda's cherry lips. "What is he doing? Stealing Mom's breath again?"Amanda's face turned crimson while Illarion laughed heartily upon hearing Max's question.The dark-haired man tilted his head, observing the little girl clinging behind Max. Virginiana appeared to steal glances fearfully, observing Illarion Black's figure. "Is it her?" Illarion asked Amanda. "Both of you look so alike.""Oh, yes, she's Virginiana!" Amanda exclaimed, shifting her attention to Max, still feeling embarrassed.Virginiana's face immediately turned pale as Illarion looked at her again, now knowing her name. The little girl bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears. Illarion knelt in front of Max and Virginiana."Allow me to introduce myself as the fath
"What?" exclaimed all the attending guests. They didn't expect the ruler of Anarka to attend this small tea party. Although Duke and Thomas Gree, noblemen and trusted aides of the Black Emperor, were present, it was unusual for someone other than the host's spouse to attend such a small tea gathering unless they had an intimate relationship with the host."Black Emperor is here, are any of these noble ladies capturing the ruler's heart?" Countess Synera asked, full of curiosity.Romantic relationships among the nobility were always intriguing to gossip about, especially when they involved higher-ranking nobles. And now, the Black Emperor, dressed in a dark maroon suit, walked along the path to the party venue, causing the hearts of the noble ladies to beat faster."Forgive my intrusion. I was passing by and decided to visit Duke Gree's residence briefly," Illarion said, trying to come up with an excuse, but the noble guests didn't care. The presence of the handsome man dominated their
Mathilda and Thomas seemed drawn to attention when they saw Kaliya, who couldn't stop smiling while holding hands with Amanda in Duke Gree's garden residence."She has sun-kissed skin spots just like Vivian," Mathilda murmured finally, and Duke Gree nodded with a sad look beside his wife."Are they just noticing this now?" thought Amanda. She felt Kaliya's hand tremble slightly in her grasp.Suddenly, Kaliya screamed loudly, pulling flowers and throwing them toward the Gree couple."Kaliya...," Thomas softly called out, no longer shouting, which caused the brown-eyed child to widen her eyes in confusion."Did I do something w-wrong?" she asked with a trembling voice. Subconsciously, Kaliya knew that if she were called by her name, she would be punished, as that had been happening to her all this time.Amanda immediately crouched down next to the little girl so their eyes were level. "You did nothing wrong, my dear, but it's better if you don't throw anything at other people because it
"Who?""Duke Alantoin Son, Ignatius Alantoin. Fortunately, that playboy was also sentenced to death by the Black Emperor along with his father, who was a loyal supporter of Queen Minerva," Mathilda replied angrily. "He is the flesh and blood of a man who opposes the Black Emperor."Amanda stared sharply at Mathilda. "Did you forget? My father is also a distant relative of Queen Minerva."Mathilda immediately choked. She, who had wanted to make Amanda understand why she treated Kaliya that way, felt attacked instead. Amanda immediately refuted Duchess Gree's statement."She is still a child. She is innocent, especially since she is your daughter's child, Duchess. She is your granddaughter-.""She is the reason my weak daughter died while giving birth! Her father deceived my daughter so that she would give up her virginity. My daughter, who never met anyone outside of wedlock, was left alone by that damn man! Even though my daughter insisted on giving birth to her child, even though her