The two men gasped at Illarion Black's confession."That's because he betrayed me." Illarion stared intently at the two people in front of him. "That also applies to you if you violate what we will agree on."Duke Gala and Duke Fang nodded anxiously.A smile returned to Illarion's face. "You know what you're asking for, right?"The two noblemen nodded."If the Black Prince can solve the problem of the Green area. Then, I, as the ruler of the Gala region, will be loyal to the Black Prince," Duke Gala promised after swallowing his saliva, trying to convince the Black Prince."I am also the ruler of the Kaliska region, willing to take an oath of allegiance and join the Black Prince's coalition, if you succeed in solving the problems in my territory!" Duke Fang said firmly after hearing Duke Gala's statement.'The desperation of death does lead people to be forced to side with choices that would be almost impossible for them to make under normal circumstances.' Illarion thought. The man k
"Traitor!" cried Queen Minerva furiously and threw the vase on her table.Duke Alantoin, who became the woman's interlocutor, immediately avoided the broken glass by covering his face in annoyance. 'She gets worse every time she gets angry.'“They rejected the healer I brought and instead came to that damn child! Can't you find an antidote that's stronger than that bastards have?" asked Queen Minerva to her sibling with a fierce face.“Even healers can't let the plague. What I can do…,” Duke Alantoin replied desperately."You are useless! No wonder father favours me even though you are the only son in our family! You suck!” shouted Queen Minerva insulting the man with the title of Duke right under her nose.Duke Alantoin could only lower his head, not daring to say anything against his younger sister, even though his heart hurt."As long as this plague persists, and only the Black Prince has the antidote, one by one, our colleagues will bow to him," Queen Minerva said, then growled. "
Again Duke Alantoin and Queen Minerva widened their eyes at another unexpected news from the maid.“Th-this is very strange,” said Duke Alantoin, stuttering because he couldn't believe what he heard. “The Black Prince and his wife both filed for divorce, and the girl is no longer in the palace. As if saving his wife from murder on our part if that girl dares to file for divorce? Is this so weird? I feel something is off here.”Queen Minerva stared intently at her older brother, analyzing what had happened. "You're right this is very strange ..." she hangs."It makes me wonder if that damn kid is ready for a coup or he really has a crush on that girl," Queen Minerva continued. “But that second thing can't happen right? As far as I know, the Black Prince is not someone who has a heart when it comes to power,” Duke Alantoin responded.“Well whatever it is, this time you finally brought something really useful, my brother.”Duke Alantoin smiled back at that. 'After her coronation party a
Amanda's eyes immediately trembled when she saw the contents of the parchment Prince Apollo had brought. Then she saw the official request addressed to King Abraham. 'This is not a joke, carrying His Majesty's name on this letter, the Black Prince really wants to end this relationship.'A single tear slipped down Amanda's pale cheek. The girl read over and over the parchment, the Black Prince's signature beautifully engraved on it, as the husband's side. Both parties must sign the application.Amanda had always felt this would happen, but on the other hand, she didn't think this would happen. Her chest felt tight, as if it was hollow and tied simultaneously. Tears rolled down Amanda's eyes again now, and Prince Apollo smiled sweetly at sight."Sign it, that's the message of the Black Prince through his servant who delivered this," said Prince Apollo."Why?" A question escaped Amanda's lips. Prince Apollo laughed sarcastically. “Why is it happen now? He should stay married to you unti
Amanda stared blankly after hearing the man's statement in front of her. "I didn't think you were a double-edged sword."A cynical laugh escaped Prince Apollo's thin lips. "And what's the difference between you and me, aren't you also a family traitor? You betrayed your family for loving the Black Prince! Then don't ever expect him to come back Amanda, now you should start learning to love me.""Unfortunately, that will never happen," challenged Amanda."Only I Amanda! Just me, can accept your defects and wounds," said Prince Apollo as he grabbed Amanda's chin, pulling the girl closer to look at her beautiful face."Let me go-hmpp!"Prince Apollo again forcibly kissed Amanda. With all her strength, the girl resisted the physical contact created by Prince Apollo. But in vain, the girl's energy was too weak to resist Prince Apollo's domination.The maid who had been in the room immediately lowered her head to let what happened in front her eyes, and she immediately left. "Brother! What
"I don't want to talk about it," said the Black Prince. Yurigov stood up and then patted Illarion Black on the shoulder. "I don't know what to say, but I wish we had a coup without going to war." Yurigov then looked at the sea of black warriors training in the Exilas field. "I'm not ready to lose anyone again after my friend left," said the man with the largest body in the black legion. "Especially you, sir." Illarion clenched his knuckles. “But we are using dirty means by spreading this black plague. Sacrificing the lives of those who shouldn't have been involved." Yurigov smiled again wisely. “Isn't there always a sacrifice in the struggle for power? Overthrow unjust rulers and replace them with better ones. Those who die are heroes." Illarion was still listening to the words of one of the best generals in his army. “Sacrificing one or two lives is better than a thousand lives. Only one percent of the total population. Besides, this way there is no grudge that ends up behind."
"You know the consequences. You know for sure, my son," said Raja Darren in a soft tone as if a lullaby. And he held a hot iron in the form of a large needle as long as an adult's arm, bright red because the hot coals had heated it.The clattering sound of metal linking together formed a shackle on an old woman's leg. She was a stout woman with her hair in a neat bun and a frightened expression on her face. "S-sir… ," she whispered for mercy. "Please not her, Your Majesty! The King, please!" asked Prince Apollo again."Then you are the one who wants to bear this punishment?" asked King Darren while eyeing the reddish iron ingot."Not Aunt Jane, she- she ... forgive me," Prince Apollo urged as he ran to hug the old woman who had nursed him since he was little.An unorthodox punishment usually carried out by the royal family was in the current Landyork palace. The punishment uses guilt as a punishment. Every noble Prince or Princess has a nanny or playmate who will be a substitute for
"What are you doing?" A question slipped from the lips of Prince Andreas. He and Amanda had just arrived at the door of King Darren's private room when they found Prince Apollo tucking his father in a blanket."Ah, what did I do?" said Prince Apollo imitating Prince Andreas' question. “Father wanted to rest for a bit after punishing me. Thank you, little brother. I became more 'aware' after you reported me to Father," said Prince Apollo as he stepped out of the King of Landyork's private room. King Darren's eldest son's hands began to shake violently as he left the room without his younger brother noticing.Prince Andreas smiled in response to his brother's words, feeling he had done the right thing. "Let's go, Amanda. Later, we will meet the King again. Besides, I saw that the parchment was safe on your father's desk," whispered Prince Andreas, winking.***Amanda returned to her room with a frown. She couldn't sleep until morning, reflecting on the irregularities in King Darren's ro
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