A handsome face with almond-coloured beads stood behind Amanda's door. "M-Master?"The girl felt this was a strange thing. Amanda immediately closed the door to her room. But unfortunately, one of the man's legs held the square-shaped ebony teak until it thwarted Amanda's intention to block Prince Apollo.Bruk!The man pushed Amanda with ease. The silver-haired girl screamed hysterically. "Ai-" she stifled a scream calling her female bodyguard."Shh." Prince Apollo immediately silenced Amanda's mouth. "Don't make a fuss, the maids will be here, Amanda…," he said in a low voice that was able to make the hair on the neck of the girl in his grip stand up.Amanda's body trembled. 'What does this man mean?' he asked himself while his mouth was still covered by the man's hand. 'Where are the guards? Where's Aime?'As if he could read the question that was in Amanda's mind. Apollo whispered again, "The bodyguards you are looking for are busy enjoying the gifts I gave you. We're just having f
"You sit back and enjoy this, and it will all be our secret. Until the end of the deal comes, I will hide you from the Black Prince and Queen Minerva. You'll be safe, Amanda. Just stay quiet," he offered, then placed his index finger on Amanda's soft, cherry-red lips."Tsk!" Illarion squeaked in annoyance at the broken wheels of his chariot. Not one but the three carriages he brought after celebrating the harvest feast at Duke Marlion's mansion ran into trouble."Looks like this will take some time, sir," explained Andreas. It was the day after the harvest celebration. The Black Prince's entourage had already left the palace for more than two days."How about dropping by my little kingdom," suggested Queen Zaina with her trademark graceful smile. "You can even see the top of the palace from here.""We're not in a hurry either, Master. That's a good suggestion," said Andreas, agreeing to Queen Zaina's proposal.Illarion Black looked thoughtful. His dark eyes stared intently at the pala
Queen Zaina could feel the man she hugged tighten his back muscles. As if getting a fresh breeze, the air blowing from the palace balcony made the weather cooler. But she didn't notice Illarion's jaw clenched shut, after which, with a sharp glint, she almost hated the man coldly said."Don't expect more than what you got Queen, I'm not that cheap. It's just our agreement that I can cancel whenever I want."Immediately Queen Zaina let go of the hug with trembling hands. "I-I will serve you, Master. Don't you call the ladies every night to warm your bed? I'm even better than those women," she offered confidently at the bottom she never imagined she would feel. 'How could this man have made me this low?"I-I chose to support you Master, not Queen Minerva," said Queen Zaina, as if to emphasize that the handsome man in front of her should be more polite towards her. 'I am the leader of Eden, and the most beautiful woman in the world, no one has ever looked down on me like this before.'Ill
The man's eyes instantly became darker than before, his jaw clenched, and he headed for Amanda's room with firm steps.A few minutes before the Black Prince's return, Aime knocked on Amanda's door that morning. The short-haired woman was a little surprised because she couldn't find the guards who used to stand in front of the door. 'Didn't they still have officers guarding yesterday before I said leave to my room? And it's not time to change shifts yet.'Amid Aime's confusion, the luxurious teak wood door opened. Showing the figure of a charming man with sliced almonds. The female bodyguard was shocked beyond measure. Instead of asking, her eyes fell on the man's shirt, which wasn't buttoned properly, and the scratches from his neck to his chest were exposed.Seeing Aime's dazed gaze, Prince Apollo cracked a smile. "We played rough last night, madam; you were wonderful," chuckled Prince Apollo as he licked his lips and then walked away.“Are you cheating Madam?" Aime muttered in disbe
"Madam…," Aime whispered weakly behind the Black Prince, then quickly walked away after seeing Amanda's lips move before the girl was utterly unconscious."Please… bury it."The Black Prince looked furious back to his private room. His feelings were chaotic when he discovered that his wife and his cousin had an affair. Illarion Black threw himself on the bed, covering his face with his strong arms. His face was so tired."I thought you were different," he muttered.He felt like he wanted to stab his sword into Prince Apollo's neck, but Illarion was still thinking clearly. If Amanda had seduced him, he couldn't have just killed his cousin. Besides, he wanted to keep the enemies.His mind was so tired. He didn't expect to be this disappointed in the little silver-haired girl. "I should have guessed it. But …."'She's different…,' continued Illarion to himself. His disappointment turned quickly to hate when he remembered Amanda sadness with her torn shirt and neck covered with sex marks.
Illarion Black was now sitting opposite Queen Minerva. They looked at each other vengefully. The Queen's blue Netra flashed wide as if she wanted to kill the young man in front of her. The Black Prince replied with a gaze no less sharp and cold than his black bead as dark as night. It is no longer an open secret that the Black Prince hates the Queen. This is based on the dark story of the Prince's past, which is directly related to the Queen.This meeting will not discuss the successor to the supreme power of Anarka," said the King, who immediately turned the guests' attention from the Black Prince to the leader of the limited meeting. The audience seemed to be whispering with disappointed faces, afraid to voice the various questions that were hanging in their respective minds. However, they hope this meeting will shed light on who is in power.Since the King was terminally ill, who acted as the temporary supreme power holder in the Anarka Kingdom was Queen Minerva. That's why most of
Amanda stared blankly from a distance to see the mound Aime had made. The cat is buried there in a sad situation. 'Even Illarion -my cat- is much braver than me. He deserves to live more than me….' Amanda had constantly insulted herself in this life, and this time she felt that she had no reason to live anymore.The man in front of him, with a face no less cold, began to see the blue amethyst irises that he had longed for some time ago. 'Gross.' Illarion thought. And now that longing has turned into hate, betrayal is what he hates the most in this world. 'You think I'll be as pitiful as the previous times? How can I believe she differs from her sister, those noble ladies, and the leeches around me? Meanwhile, Prince Apollo was shaking in his room, repeating a sentence repeatedly in his mind. 'He won't kill me. I was messing with the girl who was his enemy's family. So why did he come home early? he wouldn't kill me, right? he wouldn't kill me, right? he wouldn't kill me, right?Heari
A word that instantly made Amanda's whole body go limp again. If yesterday the insulting word Illarion threw when he was very drunk, it made Amanda even sadder this time. The black-haired man said it while he was sober. 'Why am I still alive?' her mind returned to the question. 'The beloved cat who was the reason I live is dead, the man who 'I think I love him now hates me. Do I need to explain this to him? But of course, he won't believe any of my explanations.' With her head bowed, she followed her legal husband's steps into the room."Amanda, long time no see," said King Abraham, looking friendly but still impressed."Th-thank you, Your Majesty, the King still remembers me, a priceless honour," Amanda answered weakly. She was unable to respect or make small talk more.The ambience in the room felt very heavy, almost as if there was no oxygen for the girl from the Baron Broke family -Amanda-. Beside the King sat a woman with a beautiful face, at the same time, looking stern and cold
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