"What are you talking about?" asked Queen Zaina, staring the conversation in the horse carriage on the way back to the black palace."Prince Alexander loves his brother very much. He hopes to make up with the Black Prince soon," replied Amanda, concerned.Queen Zaina almost laughed but saw Amanda say in a sad tone, 'she told me what they were talking about so easily, and would I believe that?' She was intrigued to ask. "You're going to help him?""Apparently, although I'm not sure about this, Queen."'It turns out that the Black Prince's wife is just a naive little girl who is easily fooled.' Queen Zaina asked again, "what is your plan?""I don't know," Amanda answered honestly. But unfortunately, Prince Alexander did not mention the detailed plans.The golden blonde-haired woman then cast her gaze to the outside. 'I really can get rid of this stupid girl easily.' "I heard that the black roses in the palace are about to bloom. You're going to have a banquet to celebrate, aren't you, A
"Do it, think of it as your welcoming party too," said Illarion in response to Queen Zaina's whisper. "I let you guys manage everything," the dark-eyed man continued, watching the nervous Amanda."What about me?" said Prince Apollo with an artificially disappointed face. But Illarion didn't respond and immediately left his place.***"Any news?" asked Illarion as he entered his study."Sorry sir, we haven't got that guy's whereabouts yet. But the information we got was that he used to come to town once a month to meet his clients."Illarion looked annoyed, "Find that damn bastard soon, I will destroy anyone who dares to poison me."Once in the black palace, Illarion Black immediately assigned his men to look for the only compounder who could insert medicine or poison through fishbone media. Info about this compounder the Black Prince got from the old man in the woods who saved them, Balton."Only one person can do this trick, Karak, a fisherman. But he was mostly at sea, and only occa
"Of course! Loyal allegiance to Master!" Adam answered without hesitation."What do you think you will do if you find out I'm like this?"Adam thought for a moment. 'Actually, Master really doesn't care how much the budget is spent, it doesn't even touch the nominal value of the property Master has. But this girl needs to be taught a lesson not to waste money. She and her sister used to be the same. She needs to learn how to manage her money well, because many people need it more than this silly party.'"Selling your kidney maybe? I heard the easterners are looking for the internal organs of some young women for experiments, they will charge a very high price," Adam explained, nodding his head.Aime glared at that while Amanda tightly gripped the ends of her sleeves. "I-I'll sell my kidney before you know. Please don't tell him," the girl pleaded with blue, purple beads.'She really is so afraid of Master, but why do the maids say she has no manners and instead call Master casually? E
The appointed day for the party finally arrived. This is surprising considering that the Black Palace had never held an event except when the Black Prince returned from the battlefield some time ago. After all, this was a banquet usually attended by noble ladies, which meant it was the Black Prince's wife who had been invited to this event.Amanda looked nervous as she looked at herself in the mirror. 'I'm still not used to meeting a lot of people,' she lamented in her heart. "The Black Prince hasn't come yet?" the girl asked as she parted her lilac dress that matched her amethyst irises.Aime shook her head. "Not yet madam. But Queen Zaina has come.""Really?" Amanda asked with sparkling eyes. 'Ah fortunately, Queen Zaina said she would help me get acquainted with the Black Prince's colleagues too. 'The girl with the silvery white mane looked excited, her long hair flowing with daisies in each braid. 'I want to have lots of friends.''She's getting more and more like a fairy,' Aime t
The ladies and gentlemen of the nobles laughed disdainfully behind their expensive fans. "Look at her trying to match Queen Zaina's level. Tell Queen Minerva's maiden to come to her senses.""Shameless, I wonder why the Black Prince didn't kill her? Think of it as an excuse because the wife's family killed the Black Prince's mother.""A dress like Queen Zaina, the party looks boring when I hear it costs a lot of money, and on top of that, doesn't she realize she's not expected here? How dare she make an event for the Black Prince's colleague, she wants to try to get along with us? Come to your senses and look at your background.""Queen Zaina, to be honest I didn't want to come. But seeing that you invited me, I finally decided to come," Dutchess Fito shouted. The rest of the audience nodded in agreement."Thank you Dutchess, I was just inviting and wanted to get to know you all," said Queen Zaina gracefully, looking at Amanda.'I'll be introduced by her, right?' Finally, Amanda was r
"Th-thank you for coming to my first event. I- I… I hope to be good friends with ladies and gentlemen," Amanda stuttered. 'Gosh how come I can't even speak properly, the Black Prince must be so ashamed to have a companion like me.'Again, the guests who were present laughed at Amanda's behaviour, this time quietly because they felt embarrassed at the man who was standing tall next to the girl with the silver hair.'As I thought, they came just to judge her,' thought Illarion, glancing at Amanda from the corner of his eye. Although the hatred of the nobles of the Black Prince's colleagues towards Queen Minerva was not equal to his disgust, taking it out on this girl somehow contributed to the tightness of the black-haired man's chest. 'Why would she want to throw this stupid party? Was she so eager to party that she forgot who to invite?'Amanda's purple bead looked at the dark black irises, which were also looking back at her. 'Why would I want to protect him? Who are you to me?'"Mas
"Does he really trust that woman? She is the Queen's family.""Black magic, I'm sure of it. Just look at that girl's appearance like a witch."From the many statements made by the guests, one came up with a less popular opinion."Is the Black Prince in love?"Queen Zaina immediately glared at the owner of the comment. Then, finally, the noble lady realized she had said the wrong thing, and she quickly shut up while smacking her lips."Hmm, delicious. I've never tasted this drink before. It's like a mixture of honey, wine and lemon grass but with a lighter flavour," commented Illarion. The noble guests also participated in trying the drink from their respective glasses. Some nodded in agreement, "This is delicious." The rest had no comment but added drinks to their cups.Amanda smiled. 'Fortunately, the results of learning how to make tea with Nesa in the past can be applied now.'"Thanks for the tea Amanda, as per my suggestion. I'm glad you followed my advice to create something new,
Amanda took a souvenir too and took out its contents. She bit her lip nervously as she presented it. Again she pulled one of the segments of the flat object.A comb and the glass are formed from the flat object. "Folding comb…," she squeaked as she handed the item to the Black Prince. 'Silly idea Amanda,' cursed the silver-haired girl inwardly, seeing her husband's stiff expression.Illarion flipped through the 'folding comb'. "Aha... hahaha! Folding comb, my goodness Amanda. It's a comb."Crisp laugh immediately hypnotized all the women in the room. Will the sun rise from the west? It seemed like this was the first time they had seen their lord laugh so cheerfully, utterly different from the Black Prince, who was unfriendly with his gloomy air. As soon as he laughed next to the odd-looking girl, Illarion Black seemed friendly.Illarion was still chuckling as he joked, "Even in the middle of a battlefield, his hair will look neat when facing an enemy. What an unexpected item."The Nob
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