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
Queen Minerva smiled, but it made her face look even more hostile. "Duke Gramer is Illarion's ex-in-law, I'm sure he would be very awkward about that. Moreover, he had to bring his new wife. How about Prince Alex-," Queen Minerva's words were immediately cut off seeing the disapproving gaze of the Anarka ruler."You're trying to control me, Minerva?""I-I…."A bizarre sight for Amanda, she did not expect Queen Minerva, who looked arrogant and stiff, to shrink as soon as King Abraham reprimanded her. 'Even this man's family isn't much more broken than my life, no warmth. Maybe that's why I can love him, we seem to have suffered the same fate. Pathetic. But of course I just clapped.' Amanda found it very funny with her thoughts. She still had time to compare the harmony of her step-family with the Black Prince's step-family. Amanda stole a glance at the Black Prince. The dark-beaded man seemed to smile with satisfaction watching the incident.Duke Gramer is an old friend of His Majesty
Illarion crouched down next to him. "Listen I don't care, take the girl. I also want to throw it away immediately," Illarion said while raising his scarred brow. Then he stood up and kicked Apollo's solar plexus before walking out of the room. A terrible groan escaped from the Landyork Prince's mouth."Prepare the troops, and we are heading for the Duke's place in Elger now!" Illarion ordered Andreas. This immediately made the man, who was about to be forty years old, curse in his heart. 'Oh shit, I'm so tired. We haven't even arrived half a day from Eden.'Amanda straightened her clothes, her purple irises blankly staring at the mound of wet earth under her window. 'Because I was so weak, all this happened.' This night when the disaster happened, it was still vivid in the girl's mind—leaving deep trauma. Amanda couldn't move when Prince Apollo kissed her and left a red trail she didn't want. Amid despair and fear, that made him weaker.A black figure jumped from behind the window. Th
"All on standby!" General Andrew's orders.Illarion squeaked in his seat. 'A deserted street with lush forests and clearings leading to ravines, a great place to intercept anyone who passes by. I should have guessed this. That demonic woman will not easily make me carry out the orders of His Majesty the King in her territory.'The atmosphere was so quiet. After the first attack, there were no further attacks. The black-haired man leaned closer to the window where his loyal guard was."I think we're outnumbered, Master," whispered General Andreas. "But I have a plan, Master.""Explain it," Illarion commanded. He trusted Andreas, who had so much experience in this situation."We must divide them, our chariots and cavalry must be divided. If necessary make them chase the horse-drawn carriage. Pretend you're in there," said Andreas. "But how to convince them Master is in the carriage?" he asked uncertainly, glancing back. Seeing Amanda.Illarion followed the direction of Andreas' gaze. He
'I made her sacrifice her life, and she's not crazy at all to even say thank you? Doesn't that mean that damn woman's minions won't kill her? Maybe they would even treat her so respectfully! Damn it! She fooled me!' Illarion's hands gripped tightly in anger and spurred his black horse even harder.The large entourage of the Black Prince turned into the forest, lush, while the carriage that Amanda was riding towards the arid desert led to a ravine. This gave the attackers the impression that it was in the carriage where the person they had to kill was located.Amanda heard tens, maybe hundreds of galloping horses approaching her. She was in a driverless carriage with hundreds of assassins in tow. Her whole body trembled. It would be a lie if she were afraid of death, even though she sometimes kept wishing she could end her life because of the fate she lived.Her hand tightly gripped the small dagger she lent to Aime."Thanks, Aime. I can't promise to return it soon," Amanda said when A
Brak! The carriage door, which was now facing upwards, was forced open by one of the raid leaders. "You are much smaller than I thought Prince," said the assassin. And with one tug, he managed to throw Amanda off the train. The girl pulled her hood and cloak so they wouldn't be blown open. 'I'll have to disguise myself as Master until the men's party gets away from this place.' "Good grief! This is the figure of the Black Prince who can even defeat the kingdom of Exilas. He's just a tiny man!" The roar of laughter from the attackers was heard up the hill where Illarion was watching from afar. 'Why hasn't she taken off his disguise?' Illarion thought. The assassin, with a slash to his face, approached Amanda. The girl stood still while covering her body with the cloak. When the man's big hand was about to open Amanda's hood, the girl immediately brushed it off. Not empty-handed, Amanda used the tightly gripped dagger in her hand. Fresh blood and screams gushed out from the ghastly
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