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Amanda's purple beads widened in fright. "Sorry sir, I don't understand what you mean, sir.""Who are your parents?""Ba-baron Broke," Amanda stuttered.She didn't even cover up that her father was a 'baron.' She wasn't a maid in that house. If she lied, she would say the same thing as her father if they were 'duke' class aristocrats. "Who's Gisella?" asked Illarion, again."My sister."Illarion's eyebrows rose to one side. Her sister? Why was she treated like that by her sister? They do not seize each other's territory. Illarion increasingly does not understand, and maybe she is just having a bad dream of being enslaved by her family. And why should I worry about her dream?"D-did I do something wrong, Sir?""No," replied Illarion to the girl in his arms. Several minutes passed, and the big man had not moved from his position. Illarion did this unconsciously, his eyes roaming every inch of the tiny figure beneath him. The beautiful Amethyst beads, the long curling eyelashes, the high
"N-no… not me, really," Amanda replied frantically. Madam Croiz! Amanda turned to where the butler was."When you came, I thought you were not a good person. But, as soon as you arrive and eat without waiting for the Black Prince, you have no respect for our Master," blurted Madam Croiz.I didn't even eat when I first came until the next day. So what does Madam Croiz mean?"You also asked for a room change, even though our Prince has been kind enough to share a room with you. You really are an ignorant person."So I moved into this room not because I was kicked out by the Black Prince? as Madam Croiz said."As if it were lacking, when food is provided you are so willing to burn the orphaned maid, because the food is not to your taste," Madam Croiz slandered and began to shed tears. "You also tell them to drink poison so they can't testify, until they die. And it doesn't quite get there, Lady slanders the Prince, even now poisoning him!""Sir..." The pale-skinned girl hung her sentence
It wasn't long before the servants came in and cleaned up Madam Croiz's body. Amanda was still in Illarion's arms. The man's embrace seemed to want to reduce the trauma that Amanda had received, but that was impossible. She had never seen anyone killed before her own eyes—although in this case, Amanda had her back to the victim—apart from her blood and the blood of an animal she was about to cook, she had never seen such a pool of blood from a person's body."You move to my room, it seems this room can no longer be used," said the Black Prince as he let go of his arms on Amanda."Same room with him? I'm too afraid even to refuse," Amanda thought, and along with that thought, the petite girl's vision darkened. She returned unconscious because she could not see the blood that almost filled the corner of the room. Illarion efficiently carried the girl like a light feather pillow.That night Amanda did not dream of anything, somehow she fell asleep very soundly. Amanda's eyelids blinked t
Several maids started to look at each other with frightened eyes. It hasn't even been a week since the Black Prince has lived in this palace, but they have buried three bodies. Will there be a fourth corpse today? The servers' minds in the dining room were filled with such thoughts.The black cat chased its tail for a while before eating a piece of grilled chicken from the Black Prince's hand, "Smart boy," Illarion praised. "You should set an example as your Lady, eat heartily whatever is served," quipped the Black Prince.Realizing the satire, Amanda immediately filled her plate with dishes on the table and ate it. A sweet smile rose from the Black Prince's lips, and all the servants stared at the scene, not only because of the sweet smile that the Black Prince rarely showed, but also because someone had just been rude to the Black Prince, but instead of being punished the girl was also invited to eat?What's wrong with our lord? Ask all the servers in the dining room in their hearts
"Adam!" shout Amy. "Do not exaggerate.""Can Monsieur Adam explain to me?" Amanda asked excitedly.The question took Adam and Amie by surprise. "She doesn't realize she's being humiliated?" asked each of them silently. They didn't know that Amanda had been used to receiving such treatment for most of her life. Even worse.Adam smiled disdainfully. "Okay, I will teach slowly so you can understand. Though it looks like it will spend twelve full moons remembering the brain-""Adam!" cut Amy again.Amanda just smiled innocently at that. She was so eager to learn that the girl was not allowed to go to school after her mother died."Education is not important for a woman," said Baron Broke. Even so, Baron Broke still allowed Gisella to stay in school - but Amanda did her homework instead."Well let's start the lesson for you, madam," began Adam.***Andreas drew his sword at the Black Prince, but the man quickly blocked it."You have to watch out for him sir!" Andreas exclaimed as he again
"The Majesty sent greetings to you when I saw him this morning. The Majesty wishes you a speedy recovery," Illarion said between his mouthfuls at dinner."Oh, thank you. Should I go there to apologize?" Amanda asked."For? Apologizing for what?" asked Illarion back."F-fainted in front of His Majesty the King….""That's not a bad thing." Illarion drank the water in a tall glass. "How's your wound?" asked Illarion without even turning to look at Amanda."Adam gave me some ointment so that the wound would heal quickly," Amanda answered. "The wound dries faster, Adam also gave this out of disgust with the scar," Amanda explained with a smile showing her hands covered in white gloves."Who's Adam?""This palace financier, Monsieur Adam who has worked for ten years, sir," explained Amanda, starting to understand the Black Prince's habit of forgetting the names of the people around him."Oh," Illarion replied curtly, glancing at the glove. "And what's your task?""Adam said, I did a good jo
Amie averted her eyes when she saw the Black Prince aiming his arrow at Amanda from a distance."Your job is to protect Madam White from anyone, anyone! Except the Black Prince," Amie's command rang out at this time.Next to Illarion, Andreas smiled faintly. So today, Master finally decided to kill that strange woman?"Do you know how many top St. Benedict's graduates there are?" asked Illarion. In Anarka, St. Benedict is a school for nobles and scholarships for the smartest. Still, it doesn't necessarily make students graduate quickly because the high graduation standards are strict.Andreas furrowed his brows before the great cavalry general understood the Black Prince's question. Monsieur Curtis had already answered it. "Only two have graduated with the title of the best student, sir. One of them is you," replied Curtis proudly of the Black Prince's accomplishments.They were now practicing archery in the vast courtyard of the Black Prince's palace. In the distance, Amanda and Adam
"Not as smart as you, sir! My passing grade is even below yours, Sir, although far above the scores of other graduates," Adam replied proudly. He rarely had the chance to speak directly to Illarion. "I'm not even good at teaching Amanda properly!" he said excitedly instead of regretfully."No, Adam has taught me well. I'm just not smart enough," said Amanda defending her teacher.Illarion clenched his jaw. Wow, she even defended the guy who insulted her in front of me. I didn't know there was such a generous family of wizards. "Then let me teach you. I want to see how stupid you are." Illarion even spilled his frustration on Amanda."B-but…." Amanda wanted to protest, she was so afraid of the Black Prince, even when he was sleeping, and now he wanted to teach her. Couldn't Amanda feel calm away from the big man for a while?"Or do you mind?" asked Illarion when he saw Amanda wearing a displeased expression."No, but I feel so stupid and don't deserve to be taught directly by Master,"
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