At the foothills near Exilas. Illarion Black's black legion had just finished setting up tents before the sunset on the western horizon. As Aime said, the rebellion originating from the remnants of the Exilas royal army could quickly be silenced by the black soldiers.Andreas just came out of Illarion's tent with a disappointed face. Yurigov laughed happily, contrasting the expression of his comrade in arms."He's not like you, the Black Prince is my dream son-in-law," Yurigov joked, followed by a booming male voice from the Arpen mountains, north of Anarka."I only respect the agreement with that woman," snapped Illarion, who was already standing in front of the door of his black tent.The thing that just happened, Andreas -as usual- offered the Black Prince a comfort woman, "to keep your tent warmer, sir." And -as usual- Illarion always refused."Andreas never gives up, hahaha," Yurigov chuckled while in the Black Prince's tent."He even started offering me when I was fifteen," said
Yurigov saw Andreas shaking his head. The man who is taller than the Black Prince, then lowered his head to allow Illarion to punish the boy.Patting Andreas on the shoulder, Yurigov said, "Calm down, Master knows what he's going to do. We just need to be quiet and listen.""At this time I just want you to work in the accounting group," sighed Andreas.The soldiers there seemed to shake their heads in pity when they saw the little boy being dragged into the open field by the Black Prince."Why did you steal?!" asked Illarion gripping anyone who heard it, especially the kid in front of him."I-I'm starving Sir, my brothers need to eat, we're really starving, hiks!" The little boy sobbed."I'll teach you a lesson brat! Listen to me carefully before your life will gone," threatened Illarion while blowing the arrowhead he had just taken from its holder."You know what you did wrong?"The little boy who was standing tied two meters away from Illarion shook his head while crying loudly. "F-
Amanda was standing tensely, she was wearing a sky blue dress with bone-white lace, a color that complemented her cotton-white skin so well. The girl blinked when she first noticed the Black Prince's carriage, her hair in a high bun revealing a pretty neckline.When he saw that the entire Black palace was wishing him well, Illion's smile grew larger. Who knows what caused a feeling of pleasure so that the curved line adorned his face, but the smile that had never appeared before was always met with the same kind of greeting. Do you know?"Illarion!" Amanda yelled as the Black Prince scooped up her black cat."You miss me?" asked Illarion while stroking the cat, to which Illarion-cat replied loudly, “Meow!” The Black Prince snorted. ‘You always respond to inquiries that are not for you.’'She called the Black Prince's name again and his life was saved,' thought all the servants there. And when they saw their master with black hair gazing gently at the beautiful white-haired lady, it wa
Illarion was taken aback by her, while Amanda was surprised but quickly lowered her head. 'Seriously, what's up with your sister?' Illarion had planned to ask Amanda that question despite Gisella's recent actions. But the man refused because he saw his wife preoccupied cutting the meat on the plate. 'I don't know what she’s thinking. Perhaps she wants me to die in Exilas' desert.' Illarion grimly sipped water from the tall-legged glass next to him.Gisella drank the glass contents as soon as Illarion placed it on the table. "How can this water taste so delicious?" Gisella muttered, biting her lower lip and seducingly staring at Illarion.Amanda felt the pain in her heart. 'Gisella is seducing the Black Prince, but it looks painful to me, why can't I yell, 'This man is mine?' But Master must accept Gisella's seduction, no one can refuse the lovely Gisella.'Illarion, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow in response to Gisella's words. "Waiter, please change my drink!" yells Illarion. "
And here she is, curled up on the bed in Gisella's room, with a bitter heart. If she could generally bear all the heartbreak, perhaps this time, she wanted to scorch one part of her body to ashes. She forgot about ever sleeping with a handsome man named Illarion Black. She had no idea she'd have to let her step-sister serve the man.Meanwhile, Illarion was sleeping in another room with his back to the bedroom door. Broad shoulders with deep cuts form masculine patterns on a man's body.'Ah sexy, it makes me really excited,' Gisella gulped. The copper-haired girl moved slowly beside Illarion, wearing little clothing.Gisella closed the gap between them with a soft kiss on Illarion's nape.The obsidian-like bead, which was covered in long eyelashes, opened. Gisella's scent, which coincided with Illarion's scent, wafted into the man's senses.'Not the usual sweet vanilla smell,' Illarion thought as, a few seconds later, at high speed, the man turned quickly and strangled the woman beside
Since then, Illarion Black has separated from Amanda White. They also did not eat together because the house owner ordered the maid to bring food to the girl's room."I'm sorry," Amanda whispered, looking at Illarion through her bedroom window. The girl was only allowed out when the Black Prince was not in the palace.Amanda certainly doesn't mind. All this time at the Broke residence, she has only been struggling in the castle. And when her father demoted her to become a servant, she could only leave the castle. But only for work, nothing more. Meanwhile, at the Black Prince's palace, Amanda can walk around the garden at will.'This is not the punishment I used to,' Amanda thought. 'But why does my heart hurt? even I used to being ignored by others, but why does it hurt so much when ignored by him?'"Mrs. White, your party attire has arrived. Would you like to try it on now?" Aime asked, interrupting Amanda's thoughts.A dance party will be held on the occasion of the King's birthday
Amanda immediately turned to find a handsome figure with brown hair with almond-coloured irises. The man who was utterly unknown to her smiled sweetly as sweet as honey before pulling the back of Amanda's hand and kissing it. "I'm Apollo, Prince of Landyork. I think it's the first time I've seen a woman as beautiful as you at an event like this. I can't forget if I've met you before," Apollo said as he released his kiss from the back of Amanda's hand. "And who are you, lady?" Amanda looks embarrassed by the unexpected greeting she will get at this party. The girl glanced around. 'This man reprimanded me? He asked my name right? Or someone else?' Amanda looked around again and stopped at the man who was still curious about who he was. 'He actually asked me, who should I introduce myself as?' "My wife. This woman is my wife," said Illarion, who was already standing beside Amanda. A look of surprise only briefly appeared on Apollo's face and immediately turned into a sweet smile like
"Duke-, you know better what happened and who your daughter is siding with."With bloodshot eyes, an older man drew closer to the Black Prince, while on tiptoe, he pointed at Illarion, who was towering in front of him. "I didn't expect your taste to be that of a sick woman from the Queen's family who killed your mother."Amanda gasped at the information. 'The Queen has killed the Black Prince's mother, why didn't anyone tell me? That's why when I first met, this man hated me so much and asked about the Queen?'Prince Apollo looked at Amanda. 'Oh so it's the Queen's family. Interesting.'Illarion's eyes narrowed, bending slightly so the older man before him would not have to tiptoe. "My ex-in-law, you know? It's not my fault that your daughter's taste is the gatekeeper of your residence and not mine.""You!" growled the old man."Duke Maltese!" Another older man stopped the man about to attack the Black Prince. The crowd suddenly centered on them."Duke Grammer! He also killed your dau
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