There are so many books in the palace's library, which made the queen quite conflicted about where to start. 'This is indeed a royal library where most books were collected by the king himself. I wonder what the empire's library would look like, it must be twice or even thrice bigger and loaded. Maybe, some forbidden books were stored there,' says a tiny voice in her head, while her hands were busy browsing books on the shelves.She wanted to go to the empire's library but was too afraid to face the emperor and empress. Viishaun was already terrifying to deal with sometimes, and meeting her husband's parents was even more terrifying. 'The emperor was his father, yet he always sent him to a fierce battle. Then, the empress was not his biological mother, and I heard they were not close with one another, thus he never stayed in the empire's main palace. I get that he grew to be cold and bloodlust since he spent all his life in battle without anyone to comfort him'— are the thoughts run
"Is it just me, or does our queen look somehow stupid. How come she walked around the palace and even planned to go outside wearing indecent clothes?" says Ana, one of the chambermaids."We shouldn't talk bad about the queen because we are uttering blasphemy in the royal family. However, I also notice how ignorant she is of our empire's rules. She lacks elegance and dignity. I wonder what our king saw in her," seconded by the other maid– Rosa."She's beautiful and has the body of a goddess. Maybe it's all a physical attribute?" says Rosa."Princess Elvira is a complete package, but he married an estranged woman," says Ana."Maybe she's keeping our king warm in bed. Who knows if her body was the reason why the King kept her? Since she has low dignity, luring men should be easy for her."Athena was displeased with the gossip by her two fellow maids. She yelled, "His excellency is coming!" after losing her patience hearing all those blubber mouths. The two ladies flew in fear of King Vi
“Sh*t! Why does it have to be him?! What is he doing here?! I thought he went to the capital?’’ Aileen murmured, hiding, mixing among the crowd. Then, she peeked a little, and her heart almost dropped to the ground when piercing eyes surprised her. "Oh my gosh! Our eyes met!!" "Lady, what are you doing?" the lady mercenary asked Aileen. The queen placed her finger on her lips and made an 'Shhhh~' sound. Aileen thought, at this rate, that his excellency would notice where she was hiding. So, she crawled and tried to mix in the crowd again. "I need to find Athena and go home. I can't be seen by his excellency, wearing these shabby clothes again." The queen bumped her head into a hard object, and when she looked at the ground, it wasn't a store or a post she bumped into, but someone else's knees. There's a pair of expensive shoes standing in front of her, and she has an idea who wore them. She lifted her gaze and found the man, with arms crossed together and wearing an irritated l
'That woman again! Doesn't she have decency? How dare that princess clings her filthy hands into someone else's arms and flirt with a married man?!'Aileen thought she shouldn't get mad because the King does not belong to her, nor does she love him, but still, the queen couldn't help but be furious. 'This is definitely jealousy, but should I be jealous? I do like his excellency a bit, but it was his 'Shaun' personality that I had fallen for,' says her inner voice."Such a generous king. Do you really have to interact with your peasant?" says Princess Elvira."That's a duty a king should do.""You're so humble. I would have been the luckiest queen if our engagement had pushed through.""In my world, she's a slut that anyone would hate. A typical actress who'll change partners as if she's changing clothes," Aileen murmured to herself. The King didn't say anything but glance at his wife. The princess noticed that Viishaun wasn't paying attention to her, thus she tried to throw another
"My lady, why are you sulking?" says Athena as she enters the master's bed-chamber. "This book is all about enchantresses who deceive the prince," she replied while lazily lying on the bed. Aileen hated the book she was reading because she saw herself as one of those witches who placed a spell to steal the charming prince. In her wild imagination, it looks like she's the witch, the antagonist who stole the male lead from the female lead. Suddenly, she recalled Duke Fedelin's invitation. "She's coming to that gala..." "Pardon, madam?" "Nothing. Hmmm... can you find me a suitable gown for a gala?" The maid gasped in surprise to hear the lady going to a gala. "Madam, are you going to attend with our king?" "I have been hiding for a year already. I think it's about time to establish my image." Aileen thought of running away from her responsibility. However, it looks like she'll be stuck in Allandis, so, might as well live her life even though the title of the queen does not trul
The queen was in deep thought, and the lady Athena had noticed that her ladyship had been melancholy since this morning. Athena wanted to ask the queen, but a maid like her should know her place."My lady, You haven't had breakfast and lunch... should I get you something to eat?"The queen shook her head and replied, "I want to lie down and rest. I will ring this bell if I need your assistance."The maid left the bedchamber with a worried work for the queen.Meanwhile, Aileen had been thinking about Shaun. 'He's just kind to me because of the magic that controlled him. His love for me isn't real. These feelings of mine are troublesome. I want to go back to my world and leave these bothersome feelings behind. In the first place, I shouldn't have loved Shaun,' — is what her mind had been telling her.She sighed and stood up instead of getting depressed all day. She called the maids to assist her with the clothes and accessories."Woah!!!! Madam, you should wear this style more often.
The queen was frozen to death when a cold hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her close. Her face almost kissed his black tie.Duke Fedelin flaunted a teasing smile, testing the king's patience. "I don't want to see the likes of you hovering around my wife, so be gone.""My apologies, your excellency. I'm afraid Lady Lestina had not told me she's the legendary woman who made the king romantic."The king looked like he was about to throw a fist at any moment, but Duke Fedelin had turned his back and left, so the last thing he could do was watch the insolent jerk."Y-Your excellency...""What?!" Viishaun replied without looking at the Queen.When Aileen lifted her gaze, a bland look on her husband greeted her. The king glanced at the queen with his brows meeting halfway."Please let go of my waist. People are starting to avert their gaze on us.""And let them watch. After sneaking here just to meet with that duke, you're seriously asking me to let you off the hook?"The queen pouted her
The queen knew her husband was mad because she spoiled the party, even though who made a fuss was Shaun, yet the king will point fingers at her.Aileen was biting her lower lip while fidgeting fingers. She thought now that King Viishaun had escaped his personality 'Shaun'... he would probably be mad as a wild dog, which is a complete reverse personality of the tamed Shaun."Uhm... y-your excellency, about the..." Before the queen could finish her words, the King stood up and captivated the jaw of the seated queen. He lifted and uttered, "Listen, starting this day, I won't let you set foot outside this palace.""Say what?!!!!" The queen yelled in utter disbelief."Are you deaf?! I said you are not allowed to leave the palace.""H-hey! You foolish King! If you're mad because of that disaster, then I would like to apologize, but I ain't carry all the blame. Shouldn't you blame yourself? I tried stopping you, but what did you do?!..." The queen shoved Viishaun's hand from her jaw. Then s
Flame Stephan was staring at the family portrait hung on their wall. He heaved a heavy breath at the thought of remembering how he almost thought of breaking off the marriage a week before their marriage, but his fiancee changed into someone else. "It was as if she's no longer Aileen," he murmured to himself. He recalled how their relationship started rosy just like any other couple but turned static and cold as Aileen prioritized her career over him. For him, their marriage was only for the sake of the years they've been together, but one day the lady became innocently sweet. "Buddy, you may laugh at it, but I think I just fell in love deeper with your mom while hesitating to marry her back then. I thought I had fallen out of love, but it looks like we only needed to start a new journey to find our way back to love," he said to a two-year-old son, their third child. He put his son on the sofa and asked, "Who's that cutie in the picture?" Then the baby simply giggled while starin
The prince returned to the empire to receive his crown, and be hailed as the next in line for the throne. The ceremony took place at the Imperial Palace’s Vinziel’s mansion. The service is conducted by the Pope of the Orthodox Church of Capital. Attended by Nobles, Aristocrats, Royalty, and representatives of the Houses of Parliament. The first ritual is a homage by the Pope and senior peers as part of sacred communion. He was also anointed with holy oil and presented and invested with her regalia before being crowned. Then, followed by the placing of the crown and passing of the orb and scepters done by the emperor. Shortly after, the betrothed consort of the crown prince is proclaimed as crown princess, blessed by the empress. After receiving the orb and scepter, the crowned royalty subscribed an oath to govern the people according to their respective laws and customs. Wearing his regalia, he waved to the thousands of Alandeans who were lucky enough to witness his coronation. Stan
Side story 00 "My Queen, where's our Alena?" King Alfred asked as he entered the carriage and sat beside the queen. "I thought you fetched her already?" Athena asked. "I thought she was with you," Alfred replied. "Wait here. I'll fetch her," says Athena as she descends from the carriage. She knocked at Alena's room and asked, "My dear, what's taking you long?" Alena turned around and glanced at her mother. "She hasn't dressed yet?" Athena asked the nanny assigned to take good care of the heiress of the western region. "I don't know what to wear, mother. What gown do you think would make me attractive?" Athena chuckled and replied, "You still have four years before your coming of age. Should you be concerned with being attractive at the age of fourteen?" "Of course, mother. I can't show up to the imperial family looking unattractive." "Let's head out now. You don't want to make Vinziel wait that long, do you?" The young heiress looked away to hide her blushing cheeks. Sho
The garden of Allandis imperial palace was packed with invited nobles and aristocrats to celebrate the seventh birthday of the prince. Some guests truly wish to greet the prince, but of course, there is an ambitious family who dreamt of settling close ties with his royal highness' son to gain favor. It is undeniable that social gatherings were one of the paths to the social ladder. Hence, it is like a battlefield instead of an ordinary celebration. Thus, the marquises are on high alert to ensure the safety of everyone. Since the empress is fond of flowers, she decided to use her beautiful garden as a venue for her son's birthday which took her a week to finish the interior, with the helping hands of servants. The table clothes are decorated with the usual embroidered sparkling diamonds attached to the hem of each blue cover, and on top of the tables are gold cutleries and dishware. Those with a vulture eye that captures the unspoken wealth displayed had assumed amassed fortune
The ocean side gives off an impression of being alive and happy with the presence of relaxing vegetation. There are evergreen estates both along and inside the ocean side. Pictures of light ocean growth should be visible along the shore. Palms trees stand tall along the ocean side getting into the rhythm of the breeze radiating from the body of the ocean. Moreover, there are hued blossoms close by, magnificent ones that light up at the sparkling of the mid-year sun. "Look how magnificent the ocean is," says Scheriziel while letting the sun kiss her cheeks. The royal family decided to have a one day vacation, free from all responsibility. However, the little one seemed to dislike the place as the prince plastered a disappointed look. Then, he crossed his arms and furrowed his brows while saying, "This beach again? Can't we go somewhere else, mother and father?" "This place is memorable for us that's why we always visit this place once annually. Don't worry, we're going somewhere els
Scheriziel rested her head on the emperor's chest as they soaked in the hot tub. Then she asked her husband, who was silent and staring blankly at the water. She said, "Are you alright?" "Yes. It's just that I'm quite sad about my old man's demise," Viishaun replied. It was not just the emperor; the whole empire had filled with a heavy heart as the former great leader bid goodbye for eternity. After fighting with his age and ailment, Argus XV left the world. The empress embraced her husband. Then she patted his head buried in her plump chest. She dared not utter a word but comforted him through her acts. "I've been mad at him for years because he has never been a good father to my younger self. I only felt reconnected with him after going back in time." "At least you two had lived well in this second life of ours. I'm sure he is happy wherever he is right now." "Right. I'm glad that my choice in this life turned out fine. At least he gets to see and play with his grandkid," he r
"Let me see your smile for a moment before I do my obligation later, my prince. Your father and I had to take turns to watch over you because we had to finish our duties and responsibilities," says Scheriziel while letting a one-year-old prince play with her fingers. Prince Vinziel giggled when the empress lifted and carried him. Scheriziel sighed and uttered, "We probably should spend more time with you because you will not always be this little. Once you grow older, you'll find your own path, and the time you'd spend with us will get shorter as you age." Someone knocked on the door and asked permission to enter the prince's chamber. "Your majesty, the paper for the foundation you asked for yesterday was waiting for your approval." "One moment..." the empress replied as she left the prince's chamber to visit the former emperor's residency. "Come, my sweet Vinziel," says Argus as he faintly sits on the edge of his bed. "I'll be back to fetch this little sweetie pie, father. He
The empire was filled with joy as the commemoration of the six-month-old offspring of the emperor and empress was currently taking place. As part of the tradition, a royal baby can only be baptized and shown to the public once it reaches six months. "How long will it last? I think our little prince will start crying any moment from now," Scheriziel whispered to her husband's ears. "We're almost back to the palace. Give me our little prince so you could rest your arm," says Viishaun as he gently carries the baby into his arms. He chuckled and added, "He's smiling now. It looks like my handsomeness works on him." "I hate to admit it, but it seems our little prince was quite unfair. How can he always be always in a better mood with you than with me? It was me who had him for nine months, yet he still likes you the most." "That's what you get for always picking a fight and making me run errands," he replied, recalling how hard it was for him to get a peaceful sleep before the little
With the curtains slightly opened, the sun is revealed – shining big and bright right back at the couple awaken by its cozy greeting. Scheriziel slightly opened her eyes as the sun kissed her skin, only to get lazy again at the beginning of another day."Rise and Shine, my life. We need to do a little exercise to prepare you for delivery," says Viishaun, reminding her of things they should do early in the morning. Then he kissed his wife's forehead, down to her nose and lips. "Five more minutes," her ladyship replied, still refusing to open her eyes again.Viishaun sighed and thought he wouldn't force her to take a walk and do a little stretching if it won't help her fast delivery. Scheriziel groaned and uttered, "Fine. You don't have to kick my inside, sweetheart."Viishaun chuckled as he helped the empress sit on the edge of the bed. Then, he took a royal robe to cover his wife."Soon, it will be the three of us walking here to greet the sun and clear sky," says Viishaun, holding