~knock~ knock~ "Madam, I brought you a cup of tea. May I come in?" "Sure. Come in," Aileen replied. "Hmm... Athena, when will be the new moon? Also, is there any lake nearby?" "Full moon? Lake?" Athena looked at the queen, wearing a perplexed reaction. "Well, I want to watch the moon in the middle of a lake." "That is so romantic, madam. Are you going to watch the moon with his excellency?" says Athena as she pours a drink for the queen. "N-no. I want alone time," the queen replied as she sipped from the teacup. "By the way, please finish this snack and my drink. I need to see the king," she added. The maid left and Aileen grabbed the opportunity to hide the book, then locked her office as she left. "It's not like I can leave without his permission," she murmured while making her way to the office of the king. All of a sudden, she bumped into a tall guy. "Madam, I'm sorry! Please don't be mad." The queen thought that the secretary must have a hard time dealing with the king'
At first, it wasn't his intention. Viishaun did not mean to cut his wife's hair like that, but it was the method he could think of to ensure she was all right.However, the problem began when the queen got too close to him. His mind went blank as soon as he had her delicate frame against his body and her sweet soft touch indirectly caressing his heart. Every single thing about the queen had driven him wild. It made him fail to think straight. The king didn't want to be enslaved to such alien feelings any longer, so he cut her hair without thinking it was already too late to realize what he had done. He could have just cut off his button or taken off his coat... but the damage had been done.After she shouted in repulsiveness, his vision went white with the sudden flashing of light. It was similar to the wide range of various times when he'd fall under the idiotic spell. But... nothing occurred. No 'Shaun' seemed to quiet her down with his cringy tooth-rotting lines.He thought it mi
The king is uncomfortable. He kept checking the analog clock from the tower. "I believe I have done my duty. I need to go back to my castle, so if you excuse me, King Vernon," says Viishaun as he jumps into his stallion. *Vernon was the king from the southern border and nephew of the empress.* "Take this as my utmost appreciation for helping me with the crusade on one of my provinces. Also, please send my apology to the queen for disturbing your peaceful night." Vernon handed a box that had a ruby brooch for Viishaun and a pair of ruby hair ornaments for the queen. The king nodded and rampaged his way, to immediately return to his castle. When he arrived, the first thing he asked was, "Had the queen returned?" One of the maids and secretary replied in chorus, "No, your excellency." "Did she bring marquise with her?" Viishaun asked. He knew that his wife could be hard-headed. There was a time when Aileen went somewhere without bringing the marquise and her maid. "Yes, your excelle
They were silent until they arrived at the palace. The king lifted her to their bed-chamber, and Aileen could not protest. She kept sneezing while gripping tight on the coat her husband used to cover her."Get the queen a new set of clothes and call the medic team right away."The maids and marquises rushed to do their job. Athena boiled hot water for the queen and King's bathtub."Is everything ready?" The king asked."Yes, your excellency. The hot tub is prepared. You may soak in the water.""Leave. I need alone time with the queen."Everyone left, leaving the king and queen alone in a huge tub fragmented with petals of white roses. "W-wait! Are you soaking in the tub with me?" The queen crossed her arms to protect her clothes.Viishaun removed his top and replied, "And what about it? Also, what's with that virgin-like reaction? Why are you covering yourself when we had shared a night in bed a lot.""I-It's Shaun who saw my everything. I believe we should not share a bath, your exc
The queen's heartbeat bombarded her sense of hearing. Aileen doesn't know how to react to the situation the king put her in. So, she said, "Y-your excellency, your skin is rubbing against mine." "Silence. You should know that something like this will happen since you wished to get my attention." He looked at the moon, and it was still full and brilliant. Viishaun felt like there was an unfavorable inclination wrapping his heart, like a homicide of crows spiraling wildly across a ruined sky. The king knew that if he kept the queen near him, she'd shake the very core of him. Suddenly, the queen was radiating again. Viishaun closed his eyes and realized the magic was occurring again. He watched himself hide behind his personality of Shaun. "My love, you're beautiful as a moon in the sky." The queen lifted her gaze and was surprised to see Shaun. She didn't mind their bodies sticking close to each other. Her breast had pressed against his chest as she wrapped her arms around his neck
The queen was back from her role and function as an internal lady of financial allocation. "What the f*ck is this crap? It is much harder than memorizing a script and acting in front of the camera," says Aileen while looking at the mountains of papers flat on her desk. Aileen couldn't take her eyes from the papers, even though the master-appointed financial advisor had cleared his throat to call the queen's attention."Ahem~ Madam, I've been honored to assist you again after your two days recovery phase from your fever. I have arranged the files according to their necessities to decide."The queen smiled and replied, "I see. Thank you." However, she's dying from exhaustion already, even before she starts working on the papers."This one is the statement for the taxes of provinces of the kingdom submitted by Dutchery. Over there is the expenditure of the kingdom for this month. Madam, the king wanted you to be familiar with all of these papers by the end of the week.""Pardon?""Mad
The king allowed Aileen to go outside in exchange for her spending her monthly allowance since she had been too frugal. It was as if she was scared of touching the money the kingdom allowed for a queen. "This is so uncomfortable, Athena. I would prefer a commoner flowy dress over this lavish gown when going to a market." "I understand your grievances, madam. But the king wanted you to look beyond comparable to any woman in this kingdom. By the way, have you decided what to buy today?" "Well... Ahmm... It's not the real reason why I beg to go to the market today. But since Viishaun will be furious if I didn't buy something, let's just invest in a business? or purchase houses?" "Madam, I think you misunderstood his excellency's intention. It wasn't just about spending your allowance, but more like he wanted you to buy things for yourself." "I-Is that so?... but it's not my hard-earned money." "May I speak honestly? Would it be blasphemy if I were to say you were acting strange? It
"Madam, are you done? Let's head outside. I have a bad feeling about this place," Athena whispered as the queen and Khaleesi left the secret passage."Thank you, lady Khaleesi.""Do not come back here, lady Scheriziel. This place is not suited for a queen like you. I will come to find you at the right time."The lady disappeared after a cloud of smoke appeared, leaving the maid and the queen in utter shock.Athena ran outside but came back to drag the astounded queen outside the peculiar shop."I-I can't believe it, madam. Isn't that-""Ssshhh... keep this thing between us.""Madam, you knew she was a sorcerer?" Athena whispered, careful not to spill the word shall not be pronounced in the empire."No. I have no idea. Anyway, let's buy something before heading back to the palace."The queen had bumped into a tall guy, so she lifted her face to say sorry, but to her surprise, it was the Duke."Oh! Greeting, your majesty. It's been a while, your ladyship.""Stop doing that. You're cal
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