"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
The king greeted his queen, looking like a dog who was about to bite its owner. He was impatient, standing outside the carriage as he ordered the marquises to open the carriage."Greetings, your excellency," says Aileen as she lowers her head. The maid also bowed her head and stood behind her ladyship."Follow me," says Viishaun in a baritone voice as he glared at the sight of his wife.The queen swallowed the lump in her throat and glanced at her maid and other servants, who lowered their gaze. The servant knew their queen was in trouble since the King looked like he was about to erupt.Viishaun locked the door as soon as they entered their bed chamber. He said, "I thought you brought the market. You've been half a day in the market. So, where are the things you've brought?""W-well... I-""I know. I should have known you'll be seeing that guy behind my back. You've got the gal to cheat on me, huh?""Aren't you concluding things too far? First, I happened to bump into Duke, and we ha
"Madam, is his excellency still mad?" says Athena while brushing the hair of his ladyship."I don't think so." The queen stared at her reflection and recalled his excellency's touches. She suddenly asked her maid, "Is it true that nobles, aristocrats and royal couples have to fulfill their marital duty?""Mostly yes, madam. Having an heir is the crucial part of marrying into another family.""Even if they don't love each other?""Sadly, most marriages were bound by political gains. Whereas, having an heir is a tool for securing one's position in this society. Why'd you ask, madam?""N-nothing. I had read a novel about a guy who made love with his wife even though he doesn't love her," says Aileen. She removed her wishful thinking that the king must have feelings for her since he initiated that thing that happened last night, but it turned out it must be a simple marital duty for him.'If it was 'Shaun' I would have believed that thing happened because of love. However, it's King Viish
Inside the carriage, the king and queen were silently riding. Meanwhile, Athena was left in the castle since King Viishaun brought five marquises who'll also serve as chaffers for their shopping.Viishaun cleared his throat and glanced at his wife, who was busy staring blankly outside. She looked like her mind was swimming with thoughts to which he had no gist of it."If you're thinking about secretly meeting that red guy duke, you better stop looking for an excuse because I'll keep my eyes on you until we arrive home. You better behave like a perfect wife."The queen sighed and felt sad because this guy still accused her of seeing another man when she proved through her body that Shaun owned her. She lowered her head and fidgetted her finger while staring at the carpeted floor of the carriage. She wanted to hear Shaun's kind words, but it would be a selfish thing to do. They're going to a public place, and Shaun will obviously act overly sweet to her in public. If that happens, Viis
"You need a new set of jewelry to pair your new set of gowns, my love.""O-ok," Aileen replied in an awkward tone as they entered.Everything is sparkling, but one thing caught Aileen's attention. It was a brooch with Blue zircon and paired with a ring of the same brilliant blue gemstone."Look at this. Isn't it beautiful, just like your eyes?" Aileen showed the brooch and ring in her hand.The king blushed and cleared his throat. He suddenly uttered, "My love, you're complimenting me too much."Viishaun noticed a rare gem in the display. He pointed his finger at a choker embedded with moonstone. Aileen was amazed by the size of the gemstone embedded in the neck accessories. "You have a keen eye for a rare beauty, sire. There are only very few gemstones that are primarily gray in color. However, because of this very rare, gray gemstones are actually very intriguing when crafted into jewelry. This one is a moonstone, the most well-known and sought-after class of gray gem, and one must
The two marquises who went into another alley came running but found out that the king had killed the man they were chasing. The other two who had been with the king throughout the chase warned their fellow. They are gesturing that the king was not in his best mood."Your excellency, please forgive us for not catching up fast." They knelt the marquise's way."You should be begging for your life. I could have tossed your head for this incompetence. What if I didn't catch this pest on time? You almost put my wife in potential as well.""We apologize for our incompetence, your excellency.""I have no time to deal with you and this dirt. You two are under probation, and as punishment, you have to run 100 lapses every day and 200 sword drills every day.""Very much obliged to follow your order, your excellency." "Your excellency, what should we do with the body?""Feed him to shark or burn him. I don't care. Just get rid of that pest. Also, get rid of this cape and vest. The queen hates t
The queen was having a good tea time alone while watching the fish in the pond. Then all of a sudden, Athena arrived with a cart of cookies and slices of cake."Come, join me over a cup of tea, Athena." The queen smiled and pointed to the chair opposite hers."Madam, I can't, the maids are already jealous of how you were treating me."The queen sighed and did not force her to wish to casually talk with her favorite maid. If she were to keep openly showing her favoritism, the daughter of other nobles, who were working as reserved lady-in-waiting would throw a fit at Athena."I see. Shopping with the king made a positive impact. Shouldn't you go out with the king more often?" Athena asked while pouring another cup of tea for her ladyship."Well, I am not allowed to leave again.""Aren't you lonely here, madam?" says Athena. Little did they know the King happened to sleep in one of the huge trees nearby where the queen and maid were. He did not want to eavesdrop, but his body wouldn't m
"Madam, what are you doing? Shouldn't you be preparing for your trip?" Aileen asked, following the queen while holding a basket of tencha, a green leaf that has not been powderized yet."I'm making tea for the king," she replied."Good morning, Queen Schereziel.""Morning. Can someone powderize these leaves? I want to make tea for the king using those leaves.""I'm afraid to inform you, but his excellency hates green tea," says one of the cooks. "Is that so?" The queen had no idea that Viishaun hated it since green tea had never been served on the table. Now, she has an idea why such flavor is never served. "The king was furious when we served him a green tea once. He warned us not to serve him such poisonous beverage."'Poisonous? Tsk! Uncultured swine,' says a voice in Aileen's thought. "Then... we'll drink it then. I miss drinking matcha coffee. Ever since I came here, I haven't had it again. Now, I miss my convenient life... there are no starb*cks here."Everyone thought that t
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