EMPEROR RICHARD'S POV I sighed impatiently and looked at him. "Just save her life. You can ask for any herb. Even if it's Immortal herbs, I will definitely provide it. I will also pay you handsomely. Employ all your expertise. I will reward you richly, "I urged, trying my best not to shout. He shook his head and looked at me. "You don't understand what I'm talking about. Of course, I know there's no herb in the universe which you don't have in stock, no matter how rare. I'm your servant, so payment can never be an issue, serving you is something I always do with pleasure and dedication" he said calmly, looking up at me. "Then what's the problem?" I whispered, fearing the worst. "She's almost dead! It's already miraculous that she's still breathing. Whoever the monster that did this to the princess is, they are inhumane and never intended for her to make it out alive, especially since she doesn't have her wolf. Each strike was lethal and brutal!" He continued, clenching his
EMPEROR RICHARD'S POV I watched Annalise carry away the water used to clean Erica up to the bathroom, my heart heavy with guilt. It has been three days, yet she has not regained consciousness despite the doctor's relentless efforts and the hundreds of rare Immortal herbs I kept forking out to resuscitate her. If only she had her wolf, I would have used my beast blood to help her. It has been three damned days since then, three days of worries and endless pain. Three days of frustration and fear. Three days of trying not to lose hope. Three days of hating myself over and over again. The money I have lost on herbs this few days will be enough to fund an entire battalion of soldiers for five years. However, the cost was the least of my problems right now, I just want her to live. I sighed heavily, feeling as if I was carrying the whole world on my shoulders, I might as well be. Her neck, waist and legs were all in special casts. She has survived these few days by feeding on e
EMPEROR RICHARD'S POV I woke up to someone rapping softly at the door. "Come in" I whispered, forcing my tired eyes open. Annalise and the doctors walked in. They always stay in the opposite room, where Annalise temporarily stays, till I get enough time with Erica. They entered and I noticed someone staring at me with hatred. Even though it didn't feel as threatening as a murderous intent, it still made me very uncomfortable. I turned and saw Annalise glaring daggers at me with so much hatred on her face. She immediately looked away once she realized that I had caught her. I sighed and looked away. Even though she had been trying to hide the hatred in her after what happened, I can't stop feeling it. I have an innate ability to sense when someone around was trying to hurt me. I would have had Annalise executed if I didn't know why she detested me so much. I decided to overlook it and pretend I don't know she's cursing me in her mind. "Your majesty, you have lots of en
RONA'S POV How did Ice flame blood enter my bloodstream? Or was it one of his ploys to protect my secret? "I went to a secret inheritance cave. I was desperate to shift. Using the inheritance I found there, I shifted. However, I quickly realized that the unknown inheritance made me shift into an unfamiliar wolf, "the words rolled off my tongue, confusing me. What the heck is happening? I didn't say that, why are those words coming from my lips? "It can only mean that the caged wolf you used to trigger a shift was stripped off a flame blood wolf. This is serious. The king recently exterminated that clan. I have given you herbs to strengthen your power and purify it. I increased your ice attribute using Immortal jade silkworm root, hopefully it will mask the blood wolf. But If you are able to successfully merge it to your original power, you will be unstoppable. The ice flame will burn brighter with flame blood, making you powerful. You have to show the emperor that you're worthy
EMPEROR RICHARD'S POV The medical staff and Annalise gasped, holding their mouths in horror. The chief physician's mouth was wide open in disbelief, his face exhibited sheer terror. Me too, I don't want to believe it. Thwack! She slapped me again, this time heavier than the last, her weak eyes burning in fury. The second slap immediately woke me up from slumber. How dare she do that to me? Slapping the emperor is the height of disrespect, and considered treason. No one has ever dared to raise their voice at me, ever since I was born. And now, she slapped me? In front of an audience no less! She most definitely has a death wish. She raised her hand to slap me again with a furious expression on her face, and I caught it mid air, crashing my lips against hers. I heard them gasp again, but I couldn't care less. I bit her lips, angrily sucking her tongue with the force of my fury. I cupped the back of her head, holding her firmly as I deepened the kiss, ignoring her usel
EMPEROR RICHARD'S POV She pulled away from me and sat up, weakly forcing herself to face me. I quickly tried to support her but her cold glare had me withdrawing my hand. "Why did you instruct Olivia to kill me?" She asked coldly, her eyes blazing with hatred and accusation. "You seriously don't think I'm behind what happened to you, do you? Why would I want to do that? Your body belongs foremost to me, why would I want to hurt it?" I said angrily, wondering why her reasoning was so childish. Did I also tell Olivia to tear her waist and private part, and puncture her womb? When I know fully well I'm the only one utilizing those places. "Don't bother lying about it. Olivia told me herself. I didn't want to believe her, but that was definitely what happened!" Her tiny, croaky voice shouted. She held her throat in pain, her effort at shouting, hurting her vocal cords. I quickly rubbed her throat, sending warm streams of energy to her body. "Don't touch me!" She shouted,
RONA'S POV I can't believe this. Even after submitting my body to him and putting in my best efforts, it still ended this way. It was obvious that the feelings he claimed to have were rubbish. It was fickle and cannot be trusted. I don't know why I felt so hurt, despite the fact that I planned to hurt him after making him fall in love with me. Why does the knowledge that he doesn't love me hurt so much? He's obviously just enamored with my body, he admitted as much. All his fancy words, promises and tears, which he expressed while I was unconscious were all fake. Despite Olivia hurting me severely, he was still unwilling to punish her. He would rather dig up my own crimes than punish her. He has made his stand clear, I don't have his support nor his love. Just like Annalise said, I was merely a stranger here; a pig on the chopping block. And from what he said, it was obvious he's already suspecting me for having bad intentions, so I need to watch every step I take
RONA'S POV The next few days were total nightmares. I didn't step out of my room for fear of running into Olivia and causing a bigger mess. "My lady, you have fully recovered now. It's alright to walk around or go downstairs. Just ensure to get adequate rest and eat more nutritious meals. I have sent the kitchen a list of foods to be added to your menu. Just remember to apply the elixirs, and take the herbal teas as I instructed. Your maid Annalise knows what to do. We will be moving out of the palace later today since you are now out of danger." The chief physician said with a smile, as the junior physicians and assistants packed up their tools. I smiled and nodded. However, I sure as hell was not leaving this room to fall into another unexpected trap. "Annalise, I'm sure you know what to do," he said as they turned to leave. "Of course, thank you respected physician, we owe you her life." Annalise said with a smile curtseying before him. "You should thank the emperor, he spare
OLIVIA'S POVI walk into my room, livid with anger. I can't believe Richard rejected my requests before everyone, exalting that mutt at the risk of my happiness. “Your highness,”“Leave, all of you.” I shouted, interrupting her. “Susanna, wait here.”She waited, turning to me in fear. “Stop shaking, I'm not gonna eat you. The ones I pointed at, bring them in. I hope they have been properly trained.”“Yes, your highness.” She whispered, quickly moving out to do my bidding. In a few minutes, she returns with two handsome and well built guards, and locks the door behind her. I relaxed on my couch and motioned to them. “Come here, and pay your respects to your princess.” They knelt, and the older of the two reached for my foot, delivering a kiss full of worship to them. He slowly moved up my legs, dropping kisses. He looked at me with a sexually charged gaze which sent heat down to my core and I felt myself clench. “That's it.” I whispered, closing my eyes as he removed my shoes an
RONA'S POVOlivia got angry, but quickly masked it with a pitiful expression. “Uncle, please. Just give it to me.”“I already said no. Don't make me lose my appetite.” Richard replied, not hiding his anger. Olivia hits her hands against the table, making me jump. I was not the only one startled, many others were. “Uncle!” Olivia whined, dragging her word out like a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum. “But you already commissioned the moon stone to be fashioned into jewelry. It's just giving it to me earlier. After all, who else in this world deserves something so precious except me?” She whispered and batted her lashes at him. Richard gasped in exasperation on hearing her words, his face glowering. “I must have spoiled you too much to make you so narcissistic. How dare you make stupid demands of me? If I say no, it means no. Pouting and throwing a tantrum won't help your case on this issue. Give up already. You truly deserve everything good in the world, but not this.”“Uncle, stop
OLIVIA'S POVAnger, pure hot anger. How dare she tell me that the slut is Richard's wife, and therefore deserves everything? “Listen here, nothing in this empire belongs to her. She's a weak runt, forever destined to be my slave. If you dare step out of line or buzz unpleasantly in my ear, your fate would be worse. Go throw her away, and wipe that blood off the floor.” I barked, my eyes red with fury. “Please calm down, your highness.” Susanna whispered, crawling to me. I stomp hard on her hand, watching her bite her lips to hold back the pain. “Cry out!” I growl, listening to her scream. Music, sweet music, the sweetest one. That beautiful cry of pain as I squash these miserable ants beneath me was the best sound ever. “Remember this, breathing the same air I do is a privilege. So you must worship me wholeheartedly, with all you have, you must be thankful I let you live beneath me.” I muttered, not hiding the hate in my eyes. “Your highness, the palanquin is ready to carry you
EMPEROR RICHARD'S POVI sighed heavily. “The items are truly rare and extraordinary. But my wife is the subject in question. Nothing is too expensive for her. I already have some of them somewhere. As for the rest, I can procure them given some time. However, the herbs are too potent. Too much drugs accumulating in her body might cause her harm instead of healing her. We won't use all these things you listed. They're too much for an able bodied alpha king, talk more of a little girl with a fragile body. Select the most important ones. Also, if at any point I realize you inflated the amount of required herbs for some selfish reason, or added something that is not necessary, you will have to submit your life to me. I hate being lied to or tricked.” I reply with a cold smile, watching the mischievous smile on his face disappear. That's right, he should be afraid of me, I have been cutting him a lot of slacks lately, making him more audacious. “Before you tell me about the final list o
RONA'S POV“Princess, what are you talking about? Don't give up hope. We will definitely find a way to remove the seal on your wolf so that you can fully shift without pain. You just need to be patient till we find a solution. You have worked too hard to give up now. The one that sealed your wolf will get exactly what they want if you fail now.” The imperial physician shouted. “That's right, princess don't act rashly.” Annalise chipped in. As for Richard, he was too stunned to speak. “Erica.” I heard him whisper and look up at him with my tear filled eyes. And in that moment, I could swear I saw pain in his eyes, deep seated pain. “I can't hold on anymore. Help me destroy my wolf. I swear I will not pull you down. There are humans that are more powerful than wolves from cultivating internal energy. I can start cultivating internal energy and the way of the sword. If you think that totally becoming a human will cause a problem for the empire, you're welcome to kill me anytime I bec
I was stunned at first, but smiled the next second. My pretty baby girl. She can't stand violence, bloodshed and bullying people while taking advantage of power. She was too kind and innocent for her own good. No wonder the commoners over there in the Alpha King's pack loved her a lot. She's humane, and compassionate, trying to bring sunshine into the lives of everyone. “Answer me, did you kill people and loot them just…”“Of course not. I will never do that. I stopped by some of my factories and depots on the way. Some of my goods arrived at the wharf, I just brought some for you from the original stock meant for sale. After all, my woman deserves to have the best of everything, before others can have access to them.” I whispered and pinched her cheeks. She smiled brightly at me and hugged me, finally revealing her joy at receiving gifts from me. I brought out the rest and immediately heard gasps from the household staff watching. “See if there's anything you don't like.”“I like
EMPEROR RICHARD'S POVThe cheers of my citizens and pack members welcoming me home always filled my heart with joy, motivating me to work harder and ensure they will always live in a safe and happy environment, with enough food to eat, space to sleep and play, and clothes to not just keep warm but also look good. That's why I ensured to distribute food and clothes to the lowest income earners at the end of every year, that they might have enough to celebrate the feast of the goddess like the rest. Although it seemed like blowing my own horn, my territories, especially the imperial city, is the most prosperous and peaceful place to live in the entire world. It was never easy of course, but I will never forget my duty to my people. My horse stopped before my palace and the lower ranking soldiers stepped back, leaving me with the seven highest ranking generals, deputy generals and prefectors. They executed a military salute and turned to leave. I looked at the entrance with a smile, but
RONA'S POVI had just taken my bath in readiness for lunch when I heard a large commotion outside the castle. Memories of how my pack was razed to the ground flashed before my eyes and I immediately sat up. The noise seemed to be coming from outside the city walls, and they were entering the city gates and crossing into the first castle which contains houses allocated to soldiers and outer court officials. The imperial city was built in a tiered design, with the higher ranking people living in the inner parts of the city. As for the emperor, he had three huge castles to himself, a stupid show of grandeur because he only lives in one. The others were meant for the emperor's children, his harem, and a palace for hosting guests. Olivia lives in the emerald palace meant for the emperor's children. But Richard didn't allow me to live in the harem, insisting I stay in his palace. The imperial city castles are so big that it was easy to get lost in the maze of palaces. One needed a map to na
RONA'S POV I opened my eyes to see Annalise nodding off while watching me. My heart felt warm, and I couldn't help but smile. This kind of dedication, love and friendship is one that I have truly missed. It felt good to have someone that genuinely loves you in this dangerous castle filled with snakes and scorpions, someone totally loyal to you. I heard her fighting Liam when I was unconscious in her bid to ensure that he won't take the ice jade pendant. Even though she didn't know she was inadvertently saving my life, her actions were one born out of loyalty and love. “That loyalty and love is not meant for you. She thinks you're Erica. That's why she's willing to give her life for your sake. What do you think will happen when she realizes that you're a liar and impostor, alongside everyone else? What do you think will happen to you?” The tiny voice in my mind immediately made the smile on my face to disappear. That's right, that bright smile and loyalty were all meant for Erica, n