The pain of the loss of my partner made me faint, and when I awoke from my weakness I found myself in a familiar bed. Pillows made of swan feathers still smell of Leon. It's a taste that belongs to us. Lola was on her knees by the bed, her head bowed, her mouth chanting. When she finally stopped praying and looked up, we looked at each other, and Lola cried first. "Oh, Miss Emily! You've finally woken up!" "I want to drink water, can you pour me a glass of water?" My throat was parched, and I felt a tingling sensation with every word I spoke. "Of course, I'll go pour water now!" Lola rose hastily, her hands trembling slightly as she handed me the glass of water. "The King of Lyon ordered that if you wake up, send someone to inform him immediately!" Lola said, "Please forgive me for needing to leave for a while now!" " "Lola!" I reached out and grabbed her, "L
Jack fell to the ground, groaning in agony, and the guards gagged him with a coarse cloth, so that all might not be affected by his voice. Leon did not seem anxious to have Jack taken away! It seems his punishment is not over yet! I saw him whisper in the ear of the inner official, who then announced again in a steady voice. " "Let William Logan and his father meet!" William? My heart tightened inexplicably, and I was relieved to see William come in intact. Fortunately Leon had not hurt him! As Leon was present, in order not to excite his jealousy. I dared not even look up at William; I could only peek at him through the reflection of the floor. Even so, I could feel myself being watched from behind. Leon is watching my every move! "Susan Moore, I declare your marriage to Jack Jones null and void! You will no longer be a partnership! You will marry William! Leon sneered, "Now all yo
"I'm not your queen!" I cast my gaze over Leon's shoulder, straight at the opposite wall. Even as the powerful alpha aura he exuded closed in on me, I struggled to find a gap to dodge. "Have you forgotten what you just said?" Leon pressed, "You said that your body and even soul belong to me!" " "That's because you imprisoned my mother!" I glared at him angrily, "You threatened me!" " Leon laughed incredulously when he heard this. "You think I imprisoned your mother? On the contrary, not only did I not imprison her, but I gave her rest in the palace. It is your father; it is he who threatens you! I heard his whisper in your ear!" "Nope!" I could not believe it, oh! Surely it must be true! My father must have gone mad! For his so-called right, he even pushed me to Rouen, regardless of my feelings! "Look, even your family is using you!" Leon sneered, "Especially your sister, when she learned th
"I want to see my mother!" " said I, looking at Leon's back as he straightened the buttons on his sleeve. I saw his chin move a little to the right, and his eyes turned toward the window. "Of course, you can visit your mother!" Leon said, "I will order someone to take you to your mother!" I will have a meeting later. I'll see you at dinner time!" Do you want to continue to torment me? I wanted to ask him, but the words choked in my throat, and I could not utter them. I should not have provoked him further, in case Leon had refused to let me visit my mother because he was angry, as he would have! The door of the basilica opened again, and I followed Leon. Who knows but my father appeared at this time, and looked a little nervous when he saw Leon, but fortunately my father did not forget to salute his king. "Your Majesty, I have been waiting for your call!" My father stammered, "My daughter and I are deeply
"Mother, please dispel this idea immediately!" I bowed my head, and spoke sadly. "We have no way to escape!" "No, Emily!" My mother squeezed my hand and said, "I have to take you away, I can't put you in deep danger!" This splendid-looking court is in reality a cannibalistic hell! I really ought not to have let you come here, and you ought not to have touched a Logan! They bring disaster to you!" My mother's lips whitened as she spoke, and her palms perspired. Her nervous, flustered look told me that she must be ill again! Oh, my poor mother! She must have suffered a great deal in prison! Time for her to rest! "Mother, I think you should lie down and rest first!" I whispered, "Please try not to think about anything else!" " "No, Emily! I need you to stay by my side, and we'll sneak out when the guards doze off at night!" I will take you to the Illyrian Islands, where some one can give us shelter! Believe
"Mother, put the knife down! It's me, Emily! "In the darkness I could see my mother's tense face! Her breathing appeared to be more rapid than usual. When she recognized me, the dagger instantly slipped from her hand with a sharp sound and fell to the ground. "Emily, you're finally here!" My mother hugged me happily, "Let's get out of here while your father hasn't come back yet!" " "Where are we going?" I asked puzzled, "You don't look good, I think I should find a doctor to check your physical condition first!" Mother, you need treatment!" "Enough, don't say any more!" My mother cried out furiously, picking up the dagger on the ground and aiming it at her own neck, "I said you have to get out of here!" Listen to Emily, you've got to go to the Illyrian Islands. That's what matters to you! You've got to trust me! If you continue to stay in court, you will not only be injured, you will even die!" "Mother, I don't
"Please don't, don't hit me here!" With tears in my eyes, I implored Leon, with a sense of wrong in my heart, and a fear that he would really do what he wished to do directly here. I could not imagine what it would be like to have my naked body seen by passers-by, and I did not dare to think about it. "Are you scared?" Leon's thumb touched my cheek, and a tear was wiped away by his finger. "Don't worry, I'll save this punishment for my wedding night! Now, go back to your room at once! Do you understand?" "Obey, Your Majesty!" My lips quivered, and the moment I turned away I felt Leon's keen eyes still upon me. I went nervously to my room, and Leon did not come until late in the evening. So I secretly tried to ask Lola if Leon would come over to-night, and I was really afraid that he would burst into my room and punish me in his own way. Now Lyon is so cold that I am frightened. Lola, however, told me that
It was not until the day of the coronation that I saw Leon again. Wearing a gold crown studded with jewels and diamonds, and holding in one hand the king's sceptre, the symbol of power, he sat impassive on his throne, his purple eyes still impassive. The two below him were filled with richly dressed nobles, all of whom looked with anticipation and envy at me and Lydia, who were slowly approaching. My gaze was fixed straight ahead. In order to maintain a dignified posture, I could only walk slowly, step by step, while Lydia, who was next to me, walked deliberately in front of me. She was dressed in a sumptuous gown of bright red, and her head-dress swayed from side to side with the rapidity of her step, as if she were not quite at ease with the weight. The scene reminded me of what Catheran had once said to me. She said that I should be governed by royal authority, as she would be in the future. Now I can feel the indescribable depth of it. E