Nuri’s POVWhen I woke up, it was still dark and the moon was still hanging in the sky. I got up, changed, and went out into the yard. I did not call for a servant. My heart was in a mess. I did not want to hear any human voice. It's all right now. It's quiet. There's not even a bird call.I moved my limbs, stretched some of the stiff muscles, and when the warm-up was over, I began to practice. I worked hard, and each punch made the air roar. I attacked nonexistent objects with all my might until I was exhausted and sweat soaked through my clothes. When I was lying on the grass, I didn't find the same level of happiness I had when I was exercising.My mind is not pure. My main focus has not been on exercise. There is always a figure in my mind. Yes, I mean Sibyl. Since that day, there seems to be a wall between us, invisible but real, separating us. Our two hearts are not as close as they used to be, and even when we are alone, both of us feel uneasy. Even when she speaks, she is care
Azariah’s POVIt hurts. It hurts so much. The pain came from every corner of my body, stimulating my fragile nerves. My spirit is on the verge of collapse. "Ah! Kill me, please kill me!" A mournful scream echoed in the dark room, but only the boundless silence responded to me.If I had a mirror, I could see that my hands, feet and neck were bound by black leather straps, which made it impossible for me to move. Even now, that evil ghost man. I don't know what he did to my body, but every inch of my skin felt like it was bursting open, and I couldn't get myself out of the wooden frame.Tears of regret welled up in my eyes. I should have listened to Blayze. We should have left the capital and gone into seclusion in the countryside, instead of falling into the hands of that devil. The pain in my body gradually subsided, or maybe I just got used to it. Sleepiness hit me at once, and I lost consciousness before I could even feel it. Sleep! I don't feel pain in my dreams. Such precious time
Azariah’s POVKnock, Knock. The scepter struck heavily on the flagstone floor, and all of a sudden, numerous torches were lit on the walls on all sides, illuminating the room as if it were day. The fire shone in my eyes, and I closed them with a jerk, and with a single glance I could see that I was no longer in the thatched cottage. There are no other buildings in the valley. Where did he take me? The sheer terror made me tremble and I could hear my teeth clashing against each other.This is worse than I thought! He took me, and Blayze didn't stop him, or he didn't have the power to, or maybe he didn't even know! It doesn't matter! The only thing that matters is that I have no man to fall back on now. And neither this sick wizard nor his ugly servant is a man who would take pity on a woman even if I were the most beautiful woman in the world and countless men would fall for me, not even them!"You surprise me!" I felt him pat my face with a cold, delicate stone object. Though humiliat
Nuri’s POVIt's snowing outside. It has been snowing for two whole days, and all the buildings in the palace have turned white. The air outside was unbearably cold, and in the early morning Sibyl sent me out of my chamber. As soon as the door opened, she put out a foot and drew it back at once. She nimbly closed the door, leaving only a gap. She tilted her little head and said, "Your Majesty, you should handle the affairs of the country in person. Therefore, you should go to the study room. I'll wait for you in the bedroom." She just sneezed.I looked at the tip of her red, frozen nose and couldn't bring myself to mention the fact that she had said she wanted to go into politics two days earlier. As a mature man and a qualified husband, I must know when to take my wife's things to heart and when to forget them completely. And my lovely wife thoughtfully gave me her beloved hand warmer and watched me leave. She told me to come back early at noon before I left, and she had the kitchen m
William’s POVThe bitter wind outside shows no sign of abating. I looked out the window. Large patches of snow fell, and the trees in the yard could not lift their heads. The foolish nobleman who had been dragged out had already passed out from the cold. Fortunately, His Majesty had no real intention of killing him. He was allowed to stay in the next room until he woke up, and was then banished from the palace forever."I don't want to see him again in my palace," the king said to Blayze, sitting in his chair and speaking in a relaxed tone. I looked down at the gold-painted tiles at my feet.It's not right. Blayze is a minor officer in the citadel. Why would the King talk to him? I glanced at Roth. He looked at our king with the same reverence he always did, and there was no doubt that he would support any order the king gave.I couldn't see the faces of the officials. I can only see the back of their heads. But I don't think they'll have any objections. After all, it's a trivial matt
Sibyl’s POVOh, Prince! My heart ached again. If that child had not left me, he would now be the beloved Prince, the nation's noble crown prince. Even though Nuri and I had made peace after the last cold war, I still couldn't forgive myself, couldn't let go of the guilt I felt for the child.My face must be pale, my hands are shaking, I must look terrible now. I saw Nuri clench his fist, the muscles of his body tightening like an open bow. He was angry. I can feel his anger. I'm sure everyone here can feel it.But they are still asking the question. These nobles do the most unfriendly things with the most respectful words. They are forcing the country's most noble couples to prove their worth by having children. For an ordinary couple without children, it is a pity, but for the royal family, it is a dereliction of duty.It was then that I realized that the greatest expectation of a queen was not intelligence, or beauty, or strength, but that I could have children. If I cannot give bir
Sibyl’s POVThe clock struck twelve. I looked at the flickering candles on the table and finally stood up. I didn't know what I was waiting for. I don't think he'll come back until he figures that out. In fact, I am not sure whether I am ready to face him, but I sincerely hope that he can accompany me. As a woman, who doesn't want her husband to be there when she's in pain?My low spirits affected everyone. The maids bowed their heads and breathed carefully. Even Amy, who grew up with me and jokes with me, stood there in silence, her face an undisguised expression of concern."Don't worry." I squeezed a smile and patted her hand lightly. "I'm fine. I'm fine, really.""Then you should get some rest. It's late." Her expression showed that she wanted to say a lot of words, but she only urged me to get some rest.I nodded my head in agreement, and the maids got busy. Surrounded by maids, I went to the bathroom at the back of the palace, where there was a huge marble pool. In the white mis
Blayze’s POVThe snow that had been falling for a week finally stopped. Roth and I have been busy with the snow lately. Seeing the long-lost sunny day, it was hard for me not to breathe a sigh of relief. But this is not my day off. As an officer of the palace today, I have an important task, to maintain order and ensure the smooth selection of His Majesty's concubines.I walked in the corridors of the palace. It is a world of ice and snow as far as the eye can see. The eaves were covered with ice because of the bitter cold. They reflect colorful light in the sunlight. The broad lawn was covered with thick snow, and the trees standing in the cold wind had lost all their leaves, leaving only bare branches to carry the snow. The snow filled the whole palace, covering all the dirt and grime. Now there is only a pure white world. Monotonous as it is, I have to say I like the view.I went to the gate and greeted the guards. Because of today's activity, the number of soldiers guarding the pa
Sibyl’s POVBefore I know it, time is running out like a river. My two children, who began as finger-sucking babies in cradles, can now run around the palace. Perhaps they inherited Nuri's strong physique, and even the quiet little princess Terese was full of energy. The wet nurses had run to follow her but she was not tired at all.Today, after breakfast, I caught them trying to sneak out again."Sit your asses down!" I said sternly.The two little ones made faces and sat back in their chairs.Unexpectedly, the child's father suddenly protested. "Children are young. They are at an active age now. Why should you restrain them?""Have you forgotten what day it is?""What day?" asked Nuri, doubtfully, putting down her cup.I knew it! I took a plate of peeled grapes from him and said, "Selene and Lowa are coming to visit us today. Lowa is bringing her little girl!"Shortly after my children were born, Lowa returned to Werebird kingdom with Manolo. Within two months of their return, I rec
Sibyl’s POVSince the birth of the little prince and Princess, the whole palace has become lively. Nuri's excitement is hard to describe. He immediately declared the young prince, Baron, a crown prince and gave him an estate. However, he is still young and currently lives with his sister in a bedroom in my palace.In order to take care of the two children, Nuri arranged for each of them to have three wet nurses and eight maids. He had even begun to think about their playmates.Carol was even more excited to see them every day. She came in the morning as soon as the sun rose, and left reluctantly after dinner.Now all eyes are on the two children."Our Baron and Terese are very popular. Whose credit is that?"Nuri rocked the cradle and looked at me like a big dog with a face full of praise! I couldn't bear to watch. I picked up Terese, who was munching her fingers, and kissed her soft, white, meaty face."Little Terese, who is your mommy?"The little guy looked at me in a daze and sudd
Roth’s POV"Sibyl... my baby..."Blayze's voice travels in Nuri's ears. His hands were tugging at Nuri's, blood gushing from his mouth, but he did not stop, calling the Queen's name again and again.Beowulf pounced. His broken arm was flailing feebly in the air, and Nuri dropped Blayze to avoid his attack. I climbed over and pulled Blayze aside to sit against the wall."How could she be Azariah? Didn't she die in prison?"Blayze didn't answer my question. He didn't even look at me. He just stubbornly called out the Queen's name. Does this really work? Can we wake the king?"Nuri, wake up! Sibyl is unconscious because of you. She is pregnant with your child! She almost died because of you!" Bellowed Beowulf as he dodged Nuri's attack, shouting Sibyl's name along with Blayze. Tears blurred my vision. I wiped my face and joined them loudly.May the gods protect us. The love between the King and Queen could be the antidote to this disaster.For a moment, the council chamber was filled wit
Selene’s POVThe whole palace was in disarray. The doctors were all called in, and the maids went in and out like ants on a hot pan. Everyone was scrambling to do something, but they didn't know which way to go, because the only hostess was still lying in bed, unconscious."Stay calm. You are all trained. Follow the rules." Nuri's grandmother's voice rose into the night, suppressing the panic. She took the maid's hand and got down from the carriage. She glanced at the maids and the doctors, and everyone she saw lowered their heads."We don't need so many doctors. Those who are not good at delivering babies can go home."When she had finished, some of the doctors, after a moment's hesitation, came forward, saluted, and hurried off.“Amy, divide the maids into three groups. One group will prepare hot water, the other will clean up the delivery room, and the last group will serve the empress at any time. If anything goes wrong, the person-in-charge will be punished!”Amy hurried to assig
Sibyl’s POV"Your Majesty..." Amy hesitated."Are you asking me why I didn't kill her?" I stopped and looked up at the Black Sky, where the moon was shining brightly. The stars twinkled in the sky like jewels on a dress."Maybe the moon is too beautiful tonight. I don't want to spoil my mood."Many innocent souls stayed in the palace. Every brick and tile was soaked in blood, and I did not want to add to it any more.The maid thought she was going to die, too. She closed her eyes and waited for the poison to attack, only to find that the pain she had imagined for a long time had not come. She slowly opened her eyes tentatively and looked at me hesitantly."Ah..." when she opened her mouth to speak, she found herself unable to make a sound."I took your voice," I motioned to Amy with my eyes. Amy handed her a bag of gold coins. "This is my compensation to you. I will still keep my promise to you. You can leave the palace tonight. I will let you continue your life as a commoner."With t
Sibyl’s POVThe evening party went on as planned. On the rows of brass candlesticks, carefully carved candles burned brightly, illuminating the faces of each visitor. The scent of ladies' perfumes filled the air, and expensive jewelry glowed in the owner's hair, earlobes, and neck. Everyone smiled and complimented each other."What an elegant crowd." I stood in the shade outside the door and looked at the nobles in the ballroom. "If I hadn't seen the fierce faces of the jealous ladies and the greed of the men in calculating the wealth of the common people, if I hadn't seen the despicable ways in which ministers use their power to do evil," I paused, i turned to Amy. "This is heaven, isn't it?"Amy looked at me in silence, and I knew the question frightened her. How can the nobles be so easily judged? Most people would think so. Nuri still had a long way to go. If he did not change the concept that everyone feared the nobles as much as the gods, the new nobles that he supported now wou
Sibyl’s POVLowa shifts into a giant bird. I sat on her back and soon saw Aphrodite's palace. With no intention of slowing down, she dived straight for the palace door, causing the maids at the door to scream. I walked to the door with a sullen face. Lowa shaved her feathers and shifted back to being a sexy lady.Not surprisingly, there was another shriek from the maids, and several of them had collapsed to the ground. I saw a familiar face among the maids, whose name I can't quite remember, Anna or something. On Aphrodite's first day at court, I met the maid.She's not doing very well. No, rather badly. She was not a pretty girl, but she was impressive, and now her hair was as yellow as a weed, and her figure was unusually dry. The once beautiful eyes also lost their love of life like a pool of stagnant water.She felt my gaze and looked up at me quickly. Her eyes sparkled, but soon became dull. She changed in an instant. When I blinked and looked at her again, she was still lifeless
Sibyl’s POV"Nuri is exaggerating." Selene looked at the room full of clothes and sighed. "So many clothes. Even if there were a few more of you, you would never wear them all!"I looked at the rows of clothes, heart half sweet half trouble. Nuri is in love with me, but, as my sister said, I really do not have time to wear every piece of clothing again. Looking at so many beautiful clothes that I have no chance to wear them, it makes me feel very wasteful."These are all new. Do you like any of them? If you don't mind, just take the ones you like!" I said to Selene. When Lowa heard this, her face darkened and she looked at me angrily. "You have a real sister, and have you forgotten about me? You are so biased!"Selene looked at me awkwardly, worried that something might happen between me and Lowa, and I patted her hand. I smiled at her and said, "She's just kidding!" I turned to Lowa and rolled my eyes at her. "Why are you teasing her? Come on, I'll give you all the clothes in this ro
Nuri’s POV"What's all this?" Beowulf asked as he casually flipped through the notes on my desk. He gave me a smirk. I looked down and coughed."How come I don't remember us getting so close?" His tone was too casual and intimate, as if we had known each other for more than a decade, which made me very uncomfortable. He is the king of the land of the Bears. While I respect him as a hero, that doesn't mean my social distance from him can become intimate. But he didn't seem to feel that way at all."My wife is your wife's sister, and we are brothers, a family! We know each other like the back of my hand!" He took another book from the shelf, he exclaimed, "I always thought that you were an ambitious hero. You spent all your energy on running the country. I can't imagine that you're actually a nanny!"My bookshelf is lined with books on children, medical and educational, from infants to teenagers. On the desk are several thick notes that I have made. These are all the questions I ask doc