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
Aphrodite’s POVOne by one, the officials read aloud each of the chosen names and introduced their families. I looked down at the pattern of the carpet, and each of the chosen girls would come out to salute the king and Queen. Their ornate silk dresses rustled. I peeked around. Some of the girls were trembling nervously, and I couldn't help laughing to myself.I couldn't help peeking at King Nuri. He sat with his head propped up in one hand, his eyes half-closed, looking disinterested. When he saw the nervous and beautiful girls, he waved his hand impatiently, and the girls' dreams were shattered. Poor girls. They must have starved at home for so many days and spent so much time nursing their hair and skin for this selection. Today, they came here in the cold and lost the selection so easily."Are you lightheaded?" Carol laughed and teased as she watched the girls being denied. Nuri sat up straight and smiled at her. He didn't show any interest in any girl, but he didn't continue to d
Sibyl’s POVI got up from the Nuri and tidied up my messy skirt. My loose hair cannot be recovered. So, I just let my hair fall out and let it fall on my shoulders. I sat down on the soft blue velvet sofa, took a glass of wine, and the cold liquid ran down my throat into my stomach, extinguishing the faint fire in my heart.I leant back on the sofa, my glass in my hand, and looked at Nuri with interest. He was still in his chair by the fireplace, his hands on his thighs, his head bowed in confusion. But I guess his face must have been disappointed. What kind of man can stay in a good mood when he's being interrupted in the heat of the moment?I let Amy in, and she was followed by a strange maid. It was a plain girl, but her eyes were bright, and she looked about as if she were searching for some secret. This surprises me. The court maids had always been docile and silent, repeating the monotonous work like puppets without color or emotion. The girl broke my stereotype of the maid and