"Your liege...we cannot wait any longer, the soldiers in ranks are questioning your dedication towards the empire." Ilaria was happily humming softly as she brushed the fur of Bluebell-the small fawn that she and Zyram had named together when she heard voices coming from the main chamber.She would have been afraid to eavesdrop if it was Harwon but with Zyram she was almost fearless for he put up with her impudence and was very patient thus she decided to closeup to the door and hear what was being talked about."It has spread in aristocratic cthe ircles and within the militia ranks that the Empress has not let you visit her inner chambers since you have ascended the throne, your majesty must have a heir soon thus kindly accept the opening of inner chambers for other concubines-" A sharp dagger barely missed the eye of the man that was talking, it made the voices stop for several moments before they presumed, for the female that could not see what was happening felt
PAST"Here this cold medicine will soothe your stomach."A male offered his wife a concoction that smelled mildly of bitter medicine yet since she was immersed in the eluding aroma of roses this time and was endlessly drowning in butterfly kisses on her forehead and cheeks, she gulped it without throwing a crying tantrum.Ilaria who adored the magnificent roses in all its shape and size was often calmed by them thus when Zyram filled the imperial bathtub with warm water and immersed her along with himself in it while thousand of such flowers floated on its surface, it was truly a sight that she loved.Lilac irises glimmered before she smiled and found her comforting place on her husband's chest where she kept her head and listened to his heartbeat. Zyram's thick fingers drew circles on her back and her pain of spine soon subsided.Although the emperor was a difficult man to understand and even more of a troublesome creature to decipher yet when he appe
PRESENTAngst, love and so much hopelessness was swirling in the atmosphere, Layla had never earlier had any memory of Icarus but the way he looked at her with love and hatred was so complicated that she could not say a word. She was certainly was a pawn in his game but when she looked at his saffron irises they were almost so fragile like a broken glass.He watched her unshed tears and then he looked at her trembling figure, he could not bear it anymore. The walls he had built crumbled the moment the pendant of red rubies started to glow so gorgeously that it was dazzling in his eyes.Layla never knew when she fell in love with Icarus so when the rubies started shining she looked at the King of Ardos in horror...just like his seventeen fiancées who he discarded previously being so cold and indifferent would he also give her up?Fragile arms wrapped around the torso of the virile male and Layla clutched onto him like a small child who did not had any idea what she did wrong but wished
"Don't discard me please, even if I am overbearing and wrong you can scold me but don't leave me....I have repented for my sins Layla so please don't leave me again."It was an enchanting but heart wrenching whisper that was sweetly expressed by the male that sat on the ground with Layla's dainty pale feet on his masculine palm. The red ruby pendant that the princess of Everdale usually wore was taken off by Icarus and now its gold chain was gently wrapped around one of her ankles as the ruby dangled from it.A symbol of him chaining her to himself.Icarus's obsession with herself was on the verge of madness but at this moment when the golden irises were bowing down with tears dripping down them, Layla was surprisingly not sad, to see him like this her heart blossomed into some sort of twisted happiness that her innocent mind had no name of."D-Don't cry please..." Fragile palms cupped his face and smoothened the frowning and distressed expression."A-Are you crying to take revenge fr
To remember:Ilaria is Layla in present timeZyram is Icarus in present timesArvram is Ilaria and Zyram's sonLayla who was unknown to the dangers of the truth, after she came back from Ciana could not help but be enticed to know who was Ilaria and opened the dark dusky volume of papers that were yellow and so fragile after being half-eaten by silverworms.It was a collection of letters that were clearly written in an ancient language that could not be deciphered easily but surprisingly Layla could read it well making her feel like she did not know her ownself entirely.1st ruling Year of Emperor ArvaramMother, Father has passed away but before his death, he held my hand and asked me to take out his eyes before burying him, he said that they have magical potency, and if I turn them into a gem using my divine powers it could save me from any future hurdles.Mother, father has been so kind to me past thirteen years but at the moment of his death he was cruel, how could he think that I
Mature "The Empire of Ardos welcomes Young duke Karl of Everdale and Princess Marianna of Everdale."Icarus was barely keeping his temper in check when this uninvited delegation from Avesta arrived in his empire. It was only due to Layla's name being soiled that he did not behead the impudent man the moment he arrived, for Marianna he was sure she had good relations with his wife.... it wasn't possible that she didn't. Just like Icarus, Karl also gave off a polite reply without any warmth but Marianna just bowed accepting the welcome."It's my honor to come and meet your majesties. Its just that I cannot see my sister-" Before those words were even completely uttered Icarus stood up with his face greatly twisted and his heart beating wildly.Where was Layla? The Emperor did not even waited to announce a dismissal as he rushed somewhere making Karl so furious that if he could, he would have trampled the empire of Ardos.AT THE SAME TIMEIN EMPRESS'S WING"Dismissed""But empress-""G
Emperor Icarus trained militia on every seventh of the month thus the day started with first rays of dawn as the male had kissed his queen's forehead who was in a deep sleep and soon left. It would have just been a monotonous but safe atmosphere if it wasn't for the thick smoke that the soldiers saw rising from inside the palace as their emperor was out."Your majesty! The empress is trapped in fire." Soldiers rushed to put out the flames but were majorly unsuccessful. The empress was trapped in the emperor's study which was engulfed in such raged flames that it was impossible to quench their thirst and extinguish them down. Icarus felt his ears ringing when he saw the fire crawling like a monster on the white marble turning it ash black with its dark soot.His Layla was inside it.Unknown to the entire world and even trying to hide his secret from the god himself, Icarus had taken such painstaking efforts to preserve Zeyphyr for this was the place where Ilaria was buried in the past
"Your majesty, your brother Young Duke Karl wishes to seek an audience with you." Layla who was sitting with Marianna by her bedside nodded to the servant and soon the doors opened with a dangerous male entering with clear cerulean irises that were deep and unmoved as if unfazed by anything in the world."Greetings to your majesty, Empress of Ardos." Karl bowed with keeping all eloquence and etiquettes and it looked polite yet in reality this was clearly telling Layla -' Since you choose Ardos above your family and decided to do as your wish by marrying Icarus, you have displeased me.'Layla drank a dark green medical concoction and did not look up at all, gently blowing the leaves in the hot bowl, she then sipped it with great elegance before handing it to a maid nearby.Everything was done without any hurry thus she did not asked Karl to rise."Why is the emperor so late today?""Sister, it must be that he is still investigating the fire." Marianna replied while simply flipping the