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A brewing romance
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
KhaluchiAfter all the slow burn! Thank goodness.
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The Emperor's Substitute Bride Jealousy
The Estorian harbor in Nebulos was even larger and more sprawling than the one in Vishwum. It was unlike anything Naomi had ever seen. As Naomi disembarked from the ship, she sighted large trading vessels and smaller boats and ships bobbing gently on the sparkling blue sea. She had never seen the sea shimmer like that before. "Wow… Nezetta… Estoria is even more beautiful than I imagined and I haven't even visited anywhere yet!" Naomi exclaimed as she looked around in wonder. However, Nezetta only responded with a stiff nod and a curt reply. "Hm. There is still more to see." Ever since Naomi decided to try to build a bridge across the gaping hole in their relationship caused by the secrets she was keeping, Nezetta had changed. Naomi would have been fine with keeping everything a secret but her conscience constantly pricked her each time she shared a kiss with Nezetta, held her hand, or caressed her smooth skin. Still, she fought back the urge to divulge every single detail but end
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Emperor's Substitute Bride The compassionate one and the abomination
"Has there been any word from my daughter yet?" Chief Topher asked one of his many household spies. There remained two days till the engagement ceremony and still, Lolo Nerina was nowhere to be found. Her father, Chief Topher had exhausted all efforts and resources to no avail. He sometimes considered requesting the king to get Prince Daegal to fly over the Great sea in search of his daughter, but that would only alert the king to the fact that she was missing and he had been lying about knowing her whereabouts. "No, my Chief. I had made inquiries on all the ships that departed Vishwum within that period but nobody knew which ship she had boarded. All they knew was that she had boarded a ship along with a woman."A woman who I heard had rescued her from some vigilantes who wanted to punish her harshly for stealing," The spy reported, bowing his head meekly. "Stealing? What are you talking about? Which woman do you speak of? Was anybody able to identify the woman she boarded the shi
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Emperor's Substitute Bride Impending Banishment
"Emperor, My Chief, there has been a massacre here in the capital!" The commander of the capital's guards, Sir Orryk, reported. Chief Kaius's and Emperor Vulcan's heads swiveled in Sir Orryk's direction. They had been breaking bread and treating each other in an attempt to try to find some common ground and perhaps stitch together a bit of the gaping rent in their relationship. So far, it was going well as they were doing their best to remain civil and not bring up any hostilities.However, the news Sir Orryk was about to report to them had the potential to rip the frail stitches apart. "A massacre? Where? When? What part of the city? Who committed such a heinous crime and why are you reporting to me alone instead of bringing the offender to me for judgment?" While Chief Kaius fired question after question, Emperor Vulcan remained silent, swirling the Nebulosi strong wine in his goblet. "My Chief, it occurred close to two hours ago in the Crescere area of the city. My men and I
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Emperor's Substitute Bride A message and the barrier
“It is okay. Breathe, Naomi. Breathe. I am right here with you,” Nezetta cooed, leaping from the wooden rocking chair she had been sitting on for the last three hours, to hold Naomi’s shaking body.However, as soon as her fingers made contact with the exposed skin of Naomi’s shoulders, she flinched away from her touch.The sudden, unexpected movement pierced through Nezetta like a sharp lance going through a knight at a tourney. She retracted her hand, letting it fall to her sides as she tentatively sat and maintained a substantial distance on the straw-stuffed bed Naomi lay upon.“What happened to me? Where are we? How are you awake? And why am I dressed like this?” Naomi threw the barrage of questions at Nezetta as she frantically observed the strange room she had just found herself in. She had been stripped of her previous garments and was now clothed in a loose, cream-colored, lightly embroidered sleeveless silk dress that felt like a soft caress against her hot and balmy skin.The
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Emperor's Substitute Bride A second soul mate?
"Who are you?" The inhumane voice of the sentient barrier whispered to Naomi. Its voice seared through her consciousness, momentarily distracting her from the burning sensation arising from her blistering skin. "Naomi? What's wrong? Talk to me." Nezetta frantically shook Naomi's shoulders but received no response.Naomi stood still, her eyes glazed over with her mouth hanging open. "Neziah, she is with me. She means no harm! Let her go!" Nezetta yelled at the barrier surrounding them authoritatively. The barrier failed to listen to her command. It could sense that something was gravely wrong with the stranger his princess had brought into the secret passage. It could not let her pass. "I...I am Lolo Nerina. Of Sejukgheim. I do not bear any ill will toward the royal family. I would never harm anyone!" Naomi managed to speak out in the way she knew Nerina would, amidst the tormenting presence in her head and her roasting flesh. The burning feeling was only in her head though. H
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Emperor's Substitute Bride Interrogation
Something about Nerina’s eyes troubled Daegal as he led her and Nezetta through the winding hallways of the Star castle to his assigned chambers. Those ice-blue eyes of hers had haunted his dreams ever since he met her at the banquet to announce their betrothal and subsequent marriage. This time, however, something was different and it worried him. “Where are you taking us, brother?” Nezetta practically spat out the word, ‘Brother.’ “To my chambers,” He replied stiffly. “Is father going to be there? Are you going to reveal that I am here? You’re going to tell him and watch him cast me out like some stray mongrel while doing nothing just like before, are you not?” Nezetta fired at him, her anger bubbling to the surface. Daegal halted abruptly causing Nezetta and Naomi to come to a stop behind him. He turned around, his eyes filled with sadness. “Nez, I was a child back then. I—” Nezetta did not let him finish. “I was a child too, Daegal! You were already a man grown and you
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Emperor's Substitute Bride Engagement and a suspicious cousin
With Daegal’s icy glare fixated on her, Naomi hastily concluded that she truly could not hope to gain his trust easily and have him help her out of the dilemma she was presently caught up in. “Sorcery? What the hell is he talking about?” She wondered as she searched for a suitable answer. Filled with fear at the sheer amount of disgust and disdain that Daegal aimed at her, she choked out the first thing that came to mind; something she imagined Nerina would say. “What sort of accusation is this?” She retorted defensively, bravely pushing her initial fear aside as she angled up her chin defiantly. However, in response, Daegal let out an exasperated growl and in one swift movement, pinned her to the wall beside them with his hand gripping her throat lightly, not wanting to hurt the daughter of the Royal Minister without good reason. “Lolo Nerina, lying to me is not the best call to make right now.” By stalking closer to Naomi’s personal space, his scent overwhelmed her and filled h
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Emperor's Substitute Bride Unexpected arrival
Meanwhile, in one of the many guest quarters of the Star Castle, Nezetta paced around anxiously with a stormy expression on her face. A million and one thoughts raced through her mind at lightning speed until she decided to at least carry out one of her motives. “Damn the consequences,” She muttered under her breath and stepped toward the door. “Princess, you cannot leave. The prince explicitly commanded that you stay here!” Kabeer protested as he stepped in front of her to block her path. “Aezonum.”Without care, Nezetta conjured up a ball of sparkling green energy and threw it at him. He fell to the ground in a heap, unconscious. As Daegal said, killing him would only put her in an excruciating amount of pain so she opted to put him in a deep slumber. With a determined look in her eyes, she stepped over Kabeer’s body and opened the door.However, as she tried to pass through the doorway, it was as if the air around her had suddenly thickened.She could not move forward.“He da
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
Latest chapter
The Emperor's Substitute Bride Vows
Naomi smiled sheepishly when Daegal praised her and laid her head against his shoulder. Suddenly, a chief threw a question at Daegal. "What happened to Empress Nerina? Where is she?" Everyone else in attendance nodded in agreement and began to murmur the question too. Naomi's eyes monitored everyone and made her observations about them. When they quieted down, Daegal took his time to explain every single event from the beginning till date with Naomi occasionally chipping in. And when he was done, the entire hall bowed down to Naomi and called her their empress. Naomi wiped the tears that formed under her eye. She didn't think she would garner such a support system from people who did not know her well enough but after Daegal's information, they looked at her and saw her. Her true self. A few days before, Naomi had Delia released from the dungeons and she was also very surprised to see the transformation but also knew that something was fish ever since Nerina started to be very ni
The Emperor's Substitute Bride Resurrection
"Are you just going to stand there gawking?" Naomi asked, her voice hoarse. Daegal was immediately by her side with water.After she took a few sips, she sighed and with Daegal's help, sat up against some pillows. "What? Why are you both staring at me like that?"Daegal only smiled at her in response. Love and adoration shone in his eyes in such a way that made Naomi's heart melt from the display.As he brushed her hair back, Naomi reached up to tuck a strand behind her ear but midway into the motion, she caught the color of her hand.Naomi blinked once. Then blinked again. She shook her head from side to side and looked at her hand again."Daegal? Azriel? Am I dreaming?"Azriel laughed and pinched her calf. Naomi let out a small yelp and glared at him."No, you are not dreaming."Naomi returned her gaze to her hand and then lifted her other hand too. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she took in the rich, cocoa color."Can you get me a mirror, please?" she said to Daegal and pro
The Emperor's Substitute Bride Work of art
Master Faizar's brow furrowed in confusion when he saw the grin on Naomi's face that made her look maniacal and downright terrifying.Naomi didn't know where strength came from or even understand what she was about to do but she just knew it was what she was destined to do.She slowly rose to her feet with her hands clamped over Faizar's. She stared deep into his hazel eyes and uttered the words that struck fear into his heart for the first time in his life."This is your end and my beginning, Faizar."She threw his hands down and then pressed her fingers against his forehead. Her eyes shone a bright white light as she threw her head back and opened the part of her mind where she had locked her dream-walking magic in.Fueled by hate, revenge, and anger, Naomi threw herself into his dark, twisted mind. She didn't pay attention to his screams of anguish but only focused on what she realized she had to do.Her magic rippled across the clearing and beyond but the airtight shield around th
The Emperor's Substitute Bride The war
Naomi could smell the saltiness of the sea way before she even sighted the battleground. A wide, grassy plain extended toward the shore of the sea, and about a mile inland, Babatunde's army awaited. Rocky hills that seemed very familiar to Naomi arose at their back with some of their soldiers standing atop it. Naomi and Daegal stood on top of a wide hill overlooking the plain ahead. Thalia and Azriel were close behind while Kabeer and Ser Tare, clothed in their dark armor, gave the order for their armies to halt below. They obeyed them and arranged themselves into predetermined positions. The threat they faced though... Naomi didn't even need to count before she knew how outnumbered they were. "They took every inch of high ground they could find. We have to stick to the lower levels instead," Azriel hissed. "At least we have air power. That will be our high ground," Naomi said. "Precisely," Daegal agreed. "I think I can fight on horseback, Daegal," Azriel said but Daegal shot h
The Emperor's Substitute Bride Speaking from the heart
After Naomi's rescue from Master Faizar's clutches, Daegal didn't let her out of his sight for a single moment. He always made sure she was within sight and hearing distance and would even enter a panic when she wasn't near.An evening later, while alone in her tent, Naomi had earlier sent for Thalia and she entered when Naomi was poring over a tome. "How is Azriel?" she asked upon noticing Thalia's entrance. "Better now, Empress. He bled quite a lot since the arrow went clean through his shoulder but I and the other healers managed to help.""Will he be able to fight?" Thalia bent her head for a moment then looked up. "Azriel is strong but he will need time to heal."Naomi cocked an eyebrow. "Time to heal? Why have you not used magic to speed it up?" "We tried but something is wrong. The process is painstakingly slow so we have to rely on nature this time."Naomi bit her lip and set aside the book that was on her lap. "Please take care of him. I will come to see him later.""Of c
The Emperor's Substitute Bride Rescue
Nightfall came swiftly. Azriel and Thalia were prepared as they had gone over their plan with Daegal almost a thousand times.They were to sneak through the enemy's camp without drawing attention. Since some might know Azriel, he would stick to the shadows and also wear the helmet and armor that their blacksmiths had created which resembled that of Babatunde's soldiers."Ready, Thalia?" Azriel asked and Thalia nodded in the affirmative.They bid Daegal goodbye and mounted their horses. The ride was silent as they were too focused on their mission to joke or say anything to each other.After thirty to forty minutes of hard riding, they arrived in a thick forest, stopping on a hilltop that overlooked the outskirts of the formidable enemy camp.Master Faizar and Nezetta had used the same kind of spells that Daegal put around their camp to shield it from wandering eyes but thanks to the information that Naomi previously collected from those captured and now dead soldiers, Thalia and Azrie
The Emperor's Substitute Bride Dream walker
"A dream walker?" Naomi echoed as Master Faizar placed the torch in his hand into a bracket. He circled her slowly like she was the prey and he, the predator. He stopped in front of her and ran a hand down her cheek. "Have you never felt the power of going into a person's mind and seeing all their deepest thoughts? Their fears, joys, and sorrows?" Naomi swallowed, her throat stinging from the dryness as she remembered penetrating Azriel and Meriana's minds. Amani's too. "Your eyes give you away, Naomi. So expressive. The magic that you hold is rare, ancient, and terrific. It lies deep within your soul," he said. Naomi scowled. "I don't find anything terrific about it. Sometimes I end up hurting people and other times, no one gets hurt. I don't understand it and I'm not sure I even want to."Master Faizar smiled softly but it did nothing to ease Naomi's worries. She continuously kept trying to access any part of her magic but she couldn't reach it. All she could hope was for Daegal
The Emperor's Substitute Bride Finding Naomi
"Nngh," Naomi groaned as she slowly came to. The last thing she remembered was hugging her parents and...When she fully opened her eyes, there was darkness all around her. She couldn't even see two feet in front of her."Fuck," she swore as she realized that her hands and feet were tied to a pole and as much as she tried to get free by using her magic, it was as if an oily sheen dampened it.'Where am I? Where am I?' Naomi thought to herself as she continued struggling against her binds.Suddenly, a gust of wind blew across her face as something ruffled. A bright light illuminated the space around her as someone stepped through the flaps of the tent.Naomi remained quiet, choosing not to speak but to gauge instead.Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as the figure stalked ever closer to her. Though her heart pounded in her chest, she kept a straight face to hide her terror.Finally, the person shifted the burning torch from his face and his features came into view. He vaguely looked like
The Emperor's Substitute Bride Reunion
Azriel spoke up. "This is them showing their appreciation and undying loyalty to you. Daegal opened their eyes and cleared their doubts."Naomi nodded slowly. "Okay..." Then to those kneeling, she said in a raised voice: "Rise."In seconds, they obeyed her command. Ser Tare gave her a short bow and a heartfelt smile before he returned to his legion. Then she climbed up the podium and whispered some things to Daegal. After a moment, he nodded once. "It is now time for these traitors to face the emperor's justice. Chief Azriel, bring them to me."Six of them were brought up to the platform, still chained. They each had identical haunted looks in their eyes. Naomi cleared her throat before raising her voice. "In light of ours and the creator's mercy, we will give each of you a chance to renounce your allegiance to Chief Topher and Babatunde Alen. Refusal to do so means you acquiesce to your execution."Some of the captured soldiers began to ask for mercy. However, Naomi cast them all
