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A palace murder
Last Updated:
2023-09-16 10:01:54
KhaluchiPhew! Btw, my werewolf novel, Wanting Cinnia is now complete. Do give it a read as well. I'm sure you'll love it!
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The Emperor's Substitute Bride Goodnight kiss
Nerina threaded coils of her bright blue energy through each of her fingers as Delia oiled and combed her long, raven hair. After giving Nerina a thorough and very sensual bath, Nezetta stepped out a while ago to inform the cooks to bring some of Nerina's favorite snacks which gave Nerina the perfect opportunity to think. "It is done, my Princess," Delia murmured, head bowed as she took a step back from Nerina so she could properly view herself in the mirror. "Hm," Nerina barely looked up from her fingers. "Delia?" "Yes, Princess?" "Have you ever thought of your death? How would you like to leave this world?" Nerina asked, her eyebrows knitted together as the color of her magic increased in intensity. Delia snapped her head up in shock but when she met Nerina's icy eyes in the mirror, she instantly lowered her head and swallowed the lump that built up in her throat. "I-I do not understand, Princess," Delia choked out. Nerina shook her head and sighed. Then she clenched her fing
Last Updated : 2023-10-25The Emperor's Substitute Bride A tour of the kingdom
The next morning, Nerina went into the stables and was about to call out Nezetta’s name when the woman rushed out of an empty stall and like a blur, flew into Nerina's arms.Then, Nezetta pressed her lips against Nerina's, content to have her around again. Master Faizar had appeared to her once again the night before and while she had shunned him, a part of her still ate up his words.However, all of that vanished when Nerina tightened her arms around Nezetta’s waist, causing her to sigh longingly into her mouth.Nerina fought the urge to cringe and push Nezetta away from her body but that would be completely out of character for Naomi to do so she had to stick with the act she started."Look who missed me," Nerina said with a cocky smile on her face as Nezetta rolled her eyes."Is it so obvious that I did?""Yes, it is," Nerina confirmed."That aside. You are going on a tour of Asghavia, right? Would you be checking out the dragon arena?" Nezetta asked."I haven't questioned Daegal a
Last Updated : 2023-10-27The Emperor's Substitute Bride How to kill royalty
Touring was usually an effortless activity for Nerina but since she was pretending to be Naomi pretending to be her, she had to put in twice the effort.First, Nerina had to behave a bit clueless when she was with Daegal and listen to all his instructions with rapt attention even though she knew every single thing he told her.Then, the almost easy part was behaving like herself. What made it not so simple was that she couldn't play herself too well or Daegal might have gotten suspicious of her.The entire tour was just one big acting performance and by the time Dreygor landed back in the arena, Nerina was exhausted and couldn't wait to get everything over with.There were two things she had to do: Produce an heir and kill Emperor Vulcan. Well, her father didn't exactly say that she had to do one before the other. Since one didn't seem like it would work early enough, then she would have to go with the other."You know, I was promised a tour and not a war council meeting," Nerina star
Last Updated : 2023-10-28The Emperor's Substitute Bride Separation
The next morning, Unity Rock was in uproar. The bell ringers rang the huge bells in Vulcan's tower, signaling to the whole of Asghavia that the Emperor was dead.After an autopsy was conducted by Daegal and the mages of Unity Rock, letters were sent with messengers on fast horses to various Chiefs, and for farther locations, messenger birds were set loose to inform the kingdoms of the continent that the Emperor had passed of natural causes. Nerina continuously had to school her features into one of concern, sympathy, and heartbreak whenever she passed by anyone in the castle. Her father, Chief Topher also mirrored the same look."I am so sorry, Daegal. I know the both of you had your ups and downs and there were times you didn't like him but he was still your father. My comfort for your loss," Nerina said to him using Naomi's method of speaking when he returned to their room after conducting the autopsy. "Hm." That was all he said. His face was a kaleidoscope of conflicting emotions
Last Updated : 2023-10-30The Emperor's Substitute Bride Coronation day
"You have made me proud, daughter," Chief Topher praised while stroking Nerina's cheek with a calloused thumb.Nerina stood before her father in the middle of her chambers still, unmoving. Barely thirty minutes ago, she was being dressed by Delia and three other maids who fussed over the perfect style for her hair and made last-minute adjustments to the elegant, sweeping dress she was to wear.In an hour, she would be one step closer to finalizing her goal. What she and her father had always wanted—what he had whispered into her ears from the day she could walk."Thank you, Father," Nerina responded with a smirk. To avoid prying ears, she had cast a net of her power around the room so that their conversation would not be heard by anyone."I was not quite sure that you could pull it off.""It is very refreshing to hear of your unwavering trust in me, dear Father," Nerina drawled, recoiling from his touch as she walked around him to sit by her dressing table.She turned her head to the
Last Updated : 2023-11-09The Emperor's Substitute Bride Pretense
"This is not exactly court behavior, Emperor," Chief Azriel of the Ojmo tribe in Alsayf said to Daegal as he returned the hug with as much energy. When they disengaged, Daegal scoffed and patted Azriel's shoulders once. "Fuck the court." Azriel threw his head back and laughed at the vulgar statement. "I see you have not changed much since our fighting days." Daegal winced a bit as he remembered the bloodshed during the riots in Alsayf. Riots that were now stirring up again. He never liked battle but it seemed that battle liked and sought him out no matter how much he wanted to run. Both Daegal and Azriel climbed up the dais and Azriel bowed to Nerina deeply. "It is an honor to finally meet you, Empress Nerina. I must say that your beauty and elegance surpass the stories I have heard. You look like a vision of the creator," Azriel complimented, flashing his straight white teeth at Nerina in a charming grin. Nerina returned it with a pleased smile of her own. "You flatter me too mu
Last Updated : 2023-11-10The Emperor's Substitute Bride Traveler's spell
It was bad enough that Daegal was ensnared to a liar but now, he also had to pretend that everything was fine as he held Nerina's firm, yet delicate hand in a gentle grasp and led her to the large balcony where they were to greet their subjects. Daegal struggled to keep the smile on his face, fought to act normal so there wouldn't be an inkling of suspicion from Nerina. However, he may have let some of the warring emotions raging inside him show on his face because Nerina tightened her grip on his hand and whispered. "Are you alright, love?" She asked in a sugary sweet tone and Daegal tried his best not to cringe away from it. "I am fine. I only..." Daegal trailed off as they stopped in front of the huge brass doors that held the balcony beyond. "I am tired, that is all. Everything is exhausting." Nerina gave him an encouraging look and it bothered Daegal as he wondered how she was able to fill in Naomi's shoes like it was nothing. Naomi was great at impersonating Nerina but there
Last Updated : 2023-11-20The Emperor's Substitute Bride A plan of action
"This does not make any sense, Az." Daegal shook his head, one hand placed on his hip and the other on the balustrade. "I think I of all people should know how logical a spell that originated from MY kingdom is," Azriel drawled, back against the balustrade and arms folded in front of him. Daegal gave him a withering look that made the corners of Azriel's lips turn up slightly. "It is not the spell itself that poses a dilemma to me, Az. It is the nature in which it was activated. I still am and have been confused but not exactly surprised that a whole other world—where Naomi comes from—exists outside of ours yet the issue is that she made it clear that magic doesn't exist there." Azriel pulled down his eyebrows as he pondered the many possibilities that ran through his mind. Daegal continued. "From the thoughtful look on your face that does not exactly suit you, I can tell that you are beginning to understand me." Azriel glanced at him with humor shining in his eyes. "I am beginnin
Last Updated : 2023-12-02
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
