12 August ***
Today, I married the Emperor and received the title of Empress. I, on the other hand, am feeling suffocated. It's hardly the kind of freedom I was hoping for.
I have to be flawless as Empress. I need to bear a son to be the Empire's next heir—
Olivier carefully read each page, his gaze trembling in disbelief that the Empress had her own issues.
"That two faced Empress..."
19 February ***
My first son was born today. But it didn't make me feel fulfilled or joyful. Because the Emperor didn't even pay me a visit while I was pregnant.
Even the child's name, Drystan, was given to him by me.
I felt hurt, but there was nothing I could do about it. I'm simply an Empress, and he's the Emperor.
4 December ***
He brought in a mistress today. She was a commoner who possessed extraordinary beauty.
She was pregnant with his child. Since Drystan is just two years old, I was enraged.
I attempted
[2nd Prince's Palace]Olivier sighed, looking up at the ceiling, lost and conflicted, as he lay down on the couch to relieve his stress.While playing chess with Verena, Azazel heard his constant sighs and lifted his brow to Olivier."What's the matter, Olivier? Do you have anything on your mind?"Azazel asked, looking at Olivier with a playful smile and Verena sees that opportunity to move her piece."Checkmate, Azazel."When he heard her statement, his eyes widened in surprise, and he turned his head toward her, shocked."What?! When did— well, congratulations Verena!"Instead of being disappointed, he smiled broadly at her, congratulating her on her victory, but Verena only furrowed her brow in bewilderment."It's merely a checkmate... you still have a chance of beating me."Azazel only shook his head in denial when Verena smiled at him."I don't mind if you beat me up.""Really?"Ver
[Frederick Dukedom]As the Duke learned that his little sister had been a victim of Charlotte, the information on his hand trembled.The body was hardly recognizable, according to the report, but it would be respectfully sent to the Dukedom.Verena, who had told everything to the Duke, and saying more and more of the dark activities of the Imperial Family made the Duke angry.He was enraged with the Emperor, who had promised to assist him in finding his little sister, but it turned out that he was merely acting and concealing the facts as if it was nothing."He must be laughing behind your back."Verena continued, causing him to lose control of his rage."I-I have to get rid of that monster..."He gritted his teeth in frustration, and his eyes flashed with uncontrollable rage.The duke's feelings of betrayal by the person he serves drives him insane. He intends to assassinate and torture the Imperial Family as soon as po
[Empress' Palace]"Hello, traitor."Olivier was taken aback when the Empress, Kalliste, greeted him with a lovely smile."Y-Your Majesty...""Did you have a good time sneaking around my workplace when I wasn't around?"She crossed her arms as Olivier grit his teeth in frustration, since the only way out was the door."Guards, seize him."The knights encircled the room, capturing both of his arms.(I can't put up a fight either... I guess this is the end.)Oliver sighed heavily as he faced Kalliste, the person who would very certainly eliminate him once she discovered his plans.Someone for whom he once felt pity.One of the guards gives the sword to Kalliste, who uses it to kill him on the spot. Her smile is friendly, but her gaze is full with hatred and the desire to kill Olivier.One of the knight throw a punch to Olivier's face that made him stumble backward.The other knight then kicked hi
[2nd Prince's Palace]The Empress, Kalliste sat face to face with Azazel, a delighted smile on her face.Azazel, on the other hand, was different; his gaze was vacant, and his hands were dripping with sweat.Kalliste had informed him about how she had viciously killed Olivier after he had entered her office without permission.Of course, that was just act to drew Azazel's anger."... Azazel, you should have educated your dog. It goes the same for everyone."Her eyes narrowed as she calmly sipped a cup of tea, continuing to infuriate Azazel.Azazel was beyond outraged, to the point that he couldn't even speak.They were laughing behind the Empress' back only a few days before, but now the Empress was laughing right in front of him.After hearing it from the person he despises, he was distraught."Oh my Azazel~ no need to be that surprised. Didn't I come here as you requested and speak with you face to face?"
[2nd Prince's Palace]Verena awoke half asleep, rolled over, and pulled the covers up a little higher.(Is it... midnight?)She could hear Azazel breathing softly beside her as he slept, and just hearing that sound was enough to make her smile as she felt warm within.In the faint light, she peered at the clock and was surprised to see that it was past midnight.She looked up at the window and noticed that the curtains were partially open, allowing her to see the full moon gradually sinking.(... I'm really tired for no reason.)She thought to herself, and gazed outside the window in wonder.Suddenly, she felt warm arms wrapped around her from behind."Azazel...? You're awake?""Mmmh..."He nodded and softly yawned as he gently put his chin on her shoulder, his hair tickling her exposed skin."... why did you wake up so early?"His voice was a little dry, and his eyes were sleepy as he asked.
"Did the rumors reach you?""About the Crown Prince being a paedophile?""Yes, yes! That!""Even rumors stated he raped a number of children!""It was obvious to me! Not only the aristocrats are wrong in their head, even the Crown Prince, the future of this Empire is the same kind of trash!""... we're doomed.""His second highness is fitting to the throne! While the Crown Prince is hiding inside his room, he brings many victories!""You're right!"Thanks to Azazel by spreading such rumors according to the information Olivier gave, it became a hot topic overnight.Everyone was talking about it till it reached the ears of the Empress.The Empress, who had heard everything, turned to face Crown Prince Drystan with a frown on her face."...... both his majesty and I keep your filthy secret so carefully hidden... just how?!!"Drystan, who was terrified by the Empress, responded with a shake of his head.
[2nd Prince's Palace]As she collapsed to the ground, blood began to form on her shoulder and trickle down.Her eyes widened as she looked at her own bloody hand that had reached her bleeding shoulder.Her palm trembled as she realized it was becoming more difficult to breathe."M-Milady! I-I will get help right away!!!"The coachman screamed in fear as he dashed toward the entrance, hoping to find someone who could help Verena, who was still in pain."Ugh—"Her eyes squeezed severely as her vision blurred, but she opened them wide and clutched the ground with both hands.(I.. I can't die yet!)As tears welled up in her eyes from desperation, she thought to herself.(I already died once— I won't die this easily this time! Not before my revenge!)Blood continues to flow freely from the bullet wound."VERENA!"A few maids and butlers, as well as the coachman and Azazel, dashed from t
(Never seek for forgiveness from someone who isn't worthy.)(There are more dark secrets hidden within this Empire than you could ever think.)(Just kill anyone who is in your way.)(Bring no mercy to those who wronged you.)When they spent time together, Azazel was reminded of all the things Verena had said.He always carries all of those words close to his heart in order to make her happy.As Azazel predicted, the citizens began to distrust the Imperial Family after receiving frequent bad news from them.While Azazel was on his way, he locked Verena in his room and guarded her from the outside by the twins.Verena was, of course, taken aback. She couldn't bring herself to question Azazel because he didn't waste any more time with his new plans and left her in the dark.Verena, who was still resting in her room, gently got out of bed, despite the fact that her shoulder discomfort was weighing her down.As soon as
"... It's quite easy to tell that this is not your first life.""How can you tell?"My gaze were now wary. But his expression remained unchanged with that gentle gaze on his face."It shows in your aura.""... My aura?"(Ah... don't tell me he has that special ability in his eyes...)My eyes narrowed slightly, thinking about all the possibilities within him."You— is it alright to expose yourself like that?"I'm just a stranger he met for the second time. And this is the first time we have a proper conversation.Yet he answered my questions clearly and even revealing his ability about seeing this 'aura'."Hmm... I don't mind."He narrowed his eyes sadly the moment his eyes cathes mine, as if he saw something that I would never under
When I presented Rho with an imperial knight uniform, his eyes widened in surprise."T-this—""It's the attire of an imperial knight. Wear that because you're going to the temple with me."His eyes sparkled the moment he was handed the uniform."Wow~"I knew why he couldn't stop grinning. It was because he had sought numerous times to become a knight of a noble family but had always been rejected and discriminated against due to his social standing.And now he was given not only a regular knight's uniform, but the Imperial Knight's entireuniform.His fingers trembled slightly, and his eyes were fixed on the uniform I handed him."We're arriving to the temple soon. You have excellent abilities, so I'm confident you'll be a good figure fitting for the Imperial Knights.""Oh my god—
"Tell me what went wrong."When I asked Rho to tell me everything that had occurred, he nodded his head."My crew and I were traveling on our ship about a month ago. Oh, I just wanted to let you know that we're not a bunch of bad pirates!"I nodded, asking him to continue his story, as he grinned and waved his hands around in the air."Then, out of nowhere, our enemy, another pirate who despises me, attacked us. That one eyed bastard— Gladiolas."(Gladiolas? Haven't heard of that name.)I thought to myself as I continued to listen to his story."Normally, we'd win against him, but that jerk did something he shouldn't have. He was backed by a noble, and I noticed how his crew had been replaced by the knights of this noble."(... What I'm getting is that this noble who is currently supporting Gladiolas is trying to earn profits by selling slaves and using the Blue Island, the abandoned area, as his hidden slave source
"Please accept our apologies, Your Majesty. Please punish us for our irresponsibility. We don't deserve to serve you."Ethan and Edgar both bowed appropriately, their gazes fixed on the floor.I was in front of them, with the man who had snuck into my room the night before standing beside me.When I told the twins about what had happened, they felt terrible and blamed themselves for not noticing anything and putting me in danger.I reassured them that it was fine because the man was in need of help, despite the fact that the method he asked was a little overwhelming and I was on the verge of death.Of course, the twins were skeptical to believe this man who showed up, claimed to be a pirate, and requested my assistance.They're wary of him."Edgar, Ethan, I've previously stated that it's preferable if you don't make the same mistake again. Don't make me repeat myself."When they saw I was quickly losing patience, they both rais
"The moment you wake up, you see a stranger and try to kill them, and the moment you realize you don't have a chance against me, you turn the entire room into ice."He simply shrugged and leaned against the water that had formed behind him.(Not just any user.)My eyes sharpened in suspicion as I looked at him.(He's an excellent water user.)"How do you know that I'm the Empress?""It may not looked like it, but I saw you at the coronation."His response surprised me, and my eyes widened in disbelief.However, just by looking at him, I could tell he wasn't a nobleman."You're not a nobleman, are you? Truly, who are you?"With a smug expression on his face, he remained silent until the water behind him vanished.He moved a step closer to me, but I quickly built an ice between us to prevent him from crossing the line.(I didn't create any useful potions. Recently, I've been far too careless. And it wa
My heart was racing the entire day after my unexpected confession as I tried to keep my distance from Azazel.But, before long, the sun sets and the moon rises into a sky ablaze with brilliant stars.(I can't believe I just confessed to him.)I sat in my room, awaiting his return. Because I just declared my love for him, tonight will be different, and it will be awkward for me.When the door opened and Azazel entered the room with a brilliant smile on his face, my cheeks were still hot all over and my heart began to race even faster."Verena!"He rushed up to me as soon as he saw me and tackled me to the bed, surprising me."A-Azazel?!"My heart began to beat even faster as he titled his head and grinned so childishly that I was afraid it would explode.He drew himself away from me and dragged me in to sit next to him."I was surprised for you to come at me like that."I laughed as I looked him in the eyes,
Verena Zielle.She was the first person who could make my heart race out of control.My dark days and existence were lightened the instant I locked eyes with her for the first time.A pair of pure, stunning aquamarine eyes as blue as the sky and as vast as the sea.My cheeks flushed and my pulse raced frantically as I looked into those eyes.Yet I'm the first to admit that she was out out of my league.Yet, unexpected things occurred that made me dared to hope for more.She approached me first and asked for my assistance. She has no idea that whatever she wants, I will do everything in my power to have it.She gets what she wants.I, on the other hand, lived in the dark while she lived in the light. Our worlds were too different.Either I went to that light or I pulled her into the darkness.I choose the second option. Walking into the light would hinder my progress and accomplishments.But lur
"Hey Louis."When I was still a young kid, I remembered asking something to my head butler, Louis Vaughn who acted as my father and took very good care of me.His gaze softened as he turned his head toward me, a smile on his lips."Yes, Your Highness?"He asked, staring me in the eyes, and I returned his gaze, unwavering."Why I don't have a mother? I want to have a mother too."His eyes widened significantly, and he knelt to equal my height, looking at me with a pained expression on his face."Why did you ask that, Your Highness?""... because brother Drystan mocked me for not having a mother."I tightened my grip on my attire, my gaze lowered."... I want to have a mother too.."I murmured under my breath, didn't even dare to look at him in the eyes.Now that I think about it, I'm curious about his expression when I was lowering my head.Maybe he was pitying me, or maybe he
"So, what do you want to talk about?"Valac sat in his chair and rested both of his legs on the table, as it was his habit.Valac was uninterested about the tea cups and cookies on the table.Leon was taken aback by his unpolished demeanor, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything.He was bothered by Valac's treatment of the guests, but he couldn't express his displeasure since he was also fearful.Leon, on the other hand, tried to hide his nervousness by smiling sweetly at Valac, who was impatiently waiting for Leon to speak."Your Highness, this may appear impolite, but I'd want to inquire if you're satisfied in your current position."He questioned carefully, the word 'position' sounding bitter in his voice as he spoke, reminding Valac of his own status as the third prince.Valac, of course, would notice. He could even foresee what Leon would say next."You're the second son of the previous Empress, Prince Valac.