As we both entered the dining hall, the King of Taphatia rose from his seat, his eyes darted toward me with complete admiration while his mouth was partly open. All the people in the dining hall, from the royals down to their servants have all their eyes on me which made me tremble while I walk beside the Emperor, Alpha Aster. He has his chin held high as if looking proud that he is walking with me toward the King’s long dining table. It made me feel so important though. Like a precious jewel being adorned by many.They all bowed their heads when Aster stopped and looked at each of them, his eyes proud and his face expressing power and dominance all over the place. I have never attended such royal dinners and court meetings like this with my father before and it somehow makes me anxious that I am now being part of Alpha Aster’s agenda—-the man who stole the Empire from my family.Funny how fate introduced me to a new world through a man who ended up the line of my family’s regimen.“G
"I can't believe you agreed with him"I gave Aster a piercing look. He is on the other side of the bed, his face buried in the pillows just like always when we are forced to stay in one room. Aster wasn't in the mood to socialize with the other members of the Royal court of this Kingdom so he excused himself early and dragged me with him, not giving the King the chance to spend more time with me. I guess he is sensing that King Laurent Dawson shows interest in me and I want to assume he hates it by how he snorts whenever I smile back at the handsome young King."Shut up, Eodelle. It's my decision. I have to strengthen my power by choosing wisely my allies. I don't want Dawson to fight me one day. Just like he said, his Kingdom has more advantage when it comes to having well trained soldiers and good class weaponry. That is not the kind of person you want to be your enemy, you understand?""Are You sure it will be ok to bring him to Headow Stronghold? He will have more access to the
Good Lord, I can’t sleep.I don’t know if it’s because it is not my own room or many because of the fact that Aster and I are sleeping in one bed—-again.I have been staring at the white ceiling for I have no idea how long already. It must be in the middle of the night and the good thing about it is, Alpha Aster is already sleeping soundly on the other side of the bed. But still, I don’t trust this man if I ever fall asleep.Feeling restless, I climbed down the King sized bed and went towards the window to see what kind of view we have in this part of the castle. The window is huge and made of glass. There is an urge in me that wants to open the window so the cool, fresh air would enter the room but I am scared Alpha Aster might get woken up by the cold wind coming from the outside. I think he already had enough stress for tonight and he needs more rest to attend to his duties tomorrow and for the other days while we are in here.I tugged the gold-colored satin curtain gently, wanting
“Yes… Mark me, Aster. Make me yours…”I heard him groan as I whispered the words in his ear and lifted me with my legs wrapped around his waist without breaking our kiss. God, he is so hot! I can feel myself getting wet as he carried me effortlessly back to the bed. This time, I have no strength to stop him.Because I want him as much as he wants me right now.Alpha Aster laid me in the middle of the bed gently. His lips went down to my jaw, to my neck, and impatiently, he pulled away and looked me in the eyes. His dark desire made me tremble under his possessive touch as he smoothed my thighs with his big hands.“Take off your dress, Eodelle,” he ordered, his low, sexy voice just so sexy in my ears, “I want to see you…”I pushed myself up and gazed at his eyes while I pulled my nightgown up. I made it extra slow because I wanted his eyes on me until I was sitting in the middle of the bed, naked and nervous. My healthy br**sts bounced teasingly after I took off the thin fabric. I lowe
“Your Grace…”“Hmmm…”“Your Grace, I apologize for waking you up but it’s almost noon. I am just worried you are not feeling well. Do you want me to call a healer?”I opened my eyes. At first, I thought it was Nina I was hearing. But when reality caved in, I realized I am not in the Headow Stronghold and I am in another Kingdom five days away from it. I squinted my eyes at Cecil. Ohh god, my head feels like it’s going to split open. I grimaced. And winced more when I felt a sharp pain between my legs. I whimpered which made Cecil more alarmed. She bid the other handmaidens to get out of the room including the two Eunuchs that are standing at the other end of the room. When Cecil and I were alone, she pulled the thick blanket away from me and found out I was naked under it.“Ohh!” she gasped and panicked a little. I bit my lower lip feeling so embarrassed as I tried to relax because the more I move, the more I feel the discomfort in my entire body, especially the soreness of my flower
It's very wrong timing indeed.Cecil advised that I don't have to accept the princess' invitation but I can't say no to a person who just smiled at me so cheerfully. I can feel she is a genuinely nice person so I want to know if she can be my friend in this place. And I mean in case I need a friend if something goes wrong and I need to have allies to help me when the time comes that Aster grew tired of me being her concubine.The idea made me sad though. But it is the reality that I have to face. Just like how he hated the word love when we first discussed it, I don't think Aster cares about any person at all. Maybe I am not good at socializing with people but I am good with my intuitions and how to read people's emotions and intentions. Now that Aster already got what he wanted from me, I won't expect any more special treatment from him. I just have to prepare myself for the worst, considering that I am of no value to him anymore. But then I remembered I am a Wycliffe. And the bl
"What's wrong?"Aster was leaning down behind my back and kept on kissing my neck after he came from a day-long meeting and we were both ready to go to bed. I stayed in front of my vanity mirror and brushed my hair for I don't know how long. I just wanted to stare at my face in the mirror and empty my thoughts with all the bad things I have experienced today.Then Aster walked towards me with a wide smile on his face, “How are you feeling? Did you rest well all day?”I just pretended I didn’t hear him and made a resting face and continued brushing my hair. Aster noticed that I am in no mood at all to talk to him so he stood with a dark expression on his face and walked back to the bed while removing his coat and tossing it on the nearby chair.“Has something happened?” he asked, still not giving up to get my attention which made me flattered a bit. I guess Cecil was right. What happened between me and Aster last night was a game-changer and I can use it as a weapon to manipulate him i
“Eodelle!”I glanced a little behind me and saw King Lauret Dawson approaching. He was alone and he was wearing only a simple coat which surprised me because most of the time that I saw him, he always looked so regal with all his furs and expensive tunics with hose, leggings, and breeches. Today, he is only wearing a simple black cloak with black trousers and his long, blonde hair is tied tightly behind his back which accentuates more his clear blue eyes.His steps are slow. Perhaps, all his duties for today are already finished, unlike Aster who is still having meetings with the noble merchants of this Kingdom and still negotiating with them about the goods that they can offer in the main city Empire. To be honest, Aster doesn’t have to address the issue on his own and make an appearance in that kind of meeting but he insisted. And I presume he is trying to learn and observe what kind of people the Empire is dealing with.He is too hands-on for an Emperor.“Your Grace,” I curtsied in
“Aster no…”But I couldn’t stop him anymore.As fast as he could, I saw how he killed the palace soldiers one by one inside the Emperor’s Hall and saved Nina. But to his shock, he stopped in front of Lady Marian’s body which was lying on the marble floor, cold and unmoving. He stared at her for a bit with a solemn face like she was some kind of a sister for him and lifted her, and carried her towards me and Nina where she covered her lifeless body with a curtain he took from one of the walls with the insignia of the North Kingdom as one of the allied Kingdoms of the Empire.As soon as he came back to me and our baby, He held me tight once again and looked at the small child in my arms with his gentle eyes despite the agony he must be feeling all over his body. And then he glanced back at Lady Marian's body which made me sob as my heart broke into pieces for losing a great friend.“She is a good person, Eodelle… She helped me through a lot about you and Laurent. She never deserved thi
"MARIAN!!!"My whole body froze as I watched her kneel in front of the red guard who stabbed her. Her face turned dark before she fell to the ground, her body not moving anymore. My nose was filled with the scent of her blood as it wafted all over the place, giving me shudders all over my body. The hall turned silent as we all watched Lady Marian dead on the floor. I feel like my heart and soul were shattered into millions of pieces and it horrified me more when I could no longer hear my child's cry. He also turned silent as fear crawled all over me. "See what you have done, Eodelle... I told you not to fight me anymore. I may be a liar sometimes but you know what I can do when someone upsets me," Emyr sneered while I stood frozen, still in denial that Marian was already gone just like that.Tears fell from my eyes, "What do you want me to do then, Emyr? What do you want from me?!" I tried to contain the anger inside me as my throat ached while I sobbed. My whole body was trembling
It is a call of desperation.I glared at Emyr. He knew from the start that he and Helena won't win this war. That is why he is trying to make some bargain to spare his and Helena's life. But there is no way I could let these two escape after what they did to my son...to Aster. I don't exactly know if he will do his side of the bargain though. But I am getting more desperate to see Aster once again and have my baby in my arms. I know I shouldn't trust Emyr with his poisonous words. I shouldn't let myself be deceived by his lies. But my child's life is more important to me."Show them to me first, Emyr! And then I'll decide!" I yelled at him with confidence in my voice. It is me he is pleading to and not the other way around. I should be the one who must ask for demands. "Sure! Just follow me!" He answered with a grin on his face which made me more suspicious. I know I should be more careful but knowing that I am finally going to have my son back takes all the fear in my head and jus
I immediately went to the officers who were leading a horse for her to use and then thanked them shortly after I put on some new set of clothes and before I hopped on the animal and galloped towards the Imperial City in a route not too familiar for me. I had to take it as per Lady Marian's advice so that no Red soldier wouldn't recognize me on that path where few people take it because it was a little farther than the main road.With gritted teeth, I made the horse run to its full speed. But I have other plans. I know Lady Marian is already waiting for me at the downtown alley where four Talaphatian soldiers are with her. I know she will surely get mad once she finds out I didn't go just as we planned. I have to go alone and never wanted to put my best friend's life in danger just like what I promised King Laurent. She will be safe with her guards.Through the woods, all I think about is Aster and our son. I will go to Headow Stronghold alone and face whatever will be waiting for me t
This is the day.I feel like my heart is in my throat. My heartbeat pains my ears as the throbbing goes harder, faster, making my hands tremble in fear as we all march towards the wide plain at the border of Northern Kingdom and the Imperial city.King Laurent didn’t allow Lady Marian to march with us. She is waiting for me at one of the darkest downtown alleys for the mission to save Aster, and my child. I can’t wait until this battle march is over. I can’t wait to see Aster again and our son. I pray Helena didn’t do anything to him. I pray he is safe inside the Headow Stronghold and being watched by my ancestors, keeping him safe.The sky is clear and the sun is gentle on my skin as I rode with the three Kings on my side. The North, West and Talaphatian King swore their loyalty to me and the future that I promised to them. The future that we all are seeking is free from greed, violence and self-interest that the Imperial council portrays just to make themselves more powerful and t
The council meeting with the Northern Kingdom and the Western Kingdom was not good. There was tension between the two Kings and I can feel that even Laurent felt a little frustrated about it. King Anthony never liked the arrogance of the King of the West who was Katrina’s father. His grumpy face reminded me of my father and I can’t deny that each time he looks at me with his mouth curved downward and his eyes judging, piercing eyes penetrating through the stoic facade I have been practicing because I never wanted them to think I am scared of them.We are all in a place—a carved cave the northern men use as the council chamber. In the middle is the wide wooden table with the map of the continent carved into it with wooden pieces representing each Kingdom and the Headow Stronghold. King Lauren and Lady Marian never left my side even when we entered the chamber. King Anthony never wanted his little sister to join the war meeting with me but she insisted because she is also part of what
I have to make him believe I have the ability to rule the Kingdom just like a true Wycliffe does. I can feel the blood of my ancestors running through me as my inner wolf convinces me that I am not the same Eodelle who used to fear a lot of things. King Laurent and Lady Marian looked at me with their brows angled upward, worried that I might fail to convince the Northern King to join the alliance. King Laurent cannot guarantee that he can beat the Headow Stronghold after the Southern Kingdom already pledged its alliance with Helena and the Western side was still indecisive about it.“Eodelle, you don’t have to. We all know…” Laurent whispered to me as he stood on my left and Lady Marian on my right. They still have no idea that I have finally had my wolf. But to be honest, I am scared I won’t be able to control myself once I unleash and shift into my werewolf form. It will be my very first time and I am aware I will have to endure a hell of pain once the process of physical change ha
[ASTER’s Point-of-View]Now I understand how terrifying it must be for Eodelle when I threw her into this very dungeon. Dark, cold, stinking… I am a monster for making her suffer the first night we met. What a tragic first meeting we had. I totally hate myself just thinking of it.I promised Eodelle I will bring our child back. But I failed. I underestimated Helena and I was overconfident that I could still have her trust. I never thought that while I was gone, she had lost our child. I should feel bad about it but what she did to Eodelle is beyond forgiveness.I heard someone sniffing not too far from my cell in the middle of my mooring. The voice was familiar to me as I listened to it carefully.“Nina?”The sniffing stopped.“Your Grace? Is that you? Why are you here?” she asked in shock. I don’t know what cell she was in but her voice was clear. She is careful enough not to make it echo inside the dungeon.“Long Story. But can you tell me what happened?”Nina was very detailed when
For two days I have been trying to stand up on my own feet, wishing the effect of the poison that was given to me by that healer would finally be gone. Despite my anger and my demand not to see her again, the healer still comes into my tent to give me an antidote from the poison for my fast recovery. She had been asking for forgiveness for what she did to me and what happened to me and my baby but I refused to talk to her, letting her guilt eat her inch by inch. Without my baby in my hands, I can’t find any sympathy to give her. My heart is just filled with revenge and a huge desire to have my child and Aster back. To save Nina and make Helena pay for everything she did to me and to the people important to me.I have been suffering from a high fever and with the level of dizziness I feel, I could barely get up from my bed. My body feels like I am inside an oven, slowly being cooked into ashes. I am sweating so badly that the maidservants in the camp had to replace my bedsheet thrice