Inside the carriage, I just can't help but feel worried. But I had to remind myself I wanted this and refused to be left behind just like what Sera wanted while Helena, Katrina, Marian, and got into the carriage. We are still waiting for one of the councilors to assist us until we all get to the venue where we will distribute the goods to the people in person, to glorify the name of the new Emperor of the Empire, and to bring back the faith of the people to the monarchs.Ten carriages are going to the middle of the town square in the capital nearest to the Headow Stronghold which is the first place that the palace wants to extend help until they all reach all the capital and towns surrounding it. It will be the largest project and expense of the Empire this year and the council was not in favor of it. But Alpha Aster insisted that he must give what the people need first before anything else. And I guess that is true because happy citizens mean that the Empire governs well its premi
“Lady Eodelle!”It was Lady Marian’s scream I heard as I watched my attacker approach me at blinding speed. I didn’t even have the chance to run because I feel like every inch of me just turned into stone while watching my life flash before my eyes.Then in a matter of seconds, before my attacker could even reach me with its razor-sharp teeth and deadly claws, one of my Eunuchs shifted in an instant and lunged straight at the werewolf where both of them rolled and were thrown against the cobble-stoned street and both of them fought claw to claw until the guards came and took control of the situation. I was so shocked at what was happening that I couldn’t move or make a sound. My eyes were wide with terror and I felt my heart throbbing in my throat while I felt all dizzy, trying to process what had just happened.But the disabled beggar, an old man, spoke with a gentle voice, “You don’t have to worry, your Grace. It must be a Rogue because I don’t think I have seen him roaming in this
As soon as the carriage arrived at the Headow Stronghold, the Eunuchs immediately assisted me to the corridors back to my room. I could not do anything but give Lady Marian a helpless glance, scared and confused about what was going on. My whole body was still trembling with adrenaline rushing through my veins. Neither Cecil nor Nina are with the Eunuchs dragging me back to my room. Are they pissed that I made a scene in the town plaza? I don't think it was my fault if it was about the Rogue that almost killed one of them. I never expected an attack like that would happen in a place where our purpose was only to help the locals of that small town. But then I know that not all citizens like the new Emperor sitting on the throne. They hate the crown and the influential people living inside the walls of the Headow Stronghold. They always think that the palace people are not working for the people but for themselves. To milk the citizens using the tax Aster already declared to cut in ha
“Eodelle…”I gazed at his mesmerizing gray eyes and I saw that he also wanted to stay yet, something was stopping him from doing it. I am aware he has a tight schedule for his palace duties and his never-ending meetings with the council from every kingdom under the Empire’s reign. I can even see the exhaustion in his eyes. The faint dark circle was visible when I got closer to him as my eyes explored his still handsome face, his pink lips looking so inviting but I never wanted to distract him from whatever it is that seems important for him to attend.Smiling, I pushed myself a little, not wanting him to get into trouble if he ever canceled one of his schedules because of me, “It’s okay if you can’t stay, your Grace. I just tried my luck.”“I want to stay so bad with you here tonight, Eodelle. But there is something I need to deal with…” he murmured in his hoarse tone, his eyes half-open as if he was bewitched by something that he sees in me and it was indeed flattering to see a power
Nina immediately composed herself and moved away from me. She did a low curtsy in the presence of the King of Talaphatia who walked inside my room with a huge smile on his face. The Eunuchs came immediately, keeping their eyes on me and the King, making sure that the man would never dare touch me as I am one of the properties of the Emperor. Our environment is not like in the castle of Talaphatia anymore where I can freely talk with him even without an entourage.This made Laurent a little uncomfortable and I can see the awkwardness in his smile while looking at my Eunuchs through the corner of his eyes, “I am happy to see you well and fully recovered from what happened, you Grace. I came here this morning to give you this…” he pulled a small bottle from the pocket of his coat and a small white handkerchief to cover it delicately, “I have provided a strong healing antidote against the venom. I apologize it came so late. It was not easy to find advanced Healers in my Kingdom…”“I appre
"I am wondering if I can ask for your permission to have lady Eodelle tour me here in Headow Stronghold, your Grace." King Laurent asked, trying to break the awkward tension between Aster and me. Aster, on the other hand, was still staring at me while thinking deeply about what was wrong and what made my mood so bad in this early morning."If the lady would like the idea, then she can," Aster replied, his eyes still on me, the expression on his face, hard and with a touch of confusion while putting down his fork on his plate, "Besides, I will be a little bit busy today dealing with the merchants and I am afraid I cannot accompany you, Laurent.""That is fine with me, your Grace. I know you have been working hard a lot to keep order and peace in this Empire and everyone is satisfied with your work. I have been hearing so much praise from the other leaders and merchants all over the Empire and I want to congratulate you for winning the hearts of the people in such a very short time," La
“H-How about the great hall? You will see the faces of my ancestors there. I still wonder why Aster hasn’t removed all those old portraits when lady Helena asked him to throw them away. I guess he respects the history of this place more than I expected,” I said to Laurent, my heart pumping fast against my chest because I am never ready to go back to the place where I saw how Aster lied and betrayed me. Deep inside, I wish Laurent would change his mind and just agree with my suggestion. But his brows raised in curiosity as he spoke, “Why? I thought the library is your favorite place here. I know how you love books and I need your suggestions of what kinds of books you prefer me to read.”I stopped, as perturbation etched on my face. I never wanted to tell Laurent what I found out in the library. And being one of the concubines with all my duties and responsibilities in the palace and with the Emperor, it was irrational to say that Aster betrayed my heart because I am just among the fi
Days passed and Aster seemed evasive. I spent two days helping King Laurent get used to the palace and I am starting to get worried. Was I pushing Aster too hard away from me? Was I being too stubborn and too irrational about my actual standing in his life? Being one of his concubines, I have no right to ask more for his time and attention. He was having so many responsibilities and he had already spent a lot of time with me while we were in Talaphatia. Maybe he was just trying to give more time to others and that is just fair, knowing I have been an apple of his eye since he announced me as one of his concubines."It seems you are thinking too deeply. May I know what bothers you?" King Laurent asked while we were having tea in the garden. I still have no courage to go to the library after what I found out there. And since then, I haven't had the chance to confront Aster about it. I even barely see him inside the palace anymore.I smiled at Laurent but it didn't reach my eyes. It was