“What you are doing endangers your life, your Grace… I am afraid for your safety. Lady Marian and King Laurent were right. YOU should leave this place while you still have time, While everyone’s attention is on lady Helena. While she isn’t the Empress of this Empire yet.”Nina dressed me for tonight’s banquet, a congratulatory feast held by the Emperor’s friends for him and Lady Helena. I stare at my face in the mirror while Nina’s skillful hands braid my hair intricately, putting glinting gems on my hair. She is really working hard to make me look wonderful tonight and I love how passionate she is when she’s working with my dresses, makeup, and hair.This time, Aster didn’t send me a gown he preferred me to wear which he usually did. It made me sad for a moment though. I didn’t expect I would miss that kind of affection from him. “I know… but it is not that easy, Nina,” I murmured to her, “I know how much you all care for me but I already decided. I would never leave this place. It
“YOU—-” I felt sick in my stomach when he flashed his devilish smile at me. I squirmed away from him but his hands on my waist pulled me closer so that my body pressed against his. Some of the people are already looking at both of us. I can’t believe how insane this man gets. I almost lost an eye and a hand because of him and here he is, forcing me to dance with him in the middle of the crowd, all giving me a judging look.“Let me go, Beta Emyr!” I hissed at him, my hands pushing him on his chest, trying to get away from his venomous look. The hair on my nape stood with the touch of his hand. I don’t see him as the gentle, kind Beta anymore after he showed me his true color. He is as vile as Helena and both of them are the most dangerous people in Headow Stronghold that I should avoid.“Don’t tell me you are now that scared of me, lady Eodelle… where is that feisty lady? I love how you turn me on whenever I see that fire in your eyes every time you get angry,” he whispered in my ear
We went to the eastern wing of the castle tower, hoping the sky is clear for a great star gazing for tonight.And we both are not disappointed at how beautiful the night sky is. The dress made it difficult for me to go up the stairs though but King Laurent made sure of my safety by holding my hand while we ascended the spiral stairs. The last time I was in this part of the palace, it was not a pleasant memory for me because of Beta Emyr. But now, I want to appreciate the beauty of the Empire and the stars shining above it once more—but this time, with a person who really cares for me. I want King Laurent to appreciate the beauty of the Empire as well… that it is not totally bad at all despite all the horrible people living inside the palace. That the small people in this land are the ones who inspire me to be the right Wycliffe girl, an incorrupt one that can lead her people to progress without killing or hurting anyone. But my wolf knows deep inside that it is an impossible thing
"I couldn't believe you were his first kiss!""Shhh! Someone might hear you!" I chuckled at lady Marian. Both of us are in her room, having a short break for tea after our house chores. I was right all along. Helena had finally taken away the Eunuchs, making me and the rest of the concubines finally free from the eyes of those scary guards. —-which means Helena is really confident she will get the crown no matter what. I went straight to lady Marian's room as soon as my duties were finished. She is the only person I could tell everything that is happening in my life and her loyalty to our friendship means so much to me. She and King Laurent are the only people in this place who I trust all my life. "He is such a huge baby," lady Marian chuckled while pushing her shoulder against mine with a teasing smile. Lady Marian seemed excited for me and the King but we are both aware that we should be a little careful since we are not sure yet when the Alpha Aster will grant us our total free
[HELENA’s Point-of-View]“You shouldn’t be here!”“I know. But can you blame me? You are so beautiful up there on the platform sitting on your soon-to-be throne!”I glared at Emyr from the corner of my eyes while slipping my silk robes up my shoulders. I couldn’t sleep so I looked at the far horizon from the wide window of my room. My thoughts are filled with so many possibilities when I finally become the Empress of this land. All the people in the council favor me more than Aster. I used to love him but I just realized he is not the man I used to love anymore, seeing him so helpless in front of me just because of the power he knows I have within the walls of this palace. He knows I have him on his neck. Aster is basically just a symbol of the crown now and means nothing to the council. He is at my disposal anytime I grow tired of him.But Emyr… his desire for me never faded. He always had his eyes on me, adoring me from the tip of my heart down to the nails of my foot. He is the bes
I know I must be making the biggest mistake of my life.But I will not do what Lady Marian has been begging me to do.I will not back out. I will stop running away and face my future here in Headow Stronghold.It is scary. It may lead me to my death. But I believe Aster would never let that happen. Not now that I have his child inside my belly, I would never bow down to Helena anymore. I now have the same right to demand the time and attention of the Alpha Emperor even if it means I have to fight Helena for it.Nina and Cecil made sure they made me look my best and made me wear a red dress with a plunging neckline that exposed the middle of my bosom. A dress fit for a rebellious look, they both say. And it really gave me the confidence and courage I needed.King Laurent and Lady Marian were walking behind me, supporting me in everything I planned against Helena. They are my most loyal allies and the best people I know I can trust. I know I am being unfair that I turned down King Laure
[LAURENT’S Point-of-View]“You did a great job making the plan work.”“I am only doing this for Eodelle’s safety and not for your sake, Helena. I know how badly you want to get rid of her in this place and I won’t let you hurt her again like what Emyr did, forcing the Emperor to punish her like that.”I tried to make my breath even. To not get overwhelmed with the anger that wants to burst inside me. No matter how much I wanted to break Helena’s pretty little neck with my bare hands just to end all of Eodelle’s suffering, I can’t. I have to play safe. Provoking Helena and Emyr is the last thing I wanted to do right now when almost all of the council was in favor of them. They are more feared than the power of the Emperor himself.After Eodelle made a scene in the Great Hall, announcing to everyone about her bearing Aster’s child, it felt as if my whole body weight was like a thousand tons behind her. My whole soul was in pain and I wish I could just disappear in the face of the earth
[EODELLE’s Point-of-View]I whimpered when my back hit the cold wall of my room. But I never mind the pain. What is more important for me is Aster. Despite the rage I see on his handsome face, my heart is full of bliss knowing I can still be with him after I announce the news that shook Helena's world."Do you have any idea how dangerous your decisions are, Eodelle?! You know Helena will never stop until your head is on top of a spike!" He snarled at me after he pinned me against the wall, his hands on my wrists and his warm breath brushing the side of my face, making me more thrilled by his presence.Instead of fear, I showed excitement in front of him and his anger slowly ebbed away, making his body more relaxed while his breath getting more even and calm. He knows how I missed him. For so many weeks, I struggled to watch him from afar—on the top of the platform where he sat on the throne, around the palace where either Helena or the old council members hover around him. My eyes we