“But of course, I won’t force you if you don’t want to do it tonight…”I blinked twice.Wait… what?I feel like I got shaken away from a great dream and watched Alpha Aster step away from me, his lips curved into a teasing grin as well as his eyes as if he was enjoying the disappointment that showed on my face. I looked at him ridiculously, still couldn’t believe that he just stopped what he was doing when I am almost on the verge of giving in.You prick!He raised one of his eyebrows at me and just stood on the side of the bed, waiting for me to say anything, “Do you want to? Princess?” he squinted at me, testing me while I stared at his handsome face.“You know what? You are acting more like a bandit womanizer than an Emperor with a bunch of concubines,” I snapped at him and jumped to the other side of the bed. I never want him to see that he really got me annoyed this time. But surprisingly, the horrible feeling I had a few minutes ago about Cecil and the dinner faded and was repla
The whole trip was agony.I cannot even look at Alpha Aster’s eyes after what happened last night. Cecil advised me not to apologize to the caretakers of the inn because a lady of the Headow Stronghold like me shouldn’t apologize to people like them.To lessen the damage I did since last night, I chose not to say any word or even talk to anyone, even Cecil until we started to travel toward the next kingdom where we are heading. The weather is not as pleasant as my mood. It has been drizzling all morning and the sky is dark and cloudy, giving a more heavy atmosphere to all of us, especially Alpha Aster who is sitting in front of me with his eyes looking so dark and bored. Just like I am, he is trying not to throw any short glances at me while propping his head on his hand and glaring outside the carriage.He is really upset with what happened last night. The moment we had last night was so perfect. I was ready to give myself to him, to be marked by the youngest Emperor of this Region
Alpha Aster wanted to rest for a bit so King Dawson accompanied both of us in the corridor where he prepared a grand room fit for a King room for us. And just as expected, I am going to stay with Aster and have to sleep with him in one bed. Aster ordered all the servants and even my handmaiden, Cecil, to leave us both alone for a minute so he can have his rest. I was left with him inside, figuring out what to say to him just to ease the tension between us."It seems you know King Dawson really well…" I muttered at him while he's laying on the bed on his stomach, his broad shoulders are so inviting but I never dare touch them or Aster will get upset thinking I am easing him again. "Not really. I just met him in a consulate together with my advisers. He is one of the suppliers or weapons in the Empire and this Kingdom is well known as a producer of fine weapons and armors. I hate traveling from place to place but knowing that this man is an important person to deal with, especially whe
I had all the chance to end the Emperor’s life.It is a good plan though. Slit his pretty neck open, disguise me and run away from this place where no one knows me. I could have made it to the forest before the dawn breaks. And then I could live my life the way I want, away from his threats and the people that want me dead.Perhaps, if I did it, I might have reached the forest before dawn breaks. Maybe I could live near the river or make a small hut there. Nina taught me how to use a gun. I can hunt animals. But when will that peaceful life last? In this Kingdom that is surrounded by forests, I might encounter poachers and hunters. A forest is not a woman’s place, especially for someone like me who could easily catch someone’s attention because of my face. And not just dangerous men I should be fearing of. What about wolves? Flesh-eating beasts in this part of the region? I heard there are too many bears living in the forest that’s why the carriage that they prepared for us to use wa
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
“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