All Chapters of The Emperor's Substitute Bride: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

PrologueThe light of the many fireflies outside illuminated the darkness of Empress Naomi and Emperor Daegal’s tent as they flitted about.For the first time in months, they managed to sneak some time off of the ongoing war and make camp in the Melorian Valley.Naomi had personally picked out the site flanked by two towering mountains. Along with her husband, Emperor Daegal, they pitched their tent some distance away from a beautiful, sparkling waterfall and its rushing sound drowned out the worries in her mind and filled her with a sense of peace.On a closer listen, she could hear the soft hum of the beetles and the chirping of the crickets as she waited for Daegal to return from scouting.The war against the invaders had been going on for two long years, exhausting resources, and the fighting population, and destroying the kingdoms and civilians under her care.Naomi sighed deeply, the weight of the world bearing down heavily on her shoulders. She was the key to the invader's plan

The sixth month of the year of the creator, 2,020. (Two months before the blood moon) Asghavia, Volcaris. The roar of a dragon pierced the moonlit evening sky as its powerful wings beat the air. The rider on its back dug its heels into the dragon's left flank causing it to screech and veer sharply to the left. Folding its large wings, it swooped downward, flying straight to the ground below. The rider atop its back did not panic but confidently held on to the large horns protruding from the dragon's scaled back. Just as it seemed like it was going to crash to the ground, it opened up its wings and sailed through the air, over the heads of the people of the city who didn't pay much mind to it as they had been used to the sight of dragons for over a millennium. It flew over the street of Shayr, past its stalls, taverns, and brothels as it headed east, to the arena of dragons. Beating its wings against the wind, it began its descent to the grounds of the arena. The arena was a mas

On the 21st day of the eighth month of the year of the creator, 2,020.(Present day)Vishwum, Aesos."You have come a long way, Child."A white-haired old woman draped in simple white robes made of cotton sat on a low stool, counting the brown, glass beads on a necklace with fingers that were weathered and crooked, and had seen better days.However, the aura of power that exuded from her in waves convinced Nerina that she was no ordinary old lady."And yet, Indah is afraid you have journeyed all this way for nothing," She continued, shaking her head as her attention was focused on the necklace in her palm.Nerina hoped that she had suddenly developed a hearing impairment and perhaps had misunderstood what the old woman had said.Plastering a fake smile on her face, she asked. "W-what do you mean by that? How could I have come all this way for nothing?" The journey by sea had taken more than a fortnight and had been extremely tiring. There was no way she could have come all this way f

San Francisco, California. "You still do not know how to get back to our world, do you? It's been one hundred and fifty years since we were cast down to this forsaken realm and you still have not given a single thought to how we can return to our world?! I am sick, frustrated, and tired of waiting! "You assured me that when we kill the girl and her parents, we would be able to return, and I did it. I did everything you asked of me to the letter and still, I find myself stuck here and there is nothing you are doing about it! Why are you so quiet, Master Faizar? Speak!" A man dressed in a spotless dark-blue suit yelled. He took an agitated puff of the Cao Gold cigar in his hand and exhaled it out slowly as he ran his fingers through his glossy honey-blond tresses. The person he was speaking to rolled his eyes in irritation. He hated being pressured into doing things. He preferred doing things at his own pace and in his own time. "Why wouldn't I be quiet when you have been complainin

Naomi had been walking endlessly through the vast forest without coming across a single soul. She was exhausted; her legs felt like lead and her arms weighed her down. She did not know how much longer she could go on. "Is there no end to this godforsaken place?" She groaned in frustration. She was thirsty again as the water she had drunk back at the pond had evaporated from her body due to the intense heat. She could feel her skin reddening furiously from the harshness of the sun. However, just as she was about to give up all hope and resign herself to the hands of fate, she sighted smoke in the distance. From her knowledge of books, movies, and series, smoke usually meant that there was life around. Effectively energized, she pushed her new body once more. A long and winding jog later, she arrived at the source of the smoke. The place was the answer to all of her prayers. It was a small cottage, very ordinary-looking but it had what she needed urgently; an already saddled horse wi