His frightened eyes were for her. Zeno McMillian was scared for her safety. "Why are you doing this for someone who already loves someone else?"Tori finally stopped walking forward. "That word again. Is that also the reason why you betrayed the House Larat? Because you allegedly love my sister?" Her mocking red eyes sharpened like a predator's eyes in the night."Love is a sentiment that can even ruin an empire and I did not betray my family for that. I did it for something bigger – an obsession that kept me awake at night." He whispered his last words but Tori heard them loud and clear from him. She did not like the way he looked into her eyes so she went back on track to what they were talking about."The dam construction is not your whole plan. You're using the dam to have an excuse to overflow this side of the river, haven't you? This part of the river is already contaminated but this does not ensure his death so you needed it to reach the capital. And the dam construction is the

"YOU CAN be quite desperate, Lady Victoria. Are you that afraid to lose Cory? Wake up. You will never own him not until you will take the risk of trusting someone. But looking at you, you're just a scared little girl who chose to abandon him first just because you're afraid of being betrayed."What Tessa said haunted Tori that night. She was sitting on her bed and no amount of Chamomile Tea could appease her troubled mind. All of her handmaidens retired already. The estate was eerily silent but her mind was in chaos.Trusting someone, huh?Staring at her canopy as she lay on her bed, Tori remembered her life as Talia the moment she closed her eyesFLASHBACK…TALIA WATCHED with fervent curiosity as some middle school students rushed past her. They all looked happy as they snickered with each other from some sick joke between them that they only knew. Talia walked faster away from the scene that reminded her of everything she did and will never have.Opening the door with her spare key,

Standing in front of her bed, Prince Corean looked at her with a mocking grin on his face. Gone was the passionate look he had earlier and was replaced by a sinister cold one that Tori grew to loathe in a few seconds. "In the end, you are only a woman playing politics."Tori steeled herself as she gracefully sat on her bed, she gave him a sly smile before she flipped her hair and touched her swollen lips. "Is that so? Then why are you acting like a virgin noble lady? I should be the one doing that. Besides, you are my fiancé. You own my body, your highness."You will not break me. No one can. Not even you, my only chosen king.Prince Corean kneeled on the bed and grabbed her shoulders with a smirking face. His face was a few inches above her so she had to tilt her head to meet his gaze. "Keep believing in that, my sweet fiancé. But will find Tessa only then, will I consider my betrothal to you."Prince Corean leaned to kiss the corner of her lips before he walked away towards the bal

"YOU WANT everything, you said. You want the throne. Tell me, should I look after my back once you obtain the throne?"Tori walked closer to the second prince. When Prince Corean saw that she did not have any intention to stop charging, he started to walk backward until he was stopped and trapped by the wall. Tori bit back her grin upon seeing Prince Corean's scared expression. His forehead glistened with sweat as he leaned back his body away from her which was very futile.Cornering the flushed second prince to the wall with her both hands and her right knee in between his knees, Tori pinned her body to his as she traced his neck down to his chest using her right hand's nails. They were in a compromising position but no one dared to interrupt them even the lurking royal knights around them. Tori's breath tickled his neck which earned her a shiver from him. "Yes, I want all. But the throne is not everything, your highness."His looming golden eyes looked down at her as his uneven brea

THE ODYSEUS ship sailed the moment she stepped foot into the enormous merchant ship. Unlike any other merchant shape that she had seen in the capital's docks, this ship was built with fine details, made to withstand the strongest of storms. Its pillars were sturdy as they support the main frame of the ship. The sails were hoisted to ride along the swift northern wind, speeding up the travel time. And the myriad of workers, all sporting their lively and well-trained countenance as they moved according to their task, were all imposing. One could mistake them as warriors with the way the spec of their muscles flexed from their work. It was safe to say that this was no ordinary merchant ship - not at all.A guide led Tori to a cozy-sized cabin with only a study table, a small bed, and a hammock inside. The lamp hanging on the wall gave a warm light to the place she was staying. After setting aside her luggage, Tori took time to breathe as she reevaluated her plans with a solemn expression