TORI WALKED away from Duke Luwen Rozenreff without the pent-up disappointment that she used to harbor whenever she spoke to him. As she spoke to Cory, Tori knew that her father was walking a path that he chose. She could even empathize with him since she knew firsthand that Sabina was not the person she portrayed in front of their father. Walking away from them meant that finally drawn the line between friends and foes.As she stepped outside the buzzing cathedral, every eye was on her but it immediately shifted when a looming figure stood before her. Smiling gently, she greeted him with a curtsy for everyone to witness. "Blessings to the Empire's northern lord, Chief Keiran Arin."Collective gasps followed by buzzing whispers resounded around them as Tori and her companions with the newly arrived ragged-looking Chieftain Kieran stood at the middle of the higher echelon's gossip circle."Lady Victoria, Prince Yei Lin, and Duke Castaña." The young Chieftain of the North greeted them wi

"How dare you accuse my event of food poisoning? This is a sponsored event of my beloved Prince Lauren!" The weight of her words as she proudly declared the first prince's connection to this alleged poisoning was later on realized when Sabina saw the ghost of a smile on Lord Zeno's face as if he was waiting for those words all along.I have been tricked! But her words could not be retracted anymore. Her palms were drenched with sweat as she clenched them. Biting the inside of her cheeks, Sabina looked frantic much to the young lord's interest.The whispers and the distrusting looks from the masses whipped around Sabina as she struggled to maintain her composure. Shena looked worried but could not butt in due to her status.Opening her mouth to say something, the shrilled voice of the commoners buried her voice. Startled and infuriated, Sabina looked behind her only to stagger backward as she saw one by one the commoners started to lose consciousness. "Marchioness Susana!" Looking at

DUKE ROWAN Cristof Castaña spent his entire day just to complete the mission that Tori gave him. The hue of crimson red and purple splashed at the sky as if warning him of the impending battle this day. The young duke knew how Tori prepared for this day. He saw how she neglected her sleep to oversee every detail of her plan. Rowan knew how Tori anticipated every move from the enemies, which strengthened his resolve.This empire needs someone like Tori.For Rowan who came from the slums before he sat on his seat as the Duke of Castaña, he saw firsthand how Tori viewed the empire. In fact, she was seeing things as if she knew how the future would turn out. This made him respect her even more. She was not like the other members of the nobility—she was fair. After all, she took someone like him to the slums.The young duke strode inside the Castaña Duchy. The butler welcomed his return. "Blessings to the Empire's spear and shield, Duke Rowan Castaña.""Prepare me my bath; I have a noble t

The traitor triumphantly grinned as she saw the reactions within the courtroom. Just like her plan, the tides of favor were on her side. Lady Merilla continued after silencing the courtroom with a raise of her hand. "The internal conflict within the northern region and the unification of the north is the step which aims to usurp the throne. Letters between the three chieftains of the tribes in the north sent letters to the capital months before the said war, it was for their benefactor. Here are the letters with the duchess's name on them as she plotted everything.""All along, I thought it was the duchess so I sent the gathered shreds of evidence to the first prince whom I never thought would help me, a lady from the opposing faction. But Prince Lauren helped me reach my concerns to the king and an arrest was immediately issued to capture the duchess. With the help of Duke Rowan Castaña, the duchess was proven to be framed by the real culprit. Who would have thought that the person I

PRINCE LAUREN walked with gritted teeth. His jaws clenched as he analyzed the chain of events that led him to his current situation. Why? Everything is going as plan! Until that wench got her head chopped off."Will we die here?""I don't want to die.""Hush, the imperial family might hear you."The whispers among the nobles fueled the first prince's temper. I am the future king yet some entitled boy is wearing the centuries-old crown right now. The passageway they were using was an ancient knowledge passed down only to the members of the royal family. This passage was hidden just behind the royal family's audience room for safety purposes such as today. The pathway was cramped surrounded by stone walls. Torches lit their way, guiding them through the darkness. With five royal knights at most, Prince Lauren knew that they were in a perilous situation.He glanced at the calm former duke of Rozenreff Duchy. The latter was holding Lady Sabina tightly and close to him.Seconds turned to