Aster didn’t stop me from going with them despite the four Lord merchant’s warning that this kind of activity is not for ladies like me. They just sounded like Cecil though but I don’t care. They can’t let me wait in the camp. Because I couldn’t shift, my father used to train me how to use a rifle so I know how to protect myself in case something bad happens. I think it is the only thing I am thankful about Oswald Wycliffe. He taught me how to be tough no matter what the situation is. I thought at first it was some kind of punishment when I was young. But then as I age, I get that there are bad men who are just waiting for their turn to execute wherever their plans. And that gave me the motivation to be better at using guns. There were times that I thought of using it against my own father when he used to hurt me a lot whenever I made something that displeases him. The anger piled in my chest and every time I aimed my gun at something, I always thought about his angry face.Now I r

“Your Grace!”One of the Lord Merchants ran towards us, the worry etched on his face as he checked on the Emperor, “We have been looking for both of you for over an hour!”It was already dark when we came back to the camp and everyone surrounded me and the Emperor the moment they recognized both of us. They quickly gave Aster and me some warm cloaks because we are both a little drenched from the soft drizzle in the forest.“Your Grace,” King Laurent approached us, his eyes going to Aster and down at me. I saw him sigh as if he got relieved when he found out that I was not hurt and was finally safe, “We apologize for the lack of action we had. We just didn’t know which part of the forest you went to together with lady Eodelle. Some of the rangers are still in the forest looking for you though. I am glad you finally came back unscathed and unharmed.”Aster laughed shortly and then walked alongside King Laurent, leaving me standing in front of the three Lord Merchants. Laurent gave me a

"I didn't mean it like that, your Grace. If it was about last night—""No. I'm sorry. It was actually a mistake that I tried to call you in your tent at that kind of hour. I was just worried about what happened to you after our guards saw you by the river. It's just—they reported to me they have seen someone on the other side of the riverbank. I was scared you got hurt or something." I was a little surprised when King Laurent suddenly changed his mood and smiled at me. I smiled in relief though. His serious, cold face made me a little intimidated and scared that he must have expected something from me and that I did something which he misunderstood."Do you enjoy this kind of setup though? being the concubine of the Emperor? How is your relationship with the other concubines? I heard he has four more back in the Headow Stronghold."I pursued my lips. Should I tell him what really happened to me in that Palace after Aster conquered the Empire? Should I tell him that he once threw me i

“How are you feeling now, your Grace?” I turned to look at Nina’s worried eyes while she watch me curl my hands into a fist several times making sure that I have complete control of my hands after I woke up several hours ago. Helena’s presence when she entered my room made me a bit alarmed, scared that she might show up there and kill me in my sleep. The hatred and the anger in her eyes were so clear that Alpha Aster sent her back to her room after she went here wearing a funeral dress.My strength hasn’t been back yet but I am grateful that I can finally move several parts of my body and my eyes have already adjusted to the light outside, making me able to see things clearly inside my room. The poison clearly did bad damage to my nervous system that I wasn’t able to feel anything for so many days as if I was in a total coma. “I think I am getting better,” I answered Nina with a small smile. I am so happy that I am finally able to see her every day. I didn’t realize I missed her thi

I am not really sure what I am doing but I feel like I need to do something tonight because I just couldn't sleep knowing that Helena is trying to ruin me and spread nasty rumors about me while I stay in bed and get rest.I don't need rest, actually. I need peace of mind. I never want Helena to destroy me when I already have a bad reputation around because of being a former princess and the daughter of the former Emperor Wycliffe who made the whole Empire drown in so much poverty that led Aster and his army to conquer and overtake the land. The people don't believe in the Wycliffes anymore after my father tainted the glorious name of my ancestors. But I am still here. Maybe I can do something. I can still make a difference for the people of this Empire by helping Aster how to bring the land back to prosperity. And to start all of it, I have to gain the trust of everyone here in Headow Stronghold, especially the concubines and the council to make them hear all my plans and suggestions