All Chapters of The Mate Lottery: I Won The Emporer : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

LIORA'S POV "Drink it," The Emporer orders shoving a very massive cup of something into my hands."Is this wine?" I ask hopefully, peering into the cup.He grits his teeth. "It's water, Liora. You need to sober up, now."Why? I'm feeling quite great. Or so that I can help him with the test?Minutes ago, our host announced that every contestant is to avail themselves to the chambers of the custodian of secrets. Whatever that means.I smirk. “I’m not helping you with any test.”He clearly loses his patience, because his jaw clenches as he pushes the cup back to me. “You WILL drink this, and you WILL pull yourself together.”What is his problem? I begin to feel faint. He notices my dizziness and grabs me before I fall and hoists me into his arms, holding me close to his chest like a child. Holy Moses, I’m in his arms again.“You’re so… domineering,” I giggle.He forces the cup to my lips again, and this time I drink, mainly because I like the feeling of being in his muscular arms. “Hap

THIRD PERSON'S POVTedmold boldly straddles on the bench before the chambers, his nervous gaze fixed upon the bared window. "I'm Prince Tedmold of the state of Elmwood, let's get this over with." He says with astrouding confidence."I admire your confidence, son. You know, Tedmold, I like gossiping about myself." The voice continues. "Expecially on the little skeletons that I hide in my closet, would you be interested to hear a little?"Tedmold now looks spooked realizing this isn’t what Liora told him to expect. She’d said they’d ask personal, maybe embarrassing, questions and he should maintain his grace and self-control despite how provocative the questions get.Still, he forces a smile. “Yeah, I would like to hear." The voice chuckles. “I bet we were cut from the same cloth because I can't resist a sensational gossip, but there's one that has put me in a kind of crossroads and I wonder if you can help me with a few ideas you know. "The voice explains."I'll try to."Tedmold proudl

LIORA'S POV“What if this happens to be another one of those test that everyone has to go in alone, like the last one? I don't know if I can figure out what they will be testing alone." Tedmold whispers nervously as we are led into a grand banquet hall, that looks like it has been prepared for some guests to dine in. Beautiful wooden tables are meticulously arranged in precise rows, each adorned with crisp, white linen tablecloths that cascade all the way to the floor. Delicate, fragrant flower arrangements are carefully placed as centerpieces along the tables.In an isolated corner, there are musicians practicing their performances."We'll find a way to figure it out." I assure even if I don't really have the slightest idea what virtue they will be testing us today.There is quite a few people who are not here to take the test, including Prince Elon and Heather. This morning, the most shocking rumor was going around, that Heather and the Emperor had a pretty spectacular breakup. That

LIORA'S POV"You should be the one to talk to them. You are the Emporer, you know how to instil discipline and subjection." Prince Calum says to the Emporer.Instil discipline into a tribe that has lived in the wild their whole life? Good luck with that."I say we go in there and beat some grace into them." Tedmold suggests."No, we can't do that." I object. "They are ungraceful and Ill behaved but we must sort it out in a peaceful way. Otherwise, we risk failing the test.”"What do you think the test is?" Prince Callum questions."I'm not sure but beating them will guarantee failure offcourse.”Princess Piper and her sister rolls their eyes, “Seems you’re not as wise as everyone thinks,” One of them sneers."Why don't you tell us what they are testing then since you are so wise?" the Emporer snaps back and their mouths fall open, acting innocent as if they hadn’t just insulted me. They shoot glares at Callum, who just looks away.“Thought so. Next time, try to keep your stupid mouths

LIORA'S POV“What did that bastard say to you?” Tedmold asks as he settles onto the mat where he usually sleeps.“Who?” I ask, even though I already know who he is speaking about. It gives my mind time to decide what to say and what to keep to myself.“The Emperor…” I can feel his curious gaze on me, even in the dark room.“Well… he said he’s going to reject Heather. And that she might get so angry she’ll want to kill me,” I say, careful not to mention that he had invited me to stay in his chambers. "He must be wanting you back now that you are winning the tests. But we both know that he did not just start loving you." Tedmold says and I sense a hint of bitterness in his voice. He is right of course. The Emporer needs me to help him with the test. But he does not love me. I stay silent, waiting this conversation to end but Tendmond carries on."I imagine he will try use his good looks and wealth to win you back."He says and then I hear him move, standing up even though it is too da