An Imperial Affliction By Peter Van Houten Novels & Stories

Her curiosity asked through her morbidness, "What do you want?" The man let out a stiff chuckle from where he was standing, "You're brazen and sharp, I like that a lot." He appraised her, but Keira wasn't flattered one bit. In a situation like this, there's absolutely nothing to be flattered about. And for a creepy man that's hiding behind the shadow to make a deal with her, there's absolutely nothing flattering about his compliments. It has a creepy factor attached to it rather.

Natalie screamed, her voice echoing off the high ceilings as the men aggressively began tearing her green dress from her body. I stood there, paralyzed by a sickening mix of cowardice and terror. The cold metal of the gun against my head reminded me of my mortality. I watched in absolute horror as Natalie’s expensive dress was ripped to shreds, leaving her completely exposed, shivering and weeping on the cold marble floor. I felt a sudden, sickening wave of regret. What had I done? In my greed to take Qunnix, I had made a deal with the devil himself and now, the devil had come to collect.

If a man wanted to, he could stand up and fight back, he would have a chance, but most women wouldn't. So instead I find their weaknesses and exploit them. Smiling at the next name I go to the club. Walking in I watch as everyone stays quiet. I see Evan look towards the fire exit, moving I rush to block it, grabbing him I throw him back. "What do you know?" "Well, the princess won't be ruling the city for long, that is for sure." He laughs, moving I punch him. "Who took her?" "You kill me you will never know." He smiles smugly. "I was expecting your visit, after standing right there watching them talk and listening, I couldn't wait to watch her empire fall down."

The Emperor’s rooms, usually a place where I could think straight, plan, and feel my strength back, now felt like a prison. The shiny wooden floors of my study seemed to laugh at me with every step I took. I walked back and forth, the sound of my boots like a drum for my growing anger. My advisors had given me the royal order, something needed, a way to show Kaldor its Emperor was back, strong and in charge. It was meant to heal the kingdom, to bring everyone together. But the most important part of that plan, the woman meant to be my Empress, the symbol of hope I had so boldly announced, was gone. Vanished like smoke. How could she had just vanished. What could have happened?

He lets out a moan before looking back into my eyes. “Ava, those are not flaws, nor are they fat rolls, they are called love handles for a reason. Not all women are lucky enough to have them. It takes a real woman to pull them off, and you are a goddess for carrying them so well,” he says softly, making me weak in my knees. I’ve never met someone like him. He has a sex addiction. Usually, men suffering from said affliction have a type and a specific fantasy in their heads. I can’t imagine I fit either one of those things for Seymore.

“This—this is deception! You don’t understand! She bewitched him, that is all—” The imperial physician, frantic to salvage what little control he still had, pushed forward, robes billowing, his voice dripping with false confidence. “Yes, yes, trickery! No woman could draw silver out of a Lycan’s blood. She must have used forbidden charms. She has deceived you all!”

Kana bowed again before taking a little sip on the tea. "I know you came here because what you heard bothered you." The Empress said all of the sudden that makes Kana surprised. But he collected himself and nodded. "Yes Your Highness.. It actually bothered me." "His Highness the Emperor has been sick for a long time, he always drink some pain reliever tonic if he is out in public. He has this illness that comes from within, the Imperial physicians doesn't know what is this kind of illness but they are certain that he won't live long enough." Empress Jong said and she sigh.

So many failed attempts to take down Zavier and Caspian. Heavy footsteps echo behind me. When we step into the open, the space changes. The penthouse comes into view. Chandeliers. Red carpets. Rare antiques. Expensive art lining the walls. Zavier’s taste. Just like his father, obsessed with wealth, power, and control. I follow the bodyguard up the staircase toward the top floor. No footsteps follow behind me. I turn.

He couldn't help but imagine how stunning his girlfriend would look in a hijab like her mother, and the thought made him smile. Not long after, a tall and imposing man emerged from the house, staring coldly at Dave. Seeing her father, Aurora immediately hugged Hendrik, but to her surprise, he forcefully pulled his hand away. As Dave extended his hand towards Hendrik, it was quickly brushed aside. Hendrik couldn't believe that Aurora would be in a relationship with a man who looked like a thug, and he cast a cynical look at Dave while appraising his scruffy appearance. He was used to seeing his son-in-law, Andra, who was well-mannered and proper, quite unlike this tattooed and long-haired man

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° PREVIOUSLY I surrendered, I have to tell him. "What " "The imperial doctor (royal physician) diagnosed you of being poisoned by a very rare poison called the hundred blood suckers, the name is quite weird but it suit it best. It sucks all your energy from your body till you are rendered useless and since there is no antidote for the poison, it end up killing you, but..."