Emperor's Smile Novels & Stories

Every chapter had mattered. But none of them had defined me alone. Pierce found me there as the sun began to set. “You came here for the ending,” he said. “No,” I replied. “For the truth.” “And what is it?” I looked out across the water. “That the empire was never the company.” He nodded slowly. “What was it then?” I turned toward him, smiling gently. “The empire was the woman who refused to disappear.” We walked back home under a sky painted with the last colors of sunset.

“…Sir.” “Should be obvious. I’m holding your beloved brother hostage as well as your prostitute friend, which should be enough to keep you in line. And as for you, Chieftain Kaizat, the Emperor would love to invite you back to the city, so you’ll both be returning with me. I imagine he won’t be pleased.” His smile faded, and his typical icy, solemn expression replaced it once more. “He’s not a forgiving man even in his best moments. I look forward to seeing what he does to you.”

An effortless smile spread across my face, the kind I didn’t have to think about the cameras on me, the fans reaction or the pressure of always being perfect. This smile wasn’t the rehearsed one for cameras or fans. Just… me. The real me, Raeleigh Teigan Campbell, the girl behind the fame and fortune. This smile was reserved for only my family and Craig. One where breathing felt easy. He knew me better than I’d like to admit. He understood me better than anyone else did. Craig knew better than any of my boyfriends ever did. “Everything okay?” my manager asked, bringing me out of my thoughts. I remember the cameras...

Then it happened—out of nowhere—I smiled. Emilia had crossed my mind. Not the public version. Not the woman with perfect hair and calm, even answers. The other one. The one who curled into my side without asking. The one who always smelled faintly like almond oil and some kind of flower I could never name. Her voice, soft and unhurried, lived in my head more than I admitted. I didn’t mean to smile. It just… happened. Then I heard it—Lana. “Sir… did you just smile?”

The sound of liquid pouring—dark red, thick as blood—fills the pause between us. When she looks up again, her smile has widened, revealing teeth that are too white, too perfect for the rest of her weathered face. It’s the kind of smile that doesn’t warm you but slices clean through any pretense of comfort. "Oh, nothing important, Your Empress," she says at last, her tone syrupy and dismissive. "Just an old woman’s ramblings." The rim of her crystal glass hovers at her lips as she takes a delicate sip, never once breaking eye contact. There’s something predatory in her gaze, something that makes my skin prickle beneath the silken sleeves of my gown.

Despite the agony she was in, Naomi managed to crack a smile. “Emperor, I never knew you were this wild. Where do you get your ideas from?” Daegal rolled his eyes but didn’t stop the smile from forming on his face. “Take off your clothes, Empress Naomi or do I have to do it for you?” Naomi shrugged. “I prefer your touch to mine.” “Very well.” With a snap of his fingers, Naomi’s clothes were off and she was naked before him, thighs tightly clenched together to avoid much blood staining the carpet.

the man stuttered with his words, sweating profusely like he had seen a ghost. "Is this thing healthy?," I asked him, hating the beads of sweat that formed on his forehead. If this is unhealthy, I will refuse to buy it to avoid my kids from getting sick. "Haha, you silly man, this scrunched face of yours is scaring the poor man to hell. Please keep a smiley face here if you want to survive with everyone in this park. Here only brings happiness and not frowns," Emil laughed heartily for the first time in front of me and I released the muscles on my face because of his captivating smile which looked exactly like his mother's.

Upon hearing the Emperor’s voice, he lifted his head and asked, “You must be tired after burning the midnight oil. Would you like to have some?” The Emperor handed James a cigarette and said smilingly, “I know you love smoking. Here, have a cigarette. I’m afraid you won’t have a chance to do so anymore in the future.” James put down his cutlery and accepted the cigarette. Henry pulled out a lighter and lit it. Leaning against the sofa, James smoked the cigarette. Smoke swirled around his face. It was a blissful moment for him. Henry, on the other hand, was glaring daggers at the Emperor. Clenching his fists, his bloodshot eyes were burning with hatred for the man who set James up.

the Sincalion states, a slight tone of surprise in his voice. The Emperor offers a small smile lifting his hand from the Goddess’s palm. and stands up. "I'm glad I never have deal with your stupid tests,” he declares as he walks toward the door without looking back.