Irelina wore an elegant, emerald green dress with a ruched, button front flared in shape. She enjoyed reading the books in the regent's library while relishing the snacks that Ella brought for her. She was reading about how the Golden Empire of Verticulas was established by its ancestors to the current emperor. She gained knowledge about the empire and the other four empires that worked together to protect its people. She realized something: Hēnte was a diverse and well-cultured country where each empire was equal to another. They shared equal powers to protect each other, just like how a parent cares and protects their children. She smiled behind her black veil as she flipped the pages of the Golden Empire book.
Irelina wondered if starting a new life in Hēnte with Ella was possible. A simple life outside the palace. Regardless of how, in her heart, she still wishes to rebuild the small country that her father once created. For her, there were no impossible things. As long as you were willing to put all your heart into it, it would be given to you with no harm in time.
She returned all the books she read to their rightful place and left the empty food tray behind. She was carrying one novel to read for the night. But when she opened the door, she unexpectedly ran into the concubines, Dianthus “Dianne” Aechmā, Amelia Fritzky, Samantha Galuz and Lily Matteus. They were surprised to see her.
She knew that no one was allowed on the second floor until 3:00, but she wondered why these four concubines were barging into the library like it was their own.
Dianthus crossed her arms, “Well, well, what an unexpected coincidence. We finally meet, 9th Concubine Irelina Mercius.” She smirked.
With her naive gaze, Lily tilted her head to peek while Amelia and Samantha raised their eyebrows.
“Why are you here? I was informed that no one is allowed on this floor until 3:00.”
“What are you trying to imply? This is the regent’s palace, and we are the emperor’s concubines. Therefore, we are allowed to come here whenever we want.” Dianthus’s tone was caustic.
“Then I should ask the regent herself why you’re here. Please excuse me,” she bluntly said and strolled through them.
“Stop right there!” Dianthus yelled at her, annoyed.
Irelina stopped.
“Do you even know who we are?! You’re just a merchant’s daughter with a ruined face with no place in this palace. Ha! You should be grateful for the regent’s kindness in allowing you to live here.”
She tried to humiliate Irelina while the other concubines smirked. Irelina faced them, holding the book, and stood still. Her siren eyes radiated perilously with her calm gesture.
“I know who you are. You’re Dianthus Aechmā of the West. First concubine of Emperor Zeddrick Apeus Verticulas. The other three concubines behind you are Amelia Fritzky, Samantha Galuz of the West, and Lily Matteus of the North.”
Lily thought, Woah, she knew us all along.
“So, you’re not stupid,” Dianthus said.
“However—” Irelina fiercely gazed at her— “Aren’t you ludicrous, too?”
Dianthus is disgruntled. “What did you just—”
“It’s true that I am just a merchant’s daughter and truly grateful for the regent’s kindness. And, whether my face is ruined or not, it’s none of your business,” she said.
Dianthus clenched her fist as she wavered in anger.
“I read that the first concubine was known for her healing power and a sophisticated beauty that cannot be compared. But I guess it’s only a show.”
Dianthus got irritated and yelled, “You! You better shut your—”
“What is going on here?” Regent Robina intervened between them with her servants behind her.
She looked at Irelina and moved her gaze to Dianthus and the other concubines.
“Dianthus Aechmā, Amelia Fritzky, Samantha Galuz, and Lily Matteus, why are you here?” Her stern tone.
They nodded shamefully for being caught in the act.
“Have you not received my letter that you can’t visit my palace during this time? Are you disobeying my orders?”
They were speechless because what they did was wrong. It was Dianthus’s idea to disobey the regent’s order because of her curiosity, thinking she could control and manipulate Irelina.
The regent strolled towards Irelina, who stood still and stared at them. The gleam in her golden eyes became calmer. She politely bowed to the regent, who looked back at the concubines.
“Now, go back to your palace and come back tomorrow for your class. This is the last time I will warn you to strictly follow my orders.”
The regent gently grabbed Irelina’s arm, and she was surprised.
The concubines have their palaces from the third concubine to the seventh concubine. But Dianthus and Yzabelle have the most enormous palace the Emperor of Verticulas gifted them. All of them were showered with jewels, luxury dresses, servants, and private guards. But for Dianthus, it was not enough.
“Come this way, my child. Did you get the book that you like?” Regent Robina asked as they walked.
“Yes, thank you for letting me go to the library.”
“Anytime, my child. Whenever you need anything, just let me know.” She smiled.
Dianthus felt humiliated while the other concubines were worried. She wounded her right palm from clenching its fingernails. She would not let Irelina get away from the shame she caused. She would again start using the dark magic poison, the dilitírio thanátou of Phosporos, in no time.
Apollis, the Archmage of Aechmā, had been focusing on completing the new spells for the barrier. He had embedded unique formulas to make the barrier more potent. His mages assisted him by sharing their manas, allowing him to maintain his power without destroying the foundation of the crystal golden heart. The new barrier would be completed one month before Emperor Verticulas's natal day.
Castaeus Coldēus of the North and Cī’er Vincentus of the South had been focusing on strengthening their comrades' agility, endurance, and swordsmanship. Meanwhile, the Empire of Īsern was making a more powerful arsenal mixed with the Atropa belladonna potion from the Empire of Aechmā.
While Zeddrick was preoccupied with all the paperwork, he could still manage his time nurturing his firepower and creating a unique spell within it.
His mother, Regent Robina, was occupied preparing for his upcoming birthday. Invitations, ballroom arrangements, and menus—from entrées to mains to desserts. She assigned the concubines to distribute the invitations, music arrangements, and expensive gifts and ensure that everything was impeccable.
And one invitation was on the way to Helleus.
Empire of Horos, Helleus
In the indoor glasshouse garden of the Empire of Horos, Emperor Sidañian sat on the futon sofa bed, showered with red and white rose petals. Two concubines were beside him, caressing his toned chest while he drank wine from a silver cup. A third concubine was seated on a furry velvet carpet pile, snuggling her head on his right thigh. They wore long, nude-like chiton garments as they enjoyed their lecherous act. One of the emperor’s servants entered the room.
He glanced over, and the servant bowed and handed him the envelope. He recognized the seal wax stamped from Hēnte and smirked. He wagged his left hand to the concubines as they stood and left the glasshouse. He opened and read the letter's content and laughed out loud. He was surprised yet keen to know why Hēnte had requested his presence.
“After all these years, now they need my help.” He cackled, covered his face with a fierce gothic look, and said, “They’d better be ready for what I am about to ask in return.” He crumpled the invitation, threw it, and walked away.
Comments (10)
See all