Sidañian was standing sideways between the flowers and the angel fountain. He enjoyed the tranquil view of the garden and was fascinated by how the night sky shone upon the area. The night-blooming colorful flowers bring a magical moonlit to the garden. He felt nostalgic as he wistfully smirked. 

His eyes sparkled with lonesomeness, and he looked empty from the inside. 

Suddenly, a veil flew in front of his eyes and caught it by his right hand. 

Irelina strolled and saw his broad shoulder back.

“Glad you found it—” She was in awe. Huh? How come it didn’t sting him? Does it mean the veil is disempowered after being replaced with the bracelet? She wondered and gradually approached him.  

All of a sudden, Sidañian turned around and his eyes were stunned. Irelina was caught by surprise and stepped back. Shit, he saw my face. She gripped the sides of her long gown skirt. Sidañian gaze was intimidating in her eyes. Is that a purple or amethyst eye color? She was fascinated by his eyes.  Her heart pounded while Sidañian looked at her so intensely, ‘Am I seeing the goddess of the night? Irelina’s beauty hypnotized him when the moonlit illuminated her face. The sudden wind blew the strands of his half-ponytailed hair. 

“Please give my veil back,” said Irelina politely.

He snapped and blinked his eyes, “Oh—” he handed the veil to her right hand, and he felt a tingling touch from the tip of her fingers. 

Irelina took the veil and looked at him, again. His stare was unwavering. 

I don’t think I know him, Irelina thought while their eyes gazed at one another. 

Abruptly, Sidañian smiled. The more he stared at her, the more captivated he was by her siren-golden eyes, mesmerized by her stare. Although he can control hypnotism, his desire to have her is deepening. 

Sidañian knows what he wants in return. 

He grinned.

“How did such a beautiful young lady end up here?” His tone was soft.

Irelina shifted her gaze to the water fountain, “Oh, I got lost on the way. I’m supposed to be at the party, but the wind ruined it more.” She sighed, “I am so late.” and pouted. 

He quietly chuckled. 

“Hey, I can see you laugh,” said Irelina.

“I’m sorry. You just look keenly perceptive.” 

“Huh?” She furrowed her left brow. 

Sidañian smiled sweetly. 

Irelina tried to pin the black veil back on her hair while he looked at her. 

She struggled, biting her lower lip—I am so damn late, she felt annoyed.

“Would you let me help you with that?” Sidañian insisted.

“Okay,” she handed the veil and the pin. 

Irelina gracefully turned around, waiting—

Sidañian gently fixed the veil to the hidden clip. He stared at Irelina’s head slowly glancing down to her soft nape. His gaze was gentle and kind, but he wondered, Why cover such an exquisite beauty? Is she planning to do something for later? He softly smirked. 

“I don’t want to be rude, but why must you wear the veil?” He added, “You have a lovely face, wearing a goddess dress, and yet you don’t want people to see your beauty? Is there a particular reason?

He lusts to touch her voluptuous waist.  

Irelina flinched her lips, “Ahm—for personal reasons,” she lied.

While pinning the veil properly onto her head, he smelled a sweet scent coming from her nape. He felt a sudden thirst and a strange feeling inside his body, and thought, Her scent smelled like night-blooming jasmine. I want more…of it.

“Personal reasons?” He simply smiled.

“Yes.” Irelina averted her gaze to the right.

“It’s done.” He let go of his hands.

Irelina turned around and looked at him. “Thank you. Are you headed to the party?

“Yes, but since we’ve been here for a while, I guess I am running late to the party, too.” He smiled. 

Dammit. She said, “Do you want to go together if you know the way?” 

He smiled, “Of course...shall we?”

They peacefully walked to the Golden Empire Hall just after the Empire Building. The opened hallway was quiet and serene. Sidañian kept glancing at her as they strolled while Irelina looked forward to where they were headed. 

“By the way, I didn’t get your name. I’m Sidañian Neus Horos.” He said.

Irelina was dumbfounded, “Eh— what? Segulian Nose Horror?” Her twisted tongue. What the heck is wrong with his name?

Sidañian chuckled, “Pfft—” He again looked at her and thought, So she’s a tongue twister. What an interesting young lady.

Irelina pouted while moving forward. “Hey, don’t laugh at me. I have a twisted tongue for names.” She added, “Anyhow, can I just call you Sadi? It’s easier and shorter to remember.” 

“Not bad. Sadi, it is, then. What about you?” He smiled.

“I’m Irelina Mercius… the 9th Concubine of the Emperor of Verticulas.” 

Sidañian felt a sudden displease in his heart and furrowed his brows.

“Sadi, if you don’t mind…can you keep it a secret that you saw my face?” said Irelina.

“And why is that?” His tone sounded cold.

He already saw my face. Should I tell him? But what worries me is if he asks something in return. I’ll be doomed. She carefully thought and glanced at his handsome side view face. 

“Because it’s a surprise that I prepared for my coming of age.” She lied.

How naive. So—she’s a pure maiden. Sidañian smirked desirably. 

“I am fine with that,” he tilted his head towards her and bluntly asked, “But what do I get for keeping your secret?” His cunning sweet expression towards her.

I’m so damn right. Boys will always be boys. But I’m not going to give him what he wants. Let’s see, hmmm—.” She touched her chin and thought for a moment. Ah! Let’s try this.

“Do you live around in Hēnte?” 

“No.”

Irelina thought that bribing him with money would work but it didn’t. 

“So where do you live, then?” asked Irelina.

“I live in the Empire of Horos in Helleus. It’s the opposite side of Hēnte.” 

“Ah, so how long will you be staying here?” 

“A week or less.” 

“Will you be staying in the palace?” Her calm and persistent tone. 

“Yes, I am. But why do you ask so many questions?” He averted his gaze on her. 

Irelina suddenly stopped and stepped in front of him. He was stunned and stepped back. 

“What are you doing?” His heart raised.

“Hmm, very well, should I accompany you while you stay here in the palace?”

“Ha! Now you’re making sense—.” Thinking that he would get what he wanted.

“But in one condition,” said Irelina.

“What is your condition?” He furrowed his brows. 

She bluntly said, “I will not sleep or spend a night with you.” 

He was disappointed and became rude, “Why not? Is it because your body is solely for the emperor? That you can’t sleep with another man while he can…with his concubines?” He offended Irelina. 

Irelina felt irritated and boldly said, “The way you speak as if you know me.” Sidañian felt a pang in his ego, and Irelina added, “Nobody owns my body. Not you nor the emperor. Why should I offer my body to someone that I barely know? Besides, I’m not stupid enough to open my legs to anyone that I don’t love.” 

Her fearless tone made Sidañian speechless that all he could do was laugh out of embarrassment. 

“Ahahaha. How interesting—” He covered half of his face that his eyes glistened—a greedy gaze.

“Are you mocking me?” She felt annoyed.

“I’m not.” He added, “Fair enough, I’ll accept your condition. But right now, we better start walking, or else your surprise will go in vain.”

“Right! We should go now. And…thank you for your understanding.” She smiled behind her veil, and so was he. 

Meanwhile, Regent Robina and Medicius seemed uneasy, as Irelina had not turned up yet. The regent motioned her hand towards the musician to stop playing the music and make a toast to everyone to greet his son’s birthday celebration. 

When the music ceased, everyone looked at the regent, who stood with a glass of sparkling wine. 

Zeddrick strolled beside her.

“I would like to toast for my son’s 28th Birthday.” Zeddrick looked at the crowd, and the regent added, “I wish my son to have all the great blessings to pour upon him and make Hēnte and its people live in peace and prosperity.” 

She toasts to all of them as they raise their glasses and cheer for His Majesty. 

“I and His Majesty are also acknowledging the 9th Concubine of the Golden Empire of Verticulas, Irelina Mercius. It is also her coming of age, but as you can see, she is not present in this great celebration, as you may have heard of,” the regent added and her gaze averted from left to right in the crowd.

The rumor was about Irelina’s face. Most of the guests started to murmur while Dianthus was so proud of herself that no one would get her way. Regent Robina looked at his son to cheer everyone up. 

Zeddrick went forward and raised his glass of wine. 

“To the Golden Empire of Verticulas and its empires, we shall forever prosper and live in peace.” He proudly exclaimed.

“Hail to His Majesty! Hail to His Majesty! Hail to His Majesty!” Everyone cheered and drank their glass of wine. 

Zeddrick sipped from his glass of wine while the rest praised him with glory. 

The orchestra continued to play a piece of joyful music. 

The guests started to dance but Regent Robina and Medicius were still looking forward to seeing Irelina. To show herself in the Ball and to find the culprit of the death poison spell who is enjoying the waltz dance with her selected partner. 

The same goes for the other concubines who entertained their respected guests.

Sidañian Neus Horos, Emperor of Helleus, Illustrated by ZCSAERIN