Irelina enjoyed her time reading books in the library.

The magnificent library had two floors.

The books were arranged by subject, from the country's history to the novels.

A couple of shelves were filled only with encyclopedias of ancient runes from A to Z.

Irelina wore an elegant emerald-green dress. It had a ruched button front and a flared shape.

She adored reading the regent's library's selected books. And she relished the snacks that Ella brought.

She was reading about how the Golden Empire of Verticulas was established.

She learned about each empire's mana and magic. It involved the mind and aura of individuals' cores.

The allegiance of the empire to the other four empires was to seek justice and protection for its people.

She realized something while reading the book.

Hēnte was a diverse and well-cultured country where each empire was equal. They had equal power to share to defend their homes.

It was like a parent's care for 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 kind of life that would be simple outside the palace.

She wanted to feed her curiosity about how it differed from Mercius.

To live in peace without monsters and without the shadow demons.

She wished to rebuild the small country her father once created.

She knew it might not work out, but she wanted to try and reclaim its name once more.

For her, there were no impossible things.

If you were willing to put all your heart into it, it would be given to you without harm.

This was what Irelina believed.

She wanted a life without hiding.

She wanted to be free.

She wanted to broaden her horizons, to live and die with no misery.

After realizing her true desires, she returned all the books she had read to their rightful place. She left the empty food tray behind.

She brought one novel to read for the night to keep her mind at ease.

She looked around again.

She smelled the woody scent of the books in the corners of the library.

Her footsteps sounded like a faint ticking clock as she headed to the door. But when she opened the door, she ran into the concubines: Dianthus, Amelia, Samantha, and Lily.

Their eyes looked stunned to see her in the black veil.

Irelina knew no one could go to 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, what an unexpected coincidence." She smirked. "We finally meet, 9th Concubine Irelina Mercius."

Amelia and Samantha scoffed. They raised their eyebrows as if they were expressing disgust toward Irelina.

Lily stood behind Dianthus as she tilted her head to peek.

Her curiosity grew towards Irelina.

“Why are you here?" Irelina's tone was soft yet stern. "I was told that no one should come to this floor until 3:00."

“What are you trying to imply?" Dianthus furrowed her brow. "This is the regent’s palace, and we are the emperor’s concubines. So, we can come here whenever we want.” Her tone was caustic.

“Then I should ask the regent herself why you’re here. Please excuse me,” said Irelina as she strolled past them in haste.

“Stop right there!” Dianthus yelled at her, staring and annoyed.

Irelina stopped as her gaze averted to the right side of her shoulder.

“Do you even know who we are?!" Dianthus mocked her. "You’re just... a merchant’s daughter with a ruined face and no place in this palace." She scoffed. "Ha! You should be grateful for the regent’s kindness in allowing you to live here.”

The others smirked.

Irelina confronted them, holding the book, and stood still. Her siren eyes radiated perilously with her calm gesture.

“I know who you are." She sounded composed.

Her eyes were piercing their faces.

"You are Dianthus Aechmā of the West, the emperor's first concubine," Irelina added. "The other three are Amelia Fritzky, Samantha Galuz of the West, and Lily Matteus of the North."

Lily's eyes looked amazed at how Irelina looked untamed.

Whoa, she knew us all along. She’s a smart lady.

“So, you’re not stupid,” Dianthus said as she raised her left brow.

“However—” Irelina fixed her intense gaze on Dianthus. “Aren’t you ludicrous, too?"

“What did you just say?" Dianthus was disgruntled.

“It’s true...that I am a merchant's daughter," Irelina said, staring at them. "And my father founded a small country called Mercius." Her tone was genuine. "And so, I sought refuge in the regent's palace because my parents died."

Though she sounded sad, she would not let the concubines belittle her.

"Truly, I’m grateful for the regent’s kindness," Irelina said. "And, whether my face is ruined or not, it’s none of your business.”

Dianthus clenched her fist as she wavered in anger, but Irelina’s displeased tone did not stop there.

"I heard the first concubine had a healing power and unmatched beauty." Irelina scoffed. She provoked Dianthus with her gentle face. "But I guess it’s only a pretense.”

Dianthus got irritated and shouted, “You! You'd better shut your mouth!”

“What is going on here?!” The regent intervened as she approached them, and her servants followed her.

The regent looked at Irelina and moved her gaze to Dianthus and the other concubines.

“Dianthus, Amelia, Samantha, and Lily, why are you here?” Her tone was stern.

They nodded shamefully, as the regent had caught them in the act.

“Have you not received my letter?" Regent Robina said. "You're not supposed to be here." She looked at their tense expressions. "Are you disobeying my orders?”

Dianthus bit her lip. She was not pleased that the regent treated her like an impudent young lady.

The regent strolled toward Irelina, who stood still and stared at the other concubines.

The gleam in Irelina's golden eyes became calmer. She bowed to the regent with respect, and the regent looked back at the concubines.

“Now, return to your palace and come back tomorrow for your class," Regent Robina's stern tone commanded. "This is the last time I will warn you to follow my orders strictly.”

All they could do was nod while Amelia bit her lower lip in anxiety.

Her blood boiled over such a petty thing.

I don’t care.

His Majesty won’t care either if he finds out what happened today.

The regent took hold of Irelina’s left arm with care.

Irelina's eyes widened in disbelief.

“Come this way, my child." Regent Robina pulled her with grace."Did you get the book that you liked?"

Irelina nodded. “Yes, thank you for letting me go to the library.”

“Anytime, my child. Whenever you need anything, just let me know.” She smiled.

Irelina cast a furtive glance over her shoulder.

Seeing the trace of anger on the other concubines’ faces made Irelina wonder why they treated her so rudely.

Are they thinking that I’m a threat to them?

But why?

I just want to live a quiet life while staying here under my father's request.

She sighed softly as she stared at the hands of the regent, clinging to her right arm.

Dianthus felt humiliated, while the other concubines felt annoyed by Irelina’s audacity.

She wounded her right palm from clenching its fingernails.

She would not let Irelina escape the shame that she had caused.

She would again use the dark magic, the dilitírio thanátou of Phosporos.

Dianthus never felt satisfied.

She has the biggest palace of all the other concubines.

They were showered with expensive jewels and dresses. And loyal servants and private guards to protect them at night.

But it was not enough for Dianthus to fill her greedy soul.

She wanted more.

She wanted to have Zeddrick all by herself.

And be an empress.

***

Meanwhile, Apollis, the Archmage of Aechmā, was finishing new spells for the barrier. He had embedded unique formulas to make the barrier more potent.

His mages helped him by sharing their mana. This allowed him to keep his power without destroying the golden crystal heart.

The new barrier would be completed a month before His Majesty’s special celebration.

Castaeus and Cī’er aimed to improve their comrades' agility, endurance, and swordsmanship.

They sparred against each other based on their positions as knights and mana level.

The Empire of Īsern was making a more powerful arsenal. It was mixed with a potion made from Atropa belladonna.

Zeddrick was busy with paperwork, but he found time to nurture his firepower and create a unique spell to protect one’s self in danger.

He wanted his power to be omnipotent to kill more shadow demons.

When he read the report from the North and other regions of Hēnte, the shadow demons had grown from 100 to 200.

They were now invading and destroying small rural areas.

They took anyone they could see around, especially at night.

Zeddrick's stomach would churn at the thought of how the shadow demons peeled the flesh from humans, ate their guts, drank their blood and used their skin as camouflage to interact with other humans under the night sky.

Despite all this, everyone seemed to be preparing for his upcoming birthday.

His mother, Regent Robina, was busy. She was preparing the invitations, the flow of the orchestra, and the menus, from entrées to desserts.

She wanted everything to be impeccable.

And one invitation was on the way to Helleus.

Empire of Horos, Helleus

In the glasshouse garden of the Empire of Horos, Sidañian was sitting on a futon sofa bed covered with 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 toned right thigh.

They wore long, nude-like chiton garments as they enjoyed their lecherous act.

One of the emperor’s servants entered the glasshouse.

Sidañian averted his glance, and the servant bowed and handed him the envelope.

He recognized the seal wax stamped from Hēnte.

He curled his lips into a grin.

He waved his left hand to the concubines as they stood and left the glasshouse.

Sidañian opened and read the letter's content and laughed out loud at his wicked desire.

He was so keen to know why Hēnte had requested his presence.

He scowled with fierceness in his eyes.

“After all these years, now they need my help." He sneered, adding, "Isn’t it interesting?”

He cackled, covering his face with a gothic look. He said, “They’d better be ready for what I am about to ask in return.”

He stood, crumpled the invitation, threw it, and walked away with villainous eyes.