Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90 - Light And Shadow>
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112 - The Morning Comes>
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118 - After The Storm
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132 -
Chapter 133
Chapter 134 - Epilogue 1.3
Chapter 135 - Epilogue 2.1: Traces Of Life
Chapter 136
Chapter 137 - Epilogue 2.3
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 140
Chapter 141 - Epilogue 4.1: Ever After>
Chapter 142 - Epilogue 4.2
Chapter 143 - Epilogue 4.3
Chapter 144 - Epilogue 5.1>
Chapter 145 - Epilogue 5.2
Chapter 146 - The Most Romantic Weekend>
Chapter 147 - Short Stories 1.2
Chapter 148 -
Chapter 149 -
Chapter 150 -
Chapter 151 -
Chapter 152 -
Chapter 153 -
Chapter 154 - Short Stories 3.1: Unexpected Things Happen>
Chapter 155 - Short Stories 3.2>
Chapter 156 -
Chapter 157 -
Chapter 158 -
Chapter 159 -
Chapter 160 -
Chapter 161 - Short Stories 5.1: The Man Behind The Mask>
Chapter 162
Chapter 163
Chapter 164 -
Chapter 165 -
Chapter 166
Chapter 167 - Short Stories 6.2
Chapter 168 - Short Stories 6.3
Chapter 169
Chapter 170
Chapter 171
Chapter 172
Chapter 173
Chapter 174
Chapter 175
Chapter 176
Chapter 177
Chapter 178
Chapter 179
Chapter 180
Chapter 181
Chapter 182
Chapter 183
Chapter 184
Chapter 185
Chapter 186
Chapter 187
Chapter 188
Chapter 189 (End)
Categories Genre: All, Completed, Fantasy Status: Completed ______
Total Chapters in book: 189
Estimated words: 290059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1450(@200wpm)___ 1160(@250wpm)___ 967(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 290059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1450(@200wpm)___ 1160(@250wpm)___ 967(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 189 Page No. 188 Page No. 187 Page No. 186 Page No. 185 Page No. 184 Page No. 183 Page No. 182 Page No. 181 Page No. 180 Page No. 179 Chapter 122
Chapter 122:
The next day, a tea party was arranged in my garden.
As the wife of the emperor, it was unwise to meet with Prince Izid alone, so I invited others as well. Unofficially, Lucretius would drop by.
As the hostess, I had to decide appropriate guests. They had to be people who were available and also fairly highborn as we were entertaining a foreign royalty.
I invited Liliana and Roselia. It was such a short notice invitation, but Liliana sent a message that she would be happy to attend.
Dressed in finery, Liliana was escorted by a familiar figure. It was the new Marquis Toruka, Clodys, who was recently re-engaged to Princess Liliana.
When the dowager empress led the rebellion, Liliana couldn’t take the pressure and tried to kill herself. Thankfully, her life was saved, and she was physically back to health. Whatever emotional scars she might have, I was sure Clodys was helping her with them.
They looked young, in love, and happy.
I didn’t invite Clodys, but I was glad to have him.
“Welcome, Princess and Marquis.”
Following the royal customs, Liliana, who had the highest rank among the guests, greeted me first.
“Thank you for the invitation, your highness.”
Liliana smiled gracefully, looking beautiful like a budding lily. She had blossomed without the fearful presence of her mother.
Next was Roselia. She must have been warned by her sister to mind her manners. For a tomboy I knew she was to be, her bow was surprisingly well done.
“Hello, your highness.”
“Princess Roselia, you are growing so fast into a young lady.”
It was a textbook comment, but she seemed to take it as a genuine compliment. She seemed very excited. I supposed every child liked to think they were close to becoming an adult.
When I first met her, I thought she was a rude little brat, but after the rebellion and Liliana’s recovery, Roselia visited me to apologize. She even brought back my teacup. I quickly realized she was a lovely and and innocent little girl.
Next was the new Marquis Toruka, Clodys.
“Long time no see, Marquis.”
Clodys kissed the back of my hand. “I would like to thank you for all your help, your highness. I wanted to come in person to show my and my little brother’s respect and appreciation.”
“I didn’t think you would be able to make it to this gathering since you must be very busy with your new title.”
Clodys casually took Liliana’s hand. She smiled shyly at his affectionate gesture.
They looked annoyingly happy.
“It is my duty and pleasure to escort Princess Liliana as her fiancé.”
One person was looking at this loving couple with displeasure. It was Roselia, who was holding onto her sister’s dress and glaring at Clodys. It seemed, however, that Liliana didn’t notice her sister’s glower.
Roselia must have seen Clodys as a man who stole her sister away from her. Lucretius would find this hilarious.
I guided the three guests to the greenhouse. It was getting warmer, but it wasn’t quite spring yet and, therefore, still very chilly outside. An outdoor tea party was out of the question.
I planned on having the fireplace going and enjoy the flowers and tea inside the conservatory.
What’s inside the glass greenhouse looked like full summer. It was filled with blooming flowers such as roses and lilies. The fragrance was heavenly.
I was told Prince Izid would be arriving shortly. He was very tired from his journey and being from a desert nation, he was used to starting out the day later when it cooled down a little.
I asked Liliana kindly, “Now, is Princess Margaret doing well?”
Liliana smiled brightly and replied, “Yes. She is so strong and active that her two nannies are having a hard time keeping up with her. She also loves Clodys. She smiles whenever she sees him.”
I nodded and smiled. “I will have to visit her again in a few days. I wonder how heavy she became!”
Liliana smiled happily and seemed appreciative.
She might have helped Lucretius and me, but she was still the daughter of a traitor dowager empress. Lucretius officially had the three princesses adopted to his birth mother, Empress Beatrice, so they could keep their royal statuses. However, despite it, many didn’t look kindly at them.
Therefore, if I stayed close to them, it would be very beneficial for them. It would look like I had accepted them as family. To be honest, I actually really liked the girls. They were a cute little bunch with kind hearts.
Liliana and Roselia looked more relaxed after the dowager empress’ death. They looked happier.
Margaret wouldn’t remember her mother at all. She would be raised by her sister Liliana and Clodys, so I knew she would have a normal and happy life.
I looked at the young couple and asked mischievously, “By the way, have you decide on a wedding date?”
Liliana blushed but Clodys grinned and replied casually, “As your highness knows, it is still a bit hectic in the castle, so we will discuss with his highness about it when things stabilize.” Clodys then looked at me knowingly and added, “Of course, if there is another big royal event this year, we will be happy to get married next year.”
“…”
This was awkward, at least for me. Princess Liliana, however, looked excited as she stared at me eagerly.
“Yes, it would make sense for your highness to go first…”
Thankfully, the servant announced the Prince’s arrival before Liliana could continue.
“Genoa’s Prince Izid has arrived.”
Roselia was about to take a bite out of a large cake topped with custard and strawberry when Liliana stopped her.
“The prince is here. We need to show our respect.”
“Grr…”
Roselia looked devastated and annoyed, but she stood up to greet the prince.
When Izid finally walked in, everyone seemed to be surprised at his good looks.
I had already met him yesterday, and I was now immune to handsome men as I lived with one, so I was able to speak nonchalantly.
“Welcome, Prince Izid.”
He smiled easily and walked towards our table. “Thank you for the invitation. I am honored, your highness.”
He glanced around and asked, “And these are…?”
I stood up smoothly and introduced them. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for Liliana and Roselia to make an acquaintance with a Genoan royalty. This was partly why I invited them
“This lovely lady is the first-born princess Liliana. This adorable lady here is the second-born princess Roselia. Now, this handsome gentleman is Princess Liliana’s fiancé, Marquis Toruka.”
Izid smiled and greeted respectfully, “Nice to meet you. I am the first-born prince of Genoa, Izid.”
Liliana chatted with him innocently and complimented him, but I could feel Clodys acting aloof towards the prince. I supposed a handsome prince would be considered an enemy to all men when their women were involved. I expected Clodys to react this way, but I didn’t expect what happened next.
When Izid turned to greet Roselia, she gaped at him.
“Hello, Princess Roselia. I am Izid.”
“Oh…”
After a brief silence, Roselia finally regained her senses.
“Y, yes!”
When Izid kissed the back of her hand per royal etiquette, I could see the child’s hand trembling and her face reddening explosively.
I smiled in amusement.
Total Chapters in book: 189
Estimated words: 290059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1450(@200wpm)___ 1160(@250wpm)___ 967(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 290059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1450(@200wpm)___ 1160(@250wpm)___ 967(@300wpm)
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