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)
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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 30
Chapter 30:
After a night of partying, the coronation ceremony started the next morning as the sun rose.
Underneath the intense sun, I stood and watched the ceremony beside the emperor.
I was holding the empress’s royal crown in my hand. It was heavy and it felt like a pair of handcuffs weighing me down.
I knew that I still had a small chance though. I wasn’t actually wearing the crown yet. I was almost sure I would never have to wear it myself.
I pitied the woman, whoever it was going to be, who will end up wearing it. She would become a hostage to this kingdom.
As I kneeled in front of Lucretius, I looked up at him defiantly.
‘I will not be used by you.’
***
The lavish celebration lasted eight days and nights. The end of the coronation relieved me. Nothing extreme or bad happened to me and I was thankful for it.
During those days, I was coached by Samantha on who everyone was, including those from foreign lands. I played the gracious hostess, and it took everything I had to accomplish this.
When it was all over, I asked the emperor for a vacation.
“A vacation?”
He asked me with distrust.
I answered him nonchalantly, “I have never had a day off since I arrived at this castle. I need to rest.”
The emperor stared at me as if he could see right through me. He seemed like he wanted to figure out my ulterior motive. I didn’t care. I just needed a break.
For the past 13 months in this new world, I had never been able to completely relax. Even though I had my own room, which was fabulous, the fact that I shared this castle with the emperor and the dowager empress was enough to keep me on my toes.
After a few seconds of thinking, the emperor surprised me by nodding.
“Well, I guess it has been hectic here. Would a day be enough? How about tomorrow? You can stay in your room and cancel anything scheduled for tomorrow…”
I put down the fork hard on the plate which made a sharp sound.
I glared at him. I raised my voice. “This is a legitimate and fair request.”
“… what?”
He seemed surprised at my serious attitude.
I looked into his eyes and asked again, “I am letting you use me as you see fit, right? So I would like you to do me a favor in return.” I was desperate.
“I have already been compensating you enough…”
“Stop joking around,” I interrupted him decisively. “You have never given me what I wanted. In fact, you are not even interested in what I want. You never listen to me, but this is your chance. I am telling you what I want. I am asking you as your accomplice. As your wife.”
The uncomfortable silence filled the room. It was awkward, but I felt better. I pushed the empty plate away and picked up the wine glass.
Finally! I felt pleased because I was able to express how I really felt all this time. I didn’t care anymore! I was becoming so tired of everything.
His attitude towards me bothered me. He would call me his accomplice, partner, and wife, and give me shiny things, but in truth, he had never given me what I wanted!
I knew he was in control. I had to follow whatever decision he made. This meant I had to somehow make him want the same things as I do.
Unfortunately, things weren’t going well for me so far.
The cold green eyes smiled at me strangely. He always smiled like that when I did something unexpected. His smile didn’t mean he was upset or angry at me. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it when I challenged him as if he was playing a game.
After a long silence, he gave me his permission with a mysterious smile.
“Fine. Go for it. There is a wing called Lonez connected to the castle but still quite separate and isolated. I will let you use it. How about… a week? That’s the best I can do.”
“I’ll take it.” I sighed in relief.
***
Lonez was one of the many small remote wings in Rombrook connected to the castle. This place was particularly special because other than the door that connected to the castle, Lonez had no other entrances.
It was often used for ill members of the royal family for special cares and rest. To the public, it was announced that my health had deteriorated, and that was why I was visiting this wing.
When I first entered the place, I became speechless.
What a view!
Samantha smiled when she saw my reaction.
She asked me, “Do you like the garden?”
“Oh, oh… Yes.”
I stared at the pretty wildflowers that filled the entire garden.
In the castle were only the fanciest flowers such as roses. Everything in the castle was lavish and extravagant.
It had been a long time since I had been in a comfortable cozy space. I felt at peace. I couldn’t stop staring at the garden.
Samantha offered, “How about you have your meal here?”
“Can I really do that?”
“If your highness wants it, I will order it.”
I asked carefully. I loved the idea, but I was worried.
“Wouldn’t that be against the castle rule?”
“His Highness has ordered me to let you do anything you would like.”
I nodded.
I felt relieved and bitter at the same time.
I always knew Samantha was on the emperor’s side. No matter how kind she was to me, I could never compare to the emperor.
There was nothing I could do about it. I decided to enjoy this time off.
The next morning, I woke up on my own before the sunrise. I realized how my body had gotten used to the life here. Ever since I arrived in this world, I was always awakened early in the morning.
I didn’t leave the bed or call for the maids. I just stayed in bed and enjoyed being lazy. I slept so well last night, especially because the emperor wasn’t in the bed with me for once.
I dozed off and woke up again around lunchtime. Samantha brought my breakfast to bed. It was a light meal consisting of an egg, milk, and some toasts.
I got dressed casually and visited the garden.
I took a walk with Samantha and two maids. When I got hungry, we sat down underneath a large tree and enjoyed a picnic lunch.
On my second day, I had tea time in the garden. It was so peaceful it felt surreal.
On the fourth day, Samantha left to meet with the man in charge of this place. I took two maids to take a walk in the garden again.
Security was never an issue. When I was moving to this wing, I already saw that there were more than enough guards around for my safety. It was a short distance from the castle, yet so many royal guards followed me here.
According to Samantha, one of the five royal units was guarding this wing. No one could enter this place without going through the horde of guards.
Even now, five guards were nearby watching us like hawks.
I was used to being surrounded by people and being watched at all times. It didn’t bother me anymore. I barely noticed it now.
I continued to enjoy the lovely garden. It was so quiet and peaceful.
I said quietly, “It feels like the time has stopped in this place.”
“I never knew Lonez looked like this.”
Luis, one of the maids I brought to Lonez, smiled and said to me. She was recommended my Samantha. Luis was the oldest of the two daughters of Count Loventis.
“Me neither. I heard horrible rumors of this place, so this is quite unexpected.”
Her younger sister Elza added loudly. She was already on her third sandwich.
I was about to pick up my second sandwich when I looked up and asked, “Rumors?”
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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