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 73
Chapter 73:
“Your highness.”
Luis handed me the book with a black leather binding. I asked her to bring it for me from the library.
“Thank you. Was it heavy?”
“A little. By the way, why did you want a book about the Coronos War?”
I couldn’t tell her the truth. My meeting with Clodys at the library needed to remain a secret. This book was my way of communicating with Clodys.
I replied, “I started to read it by accident, and I became interested. I didn’t get to finish it last time.”
As I flipped through, I found a message card stuck in the middle of the book.
Luis nodded when she saw it.
“That must be where you left off last time.”
She must have thought it was my bookmark. I smiled and nodded.
“Yes. The book is very interesting and informative.”
I picked up the message card. It had a simple design and Luis didn’t pay attention to it. The material and design of the card were very different than the ones I used, but she didn’t seem to notice.
Luis left my side and I turned the card around. On it was a picture of a red lily, which was Princess Liliana’s symbol. There was also a message.
It was one word.
Yes.
Below it was two initials.
C & L
I smiled secretly.
We had a deal.
***
It was an unexpected relationship built on needs rather than trust. However, I felt that this was a better relationship. We needed each other in order to get what we wanted, which meant we couldn’t betray each other.
Besides, you could never trust anyone anyway.
What I needed to do was to report to Lucretius about this.
“…”
However, I had no idea if this new development would work out. Should I let him know after I have accomplished more?
I couldn’t figure out what to do.
I also wondered if he already knew about this. If he did, it meant he was spying on me still. I felt angry at the possibility, but it also would have meant I wouldn’t have to report to him about it.
If he didn’t know what was going on, it meant he wasn’t spying on me. I would have felt relieved, but I didn’t want to have to report to him about it.
There were a few reasons why I hesitated in telling him about this.
First, Liliana and Clodys were a part of his family whether he liked it or not. This would be an uncomfortable alliance. On top of that, this meant he now had to protect two more people and promise their safety.
Another thing I worried was how he would feel about what happened in the library.
The fact was, I was with another man alone in the library.
It wasn’t intentional. It was to make a political deal. In addition, Clodys was in love with someone else. Lucretius and I weren’t exactly a couple anyway.
All in all, I knew I didn’t do anything wrong, but I just didn’t want to tell him about it.
Why did this bother me so much?
“…”
I didn’t know why. I just felt uncomfortable and nervous telling him about it.
I felt as if I cheated on him.
“[… Have I finally gone mad?]”
***
“…”
“…”
Only the sounds of cutleries were heard in the room.
Today was the day all royal family members gathered for a meal. The former emperor’s concubines weren’t invited. Only the direct family members of the current emperor were allowed. This included the dowager empress, the emperor, the wives of the emperor, and their children
As soon as a royal child turned five, he or she received a personal wing with servants and maids. It was rare for the entire royal family to eat a meal together.
The Great Meal, as it was called, happened in the Mano Hall. It wasn’t the biggest hall in the castle, but still too big for my taste.
“…”
“…”
The dowager empress didn’t attend with an excuse on the matter of her pregnancy. As the emperor didn’t have any children or any other wives, this meant this Great Meal would consist of just Lucretius and I.
This was awkward.
I saw him every day, but in this hall with such a huge long table, it felt strange.
Was it because I felt guilty?
I shook my head. Why should I feel guilty? I didn’t do anything wrong.
My mouth felt dry. I drank my wine, but it couldn’t quench my thirst. I was very nervous.
How should I start this conversation? Why wasn’t he saying anything? He usually sputtered nonsense all the time.
My heart was pounding. My eyes met with him briefly, which made my condition worse.
Why? I couldn’t understand.
When I finally got the courage to say something, he said to me.
“You look tired. Are you feeling unwell?”
“…!”
His quiet voice rang throughout the hall. It surprised me. I flinched and dropped my fork.
Clink!
It hit the floor and made a huge metal sound. The servants nearby walked towards me to pick it up.
Suddenly, Lucretius raised his hand.
“No need.”
At his order, the servant left quickly.
Why? What was he doing?
I was stunned. Royal families didn’t pick things up from the floor. It was a rule apparently.
The servant should have come to pick it up and hand me another fork, but Lucretius stopped it.
Why? What did he want? Did he want me to pick it up myself? Why?
Was he making fun of me?
I started to sweat. Why was I so nervous? I felt anxious.
While I contemplated picking up the fork myself, he suddenly stood up.
“Huh?”
He walked towards me.
W, what was he doing? Should I stand as well?
“Huh?”
He stopped in front of me and kneeled.
“…”
While I remained quiet with shock, he stood up again. In his hand was the fork I dropped.
Huh?
While I stared at him in surprise, he smiled proudly and tried to place the fork back on my side of the table. Then suddenly, he seemed to realize something. He turned towards the servants and ordered.
“Get me a new fork.”
“Yes, your highness.”
The servant quickly moved to bring him a brand-new silver fork. Lucretius took it and smiled at me in satisfaction.
“I can’t let my wife use a dirty fork!”
He made sure the fork was clean. Then suddenly, he kissed it lightly.
He then placed it on the table for me.
Huhhhh?
What the hell? Now I couldn’t use the fork. Was he trying to bully me somehow?
He said to me, “Now that I see you up close, you look fine. I’m glad.”
He then returned to his chair.
What was with him today?
But then… He was always this weird.
I became annoyed.
Without thinking, I ate a piece of lamb and pumpkin. It tasted great.
Suddenly, I realized I used the fork! It was the one that man kissed!
My face became red. I felt like I was going to explode.
Lucretius asked me, “It looks like you want to tell me something.”
“P, pardon?!”
I shouted in surprise. My voice rang throughout the giant hall.
I tried to look like nothing was amiss, but it didn’t work.
He wasn’t that stupid.
“…”
“…”
After a long awkward silence, the snake finally showed its teeth.
He grinned at me. His lips were smiling, but his eyes weren’t.
“I see that there really is something.”
I continued to sweat. What should I do? Should I pretend nothing happened? Should I lie?
Suddenly, I realized something.
Why should I be so anxious? I didn’t do anything wrong! In fact, I worked my butt off to make something happen!
Besides, even if I did like another man, it wasn’t a big deal! It wasn’t like Lucretius was my boyfriend….
Oh, wait… He was my legal husband…
Hmm…
Well, I didn’t do anything wrong anyhow.
I decided to tell him.
“It’s something to do with the favor I asked recently.”
“Wait.”
He raised his hand to stop me.
“Please leave, everyone.”
As soon as he ordered, the maids and the servants left in a hurry.
Soon, in the giant hall was just me and him.
“Now, let’s hear it.”
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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