My voice quivers, prompting me to shut my eyes and silently berate myself. I cautiously cough in an attempt to fortify my resolve and compose my speech. As I slowly blink open my eyes, I realize he appears to be inching closer towards me.

"I was going to tell you."

I scoff as I take a step back. "Yeah, when you reject me."

His gaze intensifies as my words trigger a swift stride towards me, bridging the gap that separates us.

"I would never. As soon as our gaze met, I sensed our connection, even though I could sense that you were oblivious to it. I didn't want to overwhelm you with my feelings." His palms cradle my cheeks, his caress delicate as though he fears shattering me. "I desired to earn your faith. Once I grasped the depths of your past struggles, I understood the necessity of building a bond of trust with you, lest you flee at the sight of me."

His caressing thumb grazes my cheek as he gazes down at me. My heart feels like it's lodged in my throat, and my wide eyes mirror my astonishment. He moistens his lips, his gaze locking with mine. "I've yearned to taste your lips. I'd go to unimaginable lengths just to feel your kiss. I belong to you, just as you belong to me."

"So you aren't rejecting me." I can't help but feel foolish for wondering, but it's like I'm living in a dream. My emotions for Kyan are undeniable, but I'm skeptical about the possibility of him reciprocating them.

In the quiet moment before our lips touch, he lets out a soft, almost imperceptible laugh that seems to hang in the air, adding a hint of playfulness to the intimacy between us. As he lowers himself and our lips meet in a gentle press, I feel a rush of emotion and connection that seems to transcend words. The fleeting kiss is filled with a mixture of longing and restraint, as if we are both testing the boundaries of our desire.

Looking into his eager eyes, I see a depth of emotion that mirrors my own feelings. His hand finding the nape of my neck draws me closer, intensifying the intimacy between us. Each subsequent kiss deepens the connection, the velvety texture of his lips contrasting with the roughness of his appearance and the callouses on his weathered hands.

As we eventually part, I am left feeling a lingering warmth from the closeness we shared, the sensation of his breath dancing against my skin, adding a tantalizing layer to the experience. Each moment with him feels like a delicate dance of desire and restraint, a mingling of passion and tenderness that leaves me breathless.

"Your majesty!" I spring away from Kyan, causing a smirk to appear on his face as one of his assistants hurries into the tent. He glances back and forth between us, his face and ears turning a shade of red as he catches sight of me trying to regain my breath.

He clears his throat, his neck flushing even further. "Your majesty, Duke Carmine and Lord Henry, have been found deceased."

"Have the guards investigated?" My gaze widens in astonishment as the icy voice that escapes Kyan's lips is foreign to me. In the blink of an eye, he seamlessly transitions into the persona of a powerful Emperor.

"Yes, it looks like Henry attacked the Duke."

Arms folded, Kyan's gaze sharpens into focused slits. "Fools," Kyan spits out. "I knew they would end up killing each other. I warned Duke Carmine about appointing Henry as his heir."

Then Kyan smirks. "This works in my favor, Athenix is more competent to be the Duchess." He then looks at me. "She will throw the chance of being Empress out to take over the dukedom." My eyes widen at the meaning of his words.

"Empress?" I ponder while gesturing towards myself. He laughs softly yet agrees.

"Of course you are my mate." The Aides jaw hangs open in disbelief as he glances back and forth between me and Kyan."Now let's see if I can clean this mess." His gaze sharpens as he exits the shelter.

I follow behind, Kyan heads to the guards in charge of investigating. 

I notice Athenix shedding tears as a servant delivers the devastating news of her father's passing. Her eyes are bloodshot, cheeks glistening with tears, and hands pressed against her quivering lips.

I can't help but wonder if a faint smile peeks through beneath her palms.

Guided back to her tent by another maid, her cries grow louder, drawing pitying gazes from the nearby nobles.

The cherished daughter mourns the loss of her beloved father.

If only they could see beyond the facade.

My burdens weigh down on my shoulders like a heavy cloak, my palms clammy with unease. It's as if the air itself resists my lungs. Could this sensation be a prisoner called guilt?

As I entered the tent, my eyes met Athenix's, who was holding a handkerchief to her face. The tension in the room was palpable as she swiftly dismissed the maids, leaving us alone. Her eyes, once betraying vulnerability, now exuded a calculated composure. It was evident that her tears were genuine, but a subtle smile now played on her lips in the absence of the maids.

"I'm free." she murmurs softly. The burden on my back lifted as I recall the reason I guided them to their demise.

Athenix appears dissatisfied and unfulfilled, her gaze drifting away as if lost in a world of her own creation. This wasn't a quest for supremacy or a cruel manifestation of greed; it was simply a deep-rooted desire for survival. Fed up with enduring abuse and being confined to a life akin to that of a puppet, she longed for escape. I can't help but imagine that our childhoods shared a similar narrative.

As I observe her gazing into the distance, a sense of melancholy shrouds her.

"I am a Duchess now. No one will ever hurt me again." Her eyes hold determination at the whispered promise to herself.

Watching Athenix's reaction, I do feel guilty at what I've done, but I don't feel regret.

*

"Your mother's room has been redecorated with your stuff. It will be ready for your return in two weeks' time." The butler from the dukedom, I believe his name is Godfrey, explains to Athenix.

She holds a black fan that matches her black dress as she hides the bottom half of her face. "Pefect, take my dear father's stuff and put them in the onyx house. I want to prepare a room for his stuff when my room is finished." She commands, and the butler nods in her direction.

"Perhaps leaving your father's stuff alone until you have found a suitor would be for the best." Godfrey's unwavering devotion to the departed Duke is crystal clear. With the Duke's explicit wish to prevent Athenix from seizing control of the Dukedom, Godfrey will forever regard her as anything but the Duchess.

"I won't just leave my father's room to collect dust. Move it immediately, I don't like to repeat myself." Her eyes narrow in his direction. "And if any damage is done to them you," with a snap, she closes her fan and points it in his direction. "Will face the consequences."

"I will make sure to take great care of the Dukes possessions."  He bows, and I see Athenix grip on the fan tighten, and he excuses himself and leaves.

"Lynn." Athenix calls, and Lynn quickly steps up.

"Yes, my lady, I-I mean your Grace." Lynn stumbles over her words.

"Hmm I wish others were as quick as you to know their place." Athenix hums as she turns her head towards the maid.
"I want you to head to the Dukedom tonight. Once my father's stuff is in the Onyx house, burn it down. Make sure not to get caught."

"Yes, your grace. May I bring another maid to help me?"

Athenix eyebrows furrow in confusion. "What other maid? The others were spies."

"Ally was only a spy in the beginning, that's why she quit she no longer wanted to help your father." Lynn drops to the ground. "Please, your grace, I swear on my life she can be trust-"

"I believe you," Athenix gracefully swishes her hand, silencing the maid in one fluid motion.

Lynn smiles at Athenix words as she quickly rushes out of the room.

A hush descends upon Athenix and me as she gazes out the window, before redirecting her gaze towards me.

"I'm leaving in a few days." Athenix begins her graceful approach, rising from the cushioned seat and making her way towards me. The fan she oftentimes clutched now lay forgotten on the cozy sofa.

"I want you to come with me and be my right hand." My eyes expand at her statement. My heart falters with anticipation, though the feeling is fleeting.

What about Kyan? I can't bear to part with him.

"I can't." My words waver with uncertainty. The urge to depart tugs at me, yet a part of me hesitates to bid farewell.

"Is this about Kyan." Her head leans ever so slightly as a breath of air escapes her lips.

"He's my mate." She emits a sharp laugh in response to my statement.

"In the walls of this grand fortress, love finds no sanctuary. For the elite, affection remains a forbidden treasure beyond reach." She offers an explanation, but I simply shake my head in disbelief.

"I have to try."

She rolls her eyes. "The mate bond is not as powerful as people think."

I fix my gaze on Athenix, wondering why she can't seem to show me the support I've given her. After all, what wisdom does she possess? She hasn't experienced the bond of a mate. I end up voicing my thoughts. "What do you know? You don't even have a mate!" I exclaim, and she scoffs. "I thought you would understand Athenix, after never being loved by our families having a mate is our only chance."

Athenix shoots me a fierce look as she strides towards me. "I met my mate, he rejected me."  My body chills as I unconsciously retreat at her words.

"What?" My feeble response barely whispers to me.

"My father and I went to that damned human kingdom a few years back." Her gaze falls to the ground as she reminisces about the past. He was the second prince, igniting an instant spark in my heart after an eternity of neglect. The person meant to cherish me had become a distant figure, paying no heed to my presence. And when I finally found the strength to confess my feelings," She inhales deeply, her fingers clutching at her chest. "He delivered a cruel blow, declaring he could never be entwined with a lowly mutt."

Once more, her gaze meets mine, ablaze with intensity. "My dad harbored animosity towards me for not being a son. My partner spurned me for my ability to transform into a wolf."

Her gaze then softens. "But my mother loved me with all that she had left. She became ill after my birth." As she speaks of her mother, her entire being relaxes, and I glimpse a child yearning for her mother. "She departed when I was seven. Those seven years I spent with her were the most wonderful of my life. Despite her fragile health, she would still come to see me every day. She did everything in her power to shield me from my father."

Athenix seizes hold of my arms as her gaze narrows. "There are other types of love, Zerro. You don't need a mate, the mate bond is not strong enough to protect you here."

I gaze into her eyes as she gracefully moves back. "Join me in the duchy," she urges, a final plea.

"You hold a special place in my heart, and I trust that our bond will remain unbroken." With words as my tool to kindly communicate my decline.

Caught in her icy glare, she snatches her fan from the sofa, unfurling it with swift elegance. "Your services are no longer required," she declares, her gaze avoiding mine as she gracefully strides to the balcony without a second thought.

I exit the room silently, closing the door behind me and pressing my back against it. My heart pounds rapidly, causing my entire body to quiver with each thump. Suppressing the urge to cry, I bite my quivering lip. This moment doesn't mark the end of my friendship with Athenix, but rather a new beginning. Now, we stand on more balanced ground. With a fresh perspective, I stand tall and stride down the hallway towards my room.

"Your Majesty!" I am greeted by a recognizable voice from behind as the echoes of their swift and gentle footsteps dance down the corridor. "Your Majesty, Lady Zerro!" I swiftly pivot upon hearing my name, a look of confusion likely painting my expression.

The Emperor's assistant from the hunting event is swiftly approaching me.

"Your Majesty." He halts before me, gasping for air.

"Your Majesty?" I repeat.

He straightens his posture. "I am his Majesty's aide, Mason. His majesty has named you as his mate. The wedding date will soon be determined, I am here to assist you in moving into the Empresses palace."

"Wedding date?"

"I am in the process of picking out your personal maids and will send a list of lady's in waiting for you to choose from." Mason doesn't seem to hear me as he looks over a few sheets of paper.

"But what do you mean wedding date?"

He glances at me, "Don't worry, it's more of a formality. Since you are his mate, you can start performing the duties as Empress as soon as you're ready." He looks back at the sheets of paper.

"Isn't this moving a bit fast?"

"Don't worry, the housekeeper and butler at the Empress's palace have been working hard since this morning to get the palace clean, the butler will meet you at the entrance and give you the tour, if anything needs to be changed let him know. You can redecorate everything to your taste."

"But Mason, I was just a maid not long ago."

"Yes, yes, you can bring any maids of your choosing in as well. Please follow me. I will lead you to the Empress's palace." He writes something down on the stacks of paper in his hands as he leads me down the hallway.

"Now a banquet will commence in four days' time. We have already summoned the taylor who will also take your measurements for your wedding dress."

"A banquet?"

"Yes to introduce you to the nobles, again its just a formality." He finally looks in my direction with a welcoming smile. "The Emperor stated you were a princess, that makes my job much easier, I'm sure you will handle everything flawlessly, now normally planning the banquets is the Empress's job but the former Empress had been taking care of it. She will handle this one, and then you will take over from then on." My hands are clammy, and my heart is sprinting at the sudden influx of knowledge.

How does a lady-in-waiting ascend to the prestigious title of Empress? Everything seems surreal, my head is spinning and a wave of nausea washes over me. As we arrive at the entrance of the Empress's palace, I catch sight of the housekeeper and Butler standing there. Without delay, they bow in reverence before me.

In astonishment, my eyes widen, feeling rooted to the spot as the housekeeper and Butler address me with the utmost respect, treating me as if I were the ruler of the land.

I'm jolted back to reality by the sound of a throat clearing, feeling my cheeks flush as I realize I've held them in a bow for too long.

"Ah, you may rise." I clear my throat as I try to sound calm and confident. I fix my posture as they stand up straight.

"I'm Hannah, the housekeeper, your majesty." She gracefully bends before meeting my gaze with a gentle grin. She appears mature enough to be my mother. Her chestnut locks bound tightly under a crisp white cap.

"I'm Lennox, the butler, your majesty." His hair like a seasoned blend of salt and pepper, elegantly slicked back. Despite his appearance hinting at age, his countenance exuded a timeless grace and pride. And yet, it was the warmth of their smiles that offered solace in the midst of navigating this unfamiliar territory and newfound standing.

"If you will follow us, we will begin the tour now." Lennox sidestepped gracefully, motioning towards the magnificent palace before me. It was then that I spotted the servants and attendants of the palace extending a warm greeting. Two orderly rows leading towards the grand entrance, their gazes lowered in a show of reverence. Standing behind them were the other members of the palace staff, arranged with an air of elegance. I strolled through the corridor of respectful faces, making my way towards the palace doors.

One kiss from the Emperor, and now I'm in the Empress's palace?!

*
*