The empire of Stadeladse was arguably one of the most beautiful empires to have ever existed. They had some of the rarest vegetation, the most cutting edge technology one could think of and the most elegant buildings. They had the world record for the largest amount of greenery and their beach resorts and hotels were simply breathtaking. Even the men and women had a particular air of beauty that surrounded them, but despite all these that's not what the empire was famous for.
Among the other empires it was referred to as the Harem Empire because of the current emporer, Emporer Titus Vlacksur Nightoar II. After two years in power,in the year 2069, the Emporer abolished the one spouse law. A law that stated that a person is only allowed to have one spouse at a time. There were many theories as to why he abolished it but the most famous and common reason was that the Emporer himself had an unquenchable thirst for women and his actions didn't exactly prove it wrong. He had married sixteen wives and had dozens of concubines at the side and the young dark-skinned woman currently having tea belonged to the latter category.
She was seated in one of the many gardens in the castle, a luxury concubines were not offered. She stared at the baby soundly asleep in a cradle next to her and felt her anxiety ease. That was her first child, a boy that was called Ashton, named after the legendary knight of the Empire. He was an absolutely gorgeous sight with his soft curly black hair and brown skin. But as she glanced back around she tensed up once again.
She was well aware of how odd it was for a concubine to be seated in the castle and even odder for such said concubine to be offered a place to stay in the castle.
If the woman didn't know any better she would have assumed that the Emporer had finally returned her feelings but fortunately she wasn't so naive.
She knew the reason why she was there was solely because of her son. Any doubts she had about the rumours were absolutely thwarted, God knows she wouldn't be there if it weren't true.
All the offsprings of the Emporer never survived the first night, no matter how healthy they were but somehow her little bundle of joy happened to be the exception. With no other heirs, the Emporer's illegitimate child would be the only one in line. It was only logical for him to want to keep her and the child close.
As someone whose birth was simply a means for manipulation in politics the woman knew the pain of growing up in the high society and had hoped that her child wouldn't have to suffer the same fate. But alas, fate seemed to be against her as she had no other choice but to accept the Emporer's offer or risk forceful capture.
"There you are Lady Monica.", a sweet voice drawled out. This voice tracing to an absolutely stunning woman who was clad in jewels from head to toe. The woman who had no regard for those below her now wore a bright grin directed towards Monica. But she expected nothing else from the first wife of the Emporer, Empress Synthea.
"Hello first wife.", Lady Monica responded mockingly, she never liked the first empress and never will. However if the Empress was offended she didn't show it as she let out a little chuckle.
"I supposed that would make you the seventeenth wife.", the Empress shot back. "Your room has been prepared and servants have been picked. If I were you, thank the good Lord that I'm not, I would be cautious and keep an eye open. ", the empress said leaving with as much grace as she had arrived leaving Monica to ponder on whether it was advice or a threat.
After three months at the castle, Empress Monica, the newest wife to the Emporer, was convinced that she had seen every attempt of assassination attempt that existed. Poison, failed kidnapping and an almost decapitation were simply the beginning of all the things that she and her son had endured. But what worried the young mother was that the target of all the schemes had been her son.
Surely, it was unfair that a baby no more than four months was being plotted against.
It was only a matter of time before one of their plans would succeed so she had to leave before their luck ran out. At this point Empress Monica and the little prince were more like prisoners.
She knew sneaking out of the castle would be risky. If caught she would receive severe punishments but she had to try.
Luckily for them they would have the perfect opportunity for an escape during the Harvest ball. The Harvest ball was most extravagant event held, even among the southern empires.
Many nobles from different empires around the globe would attend. And it is the only event that commoners could in the Empire attend, commoners who have made a name for themselves but commoners none the less. And this grand ball would be occurring in a few weeks, three to be exact.
With the time limit in mind the newest Empress, Monica, planned for the escape with absolutely no detail missed. For the second time since their stay there Monica replaced every one of her servants. This time replacing them with servants from her old household because she needed a servant she could trust.
Although most of them were still untrustworthy she was certain she could rely on Madam Connor, her old nanny and a woman that was fiercely loyal to her.
She also picked up hobbies that seemed absolutely harmless and pointless in order to avoid suspicion but would aid her tremendously.
Tea distribution, bird watching, geography and electric engineering were all that she had preoccupied herself with during those weeks.
On the night of the ball, Monica was clothed in the most gorgeous gown and adorned with the most beautiful jewels, she indeed looked the part of an Empress. Thirty minutes after getting dressed a guard had knocked on the door to escort her to the ballroom and without putting up a fuss, she followed.
Madam Connor waited for a while before checking to see if it was safe and swiftly sneaked out with Ashton who for the first time since birth wore the clothes of a commoner. She headed straight for the Etheral garden, the garden with the least likelihood to be visited as instructed by Monica the night before.
Madam Connor waited patiently for the arrival of Empress Monica. Making sure to hide out of plain sight in case someone actually passed by but luckily no one did.
Only after the ball hit full swing was Monica able to slip out without notice. With caution but yet speed she made her way to the garden.
Madam Connor handed the Empress her baby. "Be safe milady.", Madam Connor said as she made her way out of the garden.
"You must flee as well before the night ends. ", Monica cautioned before Madam Connor disappeared through the trees.
She looked at her baby who was busy sucking on his thumb and strengthened her resolution.
Not wasting anymore time the Empress slipped through the garden in the opposite direction she had come from. She walked until she came across a hidden trail, one she had found under the pretense of bird watching.
After moving through the trail that led her to the car pack she immediately spotted the tea distribution van. Monica scanned the area for guards before she ran straight towards it and entered, carefully placing Ashton in the passenger's seat.
Not missing a beat the Empress stripped out of her gown, revealing a beautiful blouse and plain trousers that were hiding underneath. She took off her crown and threw it into a secret compartment she had personally created as a result of her electronic engineering hobby.
She then drove out of the parking lot and straight passed the guards before exiting the castle.
After Monica was sure the castle was out of sight she sped off moving through the roads she she had memorised just for tonight. After at least three hours of driving she stopped the car in the middle of a road which had no security cameras.
The run away Empress leaned back and grabbed a bag from the secret compartment and grabbed Ashton's baby bag, making sure to double check the contents to be sure that all the money and clothes in the bag was present.
With a sigh of relief Monica quickly ripped off her heels and replaced them with boots, making sure to slip a sheathed knife in each of them. She then placed an electronic powered gun in her belt before place another dagger in her boobs.
Afterwards, she punched in the coordinates of the airport into the car, opened the door, turned on the autopilot and stepped out with the bags and Ashton in her arms. Immediately the door was shut close, the van made its journey to the airport as she made hers to the train station.
Making sure to stay alert for suspicious movements in the dimly lit street she walked to the station. After several agonizing minutes later she had finally arrived.
Monica bought the tickets and entered the train immediately fitting in with the night travellers. With absolute joy she found her seat and relaxed as the train began to take off knowing well that she had another train ride of her before reaching her desired destination, a little town called Salidan.
As the train began moving she couldn't help but smile at her sleeping baby. They had probably noticed her disappearance by now and would track her van to the airport and check the flights. Luckily she was a step ahead and had even bought and distributed hundreds of tickets and shared it among several single dark-skinned mothers with a new born baby.
So whilst they would be busy searching other empires they would be here, right under their noses.
With a small kiss on Ashton's forehead Monica whispered to her son, "We're free love. "
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"Where could that harlot and the child possible be? " a man screamed as he tossed the table into the wall. He paced the room anxiously and finally snapped his head to the woman casually leaning against the wall as though he suddenly remembered something.
"Could you find her?", he questioned. His voice coming out weakly. "No as I don't have enough resources to cast such a spell.", she said in amusement.
Unlike the man, the woman was completely entertained by the situation. "You shouldn't worry too much, you have another option on the way. But I wish you good luck in the search anyways.", the woman said as she exited the room.
"First the curse and now your assassination. You must be very lucky soul to escape death so many times. ", she whispered with a grin. "I guess humans can be entertaining afterall. ", she said as she let out a giggle.