SEBASTIAN'S POV
Opening the secret door of the Moon Palace can be only opened by me I was greeted by Aiden with an annoyed expression. I laughed nervously and pat his shoulder, '' Hey Man! All Good?'' He let out a groan and started nagging me once again, '' Can you let me breathe in peace at least for one day, Your Highness? You know that you can't get caught right? Where were you?''
I walked past him without answering. Aiden started walking behind me and kept asking me thousands of questions. But instead of answering him, I kept wondering about what happened in the White Forest.
Alliance with the illegitimate daughter of The Great Grand Duke Valentine Casvoner! No matter how unbelievable it sounds but now it's the truth, the very truth which has been bound by the threads of Blood Oath.
'' What happened to your palm?'' Aiden suddenly asked me. I looked at my hand and a smile appeared on my lip, '' A flamingo showed loyalty to me. Isn't it cute?'' I showed my hand to Aiden who was giving me a disgusted face. '' From when flamingo shows loyalty like this?'' He asked me. I smiled brightly and said, '' Who knows? Maybe From Today?''
Aiden gave up trying to understand the meaning behind my words. He sighed and I could get clear what he was thinking inside his head. 'Have I finally lost my mind?' or ' Did he make mistake by choosing me as his master?' Well, that's not my pain to handle.
I took off the worn-out robe I was wearing and got my hair down covering my head. Aiden watched me change my look from a runaway mercenary to an innocent Imperial Prince who is living confined in the abounded palace. Taking out a magic pill that can change my hair color into the black from the box Aiden was holding, I looked at my reflection in the mirror and smirked,'' Aiden, do you think there is any bigger scammer than me in the Imperial Palace?''
'' I doubt, or else how comes after all these years there isn't a single person in the Imperial Palace know that the person who is born with the white silver hair and blessing is Your Highness.'' Aiden grinned. I close my eyes and took a deep breath, '' Aiden, I will surely take revenge for my mother's and your mother's death who died while protecting me from the Second Queen.'' '' I trust you. And I pray you to succeed,'' Aiden replied.
It's not time to grieve yet. Only after burning this damn Imperial Order from its core and wearing the crown of Emperor, I will grieve with all my heart. I opened my eyes and looked at Aiden coldly, '' Let's Go. My Dear Father must be waiting to be irritated by me.''Aiden nodded.
I don't know what will change from now after my alliance with Valentiara but it somehow gives me a sense of relief that in this thorny journey filled with blood, betrayal, and conspiracy, there is one person who has sworn to support me with pure loyalty. I am not aware of the regret she is talking about but those crystal-clear pink eyes were the truest eyes I have ever seen.
I walked into the Emperor's Palace and the l was wearing an expressionless face as always. The servants lowered their gaze and turned away as if they saw some bad luck walking past them. I remained unfazed and stood in front of the Emperor's study.
'' Announce my presence.'' I looked at the doorman who sighed and announced, '' PRINCE IZAAK DE AMANSO IS ENTERING!''
The door opened and I saw The Emperor who is also my father standing in front of the window while looking outside. '' Wait here,'' I said to Aiden who nodded. I walked into his office and the door behind us closed.
'' Izaak De Amanso greets the sun of the Empire, May Almighty blesses you with glory and nobility,'' I greeted him just like anyone else but both of us know I don't mean a single word I say. But does that change anything?
'' White Wolf has brought a great victory in the naval war with Urita Empire this time. Is there anything you want as the leader of White Wolf?'' He jumped to the main topic just like always, facing his back to me. Ha! A man never changes.
'' What I want you can't give me, Your Majesty,'' I replied to him with the same cold tone he used at me. Father turned around and finally faced me. I hate to admit but I look like just a carbon copy of his. White silver hair which symbolizes one's right to sit on the Throne, and red monstrous eyes, despite being 49 he looks like a man who is just 30. The inherited dominating aura can make anyone feel overwhelmed and anxious. 'Sage Ruler' is what everyone calls him but in reality, he is just a man who craves power more than anyone, an emotionless power maniac who doesn't even step back from making his sons each other's enemies for the sake of maintaining his power, 'Snake' this is what suits him the best instead of 'Sage Emperor Artemis Alexo De Amanso'.
'' You are rude as ever,'' He commented and sat down on his chair. His cold gaze on me always makes me wonder does he hate me or,
He Is Scared of Me who is the biggest threat on his way?
'' You must be the leader of White Wolf but don't forget, I am the REAL owner.'' He emphasized the word Real to make me feel low but I can't help but laugh at his illusion in my mind.
'' I can hand over White Wolf to Your Majesty whenever you wish me to but I have my doubt, that you can handle 'The White Wolf' without me,'' I said with a sarcastic smile on my face. He clenched his fist and said, '' You think you are something because you are a so-called White Wolf but don't forget the world doesn't even know the real one.'' He smirked evilly and continued, '' I can easily make anyone the leader whenever I wish.''
I nodded and replied to him with the same sarcasm, '' Also can easily make anyone use Shadow and Darkness on the battlefield.'' Father lost his temper this time and slammed the table, '' IZAAK DE AMANSO, YOU UNGRATEFUL SCUM.''
'' I know my name. You don't have to shout like this.'' I said being unfazed. He rubbed his temple. '' If it weren't for the fact you can use Shadow and Darkness, I would have killed you with my hand,'' He said with flaming eyes. I bowed a little and said, '' I welcome your sword at me anytime. If you don't have anything more to say, I rather stay confined in the Moon Palace. Isn't that good for us?''
He didn't say anything and threw some papers in my face.
'' Choose any of them, And Get Married this fall.'' He ordered. I looked down and saw the pictures of many noblewomen and it was obvious what he was trying to do. I grinned and took the papers with portraits of different noblewomen.
'' Your Majesty, I guess you have forgotten what I told you before, I will never marry anyone, even if you kill me,'' I said while glaring at myself. He frowned and said, '' And why am I supposed to hear you?'' '' You don't want to lose this useful sword which you can wield however you wish to in greed of having another sword, right?'' I smirked. He closed his eyes and clenched his fist as hard as he could.
'' Leave.'' He ordered. I smiled and bowed a little, '' Have a nice day, Your Majesty.'' Saying that I walked away from there. The guard opened the door and I saw Aiden walking back and forth anxiously.
''Let's Go,'' I told him. Aiden let out a sigh of relief and nodded. The guard closed the door and I could hear the Emperor screaming in anger. I smirked. He can hide my existence and make me some abounded prince but in reality, he can't dare to force me to do anything. Because he is well aware that If I want I can bring him down from his throne. The reason he wants me to marry is that he wants to take my child who will be born with the power of Shadow and Darkness. And I will never let that happen, Never my child will face the same fate as mine.
END OF IZAAK'S POV
After finishing my unplanned alliance with Izaak I came back to the mansion and dressed up to go to Sufu. I wore a yellow floral dress and make a braid. I don't have any maid to help me with my stuff because it feels like nausea to be watched by others. I walked downstairs and looked at a maid, '' Arrange a carriage for me.'' She nodded and walked away. I was about to step outside I heard Waren shouting my name, '' TIA''. I turned my head and saw him walking toward me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
'' Where are you going?'' He asked me. '' Central Market,'' I replied. '' Alone?'' He questioned. I nodded. '' Why are you going alone? Take some-'' He stopped speaking realizing that I don't have someone to company me. Till now Vivian would tag along with me but she isn't here any longer. And I was never really introduced to the social world as the youngest daughter of Grand Duke Casvoner.
'' Take a knight with you.'' He said. '' I want to spend some time alone.'' The maid whom I ordered came and informed me that a carriage has been arranged. I looked at Waren and said, '' I will get going, Waren.'' He frowned and said, '' Didn't you call me brother?'' I clenched my fist and replied coldly, '' His Grace doesn't want me to get close to you and others. I hope you won't make things hard for me.'' Waren's eyes widen. I waited for him to say something but he didn't. I sighed and started walking away.
And, he didn't even stop me.