"You chose to stay at the palace?" Aria inquired of Cedrik.
Cedrik nodded. "Yes, I explained to my father that I have responsibilities here, that I need to fulfill my duty as your secretary. I assured him I would visit them every weekend, and he agreed to that."
Aria smiled warmly. "I'm delighted that you've decided to remain here. To be honest, the thought of you leaving the palace had left me disheartened."
"I will never leave our Empress!" Cedrik affirmed with a smile.
They strolled through the garden, the fragrance of blooming flowers surrounding them.
Meanwhile, William discreetly surveyed the servants and knights, his mind preoccupied. Ryu had divulged unsettling news - the Duke's nefarious intentions towards Aria. This time, he resolved not to let them harm her again. Prince Mikhail was dead, the Emperor was weak, and Xerxes was nowhere to be found. Aria's other husbands lacked prowess in combat, leaving her with only him and Ryu to rely on.
"Good morning, Your Majesty!" Ludwig's voice broke the silence.
All eyes turned towards him as he approached, a grin adorning his face. His gaze drifted upward, admiring the cerulean sky. "What nice weather today, isn't it?" he commented.
Aria met his greeting with a cold, disdainful look. "What do you want?" she inquired.
Ludwig, undeterred, responded, "The Emperor has tasked me with delivering these freshly-picked fruits to you. He's noticed your fondness for them."
Aria's eyes studied the offered fruits.
"Are you not satisfied with His Majesty 's gift?" Ludwig's tone dripped with sarcasm.
William intervened with a courteous proposal. "Your Majesty, allow me to take these fruits and deliver them to Jenny."
"Very well," she consented. "You may leave, Ludwig."
Ludwig, his smile intact, bowed and withdrew from their presence.
William, cautious and vigilant, inspected the fruits. "I advise against consuming them," he warned.
"Why? Does it contain poison?" she asked.
William's reply was cautious. "I can't say for certain, even though they originated from the Emperor. We cannot discount the possibility that Ludwig might have tampered with them."
Aria's unease deepened. "You're right, I can't trust that man. Burn the fruit and ensure the Emperor remains unaware," she ordered.
William nodded, ready to carry out her command.
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.
....
"Tsk," Ludwig gnashed his teeth as he witnessed William burning the fruits he had given her. He had lied to them, claiming they were a gift from the Emperor, but in reality, he had laced the fruits with poison that could endanger the child in the Empress' womb. His desperation to kill the unborn child knew no bounds. For his own survival and for the Emperor's sake.
Because if that child were to be born, the empress would inevitably push the emperor to pass the throne to their offspring. In that scenario, Izekiel would be rendered useless to Duke Wolfsbane, and both of our lives would be at stake.
I need to save Izekiel...
He's the only one who had ever treated him as a human, not as a weapon or a toy.
.
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....
"WHO STOLE IT!!!" Duke Wolfsbane's enraged bellow echoed through his mansion, striking fear into his servants.
Hadrian, his brother, entered the room upon hearing the commotion. "Brother, what's going on?" he asked innocently, aware that the Duke had likely discovered the missing box.
"Hadrian! Did you enter my room?" Duke Wolfsbane demanded furiously.
"No, why would I?" Hadrian replied.
Duke Wolfsbane fumed, "Something is missing! I placed that thing under my bed, and now it's gone! Only I and the servants can access this room! I'm certain one of you has stolen it!"
The terrified servants dared not meet their master's gaze as they sweated in fear.
"Brother, please calm down. Are you sure it's not misplaced? Check your cabinets—" Hadrian began, but the Duke interrupted him.
"I left it under my bed! It was there when I left to attend my friend's banquet that night!"
Douglas cast a glanced at Hadrian.
"It's evidently of great importance to you, given your reaction. Let's help you search for it." he instructed the servants to help look for it.
The Duke grumbled, "Tsk... I promise, if I find out who stole it I will really kill him."
The ledger was concealed within that box. The ledger contained vital information, including a list of transactions and the names of nobles and ministers who had aided in smuggling drugs. If it were to fall into the possession of anyone else, it would spell their doom.
Duke Wolfsbane cast a wary eye on his brother, Hadrian...
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....
Aria sighed as she gazed out of the window.
"That's the sixth time today. Is there something bothering you?" Gawain inquired as they sat in the library.
She voiced her concern, "I'm still wondering why Xerxes hasn't returned yet. What if he's injured and can't come back?"
Gawain chuckled gently, closing his book. "He's the Grandmaster of the Magic Tower, the most powerful mage in the empire. No one can harm him. I'm sure he's still in pursuit of the ingredients he mentioned." He reached for her hand. "Don't worry, he'll be back soon. Stress isn't good for the baby."
Aria reluctantly nodded.
Indeed, he's the most powerful mage... No one could harm him...
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....
Xerxes was meticulously examining the cave when an unexpected presence held a sword to his back.
"Stay still!" the man commanded.
Xerxes complied, cautiously turning to face him. His eyes widened as he recognized the man's face.