Laden is one of the greatest empires history has ever witnessed. For what exactly? It's wealth, it's people, it's infrastructure and it's knowledge. But the thing that shines even more to its crown's jewels is the emperor.

The emperor is the most supreme and noble person in the empire, no nobility can dismiss him instead his offspring or his relatives. I wish I could displace him but what could I do orders are orders.

On this smoldering hot day, I was summoned by His Majesty the Emperor. Hate that man for his sudden calls and long walks, but what can I do, I'm the one and only Duchess of the empire plus that gold-head Emperor's cousin.

Finally, I could see the high buildings of Marchlings just above the cliff of city hall. As I took my first step on the silver-coated staircase, everyone turned their glances backward. 

I turned this attention as an act of popularity, for what reasons? Let's see, I'm the only Duchess of the empire, I'm rich and young, and what, oh yes, I'm also orphaned.

I made my way toward the crowd of attention, whispers, and side glances but never in a million years wanted to face this person in front of me.

'Good evening Duchess, how is your day going?', asked a slim yet gentle man known by the name of Count Durain.

He is one of the richest families leading the empire's southern region, he is married, warm-hearted, and quite good-looking but the only problem I have with him is his annoyance.

'Splendid evening I'm having count, what business do you have with me?'.

'Well you see my wife and I are having a problem'.

*No, please stop.

'She gets mad easily and has an issue with us sharing a room'.

*Don't you dare utter nonsense count.

'Even talking to her is no fun, and I'm lonely'.

*I beg you to stop it dammit.

My face almost turned upside down, it was like I knew what was coming next.

'So I was wondering, about the suggestion I talked about before what do you say'.

I didn't know what to do or to say anything, just stood there waiting for my escort. 

'Duchess? let me ask you again, Do you want to be my adopted daughter?'

That was it, in front of everyone he just had to ask this. Luckily for me, I spotted the royal guards, our intense eye contact was enough for me to get out of this situation.

'Sorry count but duty calls, let's not meet again.'

I hope my words were clear and understandable for the foolish man, now I can finally focus on work rather than being an orphan.

The guards escorted me to the main hall, and just a few knocks opened the gold-printed gates. Just as I was about to enter, a sickening presence was felt, the smell of lavender perfume*, my face filled with disgust.

'Well if it isn't Duchess Danwar, you look lovely, just like your mother'.

The man standing in front of me is Marquis Falcon, the most cunning and disloyal lord in Laden. Why do I hate that man? Because he was one of the suspects in the murder of my parents, and because of him, I'm engaged to his senseless son.

'My why the long face, cheer up we are going to be family soon, but don't I see you wearing the jewelry I sent as a present?'. He asked with a smirk on his face.

You knew damn well why I didn't accept it, good think his wife took care of it, she really knows his schemes pretty well.

'Marquis, they were really beautiful that I set them on display in my bed chambers', I couldn't help but smile by saying, 'I'm sure my pets enjoyed seeing their owner melting the jewels only to be made into a blade'.

'You may be the second women who take no interest in my gifts', he said passing by me.

'Glad I'm not the first'.

I entered the main hall, everything was there as I remembered, the long rectangular table, the bright red crimson curtains, the overpriced chandeliers and how could I forget them, my one and only family who left me to crumble all those years ago.

'I present myself to the honor light of Laden'

My head bowed raised as I met eyes with the emperor, my cousin, Jason Evermond, next to him his cousin, Malisa Evermond. Why I don't think of them as family? probably because of our hair, Malisa despite being Jason's cousin has blond hair, which symbolizes royalty, while I the unlucky cousin was born as a redhead. I guess it can also be included as one of the reasons for people's glances and whispers.

'Eve you don't have to bow your head when we are alone'.

'Sadly Your Majesty we are not alone, besides I'm here for an urgent meeting'.

'Yes, well it's about Malisa's birthday and I was wonde_'.

'You are taking way too long, my birthday is coming up and I have invited a foreign guest who is an excellent painter, but_'

'But you didn't tell him that you wanted to get painted and are worried somebody else to have taken a liking to him'.

'As expected of our Duchess, always one ste_'.

'Yeah, I get it so will you help?'.

'Umm, no'. I said bluntly, wanting to see my dear cousin's reaction.

'Oh dear'.

'WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW I GOT THAT GUY TO ACCEPT MY INVITATION'.

'WELL I'M SORRY, I'M NOT YOUR PEOPLE PLEASER AND DEFINITELY NOT CLOSE ENOUGH FRIENDS TO DO CHILDISH FAVOURS FOR YOU'.

'YOU KNOW WHAT I DON'T NEED YOU, I COULD THRENTED HIM INTO PAINTING ME, AND THEN SHOW IT OFF TO YOUR FACE'.

I could feel Malisa coming closer as her screams got louder, but I wasn't going to give up.

'FINE, DO IT! I DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR PAINTING'.

'WELL YOU WILL'.

'NO, I WILL NOT'.

'girls please calm down'. Said Jason but it wasn't a match for our firey screams.

But as our distance became closer, I had an urge to slap Malisa, I think she does too, I guess it's okay since it's us, besides I always wanted to slap her.

She came closer, and so did I that just a few meters were there in between. Then just a split second we were standing face to face, I closed my eyes, and a smack* was heard.

Something was wrong, I was supposed to feel pain. I opened my blue eyes to see Jason standing in between with both cheeks swollen. Tears in his eyes made him fall, his head touching the crown.

I can't believe I knocked out the Emperor of Laden.