"Lady! My Lady!"
Elena's frantic voice pierced through the fog of sleep, pulling me back to consciousness. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the familiar frescoes on the ceiling of my bedchamber.
"My Lady, that man—how could he treat his wife like this?" Elena cried, her voice trembling with unshed tears.
A sharp pain shot through my leg, and I winced as even the slightest movement sent a wave of agony through me. I glanced down at the fresh wounds on my legs, knowing that as an omega, my healing would be painfully slow compared to other wolves.
Elena knelt beside me, her sobs intensifying as she traced the pattern of the injuries. "Those maids! How dare they strike their Empress? They took out their cruelty on you, didn't they?" she muttered, her fists clenched in anger.
I exhaled deeply, my gaze drifting to the bright morning light streaming through the large window beside my bed. It was a beautiful day, the kind that usually lifted spirits. Yet, the humiliation I endured seemed inconsequential compared to the peace it bought. For now, the people of Willowbrook were safe. But I knew it wouldn't last.
Willowbrook was a small village nestled in a valley by the river. It held a special place in my heart, its streets lined with cozy bakeries and charming flower shops. It was a haven for the weakest omegas from packs across the kingdom, who found a way to make a living there.
The village exuded a whimsical charm. Cobblestone paths wind through the village, lined with ivy-clad cottages adorned with colorful window boxes overflowing with vibrant blooms.
The air was perfumed with the sweet scent of freshly baked bread and pastries, mingling harmoniously with the fragrance of roses, lavender, and daisies.
Each bakery boasted a rustic, homey exterior, with wooden signs swinging gently in the breeze. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, with shelves brimming with golden loaves, flaky croissants, and delectable cakes, all crafted with love and care.
The bakers, often seen with flour-dusted aprons and cheerful smiles, were always ready with a friendly greeting and a freshly baked treat.
Viviana wanted the land to build her private salon and promenade for her own social events, not for the benefit of the people. I needed to find something to entertain the emperor soon, to keep his cruel whims from targeting that village again.
A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Elena's scowl deepened as the guards announced, "Your Highness, the imperial doctor has arrived."
"Why is the great imperial doctor here?" Elena muttered, her voice laced with skepticism at the unexpected announcement. "Has the emperor finally lost his mind? After degrading you like this, he sends his physician to feign concern?"
The serene and reserved physician, Clyde Windward, was renowned as one of the greatest healers in existence. His fame stemmed from his ability to cure anyone, regardless of their species. He was cherished by the imperial family of the wolf kingdom, who considered him their possession and prohibited him from leaving their realm.
The doctor had spent his entire life serving the royal family, earning the trust of the emperor. Known for his hollow demeanor and lack of emotion, he felt no sympathy for the victims of the twisted emperor's cruel acts.
I knew this man wouldn't come to treat me of his own accord, not even as the empress—he was here solely under Theo's command.
Clyde stepped into the room shortly, a figure of effortless elegance and quiet authority. His long ash-blond hair was tied in a low ponytail that draped gracefully over one shoulder, its silken strands catching the light with every movement. The hair contrasted sharply with the deep, rich tones of his emerald green robes, tailored to perfection to accentuate his lean yet muscular build.
His face was a study in refined masculinity, with high cheekbones and a strong, chiseled jawline that spoke of noble heritage. His skin was smooth and pale, a flawless alabaster canvas that hinted at a life spent more in study than under the sun. The thick, round glasses perched on the bridge of his straight, aristocratic nose added an air of scholarly detachment, but they did little to conceal the sharpness of his amethyst eyes behind them.
Despite the sternness of his appearance, there was a gentleness in the way he moved, an almost ethereal grace.
"I greet the Moon of the empire. I have heard My Lady has been feeling unwell since this morning," Clyde said, bowing with effortless grace.
Elena coughed pointedly, her gaze falling on the group of nurses trailing behind him. Quickly, she draped the blanket over my body, hiding the wounds from their sight.
The perceptive doctor caught on immediately, and with a mere glance, he instructed the nurses to wait outside. Given his reputation, I doubted he needed any assistance for something as simple as dressing my wounds.
After months with Theo, I had come to understand just how twisted he could be. Even though the humiliating incident had occurred just last night, no one in the palace would dare to acknowledge it. So, it was no surprise the imperial doctor remained unaware of the true cause of my illness.
As the nurses left, Elena revealed my wounds before the doctor. The doctor, casually taking a look at the wounds, started unboxing his equipment.
I had only encountered Clyde a few times. He rarely attended social gatherings, and his services were reserved exclusively for the imperial family. So, as the daughter of the grand duke, catching even a glimpse of the imperial physician was a rare occurrence.
Even after becoming empress, this was the first time Theo had allowed Clyde to treat me. I felt a deep sense of embarrassment at the thought of revealing my wounds to him like this. Though his expression remained emotionless, I couldn't help but wonder what he truly thought of me. He must think the empress is utterly pathetic.
"It might sting a bit, My Lady. But you are a strong woman; you don't have to endure this," Clyde said, pulling me from my thoughts.
His offhand remark surprised me. Throughout my life, I had been groomed to fulfill my role as a noble lady, expected to face hardships with unflinching composure. No one had ever praised me for my endurance; I was merely expected to bear it silently, as if that was my sole purpose.
As Clyde applied the healing ointment to my wounds, a fierce, burning sensation flared up. Tears began to flow down my face, almost without my noticing.
"My Lady!" Elena exclaimed in alarm, "Is it too painful?"
Her panic was evident; she had never seen me show such vulnerability. I didn't respond, simply continuing to cry as Elena held me close, my tears soaking her gown near her chest as she gently stroked my disheveled hair.
Clyde remained focused on his task, his gaze never lifting from his work. His face betrayed no emotion, which I found oddly comforting. For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of liberation, as if I could finally be myself, if only for a moment.
After Clyde left, I stayed in bed for a long while.
"My Lady, you should eat your breakfast. Otherwise, you will feel weak all day," Elena urged.
I reluctantly got up and made my way to the mirror. My reflection startled me: my long raven hair was a tangled cascade down to my waist, resembling a dark, flowing river. My gray eyes were swollen from crying, and my pale cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.
Another announcement from the guards outside startled both me and Elena.
"His Royal Highness has sent special gifts for you, My Lady," came the familiar voice of the emperor's butler.
"You may leave them outside," I replied, trying to maintain my composure. I had no desire to have more people see me in my current state.
"I have been instructed to deliver this to you personally, My Lady. I cannot leave until you have at least taken a look," the butler insisted.
Elena quickly draped an outer robe over my shoulders and placed a veil over my head, obscuring my face. I stepped outside, where the emperor's butler greeted me with a deep bow.
Despite being in his sixties, the butler retained the physique of a seasoned soldier. His black suit and white gloves were impeccably tailored, and his gray hair only added to his dignified presence. An air of refined elegance seemed to surround him.
I frowned as I gazed at the dark wooden boxes in front of me. Over the past three months, Theo had done many unexpected things, but he had never gone so far as to send me gifts.
Elena shared my skepticism, her eyes fixed on the boxes with a look of doubt. It was difficult to believe that the man who had caused such turmoil the previous night was now trying to offer comfort.
The butler, ever meticulous, signaled the soldiers with a nod to begin opening the boxes. I noticed there were more people in the hallway than usual. The butler had made certain all the guards and the maids inside the empress's palace were present there.
I couldn't fathom what the emperor was plotting now. My thoughts were interrupted as the guards began to open the boxes.
The guards' gasps and the stark fear on the maids' faces made me scowl. I moved toward the boxes to see what was inside.
My entire body went numb as I felt rooted to the spot. Each box contained the severed heads of the maids who had used the leash on me the previous night—Lady Viviana's maids.