The feast continued late into the night, but the atmosphere had shifted. Where laughter once echoed through the halls, now there was a heavy tension in the air. The nobles sipped their wine, their glances darting toward me and the divine wolf sitting at my side, an unsettling quiet filling the space around us.
Prince Damon, who had once thought of himself as the kingdom's greatest hunter, now wore a mask of polite indifference, but I could see the flicker of anger in his eyes whenever the wolf's violet gaze met his.
How weak, I thought. He's still unable to understand power when it's right in front of him.
My gaze drifted to Elyra, the so-called heroine of the story, who was now surrounded by a group of admiring lords, each eager to praise her for capturing the glowing creature. They whispered about her accomplishments, about her purity and grace, about how much she resembled the ideal countess's daughter.
Yet, I knew better. I knew that her light was nothing more than a facade. A facade that could easily be shattered by the truth.
I stood, the click of my heels resonating in the silence. The court fell into an even quieter murmur, eyes now fixed on me. The Empress was not one to be ignored. I walked slowly toward the grand balcony that overlooked the kingdom, the cold air hitting my face as I stepped outside.
Behind me, the wolf followed, its tail swishing as it settled by my feet. I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing myself to breathe in the cool night. The court could whisper and gossip all they wanted, but none of them understood what was truly happening. They had no idea of the power I had just claimed.
"Your Majesty," came a low voice from behind. Lucien stepped out onto the balcony, his expression unreadable. "Are you sure this is the right time?"
I glanced at him, my gaze sharp. "The time for games has long passed, Lucien. We are no longer playing pretend. They'll either fall in line or be swept away."
He nodded, his eyes flickering to the wolf before returning to me. "What about the prince? His pride—"
"Is irrelevant." I turned back to the sprawling landscape, the lights of the kingdom flickering like distant stars. "Let them think they control the kingdom. Let them believe the throne is theirs for the taking. In time, they'll realize it's I who pull the strings."
---
The next morning, word of my bond with the divine wolf spread like wildfire. Nobles, commoners, and even distant villagers spoke in hushed tones about the Empress who had tamed a creature of myth. But with the whispers came unease, and I could feel the shift in the air.
At the royal court, the mood was colder than it had ever been.
Prince Damon, who had once been at the center of attention, now moved in silence, his sharp eyes following my every movement. He had never been one to hide his emotions, but today, there was a wariness about him that made me smile internally.
The other members of the court had not yet dared to approach me, but I could feel their gazes — some filled with admiration, others with jealousy, and still others with fear.
But none dared speak up. Not yet.
---
Later that afternoon, I was called to a private meeting with the royal council. The large stone room felt suffocating as I sat at the head of the table, the lords and ladies seated in respectful silence.
It was Duke Alaric, an older man with an air of authority, who spoke first. His voice was smooth, but there was a hint of wariness underneath it. "Your Majesty, there have been… rumors circulating about your new bond with the divine wolf. Some fear that you are harnessing powers far beyond the scope of any ruler before you."
I leaned back in my chair, letting my fingers lightly tap the edge of the table. "And what do you think, Duke Alaric?"
He hesitated, eyes flicking toward the other members of the council. "Power like that... it could be dangerous. Dangerous for the kingdom."
I leaned forward, my gaze icy. "I am the Empress. I will do what is necessary to protect this kingdom. If power is what is needed, then I will take it."
There was an uncomfortable silence in the room, and I could feel the tension rising. The court had always whispered about my reputation, but now they were starting to question it. Starting to fear me.
I looked around the room, my eyes scanning each face. "I do not expect your approval. Nor do I need it. But you will respect my rule, or I will make sure you regret it."
---
As the meeting drew to a close, I could sense the discomfort among the council members. They were not used to such direct confrontation, not from someone like me. But it was necessary. If they would not bow to my power willingly, they would have to learn to obey.
---
That night, I retired to my chambers, the only sound being the soft padding of the wolf's paws as it paced nearby. I sat at my vanity, staring at my reflection, contemplating the path ahead.
The first cracks were appearing in my empire — small at first, but growing. Soon, I would have to deal with them. But for now, I had other things to focus on.
A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.
"Enter," I called.
Lucien stepped in, his usual composed demeanor replaced by something more guarded. "Your Majesty, we have received word from the far northern territories. Your parents' death… the circumstances surrounding it… they are starting to surface."
My heart skipped a beat, but I didn't let it show. The past was a shadow, one I had buried long ago. "What do they say?"
Lucien hesitated. "That it was no accident. Someone orchestrated it. Someone close."
I turned to face him, my gaze cold. "I know who did it."
Lucien's eyes widened in surprise. "Then you—"
"I will not let this go," I interrupted, my voice low and steady. "This kingdom may belong to me now, but it wasn't always that way. I will find out who is responsible for their deaths. And I will make them pay."
---
Chapter End.
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