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The palace was buzzing with tension. Whispers floated through the corridors like shadows, and I could feel the weight of every gaze on me. After the hunt, nothing had been the same. The divine beast's submission had sent ripples throughout the kingdom, and the Empress—like a predator sensing weakness—was watching me closely.
I sat at my vanity, my fingers brushing against the silver necklace that Alistair had gifted me. The cool metal was grounding, but it did little to ease the turmoil inside me. My reflection stared back, but the woman in the mirror was someone I barely recognized.
There was a knock at the door, and before I could respond, it creaked open. Lucien stepped inside, his usual confident demeanor replaced by something else—something darker.
"Your Majesty," he began, his voice strained. "We need to talk."
I raised an eyebrow, motioning for him to approach. "What is it, Lucien?"
He stepped closer, his eyes darting around the room as if ensuring no one could overhear. "It's about the Empress. Her spies are already on your trail. You've caught her attention, and she doesn't take kindly to anyone threatening her reign."
I leaned back in my chair, trying to appear calm. "Let her come. I didn't ask for this power, but I will not cower from it either."
Lucien's gaze softened, but there was a hint of caution in his eyes. "I know you're strong, Your Majesty. But you need to be careful. The Empress doesn't just play with power. She manipulates it."
I stood up, the necklace glinting in the light. "Then it's time to learn how to play her game."
---
Later that evening, the royal banquet hall was alive with music, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. The court was in full swing, but my mind was far from the festivities. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming—something that would change everything.
As I entered the grand hall, all eyes turned toward me. The whispers died down, replaced by the soft murmur of curiosity. I felt the weight of their expectations bearing down on me, but I refused to show any signs of weakness.
Lucien appeared at my side, his usual charm in full display as he introduced me to several nobles, each more eager than the last to curry favor. But my eyes kept drifting to one person—Alistair.
He stood across the room, his figure an imposing silhouette against the gilded walls. His gaze was fixed on me, dark and unreadable. There was something in his eyes—a warning, or perhaps an invitation. I couldn't tell.
Before I could analyze it further, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Ah, the Queen in all her glory."
I turned to see the Empress enter the hall, her presence immediately commanding attention. She was as stunning as ever, her dark beauty radiating like a dangerous flame. Her eyes swept the room with calculated precision, but then they landed on me. A small, knowing smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
The crowd parted as she made her way toward me, the silence almost suffocating. I stood tall, meeting her gaze with equal intensity, though I couldn't ignore the shiver that ran down my spine.
"Your Majesty," the Empress purred, her voice a smooth velvet. "It's been too long since we've had the pleasure of your company."
I forced a smile, bowing slightly in respect, though my mind raced. The air between us crackled with tension, and I could sense the underlying danger in her words.
"You flatter me, Empress," I replied, my voice steady, though the adrenaline coursing through my veins betrayed me.
She tilted her head slightly, studying me as though I were an intriguing puzzle. "I must admit, I'm intrigued by your… talents. It's not every day that a woman commands such power. But I do hope you're not getting any grand ideas, my dear."
I held her gaze, not backing down. "I am simply learning to use what I've been given."
The Empress chuckled softly, the sound laced with malice. "Power is a dangerous thing, dear. And those who seek it often find that it comes at a steep price."
---
As the night wore on, the Empress's words echoed in my mind. But I wasn't the only one watching her. As I mingled with the nobles, I noticed Alistair lingering near the shadows, his eyes never straying far from me. There was a tension between us that hadn't been there before—something unspoken, yet undeniable.
Suddenly, a commotion at the far end of the room caught my attention. A noblewoman screamed, and a man was dragged into the hall by the palace guards. He was bound in chains, his face bloodied, and his clothes torn.
The room went silent as the man was forced to his knees before the Empress.
"Who is this?" I asked Lucien, my voice cold and demanding.
Lucien's expression was grim. "A traitor. He's been caught selling royal secrets to the enemy."
The Empress's eyes narrowed as she stepped forward, her presence filling the room. "You've made a grave mistake, haven't you?" she asked the man, her voice dripping with disdain.
The man trembled, his eyes wide with fear. "Please… Your Majesty… I didn't mean to—"
Before he could finish, the Empress raised her hand, signaling the guards. In one swift motion, the man was dragged away, and the room was filled with an eerie silence.
I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just about betrayal. The Empress's actions were a message—a warning to everyone who dared challenge her.
---
Later that night, as I retired to my chambers, my thoughts were consumed by the events of the evening. The Empress's power was undeniable, but so was mine. And if I was going to survive in this game, I needed to play by her rules.
But there was something deeper, something darker lurking in the shadows. And I couldn't help but wonder if I was becoming a part of something much larger than I had ever anticipated.
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End of Chapter 13
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