Tick-tock.
The sound of Delia’s heels echoed in the quiet corridor.
Walking through the hallway under the gaze of the gods, she recalled yesterday’s conversation with Aaron.
Who could be the owner of Mei that would provoke such a reaction?
When she asked about Mei’s owner, Aaron’s eyes strangely sank.
Red candles cast an eerie glow on his dark, ashy eyes.
Remembering Aaron’s gaze from that time, her steps involuntarily slowed down.
Delia raised her head and looked at the light streaming down the corridor.
Clearly, there was something hidden, but how could she coax out the answer?
Thinking about Aaron, who skillfully avoided answering, Delia’s head throbbed.
As she sighed and touched her forehead, a voice came from behind.
“Your Highness, are you okay?”
Delia was startled and stopped her steps.
Turning around, she saw Afran standing there.
“Afran Kyung. It’s been a long time.”
Despite Delia’s greeting, Afran just stared at her.
His gaze was different from usual.
From head to toe, his scrutinizing eyes seemed to assess whether there were any flaws.
Feeling somewhat disrespectful, Delia narrowed her eyes and glared at Afran.
“Afran Kyung, do you have something to say?”
At Delia’s somewhat cold question, Afran finally spoke.
“Are you okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Isn’t the Imperial Army occupying Iorente Castle?”
Afran lowered his voice, glancing at the Imperial Army surrounding the castle.
“And forcing an unwanted marriage on you.”
Delia’s expression disappeared in an instant.
To Afran, who was still visibly on guard, the Empire must be an enemy to be defeated.
It felt like looking at a lit fuse of a bomb.
“No, Afran Kyung.”
“Your Highness, even though you have accepted the marriage with the commander, I know it’s not voluntary.”
“Please don’t say such things. It’s a marriage that solidifies the ties between two countries, and I willingly approved it.”
Despite the princess’s calm persuasion, Afran couldn’t hold back his anger.
“The ruthless and barbaric Imperial Army meddling in our Iorente.”
“Afran Kyung.”
Delia cut off Afran’s words with a firm voice.
The tense silence hung in the corridor.
But standing in the middle of Stellreitz Empire and Iorente, Delia had nowhere to escape.
If either side pulled the wrong trigger, it would undoubtedly lead to destruction.
“Both countries have signed a peace treaty. We should treat each other as allied nations. Please refrain from excessive words.”
“Your Highness.”
“Think rationally. Put aside past emotions and look at them objectively.”
Delia took a slow breath and continued speaking.
“True enemies are across the sea. Boswell betrayed us, and Pfeber continues to threaten us. At a time like this, turning the Empire into an enemy cannot guarantee the survival of Iorente.”
Delia paused for a moment and took a step closer to Afran.
“The Stellren Peace Treaty must be upheld. For the sake of our Iorente. So, believe in the Iorente royal family, believe in me, and stand together.”
As if seeking agreement, Delia raised her hand towards Afran.
Afran, with a composed expression, politely took the princess’s hand.
“For the coming era of peace, we need Afran Kyung’s support.”
At the princess’s final words, Afran let out a deep sigh.
The Stellreitz Empire is not trustworthy.
“As a loyal subject, it is natural to trust and follow one’s lord.”
Afran slowly bowed and gently kissed the back of the princess’s hand.
“I will follow Your Highness’s words.”
Delia watched Afran, who withdrew after bowing, giving a slight bow in return.
Afran’s retreating figure became blurry in the light.
But as if he had swallowed something bitter, Afran’s expression, which had been deeply wrinkled, became even clearer.
An unknown anxiety surged in her heart.
Is Iorente, or rather, am I on the right path?
The more anxious she felt, the more desperate she became.
“Where on earth is he?”
Delia’s uneasy steps echoed in the corridors of the palace.
Her dress skirt swayed as if brushing against the floor.
“Not in the chapel, not in the dining hall.”
Delia placed her hand on the railing of the stairs leading downstairs.
As if about to fall, she stretched her body to look below the staircase.
It felt like he would be right by my side, just like back then.
Delia’s eyes, searching desperately for Aaron, trembled thinly.
“Not below the stairs either.”
Delia descended the staircase and walked out of the palace.
Construction was still underway in the palace garden, with stone materials piled up here and there.
Hurrying through the chaotic garden, Delia glanced around.
Aaron’s figure was still nowhere to be seen in the garden.
Afran’s words about canceling the engagement lingered in her ears.
“He couldn’t have silently returned to the Empire, could he? He seemed so upset yesterday.”
Delia’s footsteps quickened with anxiety.
“Your Highness, where are you going in such a hurry?”
The voice calling from behind made Delia stop.
It was Colin, who served Aaron up close.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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