"Carina."
Carina shivered when she heard her name was uttered by a familiar voice. She closed her eyes as she clenched her fist tightly.
"E-elder sister…" She muttered.
Her elder sister CarolIne, now named Saoirse Alba, was silent. Carina felt hot tears streamed down her face as she recalled what happened years ago.
It was her and her elder sister Caroline. Her elder sister was on the ground as she knelt in front of her. Begging for her to save her. The renowned first wife of the Second Prince who was known as an elegant and classy woman now pathetically knelt as she begged for her life.
Her clothes were torn, her hair was in a mess. But the worse was she had bruises all over her face and body.
"Carina, please… I beg you… Please help me…"
That was what her elder sister said as she tried to reach out to her. But
"Oh, you're Kendrick, right? Khalil's eldest son."Kendrick bowed his head, "Yes, Your Excellency.""Hmm. Why were you here? Were you perhaps bored so you came outside to stroll around?""Uh, yes…""So you were here."Kendrick snapped his head in the direction of the voice. It was his Uncle Santi. As he saw him wore formal Azenlan attire with those round eyeglasses, he somewhat doubted at first if he was truly the Uncle Santi that he knew of. But when he saw his nonchalance and laid-back expression and posture, he already knew it himself that it was truly the Uncle Santi that he knew."Oh? You were already here, Kendrick? I thought you'd at least formally meet my Minnie tomorrow."Although his Uncle Santi spoke to him, he walked in the direction of His Excellency Lorenzo and stretched his arms."Come here, baby."
Santi already knew how the former Emperor lusted over his wife Kristina. However, he did not do anything as his death would surely become Santi's burden. He didn't have any successor yet at that time. If Santi killed the former Emperor, he would be forced to inherit the throne which he found extremely troublesome. He wanted to live a leisure life; not a life that he would be buried in that paperwork.However, just because Santi spared his life, it didn't mean that he was done with settling the debt. Therefore, from time to time, he would mess with the former Emperor without anyone's knowledge.Furthermore, it wasn't only him. Even his wife Kristina would do the same thing. After all, she was the person that the former Emperor lusted after.Who, in their right mind, wouldn't be mad if they were being lusted by someone's spouse? Of course, Kristina was beyond furious when she found out the former Emperor's disgusting sta
"Kendrick already told me about what your Uncle Khalil proposed."Minerva paused from tying her tiger plushie's ribbon. She glanced at her father who was on the couch as both his hands held some papers. He pushed his eyeglasses as he looked at her."Did you want to visit the Toen Empire?"She tilted her head to the left side when she heard her father asked for her opinion. She thought that he referred to her Uncle Khalil's suggestion to celebrate her second birthday to the Toen Empire. But it seemed that he pertained to visit the Toen Empire and the places that her mother liked.Of course, she wanted to go! Aside from the fact that she could travel from different places, she could also have an opportunity to know her mother more.However…She peeked a glance at the papers that were in the chamber. It was already nighttime yet there were still a lot of papers
"Brother!"Kendrick moved a few steps backward when he saw his brother, Lincoln, ran in his direction right when he arrived in the Imperial Palace. He was just about to greet his Imperial Father and Imperial Mother yet he already saw his enthusiastic brother running to him. This was the first time that he was this enthusiastic on his return.Well, of course, he knew what made his brother enthusiastic. It was to interrogate him about their cousin, Minerva.When Kendrick thought of her, a gentle smile swung on his lips. Minerva was truly adorable. He wished that he could spend more time with her. Unfortunately, his visit to Azenla was only for a short time.Nevertheless, he need not worry any longer since after a month, Uncle Santi will visit the Toen Empire with Minerva. And he knew that they would stay longer as Minerva was interested to know more about her mother, Aunt Kristina."Br
"What was with your expressions?"Kendrick and Giovanni stiffened when they heard someone spoke behind them. When they turned around, it was none other than Emperor Khalil who donned at his formal Toen attire. His brows were arched glanced at the two of them.Behind him was a middle-aged-looking man whose looks didn't diminish despite his age. Furthermore, he looked gentle and approachable, unlike Emperor Khalil who looked strict and uptight.The middle-aged man was none other than Chancellor Percival Montmorency. He was the closest aide of Emperor Khalil from when he was just a Crown Prince until now."Greetings to the sun of Toen." Kendrick and Giovanni greeted."Greetings to Chancellor Montmorency."Chancellor Percy smiled and greeted them back. Emperor Khalil crossed his arm and glared intently at the two youths."Didn't I ask you? What w
"Your Highness, were you excited?"Although Shirley asked about excitement towards her, Minerva could see that she was more excited than anyone else.Elise shook her head helplessly as she combed Minerva's hair to tie it into a twin low ponytail."Between you and Her Highness, it was obvious that you were the more excited one," Elise commented as she tied the yellow butterfly clip on Minerva's hair. It was the same clip that her Aunt Maureen gifted her.Shirley pouted her lips but still put on Minerva's brown boots."Elise, you're teasing me. Indeed, I was excited. But not to the point of exaggeration like what you said!"Elise scowled at her but didn't say anything. After she was done tying Minerva's hair, Elise placed the turquoise necklace on her neck."Princess, you were too pretty! This servant was sure that His Majesty Khalil would take back
"Greetings to His Grace, the Duke of Ivrea and Her Highness Minerva. This one was–ehem!" Minerva just glanced at the guy coughing with pity. He seemed to choked on his saliva when he saw her father went down on the carriage with the clothes that he wore. Who wouldn't be? Her father was only on his freaking pajamas and robe! He just even wore a slipper! With the addition of his ruffled silver hair and droopy eyes, he looked like he just woke up. Look, even the maids in the Toen's Imperial Palace were blushing as they burrowed their heads on their chests. Whereas the knights tried to hide their shock with their serious faces. Minerva sighed. But soon after, she took her father's hand and also went down on the carriage. At least, she wore something that was according to the occasion they were in. Although this was what they called a "vacation", there was something political hidden
As her father and the nobles left the throne room, only Minerva, her Uncle Khalil, and her Brother Kendrick remained. "Hello, my little angel. Come to Uncle." Minerva beamed at her Uncle Khalil and ran wobbly in his direction. "Uncwur!" Her Uncle Khalil caught her in his arms and he planted a kiss on her cheek. "How were you, baby? Your Uncle missed you." "Hehe." She flushed a little as she hugged his neck. "Minnie misshed Uncwur too!" Her Uncle Khalil patted her back as she smiled softly at her. "Let's go. Your Aunt Leticia wanted to meet you so badly. Ever since I mentioned you to her, she couldn't stop babbling about how she wanted to meet you." "Weally?" "Of course!" Her Uncle Khalil reaffirmed. She smiled at him and glanced at her Brother Kendrick.