My room, the one I had recently chosen with my fiancé, was my sanctuary, my own little world. Everything here spoke of tranquility—the soft glow of candles danced across the golden patterns on the wallpaper, and the green drapes at the windows swayed gently in the evening breeze. On the table sat a vase of wildflowers, their scent filling the air with hints of summer and freedom.
I stood before a tall mirror in an ornate frame, gazing at my reflection.
My dress was designed to blend majesty with elegance. It was a soft beige that faded into a rich green, evoking forest clearings bathed in sunlight. Intricate golden embroidery adorned the bodice and waistband, giving it a royal opulence, and right there on the belt hung my small pouch. Though it looked modest with its smooth leather and subtle gold trim, it possessed an incredible magical property: it could hold far more than its size suggested.
The sheer sleeves, light as spider silk, cascaded down to my wrists, adding a touch of ethereality to the gown.
The hem flowed gracefully across the floor, the golden threads in the embroidery shimmering in the candlelight, making me feel surrounded by a radiant glow. It was both elegant and practical—perfect for my position and the challenges that lay ahead.
My long, chestnut curls tumbled over my shoulders in soft waves, and my green eyes completed the look.
Suddenly, in the reflection, I noticed something odd. A shadow flitted through the hallway. It seemed familiar. Something about its shape, its movement, the way it appeared and vanished, made me freeze.
My heart skipped a beat, then pounded faster. Was it just my imagination? A trick of light and shadow, or fatigue? But deep inside, something screamed: check it out.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The room suddenly felt stifling, the coziness gone, along with my confidence. I approached the door cautiously, peering into the dim corridor. Thoughts raced through my mind. If it was him… No, it couldn’t be. But if it really was him, I had to be ready.
Seeing my fiercest enemy in the halls of the Septem Empire left me speechless for a moment. What was he doing here? Had he come to ruin my ascension?
To become Empress, I had to pass seven trials in seven different realms. The only way to reach these realms was through the portal arch; there was no other way, unfortunately. The seven kingdoms were separated by oceans and a magical barrier that prevented passage by land, air, or sea transport. In the center of these worlds lay the island that ruled over the seven kingdoms, known as the Empire. That’s where I was now, where my home was.
Without a second thought, ignoring my ceremonial dress, I ran toward the intruder and caught him off guard.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded, pinning King Varion Draxel of Superbia against the wall.
I held a small dagger to his throat. My dagger.
“Alicia Laurent,” he said in a low, velvety voice laced with royal authority, as if our encounter was part of some long-planned play. His proud gaze swept over me, taking in every detail. “Glad to see you again. How long has it been? Twelve years? Maybe more…” He tilted his head slightly, as if recalling something pleasant, and the corner of his mouth twitched faintly. “I remember you at ten, always trailing after Adelia, even though she didn’t really want you around. I thought you’d stay that middle sister in the shadows. But now…” He paused for emphasis, “You’ve become so… majestic.”
Long ago, when I was a child, Varion and his father often teleported to the imperial palace. My late older sister, Adelia, and Varion were the same age, and they were always getting into wild adventures together. I wanted to join them, but to them, I was just a useless little kid. A burden. That was back when my father was still alive. But after both our fathers passed away, all that friendship faded. Varion became king and started weaving intrigues against the Empire behind its back.
“What are you doing here, Varion?” I remembered from childhood how he could twist words to confuse me.
He just smiled.
King Varion Draxel of Superbia had a magnetic presence, with dark hair always neatly combed back, and sharp, aristocratic features. His posture was always straight, exuding majesty and self-assurance.
True to form, Varion was dressed in luxurious dark fabrics. Black silk embroidered with gold, a cloak of deep crimson velvet trimmed with fur.
“Liso, I am still the King of Superbia, master of portals,” he finally said, raising his hand to show me the portal ring, the symbol of his title, so I could see it near the dagger. “And tonight, you’re about to use one of my finest creations.”
“I swear to you, Varion, if anything goes wrong, I’ll find you…”
The King of Superbia suddenly twisted my arm and, with one fluid, practiced motion, pressed me against the cold stone wall that was part of the Empire’s grand architecture. His strong, merciless hands held mine easily, leaving no chance for escape.
“You don’t have the strength to fight me,” he whispered, but his voice filled the space around us. A cold glint flashed in his blue eyes, making me shiver. “Do you really think you can threaten me?” I felt his hot breath on my skin, and at the same time, I realized the vast chasm between us. “You have fire in you, Liso. I see it in your eyes. But there’s one catch,” he leaned closer to my cheek, his body touching mine. “You lack experience.”
“That’s just a matter of time,” I replied, my voice trembling like the wind before a storm, from both excitement and the outrageously close contact.
I could feel his lips curve into a smile against my body.
“One word from me, and this whole ascension circus ends. No more true Empresses. And you know that, so let’s pretend this conversation never happened…”
In the distance, we heard footsteps approaching. We both glanced toward the sound. The King of Superbia’s hands released me, and he vanished suddenly, as if the conversation had truly never taken place.
From the Author:
Varion Draxel