Chapter 25 & 26 : Friends Turn Foes
Emperor Augustus sat in his study room, surrounded by shelves of ancient tomes and scrolls. The warm glow of the candles cast a golden light on the room, and the soft scratching of his quill on parchment was the only sound that broke the silence. Astrid stood beside him, her eyes fixed on the floor, as instructed.
“Your Highness,” Astrid spoke, his voice low and cautious as the emperor looked up from his book.
“What is it, Astrid”
“erm, what are you going to do about the mistress since she is pregnant” he asked and Augustus exhaled.
“I really don’t know”.
“What about the slave” he asked.
“I really don’t know what to do Astrid, I’m confused” he replied.
“Maybe……” Astrid couldn’t complete it when a guard bursted in.
“Your highness” He knelt down and the emperor felt rage immediately.
“How dare you come in without permission” he spat with fury.
“Forgive me your highness, I just came to tell you that the mistress is bleeding” he said his eyes casted down.
“Bleeding” Emperor Augustus widened his eyes.
“Yes your highness”.
“Where is she” he asked.
“In her chamber, your highness”
Without another word, Emperor Augustus rose from his seat and strode out of the study room, his long robes flowing behind him. Astrid and the guard followed closely.
Esmeralda was unconscious as the physician treated her, she flinged her eyes open breathing heavily.
She held the physician tightly closer “how is my baby is he alright” she grabbed her dress tightly.
“Your highness…..”.
“How is my baby” Esmeralda yelled as the physician struggled to be free from her grip.
“He is not gone right” she panicked.
“Your highness………….you had a miscarriage” The physician dropped the bombshell and Esmeralda slowly released her and faced somewhere else with her mouth wide open.
She couldn’t speak for some minutes until she found her voice.
“Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh” She screamed.
Queen Nana rushed to the chamber and went to hold Esmeralda. “Calm down Esme” she urged her but she didn’t heed.
“I can’t mother, that slave killed my child…..the heir” she flared up.
“Just rest Esmeralda, you are losing your blood”.
“No mother, I can’t believe this…….my baby is gone” she cried loudly rubbing her empty stomach.
“It okay Esme, that slave won’t go Scot free….trust me” Queen Nana assured and Esmeralda nodded still weeping.
“Just rest…….I’ll be back. Don’t feel down” Queen Nana muttered and left the suite in a hurry.
Emperor Augustus came in next and she faced the ceiling.
“You’ve got what you wanted isn’t it” she mumbled sarcastically.
“Got what Esme, I never said you should abort it” he said defensely.
“You should punish that slave………she killed my baby” She flared up.
“She killed the heir, you’ll punish her right” she nodded to be sure he’ll do it.
“Esmeralda, just rest” he said but she refused.
“I knew you were going to support her, I’ve been with you for years but you never looked at me twice, that slave came a months aga and took you away from me…..I won’t take it..no I won’t” She Muttered.
“Punish her, your highness…….she is a murderer” she cried loudly.
Emperor Augustus didn’t say any more words as he left the suite.
Queen Nana stormed into the maids’ quarters, her entourage of maids trailing behind her. “Where is that killer, where is that slave?” she thundered, her eyes blazing with fury.
The maids cowered, pointing to Aurora, who stood in the corner, her head bowed. “You murderer, how dare you kill my grandchild?” Queen Nana spat, her voice venomous.
Aurora trembled, her eyes downcast. “I didn’t mean to, Your Highness. I swear, I didn’t touch her.”
Aurora breath increased, she didn’t touch the Mistress nor pushed her but she felt that something pushed her.
No one could take the blame except her?
“Guards” Queen Nana screamed.
“Your highness” they came towards her quickly.
“Take this filthy murderer to the dungeon, now” she ordered and Aurora’s eyes widened.
“Your highness, forgive me” she pleaded but it went on deaf ears.
“Take her away and give her 50 strokes on her bare back”.
The maids gasped in horror as Aurora pleaded for mercy, but Queen Nana was deaf to her cries. “Take her away!” she thundered and left the quarters.
👥 See her, Murderer.
👥 You better be careful around her, you might be her next target.
👥 God forbid.
👥 Serves her right, I just hate how she look.
Jade was speechless throughout, she couldn’t defend her friend as she is a maid, she shook her head and rushed out of the quarters.
👥 Look at her.
👥 A friend of a murderer is also a murderer” one of them said and they laughed.
Emperor Augustus stormed into Queen Nana’s chamber, his face dark with fury. He strode towards her, his long strides eating up the distance.
“What did you do, Mother?” he demanded, his voice low filled with fury.
Queen Nana stood her ground, her eyes flashing with defiance. “Isn’t it right, she killed my grandchild?” she flared up, her voice trembling with rage.
Augustus’s eyes narrowed. “You should have left it for me. I am the emperor.”
Queen Nana’s face reddened. “She is not even a princess, or a maid. She is a slave, and I can punish her as I see fit.”
Augustus’s jaw clenched. “You don’t have the right to punish her, Mother. I am the one who determines her fate.”
Queen Nana’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What has that slave done to you, Augustus? You are changing. Has she been giving you charms?”
Augustus’s face darkened. “No, Mother. Stop it. It’s unnecessary.”
Queen Nana’s voice rose. “That lady is just a lowly slave. Why do you care so much about her?”
Augustus’s eyes flashed. “She is not just a slave, Mother. She is special. Leave it at that.”
Queen Nana’s eyes widened, her mind racing with possibilities. “Augustus…”
But Augustus cut her off. “I don’t have anything else to say to you, Mother.” He turned and left her chamber, leaving Queen Nana speechless and seething with anger.
“That slave mush have charmed my son” She wondered.
The emperor has never talked to her that way, she paced around the room her mind racing with possibilities.
Did the goddess truly changed his fate? Then why is he not having an Empress yet ??
Emperor Augustus walked down the corridor with Astrid and some other guards by his side.
“Order her release, Astrid” he muttered and Astrid bowed.
“Yes your highness” he muttered and turned back going down to the dungeon.
Aurora’s body trembled, her muscles strained against the ropes that bound her to the pole. Her eyes were red and puffy, her face streaked with tears and sweat. Her hair was a tangled mess, her back exposed and vulnerable. The symbol of the moon on her back seemed to glow in the dim light of the dungeon, but the guards were oblivious to its significance.
Just as the guards raised their thorny sticks to strike, Astrid burst into the dungeon, his voice booming through the cavernous space. “Stop!” he ordered, his eyes blazing with authority.
“Why commander” A guard asked.
“Release her” Astrid muttered, his voice firm.
The guards hesitated, their sticks hovering in mid-air. “But Queen Mother ordered us to…” Another one of them ventured, his voice laced with defiance.
Astrid’s face darkened. “Do you want to defy His Highness’s order and get killed?” he growled, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
The guards exchanged nervous glances, then dropped their sticks and stepped back. “Yes, Commander,” they muttered in unison.
Astrid strode forward, his eyes fixed on Aurora’s pale body. He reached out and gently untied the ropes that bound her to the pole. Aurora collapsed forward, her body weak and limp. Astrid caught her, his arms wrapping around her like a shield.
He drew a cloth from his shoulder and wrapped it around her, covering her exposed body. Then, he scooped her up in his arms and turned to leave the dungeon. The guards parted, their eyes downcast, as Astrid carried Aurora out of the darkness and into the light.
Sapphire paced around her chamber, her eyes fixed on the game board in front of her.
She was waiting for Jade to join her, but her friend was nowhere to be found. “Where could they be?” she pouted, walking to the window to gaze out at the scattered landscape.
“Is something happening” she muttered to no one in particular.
Immediately the door creaked open and Astrid entered her chamber as her face fell.
“What are you doing here” she asked.
“I just came to……”.
“Don’t say anything, go meet your partner, I’m sure she’s expecting you” she spat still angry at what Astrid did with Zara.
Astrid raised an eyebrow suspiciously “are you jealous” he asked.
“No I’m not jealous, why will I be…..go” she lied, feigning ignorance.
“Yes you are, you won’t be telling me to leave if you are not” he mouthed.
“Whatever” she rolled her eyes sitting as her gaze locked with Astrid.
“What are you waiting for, I didn’t call you here” She muttered.
“Nothing” he flashed her a smile and she blinked.
“Does he smile this much” she said inwardly as she scoffed loudly.
“What did you say” He asked and she frowned.
“Why do you want to know” She glared as he walked towards her window.
“Leave Astrid, I didn’t call you here”
“Let play games today, I’m free” he muttered on seeing the game on her table.
“Someone else is playing with me, leave” she said dragging him away from window
But instead of leaving, Astrid stumbled, and they both fell onto the bed together. Sapphire’s eyes widened in surprise, her face flushing with embarrassment.
At that period, the door twitched open slowly!!!!!
✨ HUAXIA KINGDOM ✨
Emperor Sebastian’s eyes narrowed, his mind racing with strategies and tactics as he sat on his throne, his fingers hitting against the armrest.
Just as he was about to summon his personal guard, Atlas came into the throne room, his face set in a determined expression.
“Is the barrier still there?” Sebastian asked, his voice laced with annoyance.
Atlas’s gaze never wavered. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
Sebastian’s eyes flashed with suspicion. “Why not? Or do you have an ulterior motive?” He muttered and Atlas glared at him.
“How dare……..”
Atlas’s eyes darkened, his jaw clenched in anger. “Sebastian. I’m not your servant. I can end you here and now if I choose to.”
Sebastian stood still, his heart racing with a mix of fear and anger. He knew better than to push Atlas too far. He had the powers he’s supposed to have.
Atlas’s anger seemed to dissipate as quickly as it had flared up. “A spy is in the palace,” he muttered, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.
“A spy” Sebastian’s eyes widened, his mind racing with the implications. A spy in Augustus’s kingdom? This was the break they needed, the chance to finally overthrow him.
“He has a motive of being In the palace which is to take revenge for his sister” Atlas said, his voice tremendous.
“We’ll use him to discover any other weakness Augustus has, apart from the moon cycle,” he added.
“Who is he” Emperor Sebastian asked.
“You don’t have to know, I’ll take care of it” Atlas snapped.
“Shouldn’t I know about it”
Atlas expression never wavered, his face set in a determined expression.
“I’ll take care of it. But remember, Sebastian, you owe me. And I’ll collect my debt soon enough.”
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications. He didn’t like being in debt to anyone, especially not giving Aurora to Atlas.
But he had no choice. He needed Atlas’s help if he was going to defeat Augustus.
“When should we strike?” Sebastian asked, his voice laced with anticipation.
Atlas’s eyes gleamed with a fierce light. “Soon. And we mustn’t fail this time.”
With that, Atlas vanished, leaving Sebastian to ponder the implications of his words. Emperor Sebastian folded his fists angrily, his mind racing with the possibilities. He was getting tired of Atlas’s games, but he knew he had to play along if he wanted to achieve his goals.
“He’s getting on my nerves,” Sebastian muttered to himself, his eyes flashing with anger. But he knew he had to keep his cool if he wanted to emerge victorious in the end.
✨ YONGJING KINGDOM ✨
Aurora slowly entered the chamber her head casted downwards. Her head was filled with different thought of why the emperor called for her.
Maybe he wants to question me?? She wondered.
“My Lord, I’m here” she mumbled her voice barely above whispers.
Emperor Augustus turned from the window, his eyes narrowing as he took in her pale complexion.
“You pushed her, didn’t you” he asked and she gulped down nothing.
“It not intentional, my Lord” She swallowed hard.
“I believe you” he muttered and she looked up surprisingly.
“Others might not but I do” he repeated and she became speechless.
Aurora’s eyes locked onto his, her mind reeling with disbelief. She hadn’t expected him to believe her so easily.
He took slow strides towards her, grasped her shoulders and she gasped.
What was he gonna do??
He draw her blouse in her shoulder down revealing the moon symbol.
“Did anyone else see this” he asked and she bit her lips. She touch the part where she felt a symbol on her back rubbing it.
“I don’t know what this means, it appeared on my back last night” she replied.
“You haven’t seen it” he asked and she nodded.
“It a moon symbol” he said and her hand went to it again as she caress it.
It the moon symbol??
“Do you know what this means” He asked and she shook her head, her eyes locked into his.
He kissed it and she felt both goosebumps and shivers run down her spine. The emperor fixed her blouse back and she blinked.
Why is he being gentle these days? Did someone tame the devil??
Astrid entered the chamber and he turned.
“Greetings your highness” He bowed his head.
“What news is it Astrid”.
“The elders are waiting for you in the throne room, you reschedule the meeting last week” He informed.
“Ok, I’ll be there in few minutes” Emperor Augustus replied and Astrid bowed then left.
Emperor Augustus walked into his inner chamber leaving Aurora waiting for him.
He soon came out in another attire, the robe lace still loose. He came closer to her and stretched his hands sideways.
“Tie the robe laces for me” he said and she blinked.
Why does she likes blinking??
Aurora clamps her lips together and moved closer to him tying the robe lace slowly till she was done.
“Done, My Lord” she mumbled.
“Don’t go anywhere, wait here till I’m back” he instructed and she nodded.
“Yes, My Lord” she muttered.
Surprisingly, he hugged her tightly feeling her warmth as she became breathless in his embrace.
“I’ll miss you” he blurted without thinking and her heart skipped a beat.
Aurora’s eyes widened, her mind reeling with shock. Miss her? What did he mean? He was the emperor, and she was just a slave. He had power over her, control over her life. Why would he miss her??
Chapter 27 & 28 : Secrets of the Past
✨Her Lord ✨
Aurora’s eyes widened, her mind reeling with shock. Miss her? What did he mean? He was the emperor, and she was just a slave. He had power over her, control over her life. Why would he miss her??
His hands found his way into her blouse and she felt a spark immediately his hands came in contact with her boobs. Her n**ples responded to his touch as it arouse hardened.
He grabbed her boobs rubbing the nples gently and she closed her eyes in pleasure. “My Lord…..the.. meeting” she stuttered. “It can wait” he muttered and he removed her blouse in a blink capturing her nples in his mouth.
“Ahhhhh” she moaned loudly as her hands made it way to his hair grabbing it.
He sucked her hard rubbing the other nple with his second hand. He gave her a bite in her nples and she trembled greatly, breathlessly.
“Your highness, the elders are getting impatient” A guard announced from outside and he stopped.
Her blouse appeared back on her body as she exhaled greatly, he just made her breathless.
“Don’t go anywhere till I’m back” he muttered and she looked away nodding slowly.
He chuckled and left.
She inhaled and exhaled loudly “what just happened” she said, her voice barely above whispers.
She actually enjoyed what he did and she wants more.
“Stop thinking dirty Aurora” she hit her head.
The throne room was filled with tension as the ministers gathered around Emperor Augustus, their faces etched with concern. “Your Highness, this is getting out of hand,” one of them ventured, his voice trembling slightly.
Augustus’s brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing. “What are you talking about?” he demanded, his voice low and menacing.
The minister swallowed hard before speaking. “The mysterious occurrences, we reported to you last week, but you weren’t listening and you reschedule it.”
Augustus’s gaze intensified, his jaw clenched. “What occurrences?”
Another minister stepped forward, his eyes darting nervously around the room. “A mysterious man has been raiding our kingdom every night, killing our citizens. We don’t know who he is or what his motive is, but the death toll is rising by the day.”
Augustus’s face darkened, his voice dripping with rage. “A mysterious man, killing my people?”
The ministers nodded in unison, their faces pale. “Yes, Your Highness. We’ve tried everything to stop him, but he seems to vanish into thin air.”
Augustus’s fists clenched, his eyes blazing with determination.”Whoever he is, he has a motive for killing the citizens. ” Another minister said.
Minister Leong stepped forward, his voice laced with worry. “But, Your Highness, this is a dangerous situation. We don’t know what we’re up against.”
Augustus’s gaze locked onto Leong, his voice firm. “I’ll face him myself. You don’t have to worry about it.”
The ministers exchanged nervous glances, but Augustus’s determination was unwavering. He stood up, his presence commanding attention and others stood too.
“Long Live his highness!!!”
Esmeralda’s room was in disarray, her belongings scattered all over the floor. She sat in the midst of the chaos, her body shaking with sobs.
“Why me!!!” she wailed, her voice hoarse from crying. “My baby…my precious baby…” She muttered as she clutched her stomach.
“Arghhhhhhhhhh” she threw away the cosmetics that was on her table angrily as it crashed on the floor.
“I swear to Gawd, she’ll pay with her life” she yelled “she’ll pay”.
Sage entered the chamber and gasped on seeing the scattered room.
“My lady!!” She exclaimed walking towards her.
“Don’t out,…out!!!” She yelled angrily.
“The makeup artist is here” she informed.
“I don’t want anyone here….Out sage” She thundered, her eyes blazing with anger.
Sage didn’t need to be told twice. She quickly retreated from the room, leaving Esmeralda to her grief.
She bent on the floor crying profusely, her eyes caught a bottle on the corner of the lounge and she stopped crying as her shoulders dropped.
She crawled to it and picked it up scanning the substance maybe it still intact.
She wiped her tears opening the bottle to see the substance remaining, her trembling lips curved into a sly smirk immediately.
“I guess I’ll just have to use this again, I must get pregnant once again” she muttered to no one in particular.
Aurora’s eyelids drooped, her body surrendering to the exhaustion that had been building up. She had been waiting for what felt like hours, but the emperor was nowhere to be seen. She had tried to stay awake, but her eyes had betrayed her, closing shut despite her best efforts.
When she finally opened them again, she was greeted by the same empty room. She yawned loudly, stretching her arms above her head. The silence was deafening, and she found herself wishing for some kind of distraction.
With a sigh, she got up from the bed and made her way to the window. She pushed aside the curtains, letting the sunlight stream in. The view outside was bustling with activity. Maids and guards scurried about, going about their tasks. Aurora watched them for a moment, her mind numb.
But as the minutes ticked by, she realized that she couldn’t just stand there forever. She needed to do something, anything, to take her mind off the emperor’s absence.
“Maybe I should go see the princess,” she mumbled to herself, her voice barely audible.
Aurora turned away from the window and made her way out of the chamber.
Astrid quickly stood up as Aurora came in.
“I’ll be going princess” he twitched his lips and slowly walked out of the chamber.
Aurora’s eyes narrowed as she watched him leave, her mind wondering what he was doing in the princess’s chambers. She turned to Sapphire, who was sitting on the bed, a sly smile spreading across her face.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Aurora,” Sapphire said, gesturing for her to come closer. “Come join me.”
Aurora’s eyes locked onto Sapphire’s, her mind sensing something was off. “What is a guard doing in your chamber?” she asked, her voice firm.
Sapphire’s smile faltered for a moment before she recovered. “I just sent him on an errand,” she said, her voice dripping with innocence.
But Aurora wasn’t buying it. “You don’t have to lie, I can sense something between you two,” she said, her eyes narrowing.
Sapphire’s face turned bright as she realized she had been caught. “Fine, you caught me!” she exclaimed, throwing up her hands. “He’s a friend, that’s all.”
Aurora raised an eyebrow, her mind skeptical. “A friend, just a friend?” she repeated, her voice laced with doubt.
But Sapphire just laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Forget about that, come let’s play,” she said, pulling Aurora down onto the bed.
“I heard some commotion outside, hope it’s not related to you,” Sapphire ask, her voice dripping with concern.
Aurora’s eyes dropped, her mind racing with the events of the past few hours. “Erm, the mistress lost her baby,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
But instead of sympathy, Sapphire’s face lit up with excitement. “Yayyyyy, finally, she deserves it!” she exclaimed, jumping up and down on the bed.
Aurora’s eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with Sapphire’s reaction. “Aren’t you supposed to feel pity?” she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
But Sapphire just shrugged, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Sympathy, you mean? I can never feel that for her.”
“That bad of you”.
“More than that, how did she lost it” she wondered.
“I accidentally pushed her, it wasn’t my faults” Aurora explained her voice low barely above whispers.
“Seriously” Sapphire eyes gleamed “you did well” She hugged her.
“Why don’t you want her to carry the Emperor’s child or don’t you want him to have an heir” Aurora asked.
” I do but not from her. Maybe………you” She blurted and Aurora was taken aback by what she said.
She looked down at her stomach.
Sapphire sat back beside her “You see, the emperor isn’t the devil you guys think….he was once carefree”.
“What made him like that” Aurora asked.
“He and Atlas were close to each other until the throne drama came up. The goddess chose the emperor instead of Atlas which made him Leave” she muttered as Aurora listened attentively.
“I don’t know if I should tell you this but he….he is cursed” she dropped and Aurora gasped.
“Cursed….why”
“Because of our forefathers treasury”.
“What is the curse about” Aurora asked wanting to know more.
“He’ll never find true love not even the chosen empress” she mumbled.
“I heard is only the maiden who bears the mark of the moon that can break the curse” she blurted and Aurora eyes widened.
Her hands made it way to her back as her mouth were wide open.
The Moon symbol is at her back? Does that mean she is the One? Is that why the emperor is Changing? Strange??
“That why Mistresses became the Empress since then even the queen mother was once a Mistress, but I don’t want Esmeralda to be the empress” she held Aurora’s hands.
“What do you want me to do” She asked curiously.
“Make him fall in love with you, I want that curse to be broken in his generation” she blurted making Aurora speechless.
“If you do, Esmeralda will stay away or rather leave…….can you do this for me huh” Sapphire pleaded, her eyes were filled sincerity.
Atlas paced in the secret hideout, his eyes fixed on the door as he waited for the someone to arrive. He had been waiting for what felt like an eternity.
Finally, the door creaked open and a figure clad in a mask slipped inside. “What took you so long?” Atlas demanded, his voice low and urgent.
The masked figure shrugged, his voice hoarse as he replied, “I don’t want any trace of my presence here. I had to be careful.”
Atlas’s eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. “So, did you find anything?” he asked, his voice laced with anticipation.
The masked figure hesitated, his eyes darting around the room before responding, “How do you expect me to find anything easily when I’m not even close to the emperor?”
Atlas’s face darkened, his anger simmering just below the surface. “Then move closer to him already, don’t take my time,” he flared up, his voice echoing off the walls.
The masked figure took a step back, his eyes flashing with defiance. “Why do you want to know his weakness, Atlas?” he asked, his voice laced with suspicion. “Do you also want the emperor’s downfall?”
Atlas’s eyes blazed with anger, his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Shut it or else I’ll tell everyone who you are and your motive in this palace,” he growled, his voice menacing.
But the masked figure didn’t back down, his eyes glinting with a knowing light.
“I can also tell everyone about how you aligned with Emperor Sebastian to dethrone Emperor Augustus,” he snapped, his voice dripping with malice.
“Am I not right, you two are planning something?” He added.
Atlas’s eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling with the implications. How did this man know? Had he been stalking him?.
But he quickly regained his composure.
The figure narrowed as he muttered, “Never mind. I only have an idea to get him into your hold.”
Atlas raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with curiosity. “Which is…?”
The masked man eyes gleamed with a sinister light. “His slave, Aurora. He cares more about her than anyone else. Isn’t it fascinating?” He chuckled loudly
Aurora was walking through the corridor down to the Emperor’s chamber, her mind was still filled with thought of what Sapphire explained earlier.
She felt both tired and dizzy as she dragged her legs.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her forcefully into a dimly lit room. She came face to face with Atlas, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.
“What are you doing, my prince?” she asked, trying to hide the fear from her voice.
Atlas’s response was a low mutter. “What I should have done from the beginning.”
Aurora tried to struggle, but his grip only tightened. “Let me go,” she pleaded, but he ignored her. He loosen up her blouse and her eyes widened as he gripped her tighter.
“Let me go” she yelled but he ignored it. “Let me go” she screamed using force to push him and he fled across the wall hitting his back on it.
She breath heavily turning back to run away but Atlas sped to her furiously grabbing her again more tightly.
“I guess your powers are unlocked just like Sebastian said” he snared and she shivered.
What powers? She has powers? How is he connected to her father?
She wondered as different thought ran through her mind.
“You can’t run away from me……you’ll be mine” he snorted as she struggled to move away from his grip but he was too strong.
“Let me go……I can’t do this” she muttered knowing he was trying to take advantage of her.
“Of course you will, pretty” he snapped.
“Help” she screamed loudly and Atlas covered her mouth with his hand tightly. “Don’t you dare” he thundered.
She tried to remove his hands from her mouth but she couldn’t. He dragged her towards the bed pushing her on it.
“Augustus is too stingy, he doesn’t want to share you with me but I’ll have you whether you like it or not” he growled as he moved towards her.
“No, don’t come close, help” she Shouted but he moved closer, a name came to her mind and she screamed out loud.
“My Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Chapter 29 & 30 : Test of Loyalty
✨ IN LOVE WITH HER ✨
Aurora screamed, her voice echoing off the walls. “My Lord!!!!!!!!” she cried, her heart racing with fear.
Atlas held her mouth, his eyes blazing with anger. He was about to tear off her dress when a sudden force sent him crashing into the wall, shaking the room. “Arghhhhhhh” Atlas growled, stumbling to his feet.
Emperor Augustus face came to view and Aurora Inhaled and Exhaled loudly.
“How dare you touch her” Emperor Augustus thundered rushing to him giving him multiple blows on his face.
Atlas laughed darkly as blood filled his face. “Isn’t she a slave, why do you care”.
Emperor Augustus placed one of his legs on his chest tightening his sword on his neck.
“You have the gut to touch her” he growled.
“you don’t want to share her with me, isn’t that selfish”.
“I don’t share what mine” he thundered grabbed his neck up tightly.
“You’ll have to face this Atlas, I would have killed you if not for the blood that we shared”
“Then kill me,…kill me huh…. isn’t that….what you…want, I should….go out of….your life” Atlas stuttered and Augustus gripped his neck more tightly.
“You just made your punishment increase Astrid” Emperor Augustus yelled.
With a sudden movement, Augustus threw Atlas across the room, the other man crashing into the wall with a cry of pain. “Arghhhhhh”
Emperor Augustus walked for him again unsheathing his sword wanting to use it to hit his arm but Atlas dodge it skillfully.
He rolled and stood up quickly.
Aurora heart was racing in fear as she was worried about Augustus.
What if he gets hurt??
She couldn’t do do anything as she was weak watching the two men.
“I sense some dark powers eminating from you, where did you get it”
Atlas chuckled darkly “You don’t have to know Augustus, your doom is coming” he spat.
Emperor Augustus sped to him and grabbed his neck again sending him flying across the wall, this time more painful.
“Arghhhhh” Augustus stretched his hands towards him as black flame eminate from him. He sealed his powers so he wouldn’t use it on anyone as Atlas coughed repeatedly.
Guards came into the dimly room on sensing the commotion.
“Take him to the darkest and deepest dungeon, I’ll decide on what to do with him later” he commanded and the guards rushed and took the wounded Atlas outside.
“My Lord” Aurora weak voice came and Augustus turned to her.
“I thought I told you not to go out of my chamber” he said, his voice rising and firm.
She bowed her head biting her lips in regret.
She shouldn’t have gone out? She already made the two brothers fight all because of her??
“Stop thinking” his expression softened and she looked up to see him in front of her.
“Let go” he muttered, his voice stern and she slowly crept away from the bed walking towards him.
She suddenly felt her eyes heavy as it rolled backwards and her legs weak, in a blink she lost her balance falling slowly.
Emperor Augustus caught her before she could fall on the ground. Her touch her forehead and noticed her temperature higher than normal, her face pale and weak.
He carried her unconscious body and vanished!!.
The maids were cleaning up the scattered trash as Esmeralda came out of her bathroom.
“Aren’t you done yet?” she yelled, her voice echoing off the walls.
“What are you all still doing, sluggishly?”
The maids cowered in fear, their eyes downcast. One of them, a timid-looking girl, spoke up. “But, My lady, we just started…”
Esmeralda’s gaze snapped to the maid, her eyes narrowing. “You dare talk back to me?” she sneered.
The maid trembled as she knelt down immediately. “N-no, My lady, I was just saying…”
Esmeralda’s face twisted in rage. She took fast strides towards the maid, her hand raised.
Her hand soon came down, slapping the maid soundly across the face.
The other maids gasped, their eyes wide with fear. “Saying what?” Esmeralda spat.
“It seems you don’t like being here…Sage!!” she called out.
Sage appeared immediately, her eyes downcast. “Yes, My lady?”
Esmeralda’s gaze never left the maid. “Get this thing out of my sight,” she growled.
The maid stood up hastily. She followed Sage out of the room, her head bowed.
Esmeralda turned to the remaining maids, her eyes flashing. “Do you still need your lives?” she spat.
The maids cowered in fear, their eyes downcast. They continued working, their movements quick and silent.
Sage returned immediately, her eyes downcast. “My lady?”
Esmeralda’s gaze never left the maids. “Get the makeup artist here, I need to meet the Emperor” she ordered, her voice firm.
Sage hesitated, her eyes flicking to the maids. “But, My lady, you told me to send her away…”
Esmeralda’s eyes narrowed “And I’m saying, call her back…do you want me to do something you’ll regret for the rest of your life?”
Sage paled, her eyes wide with fear. She bowed quickly, her voice trembling. “Yes, My lady.”
“The mistress is really cold today” She mumbled under her breath.
Augustus appeared in his chamber dropping Aurora on the bed slowly.
He touched her forehead and noticed it still burning continuously.
Astrid came into the chamber immediately.
“Greetings your highness” he casted his head down.
“Get the physician, immediately” Emperor Augustus voice came firmly.
“Yes, your highness” Astrid bowed again leaving the chamber afterwards.
Emperor Augustus walked to his kitchen and got a bowl of cool water and and towel soaking it wet before placing it on her forehead.
He sighed.
Sapphire walked towards the palace field, her heart beating with excitement. She had been craving apples all day and had decided to meet Astrid to help her pluck some from the trees in the garden.
She walked down the field to see guards busy with Archery’s or sword fighting.
Her eyes scanned the field until it landed on Astrid and Zara together and she scoffed.
It went to the extent that Zara pecked Astrid and she felt a thorn pierced into her chest hurtly as pang of jealously filled her.
“Astrid” she called lowly battling her eyelashes.
As if he heard her, he turned to see her and he pushed Zara away from himself running towards her.
Sapphire didn’t wait as walked away cleaning the tears that is forcing to drop off.
Astrid got to her and grabbed her hands, she yanked it off immediately.
“What do you want” she asked sternly glaring at him.
“Why are you crying” he asked, concern visible on his face.
“Just leave me alone and go meet her” she sniffed trying to compose herself.
Astrid chuckled on hearing it “wait! Don’t tell me you are jealous” he raised a brow.
“Why would I be” she squeezed her face folding her arms under her boobs.
“Your expression says otherwise, you are” he smiled and she rolled her eyes.
“Whatever, I need to go” she turned to walk away but he pulled her back close to himself closing the space. His hand on her waist.
Sapphire gasped as their face was an inch away from each other. She could feel his warm breath fanning her face as she was breathless.
Their eyes were locked on each other.
“What….are…you…. doing” she stuttered as she found her voice and he let out a smile.
His eyes were on her wet lips, as it looked fresh and pretty red.
“Can I borrow your lips for a moment” he asked and her eyes almost popped out of it’s socket.
The physician eyes were widened as she looked at Aurora who was awake already.
She scanned her surrounding and it landed on the physician.
“What am I doing here” she asked.
“Calm down” the physician laid her back on the bed.
“How did you get pregnant” She asked and Aurora gasped.
“Pregnant, I’m really pregnant” she widened her eyes and the physician nodded.
“You are indeed pregnant. And from the looks of it, you’re quite far along.”
“Oh no!!!” She sat and walked away from the bed going out of the chamber as the physician followed.
Aurora went out to see Queen Nana in front of her and she froze on her spot.
What is the Queen Mother doing here?
Queen Nana looked at her irritatingly with disdain scanning her from up to down.
“What are you doing here” she asked and the physician cane out too.
Aurora’s eyes dropped, her gaze fixed on the floor. She was speechless, unable to respond.
“Who are you to my son, huh” she added and Aurora gulped as she was trembling.
Her heart raced as she breathing rapid. She couldn’t respond, her voice caught in her throat.
“Answer me” Queen Nana half yelled and Aurora breath increased.
What was she going to say?
Queen Nana shifted her attention to the physician. “Is she sick” she asked her.
“I think so Queen Mother, she’s pregnant” she dropped the bombshell and everyone there gasped even the guards.
Aurora closed her eyes tightly as she bit her lips gently. She stood still not being able to move.
“Pregnant, how can a slave be pregnant….that impossible” She ranted.
“you slave, how did you get pregnant” She yelled at Aurora and her heartbeat rose rapidly as if it want to rip off her body.
Esmeralda walked towards them with sage beside her.
“Mother, what’s happening here” she asked Queen Nana.
“This trash……this thing here has gotten pregnant” she replied and Esmeralda eyes almost popped out of its socket.
“Pregnant, impossible……a slave can’t be pregnant” she muttered as she thought of the complications it could cause.
If she keeps the baby, there might be possibility that Aurora will become the empress and she can’t just sit and watch them be together. No, Never??.
Esmeralda clenched her fist tightly.
Aurora eyes were dripping as tears fell off her eyes. How did she get herself into this mess??
“How did you get pregnant, you murderer….how” she yelled furiously marching towards her to hit her.
“You killed mine but you kept yours” Esmeralda felt hitting her.
“I….” Aurora wanted to speak.
“Mother” Emperor Augustus walked towards them interrupting Aurora.
“Can you please tell me who this slave is to you” She asked.
Emperor Augustus and Aurora exchange glances, she badly wants to know who she is to him.
To everyone surprise, he moved closer to her and held her hand.
“Why are you holding her?” Esmeralda exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief.
Emperor Augustus’s smile was gentle. “Because I’m in love with her,” he dropped, his voice firm and resolute.
“What! A slave….how could you stoop that low” Queen Nana exclaimed.
“Enough Mother, because as from today, she won’t be a slave anymore but the Emperor’s bride” He smiled making Esmeralda and Queen Nana shocked the more.
Aurora faced Emperor Augustus as their eyes met, he smiled at her and kissed the back of her hand, she felt some sparks ignited inside her immediately he did.
Esmeralda felt her world slipping slowly as she fell.
“The MISTRESS is falling!!!!!!” A maid screamed.