Chapter 1

"After carefully considering your words, I have made a decision."

As Ratil spoke, the hall fell deathly silent. The golden crown on her head, the magnificent red cloak over her shoulders, and the luxurious scepter in her hand—Ratil could feel the weight of every gaze. She was now the Empress. No one who had once pointed fingers at her could now openly defy her. Standing at the highest point, Ratil felt a surge of pleasure. Hysins... you bastard. Is this the feeling that made you leave me?

"Your words are correct. The stability of the royal family comes from solid successors. I understand your advice to quickly welcome a consort."

A faint smile played on the lips of the Duke of Artax. He had long supported Ratil and secured his position as a trusted advisor. He was confident that Ratil would mention his son, Lanamun. Lanamun was perfect in every way—his lineage, his appearance, his abilities, and even his father was a trusted advisor. Who else could be the consort of this young Empress besides Lanamun? The Duke of Artax wore a victorious smile, the other ministers looked pleased but slightly disappointed, and the opposing forces and neutral factions wore bitter expressions.

"Thus, I have decided to first bring in some concubines."

The words that came from the Empress's mouth shattered their expectations instantly. The Duke, who had been smiling, and the other ministers, who had various expressions, all looked at Ratil with the same bewildered faces. Concubines? And not just one, but several? No one could immediately understand what she meant. Ratil kindly explained it to them again.

"First, I will bring in about five."

The hall, which had been deathly silent, erupted into noise. Everyone was surprised by the unexpected words of the new Empress and began to murmur. Bringing in five concubines? It was unthinkable. The Duke of Artax was flabbergasted and opposed.

"Throughout history, there have been few Empresses, and they all had only one consort. While there were many rumored lovers, no one ever openly brought in concubines. Why...?"

"Renowned as a pure romantic, the 5th Emperor Trashi had five concubines, and the 11th Emperor Aint had six. On average, emperors had about fifteen concubines. Some particularly promiscuous emperors had over twenty."

"But...!"

"Why can't I have concubines when others have had them? I, too, must have at least five concubines like the emperors of the past."

The ministers' mouths dropped open. They looked at the Empress, who declared she would establish a harem, in a state of panic. Ratil scanned the shocked nobles and curled her lips in a mocking smile.

"Didn't the ministers always argue that to maintain a balance of power, an Empress must have other concubines to prevent the maternal relatives from becoming too powerful?"

Everyone fell silent. She was right. Not only them, but all ministers throughout history had made such arguments. Ratil added with a playful smile.

"Wouldn't it be better for you if I have several concubines? That way, you could compete to have your daughter become the Empress's consort, right?"

This time, the reactions were divided. The Duke of Artax's face twisted even more, while the opposition's faces, which had been twisted, relaxed slightly. Indeed, if the Empress only had one consort, the consort would undoubtedly be the Duke's son. But if the Empress brought in several concubines... perhaps they, too, would have a chance to grasp the reins of power. If a successor were born from the Empress and one of them...! The ministers' eyes began to gleam with greed, and Ratil smiled inwardly.

'Hysins. I will also send envoys to your country to select my concubines. This time, choose the men who will be mine with your own hands. It's your turn to feel the same despair I felt. You, too.'

In the year 517 of the Hwaric calendar, the first year of Emperor Latrasil Tarium's reign. The harem was announced.

* * *

In the year 511 of the Hwaric calendar, the Crown Prince of the Tarium Empire was Ratil's older brother, Leen. Leen was a prince adored by all nobles and expected by all citizens, and his mother was a noble-born Empress, making his path clear and secure.

"If he becomes Emperor, he will be the greatest ruler, and if he becomes a scholar, he will be a successor to my legacy!"

The words of admiration the Great Sage expressed to his disciples after his conversation with Leen were known to everyone. Conversely, the story of the Great Sage lamenting Ratil as a "potential tyrant" after she asked various bold questions was known to almost no one. To most people, Ratil was merely Leen's younger sister and one of many princesses. Ratil herself did not pay much attention to the Great Sage's words. She admired and loved her brother and looked forward to the world he would create. The idea of competing with her brother for the throne was terrifying. Moreover, the future she dreamed of was one that she could never achieve as an Empress: marrying her lover, Hysins, and becoming the Empress of the neighboring country, Karisen.

"What's this?"

"A ring."

"Grass?"

"I made it myself. The common people play like this."

"Your people are poor..."

"No, it's charm. Give me your hand."

Ratil only blinked, not extending her hand, so Hysins took her hand and slipped the grass ring onto her finger.

"Surprisingly pretty..."

"Isn't it?"

"Yeah."

Looking at Ratil, who smiled while gazing at the white flower, Hysins lightly kissed her forehead.

"I love you, Ratil."

"...Me too."

Ratil smiled broadly at Hysins. With his soft brown hair, well-defined features, and mysterious gray eyes, this beautiful lover was someone she adored. The day he came to the palace to pay his respects after coming to study in the Tarium Empire, Ratil still remembered it clearly. When their eyes met, Hysins smiled, and Ratil fell in love at first sight. When he confessed, her heart raced wildly. After becoming lovers, she was even happier. They had never even argued. Hysins was the other half of her soul, sent by heaven, she was sure. Over two years, they strengthened their feelings for each other. However, Hysins's planned five-year study abroad ended unexpectedly early. His half-brother, Prince Heum, had staged a rebellion while he was away. Before hastily returning to Karisen, Hysins promised Ratil.

"Even if we are apart, my heart will not change. You are the only woman in my heart, forever."

"Hysins... Can't I go with you? I want to help you!"

"No, Ratil. I don't want to be separated from you, but it's too dangerous."

Wiping away Ratil's tears, Hysins repeated his promise several times.

"I will ascend the throne and send the most splendid envoy to ask your father to make you my wife. Please wait for me."

Ratil waved until the carriage carrying Hysins was out of sight. After that day, Ratil went to the temple to pray for two hours every day. Please let Hysins be safe. Please don't let him be hurt or killed by the rebels. She did not pray for his heart to remain unchanged because she trusted him. She trusted his love and could not even imagine him betraying her. Ratil always listened for news from Karisen. When she met the ministers in charge of diplomacy, she always asked about Karisen.

"Is the war still going on? When will it end? Is Hysins in a favorable position?"

Perhaps her sincere prayers were answered. Two years later, news reached the Tarium Empire that a new Emperor had ascended the throne in Karisen. The new Emperor's name was Hysins Karisen. A young Emperor had been born.

* * *

"Are you that happy?"

The nursemaid teased, but Ratil just smiled broadly.

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

Now that Hysins had safely ascended the throne, the only thing left was for them to get married. Even though it had been two months since Hysins's ascension, she was not worried about the envoy being late. He must need to stabilize the country first. It was not a disappointment that the envoy had not arrived immediately. As a future Empress, she should be able to endure this for the sake of the country, right?

"Indeed. The two of you looked so good together."

"Really? Did we?"

"Yes, you were a perfect match."

Ratil smiled brightly and opened a book. It was a book on imperial studies.

"While Hysins is establishing his position, I will study more. As Empress, I will be in charge of welfare and culture. I need to know a lot."

"You are so diligent."

"Isn't that right?"

"Our empire should also have a lady like you as Empress..."

The nursemaid sighed deeply.

"The Crown Prince is not interested in women and only reads books."

"So what? I am like that too."

"The Crown Prince reads books day and night, which is a problem."

"That's true."

Ratil giggled and turned a page, but her eyes quickly scanned the dense text. She was impatient. She wanted to study so much that Hysins would be surprised, and the time felt too short. One day, the long-awaited envoy from Karisen finally arrived. Ratil rushed out of her room and ran to the audience hall as soon as she heard the news. The audience hall of the Tarium Empire was open on three sides except for the throne, so she could hear the envoy's report without eavesdropping at the door.

"Princess?"

"Shh."

Surprised by the sudden appearance of the princess, the guard was silenced by Ratil's gesture to be quiet. She hid behind a large pillar where she could hear the conversation clearly. The envoy and her father were exchanging formal greetings. Congratulations on the new Emperor, may the two countries continue to share endless glory, and so on. Then, the topic of the Emperor's marriage came up.

'It's about me! He will ask for me as his bride!'

Ratil covered her mouth with both hands to stifle a scream and listened intently.

"Thus, we hope that the Emperor of the Tarium Empire will send an envoy to congratulate the new Emperor and Empress of Karisen and bless their future."

However, the marriage story from the envoy was not what Ratil had expected. Ratil's eyes widened. New Emperor and Empress? Bless their future?

"...He is getting married. Who is the bride?"

"Lady Aini, the daughter of the Duke of Daga."

Lady Aini? Who is that? The bride... is not me? Her head spun. Ratil stared blankly into space, her mind numb.

'Was my name Aini?'

For a moment, she even thought she was mistaken. But... no. Ratil bit her lip. She could not believe it. She had heard it clearly with her own ears.

'Did the envoy change along the way?'

Her father, who did not know about her relationship with Hysins, was only offering congratulations. Ratil finally ran out of the room. She rushed to her room and buried her face in the bed, crying.

"Princess? Oh my! Princess, why are you like this?"

The shocked nursemaid asked worriedly, but Ratil had no energy to answer. After a long while, she wiped her tears and spoke.

"Nursemaid! Hysins... Hysins is getting married to another woman!"

"What? That can't be! You must have misunderstood!"

The nursemaid waved her hands, saying it was impossible.

"Everyone knows how much he followed you. Did you misunderstand the story about the envoy asking for your hand in marriage?"

"No. I even heard the bride's name. It was Aini."

The nursemaid's eyes widened. Ratil buried her face in the bed again.

* * *

'Shock... traitor. Bastard. Scum. Garbage.'

Ratil sat dangerously on the windowsill, staring blankly at the blue sky. How could this happen? It had only been two years since they swore eternal love under this sky. When the wind blew, Hysins's hair would be tousled, and Ratil would laugh, reaching out to smooth it back. Then, his mysterious gray eyes, which had been momentarily hidden by his hair, would be revealed, filled with affection.

'Hysins...'

But it was all over now. Hysins had decided to marry a noblewoman from his country and had sent an envoy to announce it. He must have sent envoys to all countries, not just the Tarium Empire. If it was announced internationally, the marriage must be finalized.

'Did his heart change? Does he no longer love me?'

Feeling desolate, Ratil closed her eyes and hit her forehead against the window frame.

'If I had known this would happen, I would have prayed for his heart to remain unchanged.'

Maybe I only prayed for victory. Thinking about it made her angry. Was this a side effect? Ratil sniffled. Which was more painful: hearing that Hysins was injured in the battle for the throne or that he betrayed her afterward?

"Princess! What are you doing so dangerously!"

"It's not dangerous, Nursemaid. The construction isn't shoddy."

"What if the wind is strong?"

"I'm not light enough to be carried away by the wind."

"Princess, you are not that heavy."

"I wish my worries were not heavy."

Ratil mumbled dejectedly and leaned her head against the window frame again.

"And Hysins is a bastard..."

At that moment, the nursemaid suddenly looked around the room, even though no one was there.

"What are you doing?"

Curious, Ratil asked, and the nursemaid discreetly pulled out a letter from her bosom and handed it to her.

"Here, Princess."

It was a high-quality letter wrapped in light blue.

"What is it?"

Ratil took the letter weakly and examined it, but there was no sender's name.

"It's anonymous. Why are you giving this to me?"

"One of the envoys asked me to secretly deliver it to you. It seems to be from Hysins."