Author Note: The Prologue is set after the actual storyline. From Chapter One and onwards, the story will continue until reaching this point, which is when the plot will progress.
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The land of Edrya was facing a crisis within the palace where the royals remained, and everyone felt the oppressive tension in the room. There, Emperor Ignatius sat on the throne with a frown on his usually calm face. The marble flooring felt cold despite the dress pooling beneath Empress Selene as a self-made cushion. She was forced into the position by the royal guard; their hands felt harsh, but she expected as much along with the magic suppression cuffs on her wrists to restrain her. In the eyes of the loyal, she was nothing more than a cruel and vicious royal who saw everyone beneath her. The image carefully crafted since the arrival of her step-sister, Aylin. Prior to her appearance, everyone saw the benevolence from Selene and commended her for her holy rule. But now that wasn’t the case.
Selene brought chaos and destruction in her wake when Aylin was announced as the Queen of Edrya, the second wife of Emperor Ignatius. And by no means did she care if Ignatius had another partner but Aylin of all people? The taste of bitterness remained on her tongue, mixing well with her jealousy, especially when Selene looked up to see them seated together and hands clasped in their loving union. Aylin’s face seemed distraught at Selene’s appearance; her eyes tinted red as she sniffled. Her soft blonde hair cascading down her shoulders with a pale white dress fitting her purity as her hand rested on her swollen stomach. On the other side, Ignatius looked furious. Emerald-green eyes flashing boldly with his crimson hair disheveled, a fitting appearance for the most powerful fire magic user within Edrya. But Selene wondered if he remembered who she was to him. While Ignatius and Selene didn’t love one another romantically, they held respect for each other, but that seemed a distant memory now. Their relationship tossed aside where their childhood dreams and promises rested.
Thankfully, her attention shifted to the attendant on the side, who had a document in his hand. He stood there prestigiously as he looked at her with disdain. The hatred directed to her made her smile, the corners of her mouth curving upwards into a smug smirk. With her appearance, Selene was the incarnation of a demon. Her near-black hair sloppily tied up with dim-tinted red eyes that portrayed neither truth or lies, only deception mixed with her version of reality. Her voluptuous figure remained hidden in the blood-red dress she wore, the garment a size too large for her comfort. But the man cleared his throat, deciding not to look at her any longer as he treated her as nothing more than the stain on Edrya’s royal line.
“Empress Selene Belmont Edrya now referred to as Selene Belmont.” The announcer’s voice boomed, the royals and ministers with influence attending her hearing all began to murmur. “You’ve been denounced and will be stripped of your royal title for the crimes committed against Queen Aylin Belmont Edrya as commanded by Emperor Ignatius Lyon Edrya. From numerous attempted murders against the Queen and the royal child she carries, harassment, embezzlement, and treason. You will—”
“Then, I no longer have to remain here, correct?” Selene decides to interrupt him, finding no interest in the rest of the words he has to say. Instead, she would rather know the extent of her punishment. Her eyes flashed, and Selene inched closer despite her kneeling position causing the guards to tighten their hold on her. She winced but remained still, no need for her to induce more of their hatred.
“Well, the Emperor has kindly offered for you to stay at the cold palace despite the weight of the crimes… the only outcome left is banishment.” The attendant mentioned, glancing at the Emperor for confirmation. Ignatius nodded, but Selene had no desire for a life of solitude growing from the hands of abandonment and loneliness.
“I do not need the palace.” She disagreed, shaking her head as she looked at them with impassive eyes.
“Excuse me?” The Emperor couldn’t believe her words; Ignatius seethed in his seat, trying to comprehend the woman who was once the person he knew best. But she was a stranger now.
“My wish is to leave, surely, my last wish of selfishness will be granted?” Selene laughed crudely, the sound harsh and unpleasant. Then she lifted her lips into a sneer as she stared at Aylin, directing her anger towards her. “How much will you take from me, Queen Aylin?”
The pain pricked at her heart, and Selene knew that if she couldn’t convince them, then hurting Aylin was her only choice. If she didn’t, then she would commit crimes that no one could forgive her for, not even herself. She watched as Ignatius squeezed Aylin’s hand, a sign of comfort for the weak-hearted woman.
“Sister…” Aylin sobbed out as she couldn’t comprehend why her sister remained difficult. She released the Emperor’s hands and hugged the swollen belly of hers, fear apparent in her gaze.
Relief began to wash over Selene, along with bitterness. Aylin regarded her as her sister, but Selene had never seen her in that light. The woman who was younger than her by a few years had always been her moonlight. But as long as she felt afraid of her, then she wouldn’t get near her. However, the emotions were secondary because the Emperor spoke, demanding more answers from her.
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“For what reason?”
“If I remain here, the newly appointed Empress will feel uncomfortable.” The surprise on both of their faces made her feel giddy with mockery. She cackled once more; the noise made some of the nearby nobility flinch. Selene clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, chastising them as if they were children once more. “Oh, you didn’t think I knew of your plans to raise her position? It’s better if I am cast among the commoners or in another country if that’s the case.”
Before anyone could reprimand her, Ignatius rose from his seat. He lifted his hand to stop the attendant and approached Selene, looking down at her. Unknowingly, Aylin followed after him, the nervousness in her appearance evident as she trembled like a leaf in the wind.
“No, that’s absurd,” Ignatius commented, reminding her of her position regardless if she was no longer The Empress. “You’re nobility and my wife, but you will only lose your position.”
“I have no wish to stay here any longer nor hold such a title, Emperor.” Monotone words and perfectly crafted as she held her head up straight. She met his gaze, the only woman aside from Aylin able to do so without fear.
Prime Minister Leon, who had been watching quietly from the sidelines, decided to speak up. He was a friend of hers during her youth, but now the two were almost estranged. Luckily for her, he was someone she could trust with a few of her terrible secrets. He was one of her few supporters, regardless of her hard-headed attitude.
“But Empress—” He clamored, not liking her idea, but she cut him off quickly.
“I am no longer an Empress.” Selene snorted; she wanted to act as crudely as possible so that her position would weaken. Edrya nobility and royals held decorum to high regard, after all. She opted for the act she had for years. “I no longer hold ties with the royalty. Nor does my family wish for my return. I will leave.”
The Belmonts would abandon her, Selene was no fool. She didn’t have to look at the Duke, her father, to see their resentment. And her step-mother? The woman was basically sending daggers at her back for how Selene treated Aylin.
“Emp— Lady Selene.” Leon tried to grab her attention once more, looking around nervously while mentioning the one secret that would shake the foundation of everything the public knew about her. “What about… your child? Where do we...”
But before he could finish, the Emperor’s eyes lit up with betrayal, once again reminded that Selene was a stranger to him. He approached her, reaching out for her hand as the guards backed away. Ignatius may have no affection for her, but she knew he would always view her as someone close to him. Unbeknownst to him, she no longer felt the same. Instead, she avoided his touch and could see the hurt reflected in his emerald-colored gaze.
“Child?” Ignatius repeated, trying to comprehend the word as he stared at the hand devoid of her touch before looking at Selene. He gazed at her body, not once remembering if her belly had ever been full, but the dress was slightly large on her compared to her usual devious outfits. “You’ve given birth? Who is the father?”
The accusations kept him exempt from holding responsibility, and she wanted to laugh that he held little faith in her idea of marriage. Although she would never emotionally remain faithful, she had a role to uphold and wouldn’t dare to give birth to a child not belonging to him. But Selene decided to let his words pass. Ignorance was bliss and a theory Selene often practiced. So she smiled with a serene expression, remembering the appearance of the baby cradled gently in her arms. The tears threatening to prick her eyes weren’t shed. Instead, she spoke vaguely.
“Let him rest in the palace. My prince deserves to be among the royals.”
“What is the meaning of this?” Ignatius roared, he couldn’t believe a child who’s background remained unknown was left unattended. But the truth was far from what he knew.
“Prime Minister, Imperial Doctor. Tell him.” Selene gave them her instructions as they were nearby. She rose from her seat on the ground, her legs trembled and she clenched the skirt of her dress, but she bowed gracefully. Selene then turned as she approached the royal guards, and she extended her arms towards them as they still remained confined. “I shall take my leave now. Remaining any longer would be rude as I assume I’m holding the title of Queen now? Guards, lead me to my chambers. I am but a sight for sore eyes. Don’t you agree, future Empress?”
“Selene—” The question struck Aylin harshly; she wanted to rebuke her, but she couldn’t.
“Goodbye, my dearest Queen.” Selene offered her the most respectful and regal curtsey. The dip caused her legs to tremble, but she didn’t falter. She whispered under her breath, the last pledge to her. “Everything I’ve done was for you.”
Because her love for Aylin would never be accepted or reciprocated, her step-sister remained in love with Ignatius, their feelings mutual. And Selene would be the thorn to their perfect romance, so she needed to run. Far, far away. In turn, she wouldn’t lock Aylin in a cage where only her hands could reach. The obsession would spread, leaving her nothing more than a husk lacking the love of the woman she could never, ever have.
“Selene.” No longer was the tones of anger evident, merely exhaustion and desperation. Ignatius looked at her, unable to let her go as he approached her, expecting her to return by his side. And for a second, she almost faltered because she would have served him forever if he hadn’t taken Aylin from her.
A cruel man fitted to be the Emperor of Edrya.
“And for you, I wish nothing more than eternal happiness, Sun of the Empire. May the dreams from our childhood come to fruition one day.”
The parting words for Ignatius and she left, the sound of her heels clicking against the marble flooring. And not a word was said due to her departure. The silence loomed like a cloud on the darkest of days. No longer did Empress Selene exist, not when her love for Aylin remained.