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Aken City, Stoneia

1064 13th May

King Edward Vendler POV

“Your majesty, its a girl!” Exclaimed the royal midwife, while carrying a newborn.

Ah, years of patience, blackmail, all bore fruit to this moment.

I reminisce to the time I saw her, lady Elizabeth Colbern, a lady of the main branch of the Colbern family.

Beautiful, perhaps useful was the first thought I had of her, I decided, I will marry her.

Meeting her, in grand balls, parties, it seemed she never took an interest in me, found me too scheming, ambitious.

I needed the Colbern family on my side, they were wealthy, influential, and powerful vassals of mine.

Started to meet her against her will, sneaking into her palace, she hated all that.

But she knew better than to fully oppose me.

She was one of the few who knew about my magic.

Using the shadows of ones soul, to chip away at one's sanity, virtually undetectable.

It was the slow poisoning of the mind, she knew better to obey.

One night, under the last days of summer, I directly threatened her, I could destroy her family.

However, I would only reconcile if she agreed to fake an interest in me.

Her family, believed she was in love.

The public, believed she was in love.

As the months grew into years, the Colberns began to openly discuss marriage.

On the day of 24th December 1062, the House of Vendler and Colberns were joined.

Elizabeth kept up her facade, but it seemed day by day, she would rebel against my demands more and more.

I need to hurry up.

I did not want an heir, I wanted a princess, something to marry off, and secure an alliance.

She knew that her usefulness would be depleted when she gave birth to a princess.

She was willing to have an accident right after childbirth, on one condition, that the Colberns are to be left alone.

Of course, they have become willing allies, why would I get rid of my chess pieces?

“Your majesty, have you two given any thought to the name?” the midwife asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“Let my queen decide”

As this is the last time she will ever make a choice, I’ll let her decide.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Riley… Riley Vendler…”

As she said her last words, she began to bleed out.

The royal doctors rushed to her aid, she looked at me one last time, as her eyes closed, they were expressing contempt at me.

Officially the cause of death was complications in childbirth, the Colberns bought it, the public mourned, as they lost their queen.

Don’t worry Elizabeth, I’ll raise our daughter, she will be useful in the future.

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Imperial Palace, Aken City, Country of Stoneia

1078 16th June

-stomp stomp-

As a blonde man dressed in luxurious clothes paced back and forth on the marble floor, a single knight was shivering. Blond hair, with gold eyes, were the symbol of the High nobility.

"What the hell do you mean?" The blonde man bellowed into the face of the knight.

"You ma... majesty Edward Vendler ... she.. The princess left the ca.. castle..."

"You guards had one fucking job, ensure her safety, is that so fucking hard?!" He spat into the face of the guard.

"I raised her for fourteen fucking years, do you think I would let my only daughter and child go?!"

As he used his golden eyes to stare down the knight.

"Sir... She... cast lighting magic on the her guards.. They were shocked unconscious..."

"Oh?! Now I have a corps of useless guards? Can't even beat a little girl?"

The head of the guard said nothing.

"She was supposed to get married to the prince of the Elitha kingdom, giving us lasting diplomatic relations, execute those guards on duty tomorrow."

"Yes sir.. They will be..."

"In front of the entire guard corps."

"Yes sir..."

"Put forth a bounty in the entire kingdom, one hundred thousand gold, for who ever returns my daughter back safely."

"Also, assemble my council of ministers, I need to discuss these matters"

"I've changed my mind, I'll execute those guards right now. Bring me the imperial sword."

The colour drained from the already terrified knight, with a whimpering voice, he let out,

"Its gone... Sir... S.. She to... took the sword..."

"WHAT?!"