The Land Of Arandel

"Please consider our request, Your Majesty. You must marry soon to increase the stability of the empire."

Elodie frowned unhappily. "Isn't that too soon? You guys are in too much of a hurry."

"Your Highness, the sooner you marry and give birth to a successor, the better it will be for the stability of the imperial family." Duke Navarez still insisted on persuading the emperor. The most potential candidate for the emperor's husband was his own son.

"Please consider, Your Majesty." The nobles said in unison.

Elodie was silent for a moment. Actually, she had no intention of getting married at her age, especially since she had just taken her position as the emperor of Arandel. Wouldn't it be unethical to get married when her father had just died? She was still in mourning.

"What you say is true. The power of the imperial family will be stronger if it has a qualified successor. Therefore, I plan to raise several concubines." Emperor Elodie smiled wryly on her throne.

"Your Majesty, that action is not justified. A female emperor can only have one spouse." Duke Navarez advised.

"I want four or five concubines."

"That cannot be, Your Majesty. Until now, all the female emperors who have ever existed have had only one spouse."

"If you only have one spouse, the power of outsiders might grow. Didn't you yourself say that an emperor has many concubines to increase and balance power?"

Duke Navarez let out a rough breath. He had guessed that the emperor would not be easy to defeat in terms of debate. "My words apply to male emperors, Your Majesty. There are rumors of men who are mistresses of female emperors, but no one does it openly."

Elodie smacked the table, her gaze turning fierce. "The fifth emperor, who is sincere and romantic, had five concubines. The eleventh emperor had eight concubines. Emperor Arandel had five concubines on average, even my father had four. Everyone has concubines. Why can't I? I should also have at least four concubines, following in my father's footsteps."

The nobles whispered unhappily at the emperor's request that had gone off the rails. Why would a female emperor have so many concubines? Hasn't that never happened before?

"Don't be so gloomy, gentlemen. If I appoint a few concubines. Then your chances of having an emperor's daughter-in-law will also increase."

The whispers of the nobles sounded boisterous. Those who initially disagreed suddenly felt that the emperor's words had some truth to them. Who wouldn't want to have an emperor's daughter-in-law? If the nobles occupied that position, their power would increase.

Elodie smiled triumphantly again. Becoming an emperor was something she had never imagined before. By occupying this position, she would take her revenge on Rhydian. She wanted Rhydian to feel the same pain. Elodie would send a messenger to Higala, conveying her intention to have Rhydian himself choose a concubine for her.

***

~One month before the coronation~

Elodie's smile instantly faded when she heard the words of the Higala envoy. The new emperor of Higala would marry the daughter of Duke Irgi, one noble who had a gigantic hand in the new Higala emperor's ascension to the throne. The woman was pensive as she reread the invitation given by the messenger from Higala. Was this a dream? She had waited for two years, been loyal to Rhydian, and guarded her heart for only one man. However, the man she loved betrayed her. Elodie knew marriages based on alliances in empires and kingdoms were common. However, she did not expect that Rhydian would choose another woman to secure his position as the new emperor.

The man left because he wanted to take care of the internal conflict in Higala. He left behind such great love, and a promise of loyalty. Rhydian promised to keep his love for Elodie alone and would propose when everything was under control. But after two years, the news that came was not a proposal, but an invitation to his wedding with another woman. Elodie was really disappointed, but she realized that the disappointment should not linger. She was a strong woman who could overcome all these problems quickly.

"Are you alright, Elodie?"

Elodie put away the invitation paper she was holding, then looked at the gray-haired man who was also looking at her worriedly. "Ah, it's fine, Dad." No, it's not. That was a lie. "Can I be the representative of Arandel?"

"Are you sure? Won't you get hurt if you meet that jerk?"

Elodie shook her head with a smile. "No, Dad."

"Don't even think about becoming Rhydian's concubine."

"That will never happen. I'll just congratulate him on his marriage."

"Very well. Go as Arandel's messenger to congratulate him on his marriage. Ah, don't forget, when you meet Rhydian, stomp on his feet hard. If he asks why you did that, tell him, I told you to. How dare he betray Father's favorite daughter?"

Elodie laughed. Although her world had collapsed because of Rhydian's actions, her father built her back up. Growing Elodie's spirit and confidence that had been destroyed. Fathers are indeed the first love for their children.

"I'm going back to my room, Dad."

She stepped eagerly out of her father's work, but the high spirits were gone in an instant as the door closed. She would not cry. Not at all. She insisted on holding back her tears. A man who leaves and chooses another woman falls into the category of an asshole who doesn't need to cry. Instead, men like Rhydian should be taught a lesson, for making promises that cannot be kept.

However, the toughness that had been passionate earlier changed instantly when she entered his private room. Elodie threw herself on the bed and burst into tears. She really was a fool to have believed in Rhydian.

"Your Highness!" The old woman with glasses approached Elodie. "What's wrong, Your Highness?"

"Elen?" Elodie sat on the edge of the bed.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Rhydian... Rhydian is getting married to another woman." Her tears flowed freely.

"What?! That's impossible, Your Highness, you must have misunderstood. Everyone knows how much he loves Your Highness." Elen approached, took a handkerchief and wiped away Elodie's tears. "Did Your Highness not mishear the news delivered by the messenger from Higala?"

Elodie looked down and let out a rough breath. "I even heard the name of the bride. She is Lady Ophira, the daughter of Duke Irgi. One of the most influential nobles in Higala."

Elen was silent. She was speechless. If the princess was that certain, there was most likely no misunderstanding behind it.

Rhydian's face instantly flashed in Elodie's mind. The passionate expression of love still felt very real. When Rhydian declared his love, he kissed and hugged her. Every detail was still vivid in Elodie's memory.

"What kind of love is that? You trash! Traitor! What an asshole!" Elodie let out an expletive. After all, only Elen was beside her. She didn't need to maintain her dignity as a princess.

***

Elodie dismounted from the horse gallantly in front of the gates of the Higala empire. It might seem unusual to some, as most princesses would use a horse-drawn carriage instead of riding a horse directly. However, Elodie was not the graceful lady who would do so. She was more at ease on horseback. She likes the wind on her face, rather than being in a cramped, stuffy carriage.

"I did not expect Your Highness to come here herself." One of the Higala envoys greeted Elodie and the guards.

"I am a close friend of His Majesty Rhydian. I think he would be pleased if I came here in person."

"Of course. He must be very pleased to know that Your Highness came as a representative of the envoy from Arandel." He smiled.

Elodie clucked her tongue, then whispered. "Don't you want to stop chattering?"

"Your Highness, restrain yourself." Elodie's personal bodyguard-Rifian-whispered while hiding his surprised look.

"Your Highness must be tired. Please come this way."

Elodie followed the servant. As she entered the palace, she pondered. She knew she would visit Higala someday, but Elodie never thought that she would come for this reason. It turned out to be a dream that would never come true. Elodie was dreaming of something impossible. Becoming a queen in Higala was something that was now unattainable. If she insisted on keeping Rhydian, she would only become a concubine. Isn't that a shameful thing? The princess of the Arandel Empire became a concubine in Higala. How funny. She would dishonor her own kingdom.

"Please enter, Your Highness." The servant opened the door to the room.

As she entered and the door closed. Someone hugged her.

"Elodie, I've missed you."

It was Rhydian's voice. Elodie froze, her hands shaking. She could feel her heart beating fast and her breath becoming ragged. Everything felt the same. The scent and warmth of his body was still the same as when they last met. There was a deep longing, but Elodia tried not to return the embrace.

"What are you doing, Rhydian?" Elodie pushed Rhydian's body firmly. "Do you think our relationship is still the same as before?" She tugged on Rhydian's shirt collar.

"Are you angry?" The man was nervous.

"Five minutes from now. Explain why you betrayed me?"

"Elodie, don't act like this. I realize that I've hurt you, but if you get angry like this right away, I..."

"Four more minutes."

"Elodie ...." Rhydian's voice weakened. He had not expected that the once gentle woman had turned into a violent woman.

"Three minutes and thirty seconds."

"Alright. I'll explain." He let out a long breath. "Rean who carried out the rebellion turned out to be much stronger than I expected. Duke Irgi was the one with the most power, and he supported Rean. I needed Duke Irgi's support to fight Rean. Therefore, I tried to win his favor. In return, he asked me to make his only daughter his consort." Rhydian gripped both of Elodie's shoulders. He had a worried look on his face. "I'm sorry, Elodie."

Suddenly Elodie stepped on Rhydian's foot, making the man grimace while holding his leg. "You don't need to apologize. I won't blame you. Anyone would put themselves first." Elodie turned around. "Even though I don't blame you, it doesn't mean I'm not angry. Couldn't you have sent a letter and told me when the war was over? Must I hear the news of your marriage through your messengers? You can end this relationship on good terms, Rhydian."

"Don't say that. I never intended to say goodbye to you?"

Elodie looked back at Rhydian with flashing eyes. There was annoyance on her face. "Then?"

"I still love you very much."

Love? Elodie wanted to burst out laughing at that phrase. How could Rhydian still love her when he was about to marry another woman? How could the man who was in front of her right now say such curse words?

"Wait for me, Elodie. Just four years. Ah, no. Three years is enough. In three years, I will take care of everything. I'll search for any remaining Rean supporters. After three years, I will get rid of Duke Irgi and his followers."

"What will I get if I wait that long for you?" Elodie's voice turned bitter. "You must appoint a concubine as a political ploy," she shouted unhappily. "You want me to wait and suffer for three years? Do you think three years is a short time?"

"I will not sleep with any concubine, not even Lady Ophira. I will let them all go after three years."

Elodie's face became gloomy again. She really didn't think that an emperor in the Land of Higala was a person who lacked humanity. "May I speak the truth?" There was a pause for a moment. "I still love you, too. However, after three years, you will completely belong to another woman, so please let me go." She quickly pushed Rhydian out of her resting room and locked the door so that the asshole couldn't get in.

"Elodie, listen to me. Please, think about my offer."

Rhydian's shout still rang clearly in Elodie's ears. Although she still loved Rhydian, she didn't want to hurt another woman. Fellow women must understand how painful it is to be abandoned. Who could ensure that Rhydian's heart would not change? An emperor would be urged to have offspring, and Rhydian was the type who would do anything for the throne. The man would do whatever it took to secure the position.