Ambrosia

Night time in Arthandica was a sight to behold. The people sleep not, for spicy gossips about the royals, and the high society comes alive during the night time.

But, what the poor people didn't know was that, Arthandica is an empire full of merciless blood suckers and other supernatural creatures who consider their race as food, sacrificial lambs and weaklings These ignorant people refer to the country as: 'the city of Kings and Queens.' the only country practising monarchy. Big screens could be seen in every corner of the Dominion to deliver desired messages by the royals at any given time. It was practically a heaven on earth, a city to die for. But not all that glitters are gold, behind every good and beautiful thing? One has to be prepared for something minacious. At least, that was how life in Arthandica looked like.

Tonight has not been a disappointment, as on the big screens, an announcement made by the emperor himself was being played. Accouncing the engagement between his only son and heir, the crown prince Alaric Emrick Dunkan and the beautiful yet unattainable illegitimate first princess of the Amber kingdom, Keket Ambrosia Bathory People shopping, those on their way home from work and those going about their normal lives gave their absolute attention, leaving behind whatever they had been busily doing to listen to the message being delivered by the emperor, as none of them wanted second hand delivery from friends and family members who would hyperbolically embellish the message for stupid suspense and their own sick entertainment. "For the greater good of this Dominion? I hear by accounce the union between the Dunkan's and the Bathory's."

Suddenly, there was an uproar on the streets and every corner of the empire. Aghast was an understatement to describe what the Noble citizens of Arthandica were feeling. There was no way they would swallow the bitter pill of watching an illegitimate child be empress over them. Their big egos couldn't take it. Especially the vampires and witches who are known to be prideful creatures by nature. "Why the Bathorys?" A passerby, imprisoned in the human cage created on the streets by the shaken citizens asked no one in particular.



Under the imperial family, there are many strong and powerful kingdoms of different races, all who bow and pay tribute to the emperor. The witches of the Salem kingdom, elves of the Elfinwood kingdom, shifters (including all shifters) of the Celestial kingdom, faes and harpies of the fairyland kingdom and other creatures that has gone extinct. In Arthandrakukan, the capital of the empire, many vampiric kingdoms rose but became vassal States to the Amber kingdom, the only vampiric kingdom which has managed to stay in power for many centuries and serve right down the vampire monarch. Amongst these kingdoms under the imperial family, the Amber kingdom is ranked first in power and wealth. But that does not justify why a bride for the Dauphin has been chosen from their house and why Keket. Some centuries ago, all these kingdoms, together with the imperial house, agreed on how to select a bride for their prince, and that has been effective till date. According to their agreement, a bride would be taken from each of the kingdoms in secret and after a few necessary procedures and acceptance by the high priestess and royal court, it'll be accounced to the public who their future empress would be. This way, unnecessary conflicts can be avoided as it won't look like autocracy instead of monarchy. But they didn't need to be told to know things didn't go through the agreed procedures because their daughters and nieces had not been picked in secret since the season was not even due. And this had any as one can cater for, were greatly looked down upon by the high society. "Your majesty, may we know your intentions behind this decision of yours?" Arnold Bathory asked to divert the emperor's attention from the king of elves and also satisfy his curiosity. He was curious as to why it has to be his illegitimate daughter. Don't get him wrong, but why would the almighty imperial family of Arthandica go against tradition to choose an illegitimate daughter as the wife of their precious son and the future emperor of the empire. Vampires are known to be prideful creatures. Him being a vampire can testify to that. So surprised will be inadequate to describe what he felt upon hearing the emperor make such bold statements. "This court session has been adjourned...if you have any more concerns you wish to voice out, then do so on our next scheduled session. No one will question why it's Ambrosia again.... You may leave." The emperor said as he left the throne room together with his empress.

The emperor is very famous for his temper, so it didn't come as a surprise to the present kings when he refused to further their discussion. But they won't let him have his way with this one. It's either he explains why or no crowning that illegitimate witch.

**END OF FLASHBACK**



Ambrosia is the least favourite person amongst young ladies and also every single soul in Arthandica. Being too arrogant and headstrong for an illegitimate child has earned her fewer points throughout the empire. She rarely stays in the empire after coming of age. Whilst it's required of the young Nobles to get along at relevant soirees and political events, Ambrosia is hardly seen attending any of these. Ok, scratch that: hell, she didn't even appear at her own coming of age ceremony as she was anywhere near the empire.

Sitting quietly in the dark office, she turned around in her expensive plush and comfortable swivel chair with a glass of rich O negative blood in her hand. She enjoys her meals in a glass cup rather than being a Savage and feeding directly from her unfortunate victims. Nothing to do with sympathy, but maybe because she's a half-bred? Well, she doesn't care enough to find out. All she cares about is being able to enjoy her meal in a glass cup with darkness as her companion. Most vampires claim there's extra satisfaction in feeding directly from their unlucky meals, even the shallows have similar claims. Anyways, she is not that curious to find out for herself. Keket loves the dark. There's something about darkness that comforts her and makes her feel at home. Darkness has been her solitude and companion since the day she first opened her beautiful turquoise eyes to see this cruel place.

"I love the cold."

"You say so because you're not human."

"Not really, but the weather in Arthandica is beautiful. It's one of the many reasons why I barely leave this place." She said with a placid sigh. "If you say so, but I think you should try asking them how they feel, and you will know what I'm talking about."

"How they feel is none of my business. All I know is I'm enjoying my shopping in this beautiful weather, and hey: when did you start caring about those weaklings except when you need their blood for your sick spellcasting expirements?" She asked her best friend with a raised brow that said 'surprised.' "Never said I care about them, all I'm saying is the weather is not really favourable to them and it makes my work stressful." The beautiful lady with deep ocean blue eyes and long natural wavy brunette hair said, laying more emphasis on the 'stressful.' Spellcasting was not a child's play. Some higher and ancient spells require lots of blood sacrifice, specifically from humans. So having them freezing cold was definitely a turn-off for a salemic caster like herself.

"That was not heartless at all." Blair said with her usual signature annoying smirk plastered on her doll like face. The sacarsm was not lost on her friends. Blair is an elf, the second princess of the Elfinwood kingdom. The three have been friends since the faithful day they met at a ball thrown to hounor the gods eight winters ago and they've been friends till date. Many young girls in Arthandica envy their friendship.... they are popularly known as the SEA beauties. Most people in Arthandica, both youngsters and old, have the impression that there's nothing that would separate the three.

"Hmm...at least she's now acting like herself. I nearly thought an angel took over." All three of them doubled over with laughter as they knew their friend could be anything but an angel. But, trust me, she looks all, Angel. The person in question herself knows she could never be an angel, though she looks like one.

They silently went about doing their shopping, only stopping to make small talks in between. Shopping together like this was a very rare thing as they don't reside in the same capital, they would no way in hell give up such a marvelous opportunity to shop together and gist each other of the happenings in their lives and kingdoms when the opportunity presents itself as this. The last time they met was about a moon and half, but to them, it felt like a whole winter.

"What do you think about this dress?... You think he would like it?" Juliana asked turning in her hands a midnight black silk ankle length dinner wear with an open back and low cut neck that will surely give her cleavage the much needed breath since it holds tight from the top allowing her succulent breasts to pop out, all the way to her appealing hips but flows down to her ankle. Not to forget the sinful split from her left waist straight to her ankle, which would certainly give hungry onlookers something appreciating to feast on.

"And by he, you....mean?" Elisabeta asked, looking at her friend sceptically. "Are you keeping secrets?" Juliana just shook her head, looking very sorry. "Oh....girls, 'dropping her head in her hand,' my bad. Thought I told you about him, but I guess it skipped me_" "okayyyy fine, we get it, ok? But can you kindly skip this speech of remorse and just spill?" Blair impatiently asked. "Well, there's this guy.... and_ and he's interested in me. " "Ok?"He asked me out, and I said yes. So we're going out." " Wizard?" Elisabeta asked, running her hands on a beautiful silver grey knee-length skater dress. "A vampire." Both girls sharply turned to look at their friend but decided not to make any comments for now.

"Out out?" Blair asked with a teenager. I've seen my crush smile on her thin, rosy lips." The initial tension soon forgotten. "Excuse me... Is there any other out I don't know about?" Elisabeta asked sacarstically with a roll of her Amber eyes. "Hey, you can't blame me, ok? It's Julie we're talking about here, after all." Of course it was Julie, and Blair could not be blamed for asking.

Juliana would rather spend time trying to learn, master and cast forbidden ancient spells than waste her breath and energy on men. " I think he would like it. You know how the best is only at Dica Queens, right?" Elisabeta won't allow any chance slip by her without praising Arthandrakukan and it's famous and extravagant fashion store ' Dica Queens' "Always the boastful bitch." Laughing it off they went back to picking clothes and shoes to beautify their already eye-catching closets.

"What's the last time you heard from the prince?" "Mm....like two winters ago? Why?" "Nothing really, can't I ask about my prince?." Elisabeta eyed her friend with suspicion not bothering to answer her question. Blair pretended not to see as she focused all her attention on a particular red wedged sandals like it was the most interesting thing in the world. "Erm....girls....i-i- I think you need to see this." Juliana said, her eyes glued to one of the many screens in the boutique like a compulsion because she couldn't tear her gaze away from the screen. That was when they realized they were the only ones lost in their own world oblivious to the chaos in Dica Queens.

On all the screens in the boutique, the announcement made by the emperor played as they gave it their full attention leaving behind whatever thing they were busily doing.

"For the greater good of this Dominion and the will of the heavens I hereby accounce the union between the Dunkan's and the Bathory's."

Elisa clenched the dress in her hands after reading the message that flashed on the screen after the emperor's announcement. 'This union is between the first princess of the Amber kingdom and the crown prince Alaric Emrick Dunkan.'

She felt like puking, why Keket?. That bastard has taken everything she's wanted from her since childhood and now she wants Alaric too? There's no way in hell she would let that happen, she'd do anything to see that this union won't come on and even If it does? There would be no peace. She vowed. The will of the heavens her butt.

It was her, Elisabeta Bathory who deserves to be the empress of great Arthandica not some unwanted illegitimate bastard. She was scared, though by some unknown lottery she'd won, the prince favours her. But it's been two Winters already without contact, what if he doesn't want her anymore, what if he really goes ahead with the emperor's plan and marry her bastard sister without questioning. The mini devil on her shoulders was busy whispering into her ears all the what ifs that she didn't even hear her friends calling her back to earth planet.

Blair's mind was refusing to think. Ambrosia? Really? All this while she has been busily thinking the second princess was her only threat, It has never for once dawned on any one of them from the high society that their future empress would be Ambrosia. It was an open secret how she is the least favorite person of the nobles. For an illegitimate child who according to rumours, has never been educated. She was too arrogant and headstrong for her own good. Moreover, the said person has not been in Arthandica since the day she came off age. She would really need to slow her plans a bit and watch the two sisters destroy themselves before coming out of the shadows. No one could resist such temptation as sitting on the throne of empress would grant one unlimited power and authority. The legitimate princesses like herself couldn't even resist the temptation how much more an illegitimate child who has been deprived certain privileges while growing up?. A sinister smirk carved on her lips as she pats herself on the head for such a brilliant and stress-free plan.

"But it's not even time yet." Juliana who has just arrived from her long journey of shock said.

The sponsa eligens was done on the second moon of the third winter after the Prince's coming of age ceremony. But this time, the sponsa eligens was yet to be announced by the high priestess, all the noble young ladies were anxiously waiting for the high priestess' announcement which never came. And out of the blue they get such message from the emperor himself.

"Girls let's get out of here." Elisa said as she dumped the dress in her hands and pulled her friends along. "I'm not done with my shopping." They both said in unison after yanking their hands from Elisa's tight grip. She turned to look at them with pain swirling in her Amber eyes "I can't shop after seeing this... I need to go, come when you're done shopping." She said, walking out of Dica Queens.



Sitting in her usual spot, she gazed intently at the Raven perching on her left fingers twirling a glass of dark rich O negative blood in her right hand, as usual enjoying in a glass cup and not being a Savage. Taking a sip, she closed her eyes to savour the taste in her mouth letting out a little appreciative moan. "What do you think about me finding myself a boyfriend?" She asked, knowing the bird won't like it. Musk turned her head away from her approaching fingers. "Jealous now are we?" "Hmm...I was only kidding Musk, you know I don't have time for drama." She whispered not knowing the hell of drama coming her way.

The accouncement made by the emperor a few days back has brought into the heart of the people fear and unease, especially when the high priestess has made no efforts to confute whatever has been said so far.

Giving them a solid reason to believe she was in support.

Never in the history of Arthandica has an illegitimate daughter be crowned empress over the race and kingdom you hail from. Judges of the competitions make sure no illegitimate child wins a round. Of course, they all know their being cheated, but as the elders put it, 'it's tradition.'

To save face, they are made to participate in the sponsa eligens as it's one of the little things that distinquishes them from the servants and commoners.

The privileges of illegitimate children in Arthandica were limited, their power a little above the commoners and servants.

This is so because most of the mistresses are neither royals nor hail from a noble bloodline. Most of them were low lives successful in catching the eyes of a noble or royal man to change their circumstance.

An illegitimate daughter does not dare to fantasize about the throne even if she is chosen by the prince himself. She would only end up being a mistress with no value. Being a mistress of the emperor of Arthandica was a punishment enough to make no one desire the position. Having the emperor's intimate favour only is not enough to put an illegitimate daughter or mistress on the throne of empress.

Once one swears to be a dominam nihil pretii of the emperor?

You basically submit yourself to unmitigated gloom. Due to certain reasons known by a few, a dominam nihil pretii's womb is removed once all rituals are done successfully. And their justification? 'To prevent uncessary throne battles among the princes if the mistress is to concieve a male child'. Well, it is not like the people believe that crap anyway. Blueblood supernatural creatures are prideful beings. They'd rather remarry a legitimate daughter to the emperor if the current empress is having a problem with bringing forth an heir than crown the son of a mistress.

That's why the illegitimate Noble daughters dare not dream pass the walls of their Chambers, no one wants to live such a life, a life where you can't hold your own child in your arms though you were not born barren.

All in the name of having the intimate favour of a man who would soon get bored with you or can never put you first.

---

Victoria sipped her favourite dandelion tea mixed with rosemary essence, eying her ladies in waiting with narrow eyes as they went on and on about their flower gifts they brought along.

She knows they are just trying to butter her up a bit before dropping the bomb on her. In as much as she would love for them to just grab the bull by it horns and get it over with, she has to play the noble and patient hostess.

Retain her poise as their queen. Annoying.

"Your Highness, we all know how much you love lilies, so I thought it wise to come along with these beautiful water lilies." There we go again. Victoria thought bitterly... Her head was already exploding with the hateful thoughts of Ambrosia.

Maybe she won't survive their pretence this time around. May the heavens help her.

She said, making gestures with her hands. "As we know your highness, white water lilies are used for medicines though you won't be needing that, but they also help with instant hydration of the skin. As vampires, we turn to have naturally pale skin, and the extract from these beautiful white water lilies here will help moisturize the skin of her highness and prevent any irritation."

"Thank you, Countess Windsor."

Victoria said with a nod of her head, taking a sip from her tea cup. Countess Windsor is the only one from the Windsor bloodline to ever be the lady in waiting of the queen. Ladies in waiting are always chosen from the duchy, so a Countess being the lady in waiting of the almighty queen Victoria Bathory is a big feast.

Emily Windsor brought honour to her family when she was appointed as one of the Queen's ladies in waiting. Despite her arrogant and zestful self? She has brains.

Duchess Nithercott eyed the Countess with pure disdain on her flawless, pale, oval shaped face, doing little to nothing in hiding it. Ever since the appointment of the Countess, her arrogance has catapulted at an alarming rate, making her forget her place. She hates her the more.

With a challenging smirk on her lips, she turned to present her gift to the queen. "Your highness, I brought with me orange tiger lilies.

These lilies symbolise wealth, extreme pride, confidence, and prosperity. They also show mercy and compassion." All these gives a clear picture of who you are your highness, you show compassion and mercy to your subjects, you are so confident that your aura announces your presence before you appear and also prosperity follows wherever you go like your knight in shining armor. Leaving your subjects in awe of your grace.

Your highness, I also choose these orange tiger lilies with your head servant in mind. These lilies help with the treatment of heart diseases, which are going to help her heal her daughter." Victoria was smiling with grace through the entire presentation of the duchess, loving every bit of it: from the bootlicking to the concern shown to her head servant.

She knew the duchess didn't really care about the daughter of her head servant, and so does she. She was doing it for the sake of formality, while Victoria was going to use this to carry more favour before her servants. "Very well, Duchess Nithercott, I appreciate your efforts wholely and make sure to never forget this kindness of yours." It was a rear thing to see Victoria appreciating someone's efforts... even if it was fake, she won't give it up that easily.

Rumours have it that, if one wants to get into the good books of the queen, you will have to learn the right words of praise to say, only then would you be able to get into her non-existent heart. Duchess Nithercott could not help but shoot the Countess a victory smirk as if to say,'I've won this round you low life.'

The challenge was not to lose Duchess Arlay, but she has no intentions of playing along. Whether the queen likes her present or not would not contribute to what brought her to the palace out of her comfortable abode. She was a strict person, bootlicking wasn't her thing, though she would accord you the much needed respect.

With a little curtsey, she held out her present to the queen. "Your highness, these are glory lilies. They represent fame and are used in treating coughs and infertility." The ever lady of few words said handing the pot of glory lilies to the servant. "Thank you, Duchess Arlay. Now, may I know your reasons for gracing me your honourable presence?" The queen inquired with a raised brow. The annoying and unyielding behaviour of Duchess Arlay brought her back to her garden.

"Your Highness, we are here to know if there is any truth to the message delivered by the emperor a few days back." "Yes, your highness, our people are demanding we get answers from you."We don't mean to offend or bring back bad and unpleasant memories to her highness.... but we have a role to play." Victoria stared at them with a straight face, all traces of the earlier smiles which didn't quite reach her eyes gone in a heart's beat. Ambrosia was a sore topic for the queen. But as already expressed by her ladies in waiting, they have a role to play. And so does she. Sore topic or not.

With a heavy sigh, she conveyed her hearings to them. " I'm sorry to say all I also know for now is what we all have heard on the screens, I'm yet to visit the imperial palace. So for now, I can't confidently say for sure if it's true or not." The queen said indirectly, telling them to leave if that was all. "We understand you, Your Highness....but we would like to know what your plans would be if it turns out to be the truth?"Pardon me, Duchess Arlay, but I think I was loud enough." The queen said with finality." Of course, they all knew the message was true. The emperor hardly accounces things by himself: that alone was proof enough. But per tradition, the queen is expected to visit the imperial palace to make a proper inquiry.

---

"Be quick with that." The tired head servant whispered to the young servants packing up the Queen's luggage. Elisabeta rushed pell-mell into the Queen's chamber.

"Where is the queen?"

"In the bathroom.... your highness." All the servants answered in unison with their heads lowered to show respect and submission to the princess.

"Why all these bags?"Your highness, her highness the queen is preparing to leave for the imperial palace with his majesty the king."

"What for?"

"I'm sorry, but I have no idea your highness." "Hmmm.....if you're done with the packing leave, I'll wait here for her." Bowing their heads in response, they scampered out of the room. Not like they want to be in there with her anyway.

---

Humming a tune known to her alone, she caressed the comforting soft yet firm feathers of her pet. Gazing into its identical turquoise eyes. "You feel it to, right?" The bird pecked the inside of her hand once, letting her know he understood.

"Something bad is coming. It's very strong." She said as she continued her caressing of Musk's feathers.