Shadow Empress (Book 1 of the Empress Series)

THIRD PERSON POV

It was a sunny day in the royal palace of Galan. Palace servants were just doing their usual task when a minister came running into the court bearing great news from the battlefield.

"Your majesty! We just received news from the frontlines. We won! We won the war! We managed to take over the enemies territory with ease! Empress Elpis! THE EMPRESS HAS BROUGHT VICTORY TO THE EMPIRE!" The emperor's eyes widen and so did his empress.

"Elpis won?" The emperor whispered.

"Elpis won the war?! It's been a year since she left the empire. And now ... she finally ... she will come home ... finally. My empress ... we've done our part right." The emperor and empress hugged each other after they heard the good news.

"And ... the empress will finally come home. I have sent a messenger to inform her concubines in Galatea Palace." The emperor released his wife with a smile on his face.

"We shall prepared a banquet to welcomed her highness! After all, she did brought us victory. I shall informed this matter to the empress dowager myself." His wife hold his hand while shaking her head.

"Empress dowager shall not be inform. Don't you remember how messy it was when the empress dowager had a slight differences in opinion with her highness's imperial consort? My love, we're just the emperor and the empress in front of the people of Galan. Your sister, the true empress is the one who ruled this empire. We shall let the imperial consort deal with her welcoming banquet." The emperor nodded.

"You're right, my empress. We shall follow what the imperial consort sees fit. Beside, I don't wish to be on bad terms with her. After all, she is the empress's favourite." The emperor had sudden chill just by thinking about the imperial consort.

"My sister ... always fond of the imperial consort and she even trusted her to deal with the empire's matter while she's gone. She's been helping us with the affairs of the empire and I think we should reward her." The empress agreed.

"My dear Sophia ... what should we give her as a reward? I can't think of anything that my sister haven't given her yet." The empress was deep in thought while the ministers discussing among themselves about the victory they just obtained.

*GALATEA PALACE*

"And that was all, your highnesses." The imperial consort, Virtra wasn't expecting this amazing news at all. She turned to her sisters who was with her at the moment with a smile.

"The empress is coming home. Noble consort Grace, a banquet must be done. I'm sure you can plan it all out together with consort Elena and consort Margaux." The imperial consort smiled from ear to ear.

"So she managed to obtained victory for the empire? That sly fox. Her letters were not informative enough and now she suddenly informed us about her being victorious." Noble consort Grace cleared her throat.

"What shall be done with that concubine? I supposed we can't just dispose of her before the empress's arrival? Her time is almost up. What if she's in labour when the empress is home? A happy celebration would turn gloomy if the empress knows that one of her concubine is with child." The imperial consort almost forgot about it.

"We can't simply dispose of her. Whether we like it or now, the empress likes her. Why? I have no idea. Let her be. Let's just pray for our sister that the empress would show mercy on her, her child and that sly minister who simply walked into Galatea Palace and deflowered her." The imperial consort waved her hands for the servant to see.

"Please inform the other concubines about this news. Tell them to be prepared for the banquet." The servants nodded.

"Sisters, we've helped the fake emperor with the internal affairs in the shadows. Although I've asked about this matter before but I never received any satisfactory answers from you whom has been in court long before I did. Why did the empress choose to let her brother to take the throne? We all know that the emperor is weak. He can't even lead his people." The imperial consort faces consort Margaux.

"The empress asked her brother to take the throne because she doesn't want to provide any heir. By letting her brother to be the emperor, she's free to do whatever she wants thus that's why we're here." The imperial consort explained.

"To put it simple, the empress doesn't like the opposite sex." The noble consort Grace added.

"I was 18 when Elpis asked for my hand in marriage. I was engaged with a prince from another kingdom but Elpis killed him. So ... here I am. She promised me wealth and power. That's exactly what she gave me. What did she promised you, noble consort Grace?" The imperial consort smiled.

"I want nothing more but to escape from the Duke's home. She promised me that and here I am now. Not only I get to leave the duke, I also get to be a noble consort. I was informed that you were sold by your father, the king, am I right, consort Elena." Consort Elena was drinking her tea when noble consort Grace asked her.

"Yes. It was all for the peace of my kingdom. At least I don't have to provide any heir for the empress. That's a perk for me. And what about you, consort Margaux? What's your real story? You know I can't seemed to figure it out. Your story is too mysterious for me to figured it out. The only thing I know about you is that you can dance." Consort Margaux smiled.

"I was invited to entertain the palace's foreign guests. Little did I know that the empress was fond of me after she saw me dancing. I was an orphan. When the empress reached out to me and promised me to take care of my well being, how could I say no? She's a royalty after all." Imperial consort laughed when she heard it.

"And I, as the one who make sure that my sisters won't disappoint the empress by doing things like that concubine did, was placed in the corner. You see I am such a kind hearted person because I even let a minister enter this sacred palace. Maybe I was being too nice to our little sisters." The imperial consort hummed.

***

It's the day where the empress supposed to arrived from the battlefield with her envoys. Everyone was excited to know that the empress has brought victory for the Empire except for the empress dowager.

The empress dowager isn't exactly the first empress of Galan. She was actually the second wife of the late former emperor. There was even a rumour stating that the empress dowager was the one who poisoned the first empress to death because she wishes to be the empress of Galan.

"Is this necessary? You do know I have far better appointments to attend to this morning. Welcoming her back home is not necessary." The empress dowager expressed her feelings to the emperor.

"With all means, please leave if you don't want to be here. You're not welcome." Everyone bow to show their respect when they saw the imperial consorts with the rest of the empress's concubines had arrived at the front of the main palace entrance.

Even emperor Ragnar and empress Sophia bow their head when they sees Virtra, the imperial consort.

"Raise your head, your majesty. I am not worthy. I'm just a lowly consort." The imperial consort smiled before she stands in front of the emperor.

"Mother ... please. Elpis is my elder sister. And she had risked her life in the frontlines for the empire. Even though ... I was just the fake facade of a ruler in this palace, she never told me to do anything that might harm me and she never even asked for the throne back. Just please, for once ... please respect her as the true empress of this empire." The emperor begged his mother.

But the empress dowager only scoffed her son off.

"Imperial consort Virtra, it seemed that you're short on one concubine. I can't see Lady Delphine anywhere." Empress Sophia voiced out. The imperial consort smiled as she tried to find a proper excuse for lady Delphine's absentee.

"I was told that she wasn't feeling well. That is why I excluded her from today's event." The imperial consort explained.

But in truth, Lady Delphine has been showing signs of labour. It's just their luck that it has to be today of all the day she could birth the child, noble consort Grace though mentally.

The sound of heavy metal boots can be heard from afar. Virtra smiled when she saw the carriage that should be carrying the empress getting nearer to the palace. When the carriage stopped in front of the palace entrance, a soldier opened the door for the empress.

"Long live Empress Elpis ... Glory and peace to the Empire." They shouted before bowing their head when the empress got out from the carriage in full body armour.

The imperial consort were astounded when she saw that the armour stained with the blood of the empire's enemies.

"Welcome home, your majesty." Elpis looked down at her concubines and noticed someone is missing.

"Virtra ... where is Delphine?" The empress seemed solemn.

"Apologies, your majesty but Lady Delphine is not feeling well. That is why I excluded her from welcoming you." Elpis noticed how her imperial consort have the guts to lie in front of everyone. She let it go for now.

"I would like to thanked those who came to welcome me home. Whether you're here sincerely or not." The empress dowager avoided eye contact.

"How was everything in my absence, Ragnar?" The empress asked. The emperor was about to cry when he kneel down in front of his sister. Elpis looked down at the emperor who acts like a child.

"Sister! Please, never leave the palace in such a long time. I've been suffering. If it's not because of Sophia, I might just lost my sanity. It's hard to control the court. I have a lot more lesson to go through." Elpis patted her brother's head before helping him up to his feet.

"Virtra has explained to me in her letters. Any ministers who bullied you while I was away shall be exile from court. We can always replace those old ones." Elpis turned to Sophia.

"Congratulation should be in order. It is also included in the letter that you two had twins?" Sophia bow.

"Yes, your majesty." Elpis patted Sophia's head like she always did when her brother and his wife was still a child.

"You've provided an heir for the throne. I am happy. Raise them well. I hope there be more little children running wild in the palace. I'm tired. I shall retire to the Galatea Palace. Tonight, we shall celebrate." They bow when the empress leave the front entrance followed by her concubines.

"Tell me the truth. What happened to Delphine?" The empress pressured her concubines to tell her the truth as she walk.

The imperial consort sighed before she explained to the empress what really happened. At first, the empress was emotionless after knowing what her concubine had done while she was away.

"Who was responsible?" Elpis asked before entering her palace.

"A minister who worked in court. I was told that he came to see Delphine every night before I was aware of the situation." The empress stopped in her track. The concubines followed suit. They are too scared to even make any sound.

"Prepare a medicinal bath for me. Virtra, Grace, help me take off these armour. Elena, Margaux, please go to Delphine's quarters and make sure she's okay. I will come to see her after I'm done with my bath." The imperial consort ordered the low rank concubines to prepared the medical bath while both she and Grace went to the empress room.

Elpis stood in front of a mirror while Virtra and Grace proceed to removed her heavy armour.

"Oh Elpis ... these wounds ... no wonder you asked for a medicinal bath. You've been through a lot." Elpis kept a stoic expression while she was being stripped.

"What have I done wrong?" Elpis suddenly asked when both Virtra and Grace placed the last piece of the armour onto a table.

"Why did Delphine betrayed me? Is it because I don't have the same anatomy as that minister? Was it because I have been away for so long?" Virtra and Grace looked at each other before they went to comfort the empress.

"You've done nothing wrong, Elpis. Don't blame yourself for this. If you want to punish someone, punish the minister. Who knows what kind of black magic he had done to our Delphine. You have my word when I said your concubines stay loyal to you." Virtra kisses Elpis's cheek.

Grace hugged the empress from behind.

"Please, your majesty. Don't overthink about such trivial things. You've just got back from war. Your mind and body is at capacity. Let us help you relax." Virtra smiled while she remove strands of brown hair from the empress's face.

"Let's get your clean." Virtra grabbed a robe for the empress and lead her towards the bath place.

After Elpis had her medicinal bath, the lower rank concubines prepared her for her journey to see Lady Delphine.

"Your majesty, we all understand if you're tired from your journey. Why don't you have a rest with imperial consort? You've been gone from the palace for almost a year. And you haven't had any rest at all." Elpis was touched by her concubine words.

"Mirabel, you always know how to take care of my needs. And I am fine. I just want to see Delphine and her condition. How many hours has it been since she first showed sign of labour?" Elpis spread her arms while her concubines puts on her clothes.

"It's been few hours." Elpis hummed.

"Did the minister ever visited Delphine while she's in labour?" The concubines looked at each other before shaking their head no.

"With the news of your arrival, he didn't dare to show himself in Galatea Palace anymore." Elpis turned to face her concubines.

"So you mean to say that the minister has been visiting Delphine even after she was pregnant? What did the imperial consort do about it?" The concubines looked at each other before kneeling on the floor, asking for forgiveness.

"Please spare us, your majesty. We didn't mean to upset you and the imperial consort. Please just ignore what we just said." Elpis ordered them to rise.

"It's not forgiveness I seek. I want answers to my question. What did the imperial consort do after knowing the minister kept on visiting Delphine even after she was pregnant?" Lady Blanca decided to be bold and told Elpis the truth.

"The imperial consort forbid the minister from entering Galatea Palace. Noble consort Grace asked to dispose of Lady Delphine and her baby but the imperial consort stopped her before she could do anything. It was quite a scene to see them bantering each other. In the end, Lady Delphine was deemed to stay in her quarters since she was too weak to even do anything due to her pregnancy." Elpis sighed.

"As you may know, your majesty, Lady Delphine has always been the frail one among us. Even the doctor said that this pregnancy might cost her own life. Lady Delphine made the doctor swore to save her child rather than her when it comes to that." Elpis once again sigh.

"Come with me." The concubines bow as Elpis made her way out from her quarters. As she walked towards Lady Delphine's quarters, the servants couldn't help but to admired the empress's beauty.

"I wonder what will happen to Lady Delphine. Lord have mercy on her soul." The head servants prayed for the concubine.

"Long live Empress Elpis ... Glory and peace for the empire." Elpis walked into Lady Delphine's quarters where the servants and doctor all bow to the empress.

"How is she?" She asked when she sat next to her concubine.

"For now, we let her rest since it's not the right time yet. Your majesty ... Lady Delphine is one frail woman. Milady told us to save her child but ..." Elpis raised her hand.

"Save them both. If you fail to do so, your head will be hang in front of this palace entrance so everyone could see." Elpis turned her attention to her concubine's bulging stomach.

"You've suffered enough. Doctor, is there any sign of black magic used on the lady?" The doctor didn't say anything.

"Doctor, did the minister used any kind of foul way to seduce Lady Delphine?" Again, the doctor decided to shut his mouth. Elpis sighed.

"I see. So the lady was in love with somebody else other than me." Elpis was surprised when someone holding her hand.

"Your majesty ... please ... spare my child. This child is innocent. If you wish to punish anyone, just punish me instead. I was ... I was lonely, your majesty. And he was there ... while you were away." Elpis placed her hand on the concubine's forehead.

"Why would I punish my concubine? If I ever want to punish anyone, it would be the minister WHO DARE TO DEFLOWERED MY CONCUBINE!" Elpis turned to the consorts with menacing look.

"Bring that minister to see me, now! If he refuse, drag him out here!" The consorts flinched before heading out from the quarters.

"Your majesty ... please .. ah!" Elpis watched as her concubine felt another wave of pain washed through her body. Elpis let go of her concubine and ordered the doctor to do whatever it takes to make sure she's okay.

"Stay here with your sister. Make sure that the doctor did their job right." The lower concubines bow as Elpis leave the quarters.

"Elpis? What's going on?" The imperial consort was surprised when she saw the empress walked out from Delphine's quarters in rage. Elpis ignored both the imperial and noble consort as she walked towards the court.

"Sister? What's going on?" The emperor was confused to why his sister decided to be in court. It was when the consorts pushed down a minister that everyone seemed to put two and two.

"Kneel in the presence of the empress!" Consort Elena forced the minister to kneel with the help of a imperial guard.

"Emperor Ragnar and Empress Sophia as my witness, what have you done in Galatea Palace?" The minister decided to kept his words to himself after being asked by Elpis.

"When her majesty asked question, you answer!" Consort Margaux took a stick from the guard and hit the minister on his back. The people of the court were astonished by this behaviour from the consort.

"Did you or did you not deflowered my concubine?" Elpies asked once again. The people of court gasped at the claimed. Even emperor Ragnar and empress Sophia were surprised.

"I did." The minister finally spoken.

"Why?" Elpis just want to know his honest answer.

"Because she was beautiful and in need of attention. Lady Delphine was the daughter of the prime minister. And she is known as the most beautiful woman in the Empire. Hell, all of your concubines are beautiful, your majesty but Delphine ... she's different. She was forced to be with you and I'm just there when she needs someone the most." Elpis showed no reaction as she walked down the stairs to meet the minister eye to eye.

"In other words, you've taken a liking to my concubine? Did you or did you not read the rules of Galatea Palace? No one is permitted to touch MY concubines. But you ... you have the guts to put a child inside one of them. How do you plead?" Elpis asked while looking down on the minister with her icy blue orbs.

"Sister! If I may, he came from a long line of distinguish minister and loyal to the court. If something bad were to happen to him, the court will be affected." Elpis turned her glare to her brother.

The emperor didn't expect that his sister would act this way for a lowly concubine.

"You're right, brother. What was I thinking?" Elpis laughed before she turned to the imperial consort.

"My whip, Virtra." The imperial consort sighed before she present the empress with a whip that she kept at her side at all time.

"Do you love my concubine?" The minister kept a straight face.

"Yes."

"Did you had fun deflowering her inside my palace?" Elpis whipped the floor with her whip to gained everyone's attention.

"Did Delphine ever told you that she love you?" Elpis's question made everyone feel sorry for her. She just came back from war and now she have to face this matter.

"She did, your majesty. She love me." Elpis let go of her whip before facing the imperial consort.

"I see." Was all she said before taking Virtra by the hand and asked noble consort Grace to do what she sees fit to the minister.

***

"This incense should help you to relax your tense muscle." Virtra said while she watched Elpis walked towards her bed.

"It's not poison, is it? Do you want to leave me as well, Virtra?" The imperial consort chuckled as she made some tea for her wife.

"You have to kill me if you wish me to leave your side, Elpis." Elpis didn't react.

"Elpis, I know you're sad about Delphine. But please, don't torture yourself like this. If you need more concubine, I can find them for you. Delphine is not the only one in court. You have me, Grace, Elana, Margaux ... even those low rank concubines. We're here for you." Elpis once again didn't react.

"Do you know why I decided to give the throne to my brother and his wife?" The empress suddenly asked. Virtra shrugged.

"Because I don't want to die the same way like my mother. And now ... Delphine is facing exactly like my mother did when she tried to bring me into this world. What if ... what if Delphine ... suffer the same faith as my mother?" The imperial consort forced Elpis to stand on her feet and guide her to the sitting area to have some tea.

"Your mother was poisoned by empress dowager. That's why she was weak when she gave birth to you. I can assured you that I taken care of Delphine better than that hypocrite. You don't have to worry about a thing. You've taken a doctor as a concubine for a reason, right? I'm sure Lady France will do wonder by helping the imperial doctor in saving Delphine and her child." The imperial consort pour a cup of tea for Elpis.

She proceed to stand behind the empress and gave her a massage on her shoulder.

"Elpis ... I have a question. If you don't mind me asking." Elpis waved her hands.

"Why didn't you end the minister life even after knowing that he had done something horrible in Galatea Palace?" Elpis took a sip of the tea before looking upward to face the imperial consort.

"Because I don't want that child to know that I killed its father. What if that child grow up to be a tyrant? Delphine came from a noble family. Her brother was there when I lead the army. He's quite strong when it comes to battling it out with the enemy. I don't want that child to be the source of my failure." Virtra chuckled before giving Elpis a kiss on the tip of her nose.

"You and your logic. Anyway, once the child is born, what should we do? Should we just cast it out from the palace and let the maids worried about it or should we dispose both the minister and Delphine together with that child away from the palace?" Elpis shake her head no.

"Let Delphine raise the child here in Galatea. But let the child feel what hardship is. I don't want any child that was raise here in this palace turns out to be a spoil brat like all those nobility." Elpis patted her thigh, telling the imperial consort to sit.

"And as for the minister, I don't want to see him near Galatea Palace ever again. Warned him to never step a single foot into my palace. If he dares, death will be waiting for him." Virtra finally stopped moving her body as she looked into Elpis's icy blue orbs.

"Virtra ... I'm so tired ..." Elpis wrapped her arms around Virtra's body as she enjoys her scent that she had long for.

"Elpis ... did you missed me that much? Here I thought you would asked for the soldiers to find you a woman to please. You didn't? At all?" Elpis shake her head no.

"Why would I do something like that when I have the best wife and consorts back in the palace? Each and everyone of you compliments me. All of you completes me. Can we stay this way for awhile. It's been so long since I held you in my arms." The imperial consort nodded while caressing the empress's hair.

"Such a baby." Virtra chuckled.

"I see ... you may go." The imperial consort closed the door after she was informed about Lady Delphine's condition.

"Who was at the door?" Elpis asked with her eyes still close while lying on the bed.

"It was Grace. Delphine managed to gave birth to a healthy little boy. Both the mother and son are fine." Elpis opened her eyes before getting up to a sitting position.

"I see. Please make the proper arrangement for the newborn. I'll be spending a night at Delphine's quarters tonight." The imperial consort nodded before she helped Elpis getting into her morning bath. After helping the empress scrubbing her back, she went to the door and asked the lower concubines to enter the room to help her putting on her attire for today.

"France, you've been up all night. Why are you here?" Elpis asked her concubine.

"I'm just a low rank lady, your majesty. This is what I'm supposed to do." Elpis hummed before she turned to Virtra.

"Let her rest for today. She did save Delphine from death. You did a good job, France. The rest can come with us." Virtra nodded as she acknowledged her orders. Lady France bow her head.

"Your majesty, forgive me if I'm being rude but ... what exactly are we doing today? It's rare for us to accompany you to any official social gathering." Lady Mirabel asked while she puts on Elpis's official attire.

"Meeting the officials of course. The victory I've obtained mean a great deal for the empire. Our enemies are coming to negotiate about their fate now that they're under our control. And also ... I want to make sure that the court is completely under our control. While I was away, I'm sure Virtra asked each of you to do something in my favour, correct?" The concubines nodded.

"It's like a dream come true. The war is over. No more needless death. No more unnecessary bloodshed. You've done a great job, your majesty. If only ... if only peace could be obtained before ..." Elpis placed her hands on Mirabel's shoulders.

"Do not fret. I promised you that I shall seek peace for you and I did." Mirabel kneel on the floor, asking for forgiveness.

"It was selfish of me to request such thing, your majesty. Look at you ... your wounds ... your beautiful body ... it all because of me that you have to suffered so much." Elpis smiled.

"Mirabel, rise. There's no need for you ... any of you to be so formal while we're in private." Elpis helped Mirabel to stand up on her feet before caressing her cheek.

"The Empire has long for this victory since my father was emperor. But because of you ... I survived the whole ordeal. I just want to make you ... each and everyone of you happy." Elpis smiled at Lady Ravinia, Blanca and Celestia whom stand by Virtra's side.

"Put on your best dress, my concubines. We shall impress those who look down on us today." The concubines bow their head.

"The lower concubines are quite something. Except for France since she's a doctor, I don't see why you have to take the rest of them into our harem." Virtra asked when the concubines leave the room.

"You don't? That means you have to learn how to view things like I do, Virtra. Enough of this. Get yourself ready." The imperial consort obliged and went to the closet to get herself ready. Elpis finds her sword neatly placed on a table. She was surprised to see that her sword had been cleaned.

"Virtra ... did you clean my sword?" Elpis asked.

"I did. Now help me tie this up. I can't believe I have to dress for court. You really like to show your concubines in front of all the officials huh?" Elpis smiled as she helped the imperial consort with the strings.

"You should be happy because I like to flaunt my beautiful concubines in front of others. I even let you go out to town as much as you like. Do you hate that idea as well?" The imperial consort flicked the empress's nose.

"Keep your hands to yourself. Don't you had enough yesterday? What if they see the marks on my body?" Elpis raised both her hands.

"I just couldn't help myself, Virtra." The imperial consort rolled her eyes before opening the door for Elpis. As they walked towards the court, the emperor waved at his sister before noticed something odd.

"You only brought 8 of your concubines? I understand about Delphine's situation but ... where's Lady France?" Elpis explained the situation to her brother whom understand completely.

"I understand. Let's get you settle in before the officials arrived." The emperor patted the throne seat for his sister.

"You act suspiciously, Ragnar. What's going on?" Elpis asked her brother who act weirdly since she arrived.

"Nothing. I'm just glad I don't have to listen to these officials fighting each other. Good luck sister." Ragnar gave his sister two thumbs up. His eyes turned to Virtra who stood behind his sister's throne.

"Sister in law, you can have Sophia's seat. It wouldn't be nice for the queen to stand." Ragnar offered but Virtra declined.

"I'm perfectly fine where I am. Beside it's easy for me to act if something goes wrong." Ragnar swallowed the invisible lumps in his throat.

"Something will go wrong? Please tell me you're joking, sister in law." Ragnar's hands begin to shake.

"Virtra, leave the poor boy alone. They're here." They waited until court are filled with the empire's officials. Ministers from every department made themselves known in front of the true ruler of the empire.

"I am appalled. They should be the one who waited for us. Not the other way around. How did you lead this court, brother?" Ragnar apologised for his negligence.

"Sister, that minister who just greeted us, he's new and quite a talented politician. Noble consort Grace asked me to investigate about him not too long ago. Nothing seemed suspicious except for his connection. He is quite well known in the underworld." Elpis nodded as she acknowledged the new piece of information.

"Not everyone is happy when they know the war is over. No war means no profit ... no profits means trouble among the righteous merchant and the underworld. Our people will greatly affected by this. Not to mention that we might suffered from those who against peace." Elpis raised an eyebrow.

"I see."

***

"Say ... I've been meaning to ask. Why is the princess general sitting on the throne rather than the emperor? She got some nerve taking the emperor's spot like that." An older minister immediately hushed the younger officials.

"Do you wish to die that badly? Since she's back, of course she would sit on the throne. Didn't your predecessor mentioned that the real ruler of the empire is EMPRESS Elpis of Galan? Emperor Ragnar was made emperor because of this empire's strict law. Only male could ascend the throne. Empress Elpis refuse to marry a man so she handed the throne to her half brother." The young official had more question popping in his mind.

"If that's the case, why would she sits on the throne? The emperor should do something. She's clearly has ulterior motives." The older minister hushed the young official yet again.

"Keep your voice low! This court is filled with those who support the empress. You're going to get into trouble. Even I couldn't help you if you were summoned by the imperial consort herself." By now, the young official seemed even more confused.

"But ... concubines aren't suppose to have power in court. My lord, are you okay? You shouldn't be worried this much about a mere concubine." The older minister sighed heavily.

"You have a lot to learn if you want to survive in this court, young one." He dragged the young official far enough so that no one could hear them.

"You see, empress Elpis is the daughter of the first empress. But unfortunately, she died at childbirth. Soon, the late emperor remarried and then the second empress, our empress dowager came into the picture and gave birth to two princes. Emperor Ragnar and the second prince." The older minister looked around to make sure no one is being nosy.

"Empress Elpis was raised to be a lady who knows the affairs of the palace, the art of war, politics and even how to become a general of an army. The princes was given the same education as the empress but the former emperor only sees potential in his princess Elpis at the time. He planned to marry the princess general off to a worthy prince but the she refuse because ... as you can see, she's fond of females." The young official finally understands.

"And since the princess general refused, she asked her half brother, our emperor to take the throne. But the late emperor was worried that he might lead the empire to ruin. That is why, before the death of late emperor, he asked the princess general to ruled behind her brother, in the shadows. Those who only work inside the palace knows about this. I can't believe your predecessor didn't even mentioned about this before you take his place." The young official was glad that he didn't make any scene on his first day at court.

"But still ... why do we have to worried about a mere concubines? Sure, they are here to please the empress but ... they have no power over this court." The older minister sighed.

"How foolish can you be? Who do you think has been giving advice to the emperor while empress Elpis was gone? Imperial consort Virtra and noble consort Grace are not someone you could easily trick. Their intelligence exceed all the minds of the officials combine. Even the ministers has some respect for the imperial and noble consort. Why do you think empress Elpis kept them close to her? They act as her eyes and ears." The young official nodded.

"But now that I think about it, why did the empress brought all her available concubines into court? There must be something going on that we have no idea about." The older minister thought before turning to the young official.

"Listen here young man, empress Elpis's concubines are different than the emperor's or any other concubines you might know off. For one, they're not use to provide heir like they supposed to. They are here to support the empress in gaining more power, more wealth, more influence against other forces." The young officials nodded again.

"And this is just a simple reminder; do not engage with any of them without precaution. You've seen what the empress did to one of the minister who deflowered one of her concubine. Look at what happened to him now? Hell, she even let noble consort Grace to take care of him. Only God will be able to save him now." The young official swallowed a huge lump in his throat.

"The king of Earth Kingdom arrived." The herald announced. All minister went to their places and foresee this meeting. The young official was surprised to see a huge man approaching the throne.

"I an the king of Earth Kingdom. Long live Empress Elpis. Glory and peace for the empire." The king kneel on one knee and he kept his head low.

"Rise, king of Earth Kingdom. How was your trip?" Elpis asked. The king didn't rise. He kept kneeling while keeping his head low.

"Memorable. By the way, your majesty. I am here to negotiate for my people. I am aware that you've won the war and indirectly, the land that used to belong to my ancestor belongs to you now." The ministers gasped when they heard the king's claim. Elpis kept a expressionless facial.

"Your majesty, what do you plan to do to my people? I am wronged to go against you on the battlefield. I had accepted my defeat earnestly but please, your majesty, please spare my people. They have nothing to do with the agreement my minister had suggested." Elpis raised her eyebrow.

"Your ministers agreed to my condition when we met each other. Now that I've won the war, and your kingdom belongs to the Empire, why do you have to show yourself now? Why didn't you asked the same minister that came to see me to be here?" The king kept his head low.

"My father trusted the wrong man, your majesty. After the war was over, my father fell ill and I have no choice but to take over the kingdom. By the time I took the throne, it was in ruined. The ministers who used to support my father, they flee after knowing my father failed to won the war against the empire." Elpis chuckled.

"Imperial consort Virtra, you have wide knowledge about the Earth Kingdom. What do you propose we do about it and it's people?" The king finally looked up to the empress, baffled that she asked her concubine instead of her ministers.

"Earth Kingdom has fertile land for vegetation. It might help the empire in terms of agriculture and economic. But every district ruled by a corrupted lord which led to the mistreatment of its own people. The former king was too busy playing around with his concubines to even help his own people. The only way to dispose of those who will ruin the empire in the future is by killing them." The ministers murmured among themselves.

"I see. Is that true? Did your father always fooled around while his people needed him?" The king kept his head low.

"Yes, your majesty." Elpis hummed.

"Will you do the same?" The king shake his head no.

"I won't fall into my father's way of ruling the kingdom! I have a beautiful and expecting wife to care for. Fooling around with other women will only resulted to my own death!" Elpis was impressed by the king's boldness.

She laughed and so did the other concubines.

"My king, the empress was just trying to test you. My sisters and I will think of a way to use your resources for the good of the empire and your people. We're glad to have the Earth Kingdom as our ally." Noble consort Grace said while she walked towards the king to helped him up to his feet.

"Thank you, your majesty, your ladyship!" Elpis smiled.

"We shall talk in private. My servant will show you the way to your room after this court session is over. Please wait in the corner with the other ministers." The noble consort guide the king to the corner before going back to the empress side.

"So ... what exactly does the ministers and officials do here?" The young official asked.

"We do whatever the concubines and the emperor asked us to do. The empress rarely gave us any orders but when she does, it only means something terrible is about to happen. So, if you wish to live long and a happy life, keep your own thoughts to yourself. Never ... ever disrespect the empress and her concubines." The young official nodded.

"Don't worry old man. I won't."