Outside the window, the sunlight was excellent, rays worming their way inside to sprawl on the interspersed white and brown oak flooring, casting faint circles of light.
Queen Midela sat silently before her dressing table by the window, basking in the warmth of the winter sun. Before the copper mirror, she stuck a petal-shaped golden ornament on her forehead.
She wore a silver, low-cut, spaghetti strap dress, accentuating the exquisite curves of her figure. A unique diamond necklace sculpted an irresistible focus on her chest. Dangling from each dainty earlobe, were shimmery teardrop earrings, her golden hair styled into a classy bun and sprinkled with tiny diamonds.
Her curvaceous buttocks and slightly curled legs formed a captivating arc.
Her bright makeup, vivid red lipstick, and groomed eyebrows radiated a flirtatious charm unique to maturing women.
Already a radiant queen, the careful styling made her appear even more stunning.
The approach of footsteps didnât make her bat an eye; she just continued gazing at the figure reflected in the mirror and said:
âYour Majesty, you forgot to knock.â
A small smile played at the corners of Emperor Reinhardtâs mouth as he smirked,
âShould I really have to knock before coming into my own wifeâs room?â
âYes.â Queen Midelaâs voice carried a hint of distance, âI, too, need my privacy.â
âDo you have secrets you donât want me to know?â Emperor Reinhardt, now aware of the queenâs unusual demeanor that day, asked, âWhy are you dressed up like this? Who is it youâre preparing to meet?â
Queen Midela turned her head, a cryptic smile playing at the corner of her mouth, retorted,
âWho do you think I am going to meet?â
Emperor Reinhardt did not respond, but a dark cloud passed over his face.
Queen Midela chuckled, turned back to her makeup, and casually said,
âDonât overthink it. Itâs Governor Emoson and a young chap from the St. Prowse Family.â
Emperor Reinhardtâs face relaxed a bit, but he then asked with astonishment,
âA St. Prowse chap? Is it Eckert? When did he arrive in Dragon City?â
Queen Midela shook her head and replied, âThink about it carefully. How could Governor Emoson bring Eckert Saint Proust to meet me?â
Emperor Reinhardt then realized his misunderstanding.
Emosonâs brother, Knight Ivan, had recently been strangled to death by Colin Angler. And Eckert was a student accepted by Colin. It was highly unlikely that Emoson would bring his enemyâs student to the Phoenix Palace.
âThen who is it?â he asked.
âThe son of Knight Mate of ânon-compulsive gunsâ, Knight Camilla.â
âWho? What is that about guns?â Emperor Reinhardt seemed even more confused, he clearly had not heard of this person.
Queen Midela shrugged, answering, âI do not know him either, but he shares the surname St. Prowse, and Governor Emoson has taken interest in him.â
Only then did Emperor Reinhardt regain his composure, saying, âDo you plan to let this Camilla knight succeed as the Duke of the East?â
Queen Midela closed her makeup box and stood up slowly. Her graceful curves under the sunlight almost seemed sacred.
âWe will have to see if this Knight Camilla can be controlled by us,â she mused.
Emperor Reinhardt looked hungrily at his wife, laughed and said, âAs long as Camilla is a normal man, he cannot escape from you!â
Then, he fell into confusion again and questioned her, âWhy wouldnât you choose Eckert? He is the primary candidate for the Duke of the East.â
Queen Midelaâs eyes flickered ominously as she answered, âEckertâs teacher is Colin Angler, a man who just changed the world of the East with only twenty thousand of his Blood Knight Army.
Are you sure you would want his student to succeed as the Duke of the East?â
Emperor Reinhardt raised an eyebrow, chuckled, âAre you afraid?â
Queen Midela did not answer, she just quietly looked at her husband.
Emperor Reinhardt assumed her silence as acceptance, so he laughed, shook his head and said,
âDidnât you say that you could control Colin Angler?â
Queen Midela replied earnestly, âI can manage lions and tigers, but I canât control a giant dragon.â
âGiant Dragon?â Emperor Reinhardt laughed heartily, âHeâs just a baronâs son who luckily profited from the civil unrest in the east, is that so shocking to you?â
Queen Midela seemed to not want to deal with her pompous husband, she swayed her slender waist and walked away, speaking:
âThe agreed time is approaching, I will leave first.â
Emperor Reinhardt, watching his wifeâs graceful retreating figure, yelled, âMy queen, I have decided to lead an army against the orcs in the war. When I break those barbaric orcs with a million soldiers and personally chop off the skull of the Emperor of Orcs, you will understand, there is no one in the Glorious Empire that I canât control!â
Queen Midela suddenly stopped, turned back in surprise, âYou are leading the battle?â
âYes.â Emperor Reinhardt straightened his chest with an authoritative aura.
Queen Midela frowned, âYour Majesty, have you ever been on a battlefield?â
Emperor Reinhardt confidently replied, âNo. But I have received orthodox military education, you donât need to worry about me.â
âJust military education cannot cultivate an outstanding military commanderâ¦â
âAre you questioning me?â Emperor Reinhardt roared angrily.
âYour Majesty, I mean, because you have never experienced a real battlefield, it would be best to let someone who is experienced and competent commandâ¦â
Queen Midela tried to make her tone less harsh, but Emperor Reinhardt was deeply infuriated.
âEnough! Midela!â Emperor Reinhardt, panting heavily, yelled, âFrom the day you married me, I knew, you look down on me!
If it were not for the fact that I am the emperor of the empire, you probably wouldnât spare me a glance!
But I want to prove to you that I am not inferior to any of the great kings in the history of the Glorious Empire!â
Queen Midela seemed to lose her patience and retorted:
âYour Majesty, if youâre looking for confidence, canât the numerous noblewomen in Dragon City satisfy you? Why insist on gambling with the lives of our Imperial soldiers?â
âShut up!â
Emperor Reinhardt roared frenziedly, quickly rushed forward, and in an instant was in front of Queen Midela.
Swiftly, his right hand reached out, grabbing the queenâs delicate and fair neck.
Queen Midela, looking at her ferocious husband, said calmly:
âIf you dare to strangle me, I might really give you some attention.â
âDonât push me!â Emperor Reinhardt raged, hair aflame as if he were a furious lion.
However, this fear-inducing demeanor did not frighten Queen Midela in the slightest.
She just quietly observed her husbandâs eyes, not bothering to hide the contempt and provocation in her gaze.
Emperor Reinhardtâs face contorted for a moment before he let go, but he still snapped:
âJust you wait, I will forge my own glory with a grand victory!â
Queen Midela lightly chuckled and without another word, turned and walked away.
Emperor Reinhardt watched his wifeâs charming silhouette, his face flushed red.
Soon after, he strode out of the palace.
A maid outside quickly greeted him respectfully.
Emperor Reinhardt pointed to one particular attractive maid, and ordered:
âYou, come in!â