The blood feud.

The emperor stormed down from his ornate chariot, each step echoing through the grand hallway of his palace like thunder. His eyes, sharp as venom, glimmered with a fierce intensity, and his fingers curled like fangs, ready to strike. He brushed past the attendants without a glance, his anger palpable in the air, and plunged into the steaming water of his tub with a forceful splash. Sinking into the warmth, he shut his eyes, seeking solace amidst the turmoil.

Observing him from a distance was an old woman, her face a mask of smiles that belied the unease in her heart. She approached the carpenter with hesitant gratitude, "I don't know why you helped me, but I'm glad you did." She nudged a small pouch toward him.

"I didn't; your daughter paid for all my services," he replied curtly.

"Did she leave a name?" The woman asked.

"Not really. I was in such a rush to finish the work. Besides, she dashed off with a friend." His retort hung heavy in the air, prompting a sigh of resignation from the woman. She couldn’t shake the feeling that her daughter was never one to leave without offering assistance—not just to her but to everyone. There had to be more to this stranger than met the eye.

Mirabel and Elsa lifted their heads at the sight of the trembling keys in his hand, their curiosity piqued. Their gazes locked as he approached, the shadows of his hood falling away to reveal his striking emerald eyes, which shimmered with a depth that unsettled them. He slowly untucked his lips, exuding a mix of confidence and vulnerability, before stepping closer to Elsa and planting a gentle kiss on her palm.

"You were in such a hurry that you forgot this!" He smiled, and she leaned back, startled yet intrigued.

"You didn't have to... what if...?" she stammered.

"Shu shu...? I thought of all that before I came," he reassured her, his voice steady. Mirabel cleared her throat, breaking the tension.

"This is Ezra, my sister Mirabel. Mirabel, meet my man Ezra!" she introduced, a touch of mischief dancing in her tone. Mirabel rolled her eyes, snatching the keys from his hand before whisking them away into the palace. She quickly changed out of her damp attire, slipping into a gown as dry as her wit.

Elsa, catching a lingering thought, kissed Ezra goodbye before trailing after Mirabel, feeling the weight of her sister’s disapproval.

She shoved his shoulders slightly," Go before the emperor sees you..." He walked out through the narrow bush paths until he was out of her sight.

She reached for Mirabel's arm, but Mirabel shrugged her off.

"Don't! When were you going to tell me? You're sleeping with him?" Mirabel's voice was sharp, layered with concern.

"We haven't gotten that far," Elsa replied earnestly, holding her sister's gaze. "I know your fears, but I won't disappoint you. Please, I need your trust."

Dressed to resemble royalty, they each clutched a book as they strolled down the opulent hallway. Melissa, the maid, approached them, her expression solemn. "Your Highness, the emperor is back but in a rather dark mood. Be cautious." Mirabel exchanged a fleeting glance with Elsa, who nodded in understanding as they entered Moana’s suite. Melissa bowed politely and retreated.

Moana’s face instantly brightened, her infectious grin illuminating the room as her sisters entered. She sprang from her bed and rushed to embrace them. "What took you so long? You had me worried sick!"

"Don’t fret, my lovable little third princess of the Flames," Mirabel cooed, caressing her sister’s cheek, which glowed with a rosy hue.

"Are you upset with us?" Moana asked, her brows knitting in concern.

"Not at all!" she replied, her heart softening. “My precious bird!” she exclaimed suddenly, her attention caught by an avian creature tethered and trembling.

"Oh, poor thing!" Moana murmured, gently cradling the bird in her hands before moving it to a luxurious cage by the window where it could feel the sunlight.

"Did Dad ask for us?" Elsa queried, scanning Moana’s face for answers.

"Not really. He barely acknowledged anyone. Just tell him you were asleep when he arrived," Moana suggested dismissively.

"Let's go meet the emperor," Mirabel urged, her voice steady.

As they entered the emperor's chambers, he sat slumped on his elaborate couch, his mind a tangled web of unanswered questions. He rested his forehead against his palm, seeking a moment's reprieve from the relentless demands of his role.

He shifted to the bed, pulling a heavy duvet over his body, feeling the weight of a thousand thoughts pressing down on him. The door creaked open, and his gaze lifted, finding his daughters standing there.

Their expressions brightened his mood, igniting a flicker of joy amid his heavy heart. They bowed gracefully before climbing onto the bed, each one settling close. "Dad," they called in unison.

"You don’t look well; is it about the battle or the meeting?" Mirabel asked, taking his feet in her hands and gently massaging oil onto them. "Whatever it is, I trust you’ll handle it beautifully."

"My jewels!" he exclaimed, running his fingers lovingly through Moana’s hair.

"Dad, you returned and didn’t even care to check on your jewels?" Mirabel gently scolded.

"I promise to be better from now on. I wasn’t in a good mood, so I didn’t want to take it out on any of you for something beyond your knowledge." He said.

"I can’t stop loving you, mentor," Mirabel murmured, her affection palpable. "Come on, everyone, let’s eat."

Mirabel rolled onto her side in bed, feeling the grip of sleep slipping from her. She rushed out of bed and splashed cold water on her face, staring at the clock, which stubbornly read midnight.

With a yawn, she slipped her feet into cozy slippers and made her way to the emperor's suite.

Knocking softly, she pushed the door open, her eyes widening in surprise at the enveloping darkness. Candlelight flickered across the room, casting ghostly shadows as the emperor sat, his brow furrowed in concentration over the scrolls scattered before him.

"Long live my Lord!" she said, bowing deeply.

"Why have you come at such an odd hour? Is something wrong?" he inquired, his voice laced with concern.

"I couldn’t sleep. My Lord wore no smile during dinner!" she said, noting the weariness etched into his features. He rubbed his forehead with a sigh.

"Yes, I was... but I’m fine now," he assured her.

"No, you’re not! Please, tell me what troubles you."

"How does that help?" he challenged, though a glimmer of intrigue sparked in his eyes.

"It might not add wealth or strength, but it lightens your burden, allowing you to see through the fog of worry with fresh eyes," she replied, her youthful wisdom shining through.

He smiled softly, the corners of his mouth lifting just enough to reveal the vulnerable man underneath the crown. "The world will take note of your persistence and courage. There is a history behind the feud between the Flames and the Nightshade..."

"Tell me everything!" she implored, her curiosity ignited.

"Many years ago, both the Nightshade...” he began, the shadows of the past weaving into the narratives they would share, slowly unveiling the layers of their world's intricate tapestry.

"Many years ago, both the Nightshade empire and the Flame's empire were one and just a king ruled the entire empire, The Flames. Nightingale was the Flames' most trusted knight. The Flames had a princess who had always been power-hungry, so she planned with her lover, Nightingale, to take over power in a bloody coup.

The first prince, Arthur Flames, wasn't a soft one, so he fought until he conquered just half of the kingdom and named it the Flames Empire. And the story of Arthur Flames became a legend, he's my great great great grandfather. Lucifer is a Lord and has risen to rule both empires; his plots and schemes are wild because he makes even his best Knight a pawn.

He's strong but certainly has a weakness. He's fast dominating subordinate clans, and I heard he placed a letter before the council, though a rumor, but I'm more concerned about the content of the letter."

"Arthur Flames the Seventh, what exactly are you worried about?" Her eyes fixed on her father," Are you afraid of losing to him or afraid of putting your best and being just who you are, the king of the largest empire in Millwood? The king whose kindness overwhelms his people, the one person whose next step can't be predicted.

" Sincerely I don't know what I'm worried about!.." He exhaled. She arched her brows and stared deep into his eyes," After all these years, you haven't gotten away from the thoughts of her, have you?" She said and he nodded slowly. She went to hug him.

" What exactly led to the coup that took my mother's life?" The king stood and his robe swept the floor. Mirabel stared. He got to the table and set the chess, Mirabel went and sat by his side.

" Life's one thing that is hard to predict. But royalty and leadership are positions we fight to maintain. It took me years to realize that the reasons are different but actions are similar," He sat and moved a pawn.

" The former chairman of the Millwood's Council of Elders wanted to reign in peace, so he proposed a peace pact on the day that the signature was meant to be signed. They planned a coup and almost overthrew me, but your mother was attacked and killed in the line."

" You'll be fine!" Mirabel whispered.

She bent the jug to his glass, and he sipped," They are proposing another peace pact, and there might be yet another war, but I'm more worried about you, my girls.

She placed her palms on his shoulders," Why waste your time on worries, we've got to prepare for a war "

The king released his diastema, and his youthful age could be seen, " Mirabel, you've got the heart and brains of a lion, but the fear of chicken could trip you, learn weakness management."

He took his glass and relaxed on the couch," The two victims of war are hurt, but one refuses to survive and heal from the attack." He added.

" Father! What's the fear of chicken." Mirabel said.

" That's a puzzle you'll answer in your story." He stood up and went to lay on his bed. Mirabel spread the duvet over him and locked up his windows. She turned down the lamp.

She smiled at the portrait, and memories flashed through her head. She sighed then touched the nose and the wall with the books' shelf opened. Her eyebrows raised, but she stepped in, and the wall went shut.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***