2 THE DECISION-1

"Don't cry when the sun is gone, because the tears won't let you see the stars."

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The Empress was feeling slightly uneasy, it has been many long years but the heart yearns for the one, it could not have! Forget it! she can't waste her time, thinking about a backstabbing man. But nothing is the same now, everything has changed. The man standing in front of her was not the Nicholas to whom she has given her heart, only to be crushed mercilessly.

Prince Nicholas was Empress Rosella's, first love. She should have been happy to see him. But loving him taught her only one thing! One must not love someone so deeply that they could never come out from this black hole and mend their heart!

Love is nothing but destruction. If she had not loved him so much, then maybe she could have lead a peaceful life.

Meanwhile, Prince Nicholas was waiting for Merlia, who was looking extremely pitiful, to give her answer. She was arousing pity from everyone, especially from the Emperor.

With a very frail expression, her eyes, full of tears, she looked at Prince Nicholas and said- " Your Highness, I do not want to die at such an early age, I want to live more! I am ready to become your concubine!" Concubine Merlia knew how to go with the flow, she changed sides without blinking eyes!

It was not that Merlia didn't love Emperor Austin, but she has simply grown tired of sharing her man with countless beauties in the harem. Which woman is so virtuous that she would give her man to some other woman willingly.

And why should she give? Why should a woman only suffer? What about the man who takes numerous wives and then watches them harming and ultimately killing each other? Rosella and Merlia had only one thing common. And it was their wish for the man they loved to treat them with equality.

But women are quite unfortunate in these matters. She had to watch the man she loved, sharing his affections with other women. It was unacceptable to her! Absolutely unfair!

She was sick of all the schemes too. Which person would not get tired after looking out for herself as well as schene others? It didn't mean that concubine Merlia had no suffering, though not as much as Empress Rosella.

From a pampered rich miss to a scheming concubine, it was not a path that everyone could tread on. Especially not the soft-hearted. Even the Emperor himself is unaware of many of the dark secrets hiding in his harem. It was not an easy task to remain in the Emperor's favor with countless beauties running after him.

The Emperor was enraged beyond limits! He could not control his anger. It seemed that steam was coming out of his nose and ears.

"Merlia! What drivel are you saying? You love me and only me. We promised each other to live and die together! Did you forget that? We spent so much time together, I fulfilled all your wishes, took care of you for all these years, neglected all your sinful deeds and this is how you compensate me?"

The Emperor forgot all his grace and bearing at that moment. Merlia's words were continuously echoing in his head.

Merlia told him, "Your Majesty! I admit that I loved you and you took care of me, but I love my life more! Have you any idea how difficult it was, for me, a woman to watch the man I loved since childhood embracing other women. Am I not a human? How will you feel if I embrace several other men too?

If I do not have to die, then it's enough for me! If I also die, then who will take care of our Aiden? He is only two years old and needs his mother's love."

Meanwhile, the Empress started laughing and then said after snorting-" Wow! What an epic love story! The Emperor was discussing to make a monument to celebrate their love and the mistress left him to die alone.

Tsk tsk, what a pity! This love story is worth being mentioned in history. I am sure people will be inspired by it, am I right, Your Majesty?" The Empress mockingly said.

She doesn't know the reason but she was feeling quite satisfied for the first time in her married life. She knew that the sly loved concubine was completely narcissistic.

She didn't keep anyone but only herself at the top. Merlia loved the Emperor, but she also knew that there will be numerous women in the king's harem. She didn't dare to voice out her thoughts before marriage but now she realizes it?

How many concubines and maids were killed by this witch and how many concubines have lost their child due to Merlia's jealousy, only the Empress knew. Moreover, Merlia always encouraged Emperor Austin to take concubines just to please him.

If she felt so much irritation, then she could ask Austin to not take further concubines. But she didn't even try. Huh! A woman with no backbone!

But what could Rosella do? When the Emperor himself had no problem, then why should she bother about it?

The foolish Emperor thought that Merlia was being pampered by the love he showered on her but alas! rather he was feeding her with more arrogance!

Emperor Austin felt like someone emptied gallons of cold water on him. He stopped struggling and felt indifferent. He has no wish to compete for that crafty woman.

Though he knew that he was also wrong. He promised Merlia that there would be no woman beside her but after becoming the emperor, he could not help himself and started taking other women. Moreover, Rosella was his first wife, not Merlia. She betrayed him in the worst way possible.

He always thought that it would be Merlia who would accompany him everywhere, even to the underworld but she left him in front of the enemy. He knew that Prince Nicholas was as powerful as him and could be possibly more as he was the real son of the previous Phoenix of the empire( the previous empress). He was the original heir to the throne. Now Nicholas has come back to take, what was his!

He now just wanted to see one more thing- What would his Empress do? Will she abandon him too? He could only wait and watch the scenes unfolding in front of him!

"hmmm, so you decided to be a concubine! You indeed are very cunning and calculative." Prince Nicholas said. No one could decipher whether they were flattering words or offensive ones.

Since the Emperor treated Merlia above everyone, she flew very high in the sky, putting everyone under her shoes, and the Empress was no exception. Therefore, Merlia spoke bashfully to Nicholas but still, everyone could hear her words, "Your Majesty, I am wondering what is the fate of our empress now" there was no concern in her eyes or in her words for the Empress.

But this was something everyone present there were wondering, whether the Empress would join Prince Nicholas' harem or die together with the Emperor!