THE PROMISE

Prince Nicholas charmingly said, "Andre, leave her, now we don't want to have her beautiful face turn ugly, right? Her beauty is her ultimate weapon! Anyways, brother Austin, now you know, how much your Merlia loved you!"

Meanwhile, Merlia was blushing hard, due to embarrassment.

But Emperor Austin has long stopped thinking, he just wanted to know Empress Rosella's views, so he said," My dear Empress, what do you want to do, after all, Nicholas is none other than your childhood sweetheart and first love, am I right? "

The Empress snorted and replied, "Your Majesty, why do you want to know my views, after all, I am not qualified enough to concern you! Do you remember your words? But rest assured, I am the mother of the country and I would do everything in my power to safeguard it!"

"Interesting ! so Empress Rosella, are you ready to become my concubine? I will give you all the riches, care and love you have yearned for. I will visit you regularly and give you children. So, what do you say?" Nicholas smirked and asked.

Empress Rosella has never imagined that a time would come when Prince Nicholas would talk to her so crudely! Does this mean that all those promises and words of love, were fake?

The Empress only asked one question, "Who will be your Empress?"

"Why of course, it would be my dear wife Niara! I hope you are not thinking that you will become my empress, right?" Prince Nicholas laughed.

Empress Rosella clearly remembered that beautiful rainy day ten years back when Prince Nicholas was leaving for that dreadful war that changed the fate of so many people.

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"Incomplete meeting is a promise of meeting again..."

"Rosella, promise me that you will wait for me, I don't know when I will return but as soon as I come back, I will ask Emperor father to bestow us marriage and then, I will make you my empress. You must wait for me and not listen to the words of other men who want to marry you!"

Nicholas said with a serious face. Rosella giggled," Prince Nicholas, you know I only have you, in my heart. I hope you will come back safe and sound and achieve victory in this battle, but I am willing to wait for you for an entire lifetime."

Though on occasions, Rosella hated those girls who said such cheesy lines but she now realized that these words come from the bottom of the heart for loved ones!

"But you also promise me, you must not attract bees and butterflies and absolutely no princesses!!! I don't want any girl fancying you and your valor!"

Nicholas wholeheartedly laughed, "Worry not love, I promise you that no one can take your place in my heart! I love you a lot!"

"I love you too my Prince, come back soon and absolutely no girls....."

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But after years Rosella realized that maybe those promises washed away with the rain that day. She never broke her promise but didn't expect such a big betrayal from her love...

"So, you just want to add this Empress in your collection of concubines? Do you really think that this is enough for me to come to you?, Moreover, you are trying to merge our Helian Empire with your Slerian Empire and the Helian Empire would the removed from the history! I lived here and now I am the empress of this kingdom. How could you even think that I would leave my kingdom for your so-called 'love'? You betrayed me years ago so how could you not do it again? Anyways, once a cheater, always a cheater!" Empress Rosella sneered.

"Then, are you willing to die with your Emperor?" Prince Nicholas's devilishly handsome face turned cold. It was a terrifying sight because everyone was aware of his bad temper that could make anyone pee in their pants.

What Nicholas absolutely detested was, his past. He didn't like anyone remembering him of the past deeds.

But now the Empress, who herself was a big part of his past, has reminded him of the dreadful past.

The lies, the love, the betrayal, and the misunderstandings. He could not understand, how the things and relationships turned out to be like this. Years back, he promised Rosella that he would make Rosella his Empress. But now...

Meanwhile, the Empress continued," Yes, I AM ready to die together with the Emperor. Not because of my love or care for him but because of my duty as the Empress of my kingdom. I do not care about what others say, but I will do, what I think is right in my eyes! You can do whatever you want to do, Prince Nicholas!!! You are no less than your Emperor Brother!!!"