Prologue

A young woman with emerald hair was kneeling in front of the imperial throne.

With her hands on the floor, she trembled slightly, and was unable to even move. Fear completely paralyzed her when the lady realized the situation she was in.

When did this happen? What happened? Why did everything work out this way?

When she came here, she had no idea what was waiting for her.

But now, there was no chance to escape.

Her behavior was watched with interest by the man sitting on the throne. Crossing her legs impressively, she grinned:

— What is it? Leriana, I remember you weren't that shy before.

The woman trembled even more. They were the only ones in the hall, since everyone else was immediately kicked out. If something happens, she won't be able to call for help. No. Not even like that: no one will help her.

All because she crossed the path of a man whose word was decisive in this country.

And it depended on her will whether she would live on or not.

Leriana understood this, but at the same time did not find the strength to try to appease her.

All because they were not only old acquaintances who parted on a not too good note, but also because… That this man had become someone she didn't know at all.

The woman sitting in front of her was strikingly different from her past self a few years ago. Instead of the former gloom and indifference, arrogance and impunity appeared. She looked Leriana up and down without any hesitation. From her grin, it was clear that at this moment she was not having good thoughts at all.

A familiar and at the same time such a stranger. Whose thoughts and motives have become like an unsolved mystery for Leriana.

Clutching the parquet with her palms, the lady hoped that in this way no one would be able to take her away and do something terrible. Although it was all in vain.

«Where is Philip?! — a terrifying thought immediately pierced her, — Wasn't he supposed to be the king? What happened to him?»

In fact, Leriana guessed, but she didn't want to admit it until the last moment. No. It just can't be. The Crown Prince should definitely still be alive.

Thinking about the fate of the man who was originally supposed to continue ruling this country, the lady was even more frightened. Even if she didn't feel sorry for him, then… what will happen to her?

Is she going to suffer the same fate? Or, quite possibly, even more cruel?

Realizing this, Leriana did not move when the patience of the woman on the throne began to lose its temper.

— Raise your head.

A cold and clear order came from her mouth.

Despite the fact that it was an order from the Queen herself, Leriana could not bring herself to take her eyes off the floor. She was too scared.

From the duke's reserved daughter, her «ex» became the one who now rules the whole world. No one dares to disobey her orders. And even Leriana was powerless in front of her.

«You dare to go against the emperor's will?»

After the lady had not moved from the dead point, she heard an exasperated sigh in the dead silence of the throne room. Then, a couple of minutes later, footsteps.

Leriana shuddered.

«It can't be…! Is she coming here? What is she going to do?»

Every step as she approached turned into torture for the lady, and she barely found the courage not to break and run away from here right now. No, if she does that, it will get even worse.

Therefore, she could only obediently wait for her fate.

The woman crossed the distance between them in a matter of seconds. Leriana saw the soles of black boots in front of her, but she did not dare to look higher.

Soon, she herself sank to her level, and brazenly grabbed Leriana by the chin.

The lady had to meet the eyes of the one she herself had abandoned almost three years ago. The scarlet irises bit into her golden ones, and Rachel Cassius looked at her with an unfamiliar predatory expression on her face.

— Lea, — she grinned, — I can't believe that my obedient dog found the courage to run away from me.