THE IMPERIAL SUCCESSOR

Empress and Lion crown prince looked at each other. Their hearts were beating fast, and it was heard. The crown prince kissed the hand of the empress behind his mask then slowly brought his face closer. Does he want to kiss me? The Empress then closed her eyes. In surrender. This is the second time I've kissed a guy, and they're different guys. If I dodge the crown prince, Lion will be sad. Wasn't my goal in coming to see him comfort the crown prince Lion, who was low because of his friend's departure? The crown prince raised his mask after seeing the empress closing both eyes. Just as they were about to kiss, someone knocked on the door.

"Her Highness the Empress."

A maid called me. The voice came from lady Yun. I then opened my eyes. The crown prince immediately lowered his mask back. I want to see that face, though.

"Looks like we're going to postpone today." Crown prince Lion said it to me. 

I then blushed. The Empress and Crown Prince then sat away and allowed Lady Yun to enter. Lady Yun went inside. She saw the awkward attitude of me and the Lion crown prince. Dayang Yun felt that her arrival had disturbed the togetherness of the empress and crown prince Lion.

"What did you come looking for me for?"

"Lord Karol gave a message to Her Majesty the Empress that Lord Alphonse died by suicide."

I was so surprised to hear that. Why is it like this? When I was here, two people had already died, and the cause of it all was me. I then looked at the crown prince. Because he's wearing a mask. I don't know what his facial expression was when he heard this news. Maybe the Lion crown prince is sad again. Alphonse's death reopens the wound after losing his friend. I then grabbed the crown prince Lion's hand. He turned his face to me.

"Okay, I'll be right there."

The queen consort and crown prince Lion went to prison. There is no conversation between us. Then we got there. Duke and Emmanuel stood in front of the door. Karol and the inspection officer examined the victim's body. I then went inside. His body was covered with cloth, and only the victim's hand could be seen because Karol was examining the hand.

"Tell me the truth."

"This man died about an hour ago. Judging from the condition of his body he committed suicide by cutting off his hand veins and died of loss of blood."

The inspection officer paid for the corpse. Not long after, Alphonse's body was buried in the graves of the workers. The atmosphere in the palace became silent. I'm working on palace documents. The task had piled up a lot since I was gone a few days in the Mist region.

"I can't concentrate."

I put the quill on the table. I decided to look for Emmanuel. When I leave the office. I just remembered that I didn't know where Emmanuel was. Inside the harem palace, there are many rooms. I can't find one by one. The concubines would misunderstand me if I came to see them.

"Call Emmanuel to come see me now."

Finally, I asked my bodyguard for help. It didn't take long for Emmanuel to arrive at my room. He wears white clothes. The chest is open. Why is he dressed like that?

"Your Excellency."

Emmanuel hugged me. He looks so cute as a bunny. I then laughed at him.

"It turns out that my choice was not wrong."

Emmanuel looked confused. He didn't know what I meant.

"Come in!"

I asked him to come inside. Emmanuel acted as if he was obedient. Inside Emmanuel's room sat on a chair. Saw him sitting like a model. I feel fortunate. Handsome young men surrounded me. They are all very nice to me too. He even risked his life to help me.

"I want to thank you for helping me."

"We were all very worried when we found out that Her Majesty the Empress was kidnapped."

"You two go there together."

"The duke sent a letter to the palace. We then went there after getting the news."

Duke Magnus was one of those people who didn't care about the empress. But why did he ask for help? If I'm not mistaken, when I was on my way home from the Western Kingdom, the Duke also asked Karol for help to protect me. The four concubines tried to save the empress. The owner of this body would surely be happy to know this. But unfortunately, he had to die before seeing it.

"Your Excellency."

Emmanuel's voice calls me out of my thoughts.

"Today I'm not feeling very well. That's why I called you."

Emmanuel smiled at me. He then hugged me. Feels warm. I then rested my head on his chest.

"Do not move. Leave it like this for a while."

"Very well, Your Majesty."

I asked Emmanuel not to change his body position. For some time, we hugged.

"Thank you."

I let go of the hug. Emmanuel then kissed my forehead. It took me by surprise, but it didn't last long.

After Emmanuel's arrival, I can sleep peacefully. The crown prince of Lion will return to his Kingdom.

"I will spare a schedule to go to the Southern kingdom."

"Thank you for the generosity of Her Majesty the Empress."

Crown prince Lion kissed the back of my palm before leaving. I ushered him off with a smile. The crown prince came home on his horse. Even though I had offered him to use my horse-drawn carriage. The crown prince of Lion refused because there would be news about the empress of the Northern Kingdom being kidnapped while going to the Mist region. I can't force it. However, what the crown prince said was not wrong. The incident about me being kidnapped was kept a secret. Even Duke Magnus issued orders to execute anyone who dared to spread the news. 

***

A few days after the departure of the crown prince Lion. The prime minister of the Northern kingdom asked me to have a royal successor immediately. The government needs it. Children born to any concubine were not a problem.

"I have to do something."

Uncle always urges me every time we meet.

"Her Highness the Empress should consider this suggestion."

"This is not the time to discuss successors. No representatives from the Northern kingdom attended the coronation ceremony of the crown prince to become the King of the Southern Kingdom. I decided to go there immediately."

"Successors are equally important. People are looking forward to the good news."

"Alright I will consider it after returning from the Southern Kingdom."

Finally, I admit defeat to my uncle. He was indeed a good King candidate.

"Thank you for granting the prime minister's wish."

I then sighed. I don't know how to do it. A girl who has never spent a night with a man. She now has to face the successor. The next day the prime minister visited the empress's harem palace. He delivered a message to all the concubines to prepare themselves because the empress would see them. The kingdom will give a successor.