Chapter 16: The Changes In One’s Heart 

His heart has been pounding loudly inside his chest, since the moment he entered the border of his territory. He can already see the changes that have happened during the ten years that he went missing.

"Is something wrong, your majesty?"- Luther asks, they have arrived at the end of Laxis's territory and will soon enter the Rosa Dukedom.

Atlas glance at his knights, who are currently resupplying their resources from the small village they are resting. He wanted nothing but to see Shaelyn once again and... to see his little sister. Luther has avoided the topic of the Princess.

"It's nothing... Tell the knights to prepare to enter the capital as soon as possible."-

"As you wish your majesty."-

—-

Atlas was expecting the capital to be in a difficult situation, from hearing about the battle that has happened.

He knew its nearly impossible to recover that fast especially since Shaelyn is not there to take care of things. More importantly, because there is still the war that is still raging on.

But what welcomes him is different than what he is expecting. The people that line up in the street to welcome their King, are not gloomy or malnourished... they are rather healthy. They are wearing smiles on their faces, happy to see their King once again.

"Long live his majesty, the King!!"-

"Long live his majesty, the King!!"-

The people shout and cheered in joy the moment they saw their King riding his majestic black horse, leading his knights behind him.

"Luther..."- Atlas motions for Luther to move beside him.

"Yes, your majesty?"- Luther asks as he leads his horse beside the King's.

"How did... who did the Queen left in charge in the palace?"-

"Her Majesty, the Empress has previously left Duke Howell as the acting Prime Minister before he took over the Howell Dukedom. Currently, Countess Norie is the one running the main palace with Duke Jasper still helping from time to time."- Luther explains.

"Empress..."- Atlas mumbles as he tightened his grip on the reigns.

—

She swung her dagger in the air before it pierces the center of the wooden table along with the map place on top.

"What's wrong, your majesty?~. Are you bored already?~."- a voice asks the Empress as he solidified his shadow-like body.

"When will shut up and leave me alone?"- the Empress' cold voice made the shadow shiver but his lips still form a grin.

"I will always be your loyal servant, your majesty~."- the shadow replied before bowing his head in respect, which the Empress ignored.

The Empress grabs the dagger from the table before throwing it directly to the shadow, hitting him directly at his head.

"Get lost."- The Empress declared, before sitting down on her chair. The Shadow disappeared as soon as footsteps were heard outside the Empress's tent.

"Your majesty! A letter arrived from the capital!"- a soldier announces holding the white envelope in both hands as gently as he can while bowing his head in front of the Empress tent.

"...how important is that letter?"- the Empress questions as she grabs her sword.

"The letter is stamped with the initials of Countess Norie."- The soldier replied hoping that the Empress will not punish him for disturbing her break.

"...bring it in."- the Empress said with a sigh before putting down her sword. The soldier sighs in relief before slowly entering the Empress' tent.

His gaze remains on the floor as he presents the letter to the Empress.

"..."- the Empress wordlessly grab the letter, gazing at the seal for a moment before tearing it open.

"..."- A moment of silence has passed before a chuckle left her throat. The soldier flinches in surprise but he continues to stare at the ground.

"Looks like we need to wrap this battle as quickly as we can. If we want to join the welcoming banquet of the King."- the Empress stated still reading the letter.

"Pardon?"- the soldier mumbled confuse.

Since it's been ten years since the King went missing, almost everyone thought that the Empress will soon find a new husband.

"Tell the commander to summon all the soldiers. I have an announcement to make."- the Empress ordered as her lips form a cold smile, thankfully she didn't address his mistake. The soldier shivers before heeding her order.

"As you wish your majesty."-

——

The full moon shines brightly at the night sky, without any blankets of clouds to be seen. The border of the Saffron Kingdom stood tall with guards roaming around holding torches in each hand. Because of its spring-like climate, different rare flowers bloom beautifully under its territory.

The citizens are peacefully sleeping including their royal family until a loud explosion was heard shaking the whole kingdom awake.

"What was that?!"-

"Intruder alert!! Intruder alert!!"-

"Defend the walls!! Don't let them in!!"—

"They are here!! The Empire's knights!!"-

"Protect the royal family at all costs!!"-

"The left-wing is on fire!!! I repeat the left-wing is on fire!!"-

"Help!!! Someone broke the barrier of the main palace!!"-

Series of shouts and desperate screams echo throughout the whole kingdom as the Empire knights along with the Empress turn everything upside down to find the King.

"This way your majesty!!"- a knight led the King of the Saffron Kingdom to a secret corridor that will lead up to a safe exit.

While the Queen along with the Princesses and Prince are being led to another hallway.

But before they can enter the corridor the wall on their left crumble to pieces revealing a glowing dark blue eye.

"Attack!! Protect the King!!"- The knights attack the intruder but they were immediately cut down by the Empress.

"?!"- the King tried to back away from the blood-covered Empress only to hit a dead end.

"Where are you trying to escape? Old man?"- the Empress's cold voice made the King shiver as he accidentally hit a button hidden on the wall behind him.

A door appeared from the wall, it slowly opens revealing a lit-up path.

"Oh ho? What is this? You still have secrets on your sleeves?"- the Empress draws her sword up and pointed it to the King's throat.

"I-I beg of you! Spare my life! I'll give everything to you!"- the King begs as he kneeled on all fours in front of the Empress.

But the Empress's attention is not focused on the King rather it was focused on the energy she gets the moment the secret door opens.

"Get up, lead me to see what's inside this hallway."- The Empress coldly stated as he glared at the King.

The King gulp as he shakily stands up and followed the order of the Empress. They entered the narrow-lit path until it led them to a large space where a tall tree welcomes them. Its leaves seem to glow brightly because of their golden color as its body is covered with different patterns.

However, the Empress's attention is on the flowers that are growing below the tree.

"Ha!... After all this time! Are you freaking serious?!"- the Empress exclaims in frustration, the moment she recognized the flowers.

Yes, the tree that they have stumbled upon is none other than the Ashen tree that can grow the Ashen wild roses.

"You! How did you get your hands of this tree?!"- the Empress grabs the collar of King, as her eyes rage in fury.

The King's face paled, his body shakes in intense fear.

"T-the tree has been here ever since our Kingdom was f-founded! This is the symbol of our kingdom!"- He manages to respond, despite the fear that seeps inside his bone.

That's when the Empress remembered the insignia of the Saffron Kingdom. A huge golden tree covered with roses is the insignia of the Saffron Kingdom. The Empress's lips twitch before she burst out laughing.

The King gawks in disbelief as he glances around trying to find a way to escape from her.

"I-if you want I can give you this tree! In return please spare my life!"- the King negotiates, he found new hope for his survival. The Empress took a deep breath before glancing at the tree.

"It's already ten years too late, old man."- she coldly responds before pointing her sword to the King's throat once again.

"But... I suppose, in exchange for this tree. I will spare your daughters' lives and only them."

"What why?! Spare my life too!!"- the King protested grabbing the Empress's ankles.

"Ah... you are so annoying."- With one swift move, she beheaded the King thus finally ending his reign.