Azphira Tales

She could have found a plausible excuse. An excuse to refuse the wedding night: "I am carrying a child." That excuse, however, was too temporary. Once the marriage was formalized, she knew she had to conceive as quickly as possible. Although the biological father was undoubtedly Black’s, the child would still inherit the Arsak name, as promised, and become the next ruler. It was the best possible outcome for her. Though the marriage was forced by an inevitable proposal, she h

He didn't need to try hard to realize his mind was solely focused on her. His shoulder hurt constantly because of it. Every time she moved, his head followed. His body was still, but his head turned, naturally pulling at his arrow-pierced shoulder. He found the matter preposterous, yet he had no intention of denying the obvious consequence of his shoulder's movement. He stared at her in a daze. If she were in front of his eyes all day, he would stare at her all day. [Fermos]

His question was absolutely unfair. She asked herself countless times, but her inner answer was always the same: she didn't object. [Liene] “If you move... what is it you want to do?” [Black] “There are many things I can do.” The fingers that had been slowly stroking her hair paused at the nape of her neck. All the sensations she had tried to ignore surged back entirely. The tremor that started deep inside her ran along her spine. She could see her own fingers, resting on hi

[Flambard] “Hmm... This robe is better than I expected.” That was her comment after opening an old wooden trunk covered in dust. [Liene] “Yes. I thought so too.” Liene had brought Madam Flambard to the royal storeroom. Inside was a trunk containing her late father's clothes. Most of the valuable jewels had been sold, but some items remained. One of them was the late King's wedding robe. [Liene] “The embroidery is still intact.” She touched the robe, which still held the rich

...Her heart was uneasy. He lifted her onto his horse. The warmth and touch emanating from his back continued to make her uncomfortable. Fewer guards followed him than had been left behind at the Kleinfelter Residence. Only three mercenaries straggled behind, making her feel as if it were just the two of them going somewhere. [Liene] “Does your wounded shoulder... not bother you?” She asked, swallowing her internal discomfort. [Liene] “If you find it difficult to hold the rei

She couldn't believe it. [Liene] “Laffit!” Her former lover spat out the same nonsense as his uncle, right in front of her eyes, which were trembling with shock. [Laffit] “I will spend the rest of my life thanking God for this day, where I can have the beautiful Princess as my wife. I hope the Princess will also accept and be happy with me as your husband.” [Liene] “Our relationship is over! Our relationship will never return! Forcing a marriage won't change a thing!” [Laffit

[Liene] “There are all sorts of rumors following Tiwakan. There was a rumor that their leader was a sodomite, wasn't there?” She tried hard to remain calm. A sodomite? What a ridiculous rumor. She remembered his kiss. It was impossible for a man to kiss someone he didn't desire with such passion. If she thought about the forced kisses she had given her own lover, the answer became even clearer. It was purely an unfounded rumor. It must be just a rumor. [Laffit] “How can yo

[Lyndon] “You claim you came to convey your condolences in person... Hmm.....” His expression was clearly far from welcoming. However, he also showed no signs of grief over his nephew’s death, as he knew that he had not truly died. [Liene] “Yes.” She faced Lyndon, the Chairman of the Grand Council, who had refused to budge despite her repeated requests for him to come to the palace. Since Nauk’s finances had fallen into deficit, he had completely neglected his duties as Chai

She lost all sense of time, submerged entirely in the moment. When the kiss finally ended, she gasped for air. Her lips felt warm and puffy. His lips were wet and glistening; hers likely were too. [Black] "I didn’t expect that kind of reaction." He murmured, pulling back only far enough for his lips to move. [Black] "It doesn't feel bad. Including this dress." The arm that was claimed to be injured was now wrapped tightly around her waist. She felt a thrilling sense of dan

[Liene] "......What?" Those light-colored pupils swept over her neck and the lower part of her body. Liene, who unconsciously lowered her head following his gaze, felt her cheeks flush. Is it because my clothes are loose? She knew her clothes weren't fitting her body well. However, she thought her clothes weren't bad enough to be openly stared at like that. ...I didn't think he was the type to care about other people's clothes. She tilted her head, confused. What about hi

The path out of the chapel was quiet, just as it was when Liene entered. It seemed she wouldn’t run into the Tiwakan search team. It was a huge relief. Liene took a long breath after she was a good distance away from the chapel. The moon was shining dimly tonight. It was the first time she felt grateful that the sky wasn't so bright. "We must hurry," Liene said, suddenly stopping and slightly pulling Weroz’s clothes. Weroz turned. “What does Your Highness mean?” [Liene] “

[Liene] "That is...." It was extremely strange. Taken? By whom, from whom? You are the one who took me from him. He spoke as if Liene already belonged to him. [Liene] "Why do you use a word like 'taken'?" [Black] "And now I think, it’s good that you weren't taken." [Liene] "Lord Tiwakan—" [Black] "If you had married another man, it would have become messier. ...And it would have been harder for me to restrain myself." His murmur sounded blurry and unclear, like he was dreamin

When Liene returned with scissors in her hand, Fermos—Black’s right-hand man—arrived faster than the royal physician and had already completed all the necessary procedures. Weroz, who came with Fermos, realized he couldn’t help and could only stand awkwardly with Mrs. Flambard, like mute wall decorations. [Fermos] “You were hit by an arrow?” Fermos asked while bandaging Black’s shoulder with cloth. The question felt strange, considering he was the one who had just torn

The meeting was over. As was said, Fermos left with Weroz to discuss the movement and relocation of troops. Mashilow, who had to finalize the marriage contract before the Tiwakan could unceremoniously invade the castle, also hurriedly left the audience room. A chilling silence, like a pressing suit of armor, enveloped the room that now only held the two of them. Although there was a large table between Lord Tiwakan and herself, big enough to seat thirty or more peo

[Flambard] "...What?" She was so surprised that she released the lace she was pulling. The petticoat slipped and fell to the floor. [Liene] "How long does it take for signs of pregnancy to show?" [Flambard] "T-that... I mean..." While Madam Flambard was stammering, the security guards ran and knocked on the door. Knock, knock! [Guard] "A message for Your Highness. The Tiwakan Commander has arrived at the castle gate. Lord Weroz awaits permission to open the gate."

At first, he thought he had misheard. [Fermos] "Ah, in that case the child... No, wait a moment. What? What do you desire?" [Black] "The Princess of Nauk." Fermos raised his monocle. [Fermos] "My Lord desires a woman? And a woman whose face you have barely seen properly? What could possibly be the reason, My Lord?" [Black] "..." The Tiwakan Commander chose silence rather than an answer. Indeed, he hardly ever spoke. He had no name nor origin. No one knew anything about his li