Chapter 1: I Will Be Taking a Few Consorts

“Gentlemen, I have given some thought to your advice.”

At Latil's words, the room fell silent.

A golden crown sat on her head, a magnificent red mantle was draped around her shoulders, and she held a splendid scepter in her hand. Latil knew everyone’s gaze was drawn to her.

She had become the emperor. Even former enemies could no longer oppose her out in the open.

Latil was at the top of the world, feeling pleased. Hyacinth… you bastard. I wonder if you abandoned me for this feeling of exhilaration.

“I agree with you all. The stability of the royal family comes from its heirs. I truly see the merit to your advice on making haste to accept a royal consort.”

***

Duke Atraxil had a faint smile on his face. As a loyal statesman to Latil since she was young, Atraxil was recognized as a meritorious retainer. He was convinced that Latil would pronounce his son Ranamun as a candidate for consort. Ranamun’s family, face, and abilities were flawless. His father was even a meritorious retainer. There was no one else who could possibly be selected as the young emperor’s husband.

While Duke Atraxil was flashing a triumphant smile, his followers wore happy expressions on their faces, albeit in a somewhat reluctant manner. On the contrary, his adversaries and the moderates were showing an inability to hide their bitterness.

“Thus, I will be taking a few consorts.”

The emperor shattered their expectations at once. The faces of the statesmen, including the smiling duke, uniformly wore puzzled looks after the announcement.

Consorts? With an s?

No one seemed to follow her words.

Latil elaborated. “Let’s start with… five, shall we?”

The silence was broken by her declaration. The unexpected remark from the new emperor was received with rumbles. Five consorts?

The statement was absurd enough to draw an objection from Duke Atraxil.

“Your Imperial Highness, past female rulers of Tarium have only ever had one royal consort. There have been female rulers who have had multiple unofficial lovers, but no female ruler has ever officially taken multiple consorts.”

“The fifth emperor of Tarium, Emperor Tracichou, loved his empress dearly and was known to be a hopeless romantic. He had five concubines. The eleventh emperor of Tarium, Emperor Aintra, had six concubines, dear Duke Atraxil. Most emperors of Tarium had fifteen concubines on average. The more flirtatious emperors had more than twenty.”

“But…”

“So why is it that I cannot take any? Following my predecessors’ examples, I must have at least five.”

The statesmen’s jaws dropped wide open. The crowd was panicked at hearing the emperor’s remorseless declaration regarding the harem plan.

Latil looked over the shocked eyes of the aristocrats and put on a faint smile, as if scoffing at them.

“Are you not the ones who suggested that an emperor should take concubines both to promote diplomacy, and to keep an empress and her followers in check?”

The crowd fell silent. She was right. Not only did the incumbent statesmen just say so, but their predecessors had historically said the same.

Latil, with a teasing look, added, “Some of you might benefit from my decision. Is this not a perfect opportunity for some of you to have me, the emperor, as a daughter-in-law?”

Her words were received with mixed reactions. Whereas Duke Atraxil grimaced further, his adversaries slightly relaxed their furrowed brows.

Surely, if the emperor pursued a loyal marriage to just one husband, Duke Atraxil’s son would become the royal consort. However, if the emperor accepted multiple consorts… more people would be allowed a chance to climb to power. And what if the emperor bore a child?

As the statesmen’s eyes flashed with greed, Latil smiled to herself.

Hyacinth, I will send a delegation to your kingdom to request a consort. Choose one for me with your own two hands. It’s your turn to suffer the same agony I had to feel because of you.

Faiyan Year 517, The emperor of Tarium, Latrasil Tarium… institutes a harem.

***

Faiyan Year 511

Raean, the crown prince of the Tarium Empire and Latil’s older brother, had the love of both the nobles and the common folk. As the son of an empress from a powerful noble family, it was thought he would be an excellent emperor.

“Should he ascend to the throne, he shall be a wise and noble ruler,” said the great prophet. “Should he walk the path of a scholar, he shall follow in my footsteps and become a great sage!”

The great prophet’s overflowing admiration of Raean upon conversing with the prince became known all over Tarium.

But not many knew of the great prophet’s lamentation of Latil’s potential to become a tyrant. Latil was only recognized as Raean’s little sister and one of the many princesses of the empire.

Latil scarcely had concerns over the great prophet’s criticism either. She respected and loved her brother, and looked forward to the world he was about to build. A fight for the throne with Raean? That was the most terrible situation she could ever imagine happening.

Besides, the future that Latil had in mind would be unreachable should she become the emperor. In the future, she envisioned herself married to her lover, Hyacinth, and crowned Empress of the neighboring empire of Karisen.

“What’s this, Hyacinth?” Latil asked.

“It’s a ring.”

“But it’s made of grass!”

“I wanted to try making one for you. I’ve seen some villagers in Karisen make them for each other.”

“Karisen must be poor…” Latil mused.

“No, this is supposed to be romantic. Here, give me your hand.”

As Latil blinked her eyes, showing reluctance to give him her hand, Hyacinth extended his arm and placed the grass ring on her finger.

“It’s surprisingly beautiful…” she breathed.

“I told you.”

“Sure did.”

Hyacinth studied Latil, who was smiling at some white flowers nearby, before placing his lips lightly on her brow. “I love you, Latil.”

“…I love you too.”

A grin spread over Latil’s face. How could she not have fallen for a man with such beautiful features, sandy hair as soft as his nature, and mesmerizing gray eyes?

Latil could never forget the day Hyacinth arrived at the imperial court as an envoy and scholar. That day, as Hyacinth gazed at Latil with a heart-melting smile on his face, she could not help falling in love at first sight.

No wonder his confession of love made her heart thud violently.

They were happier after becoming lovers, and they never quarreled with each other. Latil was sure that the celestial realm had predestined Hyacinth to be her other half.

***

Two years had passed since that day, and Latil and Hyacinth’s mutual affection had only grown stronger. However, Hyacinth’s five-year sojourn in Tarium ended abruptly as his half-brother, Heium, incited a rebellion to take over the empire in his absence.

Before his urgent departure for Karisen, Hyacinth made a promise to Latil. “No matter where I am, my feelings toward you will never change. You will always be the only one to reside in my heart.”

“Hyacinth… Can I come with you? I want to be of help to you,” Latil pleaded.

“I know, Latil. I don’t want to leave you behind either, but it’s too dangerous.” Hyacinth wiped the tears from Latil’s eyes and murmured, “Once I take back the throne, I will send Karisen’s grandest delegation. I will officially ask your father for your hand in marriage. Please wait for me.”

Latil waved goodbye until Hyacinth’s coach disappeared from her sight.

From then on, Latil went to the temple every day to spend two hours praying for Hyacinth’s safety. She feared that Heium might hurt or even kill him. She did not pray for Hyacinth’s unchanging love. She trusted him. She trusted his love so much that she never even imagined that his love could change.

Latil stayed vigilant in learning whatever information she could about Karisen. No ambassadors could escape her inquiries about Karisen’s latest news.

“Is the war still in progress? When will it end? Are conditions favorable to Hyacinth?”

Perhaps her desperate prayers were heard.

Two years later, the news that a new emperor had ascended the throne of Karisen reached Tarium. The new era of Hyacinth Karisen, the young emperor, had begun.

***

“Are you that happy, Your Highness?” her nursemaid asked teasingly, but Latil could not stop smiling.

“How couldn’t I be?”

Since Hyacinth finally won his way to the throne, all that was left for them to do was to get married.

Two months had passed since Hyacinth’s coronation, but she did not worry about the marriage-proposal delegation arriving late. Hyacinth was probably busy securing the throne and stabilizing the empire. She didn’t have to be disappointed just because the marriage-proposal delegation hadn’t arrived immediately. A future empress needed to learn to be patient.

“Truly, you two make a lovely couple.”

“Really? You think so?” Latil asked.

“Yes. A beautiful couple indeed.”

Latil opened her book with a bright smile. The book was called The Art of Ruling the Empire. “Well, while Hyacinth safeguards the empire, I will be diligent in my studies. I’ll have to learn more about the cultural and social aspects of running an empire to be a good empress for him. I will have to learn to manage the imperial court as well.”

“I must admire your determination. How I wish we had an empress like Your Highness…” The nursemaid let out a deep sigh. “The crown prince is too busy reading books instead of searching for his future empress.”

“I’m no different. What is the problem with that?”

“Whereas Your Highness divides your time between your lover, developing martial arts skills, and reading books, the crown prince only reads day and night.”

“You’re correct.” Latil chuckled and turned the page. She skimmed through the crammed letters. Her patience was running thin. She wanted to surprise Hyacinth with her scholarly achievements, but she felt she didn’t have enough time.

Then one day, the delegation from Karisen finally arrived. At the news, Latil ran out of her room and hurried to the throne room. The imperial throne room of Tarium was open in all directions except for where the throne was located, so the envoy’s report could be easily overheard from where Latil stood.

“Your Highness?”

The sudden approach of the princess took a nearby guard by surprise. Latil gestured for him to be quiet and hid behind a large column where she could hear the conversation.

The delegation and the emperor were exchanging greetings—“Please look after our new emperor,” and “We hope to maintain this amicable relationship between the two countries,” and such. Then, finally the marriage issue of the Karisen emperor was brought up. They’re talking about me! They are going to ask for my hand in marriage! Latil thought as she pressed her hands to her mouth and listened attentively.

“Therefore, we humbly request a delegation to be sent to Karisen from the Tarium Empire to congratulate the new imperial couple.”

The envoy’s talk of marriage was not what Latil had expected. Her eyes widened. The new emperor and empress? Congratulate?

“…Ah, so he is getting married. Who is the bride?” the emperor asked.

“It is Lady Aini, the esteemed daughter of Duke Daga of Karisen,” the envoy replied.

Lady Aini? Who is that? The bride… is not me? What is this stabbing pain in my back? Latil stood frozen, staring forward emptily.

Could it be that my name is Aini? A wild thought crossed her mind. But… no. Latil bit her lower lip. This was unbelievable. She could not believe what she had just heard. Could it be that the delegations have been switched?

There was no telling whether the emperor knew of the relationship between Latil and Hyacinth or not. All he did was express his congratulations.

Unable to hear more, Latil stormed away from the room and headed straight for her bedroom. She buried her face in her bed and cried.

“Oh my! What’s the matter, Your Highness? What has upset you so?”

Latil could not draw her strength to answer the worried nursemaid. She wept for a long time before she finally wiped away her tears and spoke.

“Hyacinth is… Hyacinth is marrying someone else!”

“What? That can’t be! Your Highness must be mistaken!” The nursemaid waved a hand in disbelief. “Everyone knows how much he chased after Your Highness. Are you sure the delegation isn’t here for you, Your Highness?”

“I even heard them mention the bride’s name. He’s marrying someone named Aini.”

The nursemaid’s eyes widened.

Latil buried her face in the bed again and continued to cry.

***

“This is nonsense… Traitor. Worthless ass. Bastard.”

Latil sat by a window and stared emptily at the blue sky. How could this be? What had been the point of making a vow of undying love under the same blue sky years ago?

Latil remembered the day when she’d laughed at Hyacinth’s hair, all disheveled by the wind. She’d pushed his hair back into place and unveiled his mesmerizing gray eyes, full of affection toward her.

Hyacinth…

And now everything was over between them.

Hyacinth had dispatched a delegation to neighboring lands to inform everyone of his decision to marry a daughter from his homeland. Since it was unlikely that he had sent a delegation only to Tarium, the news must have spread to all the neighboring countries. The marriage, having been announced to foreign countries, was practically official.

“Has his heart changed? Does he not love me anymore?” Latil whispered to herself.

Feeling bitter, Latil closed her eyes and banged her head repeatedly against the window frame. “I should have prayed for Hyacinth to always love me.”

Her prayers must have instead leaned toward her desire to hear the news of victory. She was angered by the thought. Could her prayers have backfired against her? Latil wept. Between the possibility of him being injured during the war for the throne and news of his betrayal, which would have been more heartbreaking?

“Oh my goodness! Please get down from there, Your Highness! It’s too dangerous!” her nursemaid exclaimed.

“It’s not, unless this palace is clumsily built,” Latil retorted.

“What if the wind throws you off balance?”

“I know the wind cannot affect my heavy body.”

“Your Highness is not that heavy.”

“How I wish my head was not feeling heavy as well,” Latil murmured listlessly and went back to leaning her head on the window frame. “Also, Hyacinth is a bastard…”

It was then that the nursemaid started to look around the room even though no one else was inside.

“What are you doing?” Latil asked in confusion, and the nursemaid carefully drew out a letter from her chest.

“This is for Your Highness.”

It was a letter in a light-blue envelope made of high-quality paper.

“A letter?” The frustrated princess reached for the letter, only to discover that the name of the sender was not written. “It’s an anonymous letter. What is this about?”

“A member of the delegation quietly pulled me aside to ask me to deliver this to Your Highness in secret. I think it’s from Emperor Hyacinth.”