HOLDING all the gold and the prosperity of the entire Empire and among the remaining four kingdoms of the empire, everyone is on their toes as the wedding and the moon’s blessing are at their side. To the emperor that is escorted by his loyal subjects and the entire courtyard bows to his presence at the most powerful man among the kings of the remaining kingdoms of the empire he governs and holds, just the, they worship him.

“Long live the Emperor!”

They all bow down paying their respect to their emperor and ultimate ruler. Chosen, blessed, and gifted with the ability and strength far from anyone or among the other kings, from the moon God and Goddess they all worship ever since. Their ability and strengths as the blessed royal and their royal blood are now being grace from its bright full moon as they paid their respect to the crowning of their empire’s emperor and empress.

“Look at that, our Luan is finally this empire’s Empress.”

Sobbing with glee and excitement, Peach could hardly contain her emotions by just witnessing the coronation of her best friend whose life is a living hell from the very beginning, and a bloody throne along the way. But now, they are all on the highest pedestal, they are all standing now, and all due to the blood and lives sacrifice of the people around them.

“We did it, we finally brought our kingdom’s princess to where she rightfully belongs.”

Mike could not agree more as he cries to the side while wiping his tears away and with the jumping happiness from his heart. For all along and the bloodshed they endure and sacrifices, the life and death they all went through and survive, worst and along with that journey where hearts are needed to be shattered and the ones, they dear is left in exchange for their ambition. Their ruined kingdom had finally got the justice it deserves.

“Chosen by the Moon Goddess and the blood that only comes after a thousand years. I, emperor of this land, crown you, Princess of the ruined Kingdom of Arthora, shall be my woman and the Empress of this entire kingdoms, and upon the ruling land of the Empire of Eavrithia .”

With that moment comes whispering and somehow knocking back to his mind. His people’s fidelity and the empire he reigns are now complete. For he now holds the blessed princess and now his woman and the whole empire’s empress, to whom chooses him as her man, rather than the king of one of the kingdoms he once detested. Just then, he steps foot and offers his hand towards his empress who gave him nothing, but pain, heartache, hope, fear, anger, and deep affection he could no longer let go, nor let anyone else have her in return.

“Long live the Empress!”

Now screaming and paying respect for her title and life. She accepted his hand as they both walked in the middle of the prominent people, the remaining kingdom’s councilors, right-hand secretaries, prime ministers, and nobles in their title, proud and are all in head high as their kingdom’s representatives. Now bowing down to their presence, and along with the people worthy of their title as councilors and senators of the empire.

“Long live the Emperor and the Empress!”

To their adoration and respect, everything rooted as this very day is set as the fulfillment of their Empire’s prophecy. The prophecy and their grand belief that every once in a thousand years, the Moon Goddess and Sun God will bless the newborn royal children that will rule over the empire with power, wit, and wealth. The said prophecy graces the rulers and this empire’s crowning rulers.

Yet.

“Fight over you? How could I, if you already gave yourself to him? And just how could I compete over the Emperor who only has his eyes over you, and right from the very beginning?”

With the grace and the destined royals that should and will always end up together as heaven’s plan. The empress, the current one, and history’s most powerful female are to be recorded. Is the played fate of her past and life, as everything of who she is now and where she walks towards the throne is not just due to her fate and birth. But her ambition, vengeance, and greed for power lead her to her crown. But remembering that specific scene from the past, and with his voice, only kicks her with the wants to give up everything. Worst as their eyes cross each other, where yet she is the Empress and he is just a King, the reality they are standing now, could never twist the fate that no matter how hard they will try, their love and the past will never turn back.

“I am this empire’s destined empress as the emperor sitting in that throne is my destiny. By that fact and our reality, no matter what, we could never go back to that past.”

Hitting her with the pain of cruelly reminding her of the past. Her tears fall as her ambition, vengeful heart and greed lead her into this place and very moment. Yet, she doesn’t have the liberty to regret everything. For the crown she shed with blood and tears, is all worth it as she is now standing on the highest pedestal, even though it means that her heart is tormented in exchange.

“You already decided, as you choose him and this life. I just hope that you would not regret it, Luan.”

To the tear that falls from her eye and the king’s heart that is shattered into pieces, they both could only look back at the past, and that tiny happiness they have, where she is his and he is hers.

“Astrid.”

Calling her as his empress and the woman that only his from the very beginning. The emperor holds her hand tight as he reminds her of the place and position that she is standing in right now. Now pulling her over him, and knowing the gazes that she gave towards the king and his rival, he whispers as he made it clear and sure.

“You are mine and not his, from the very beginning, I am the only one worthy of you. Remember that Astrid.”

Holding her breath for a while as they both continue and walk down the aisle. Everyone rejoices as the moon shines above them, welcoming the new era they now hold as the Emperor and Empress of the Empire Eavrithia.

“Live or die, kill or be killed. That’s the rule of this world, as I rather kill and live than to be killed and die.”

Hardly containing the pain that’s stabbing him for a thousand times now, like he is stripped of the life he forever fights over and survives. He is the king of the kingdom of Etherion, by which is a force to heed and praise his Emperor and Empress. The Empress that should be his, his queen and woman, yet to the run and cruel life they both had, he is witnessing his death procession

“Your highness.”

Addressing their king to that title, Luke and Andrew lower their head as they felt his pain for the ceremony and crowning that should be his. Yet to the cruel fate of the past and the decision that is needed to do and hold. This inevitable fate is the reality they need to face, even though it kills them from deep within.

“Can I still fight for your love? Can we still go back to that past where the only ones that existed is you and me? If everything now is tied and linked to the reality that you are this empire’s Empress, Astrid?”

Now, running away from the pain and how hopeless he is, he wanted to wish and even would sell his life and soul just to go back from the very beginning. Where everything started and they three innocently did not know each other. Without their revenge, anger and wish for power that the few and dead ones now, push them through.

“DIVIDED into seven kingdoms, the Empire of Eavrithia is the most powerful and wealthy empire and very dynasty in the present era and from the past, that’s been established throughout the world. Grace by the moon’s blessing and protected by the Moon Goddess, plus the light, fire, and warmth of the Sun God, with the dragon crescent as its seal and representation. The Empire’s emperor is the most powerful, influential, and mark with the history from the entire kingdoms and the years to come. As the emperor holds the decree of who should remain standing and alive and those who needed to be killed.”

Reminding her through a bedtime story, Luna and queen of the prosperous matriarchal kingdom of Arthora is educating her only daughter, princess, and future queen of their kingdom, Princess Astrid.

“Tell me more, mother.”

Requesting as she never fails to make her smile and let her remember the past king and of the Kingdom, by her wit and nature to learn more and be aware of the things and everything. Luna and Queen Yin heeded the wish of her only child and continue.

“The seven kingdoms, distinguish by their power, intelligence, and wealth, co-exist each other as harmony and peace are established. Where the boundaries of each should not be a breach, nor another kingdom will wage war from another.”

“And we are one of those powerful kingdoms, right, mother?” interrupting her mother as she claims the words with pride and confidence, most especially to that title as their kingdom is the only matriarchal one, but one of the prosperous ones, in terms of wealth, comfort and military, even being led by a female one.

Luna smiles as she agrees and continues, now informing her daughter of the other six kingdoms that are held in control and harmony by the empire.

“The kingdom of Etherion.” Starting as she flips the book with the map and land image of the kingdom, she then explains briefly. “Ruled by the just and warm-hearted king I had ever known, King Dessus. The kingdom is known to their wealth and advance ways to cultivate the lands and profit more in their products, with the league of intelligent merchants across the entire empire.”

Amazed by her words as the little princess wishes to meet the king and see the kingdom herself. Luna caresses her daughter’s face as she thinks of her future and her plans to make the kingdom much more stable, even if it means a political marriage, she is having the doubts to consider.

“Then there’s the kingdom of Idzora and Cathaland.”

Snapping her out of her thoughts when Astrid cheerfully points to the location of the two kingdoms on the map. She nods agreeing as she gently informs her daughter.

“The two kingdoms ruled by the unlikely rulers, yet pledge with their promise of brotherhood by which are known to their secret military strategy and defense, funded by their blessed mines of gold and gems.”

Not quite interested unlike her desire to see and set foot in the kingdom of Etherion. Astrid immediately point to the land and kingdom of Stezos, by which she knew by heart with its vast land and skilled smiths, beautiful maidens, and abundance in minerals essential to the entire empire’s military weapons and defense.

“Do I need to tell you about the kingdom?” quite teasing her daughter as Astrid’s giggle only makes her smile, even more, they proceed to the next naming the kingdom. “The kingdom of Xethen.”

Reminiscing the kingdom her family rules and where she came from before marrying due to politics and peace to the Kingdom where she rules right now. Astrid didn’t ask for anything about it, knowing that the Kingdom will always have their back with almost the same strength in military and tactics.

Just then.

“Frichdell Island, the small kingdom in the far west.”

Left for a while in a speechless tone and stance. Luna slowly touches the image of the tiny kingdom of Frichdell Island. The neighboring kingdom of her childhood and the promised land she claims then, where her first and lover now rules in peace and prosperity.

“Mother, mother! Are you okay?”

Snapback once more to the reality with her daughter. She immediately smiles assuring her with everything. Where she explains, but briefly the kingdom she dreams and once considers to rule, yet did not regret losing now that she has the greatest treasure of all, her daughter and soon queen, Astrid.

“Frichdell Island, the small kingdom that stands with their might like the most productive and rich oceans with the abundance of the sea’s grace. Ruled by the king and queen that only thinks for peace and harmony to the entire empire.”

Giggling as Astrid with her innocence and small stature of an eight-year-old child stands up to her bed and started to jump around after her mother introduces the kingdoms, but on the contrary, is her bedtime story.

“I love our kingdom mother.” Jumping back to the lap of the queen.

Luna immediately replies with the gladness and security of her voice.

“We sure are, as you, my dear daughter is far more than any future queen of the Kingdoms.”

Caressing her face as the queen remanence the night of her daughter’s birth, her daughter’s future and very destiny lies within the blessing of the Moon and the consequence of finding the right person.

“Remember that, you hold your future. You can choose whatever you want to be, as you are not bound by any customs nor can be manipulated by anyone. You must be who you are as you need to stay true to yourself. Be yourself and fight for what’s right, remember that, Astrid”

Advising, yet more like a warning, the promise that she pins unto her daughter is only the beginning of a life that will never be perfect. With a nod and a cheerful tone of her promise, Astrid gladly accepts it, as her mother whispers.

“No matter what, keep yourself safe and stay alive, my dear child.”

Somehow warning her in a reminding tone, her mother’s expression is something that’s telling her last will, like the end is about to happen and she will strip of the life she uses to be.

Until.

“LIVE, STAY ALIVE, AND SURVIVE. NOW, GO!”

Force to flee as her heart is tormented to stay or survive. Her nanny’s words along with the memories and her promise of her mother drag her into the reality that she needed to survive. Running away in the direction she does not know where she cries and left the scene and the blood bath night that her kingdom ended up in.

“Mother!”

Running away as she comes with the sharp bushes that give her cuts, stumble down by tripping unto thick roots of the trees and even rolling towards a cliff. She stands weakly as she continues to run neglecting her wounds and weaken knees. To her torn clothes and now an indistinguishable royal, she forces herself to run and silently cry as she needed to survive.