Adelaide's POV
Astoria looks really uncomfortable as we began to ride through the desert land. She has been taking off piece by piece of her attire because of how hot and humid it is.
"Can you tell me the stories behind all of your scars?" I asked while Astoria fanning herself with my fan which she took from me.
"Why would you want to know about something so hideous?" She asked while handed my fan back to me.
"Because the scars on your body is your valiant achievement. And for your information, I don't think your scars are hideous. I mean I've seen you without any clothes on when you were hurt. And no, I don't think you look disgusting. Actually you look better than the emperor." Astoria seems confused.
"Anyway, what are we doing here in the desert? Last time I check, the empire and the desert kingdom are not in good terms." I smirked.
"Who said we are on bad terms with the desert kingdom? The conflict wassolved after both ends agreed with the terms and conditions I've suggested. And that was my first achievement few months after I became the empress." Of course the terms and conditions were difficult to fulfilled but in the end everyone is happy.
"Let me rephrase my question. What are we doing here?" I smiled.
"We are visiting my sister. She just gave birth to a beautiful prince. I just want to show my face once in a while to let the desert king know that I'm alive and well." In other words I want the rest of his harem to keep their boundary from touching my sister. Astoria hummed.
"So this is a personal visit?" I nodded.
"Yes and no. I have some matters to discuss with my brother in law. He was appointed as king recently and I just want to keep our end of the bargain." Astoria hummed.
"With the amount of imperial knights with us, I thought you're planning something rather sinister. I guess I was wrong." Just what kind of person does this woman thinks of me?
"Well. like the North that's locatednear the monsters breeding site, the deserts are bordered with notorious demons. Before the empire took the desert under its wing, they are on verge of extinction. But the former crown prince, who is now the king knows what he's doing. Without his father knowledge, he came to the empire and seek for help."
I decided to open the window.
"At the time, the empire just signed an alliance agreement with the holy kingdom and the magicians from the tower. So it was easy for us to provide with all the help we could get our hands on. In exchanged of that, the king has to marry someone from the empire, my sister." Astoria hummed.
"But does your sister like the idea of being married off to someone she doesn't know?" I laughed.
"Of course she hates me for that. But that's the duty as the daugther of a noble and also as someone related to the empress. But in the end she ended up falling in love with the king so it ends well." I could see the mirage of the desert kingdom already.
"It's odd- we didn't came across any demons as we go through the desert.I was ready to kill some too." Astoria seems disappointed.
"Thanks to the magicians who erect a tower here in the deserts. Also. You'll get your chance to kill demons soon. I have a mission for you. But I'll inform you later once we met my sister and her son."
Astoria lead back to her seat as the ride continues.
Later that day,
I watched as the servants takes care of my sister and her son. I wonder if the king has come and visit her.
"Did the king visited you?" My sister look up to me with a smile.
"The king was here while I was giving birth to his first son. But he is a busy man so he couldn't be here all the time." If that's really the case.
"Is it possible to see him later?" My sister chuckled.
"I think he is rather worried since the empress made a sudden visit to the desert. Sister, what are you doing here? You're not here for your nephew,is it? Knowing you, I'm sure you have something planned." I smile before reaching out for my nephew in her arms.
"What do you mean? I'm just here as his auntie." I said while playing with my newborn nephew.
"Sister, please- we grew up together and you are an ambitious woman. So, what do you hoping to get from this visit?" I can't even get through my sister with a simple lie.
"Mining rights for the oil extraction. Your husband has been greedy and he forgot about the conditions that was imposed on our alliance." My sister's expression turns dark.
"I suggest that you forget about the oil mine, sister. My husband has been fighting for his rights as the king from greedy nobles since that oil was discovered. I doubt you would have any say in it." That's where you are wrong, my dear little sister.
"Have you forgotten who I am, Seraphina?" My sister was taken aback when I called her name.
"I didn't meant to make you angry, sister. But all I'm saying is that it'sfutile. Not even my husband could go against the old nobles of this kingdom. Even if you tried, they will retaliate." I continue to play with my nephew whom suddenly grabbed on my finger.
So fragile- yet he is going to be the crown prince of this pathetic kingdom.
"A king should know how to exude his power for the better of his descendents. Don't you want your son to have a bright future? I'm doing this for the better future of my nephew and the empire where you were born. And yet here you are, telling me it's impossible. Be a better queen and mother, Seraphina." I look up to my sister.
"Or are you planning to let the consorts do whatever they like since you're weak. Don't you want to make a name for yourself? Step out from my shadow and be a better person, sister." Since Seraphina was born, everyone has been comparing us. There was a point where people started saying that she wouldn't be able to survive without standing in my shadow.
It's time for her to shine.
"Show your fangs. I know you better than anyone and for sure you know what I meant by this." Seraphina askedthe servants to leave the room.
"What do you want from me?" My sister finally shown her true colours.
This is the Seraphina I knew and grew up with. Our parents raised us both fair and square. Seraphina received the same education as I did and to be honest, she is a better student than I am.
"Get me an audience with the former emperor's second consorts." My sister sigh heavily.
"Why? You know how much that woman hates me when I married the current king." I smiled at my sister and said,
"Just do as I say. If she refuse, tell her that the empress wish to see the black diamond." Seraphina think for a moment before she called a servant to enter her room.
"Get me the stationery." I watched as my sister gets up from her bed and went behind a desk.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but be honest with me, sister. You're not driving this kingdom to war, right?" I chuckled. It seems my nephew likes itwhen I smile and laugh.
"Of course not. Why would I put my sister and nephew in danger? Besides, if I really wish to have a war, I wouldn't have brought the North's devil with me." That made my sister looks up to me with curiosity.
"You brought your lover here with you? Why?" I shrugged my shoulder before handing the baby to one of the servants.
"Because she's the only person I trust to kill the demons." The baby was about to cry as he tried to reached to me with both arms. Ah, it's hard to be the cool auntie.
"It seems my son likes you, sister."
"Who doesn't like me?" My sister hummed.
"Should I made a list of those who doesn't like you?" I smiled.
"Don't be cheeky." I heard commotion just outside of the room. Before I could wonder what is happening outside, a servant came barging in and told me that Astoria is currently fighting with a group of warriors.