Why people liked control?
Was it because it made every possibility clear? Or, was it because humanity liked to control? Emily, now known as 'Caroline' pondered on it. Ideas passed through her head while dressed up.
Mimi told her that she wasn't bound to a single career, though she needed to select one main career... and for the rest? She could decide herself. Besides, she was the empress now... acting as the current head of the Dunkirkshire Empire.
Looking herself in the mirror, Caroline smiled. The empress robes were really soft and silky, hugging her entire figure, showing all her curves.
Trisa asked, "What about your crown, Your Majesty?"
Caroline replied, "Not now, Trisha. I will wear it later. So, tell me what's happening in my empire. Oh, I know. Tell me about my 'dear' son's recent activities."
"Your Majesty, Prince Franklin... he is challenging Young Master Hayden," said Trisa. She hated that prince with all her heart. He didn't deserve to lead the empire in the future.
Caroline asked, "Why is my 'son' even challenging him? Doesn't he know that he is one of the best swordsmen in his generation?"
Trisa sighed, "Pardon me, Your Majesty... but I don't know how to say this... but there are fighting for Lady Mave."
Caroline nodded slightly. It seemed Franklin was targeting his fourth target. What an impatient man! A smirk slowly appeared on her face. "Let's go and see what's happening. Trisa, are they fighting on the imperial grounds?"
Trisha confirmed, "Yes, Your Majesty. Shall we go there?"
"Why not? Prepare something for me to eat, especially focus on desserts," said Caroline.
"Your command will be fulfilled, Your Majesty."
"Great, let's go and see the fight!"
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Franklin lowered the sword and glared at Hayden. He was a tough opponent, who wasn't going down no matter how hard he tried.
Hayden smirked and ran towards Franklin, targeting his abdomen. He thrusted the sword towards Franklin's abdomen, who deflected his strike. With a smirk of his own, he smashed Hayden's head with the back of the sword.
Blood dripped from Hayden's forehead as he barely hanged onto his consciousness. He couldn't believe that a piece of shit like Franklin was fighting him like this. His anger spiked as he remembered how Lady Mave basked Franklin with all of her affection that morning. She even asked him to dissolve their marriage contract. What was she even thinking?! Didn't she know that he liked her? Not only she was undermining his love, but also disgracing his family. A weak prince like Franklin shouldn't be loved by someone he loved.
"You can win, Franklin! A few more strikes!" yelled Lady Mave.
Hayden's hands gripped his sword even tighter than before. A self-mocking chuckle escaped his lips.
"Brother Franklin, you can do it!" yelled Princess Shuri.
"Yes, Brother! Shuri is right!" yelled Princess Iuya.
Franklin's heart warmed as he heard their cheers. It looked like that his sisters would be getting extra 'love' from him tonight. Their soft bodies only belonged to him, and so did Mave's body. They were his women.
Franklin's sword glowed brightly. With a single strike, he broke Hayden's sword and kicked him in his chest, knocking him out.
"The winner of this duel is... Prince Franklin!" shouted the announcer.
Caroline watched everything with a cold smile. She clearly saw the exchange between the protagonist and his harem. It was repulsive and disgusting. Franklin was handsome, no doubt about it... but his inner self wasn't. A trashy protagonist, who couldn't control his lower part. Hah! Pathetic!
Franklin smiled widely as his 'lovers' surrounded him. Suddenly, he heard someone clapping. He turned back and saw... Caroline looking at him with a look filled with disgust. Anger coursed his body, threating to break at any moment. But it all cooled down when Shuri held his head. She shook her head indicating to control himself.
"What a magnificent fight! You are the future of this empire, Franklin. You are a heartthrob, aren't you? Shuri, why don't you hug your brother? Why restrict yourself?" mocked Caroline. She wanted to know how far these idiots could go in her presence.
Franklin glared at her, while Shuri paled.
"Tch! You aren't even saying anything. Do you believe your mother can hear your inner thoughts?" Caroline turned towards Franklin, "I am surprised you didn't even ask my permission and arranged this fight."
"I am the crown prince! I don't need your permission!" scoffed Franklin.
Caroline snorted, "Crown prince? No, you are just a prince. After your father died, I am the head of the empire. Everything should be passed through me, especially if you are conducting fights in my palace."
"You!"
"Shut up," hissed Caroline.
Franklin flinched. For a moment, he thought his stepmother would kill him. No, what was he even thinking? There was no way she could kill the future emperor of this empire. Besides, how longer could she even suppress him?
Caroline could easily imagine his thoughts. The bastard had everything written on his face. She turned towards Hayden's fallen figure. Crouching down, she put a finger on his head. A golden light shot from her hand, entering into Hayden's body. Within a second, every injury on his body healed up. Her 'first-time' healing was a success.
Everyone gasped at the scene, especially Iuya. She had never seen her mother use her healing powers on someone.
Hayden slowly opened his eyes. Everything was blurry at first, but after a few seconds his gaze turned clear. His heart thumped rapidly as he saw a woman crouching beside him, looking at him with amused-filled eyes. In his entire life, he had never seen such a beautiful woman. How could this even be possible? At that moment, his gaze fell on her hair. His eyes widened as he finally recognized the woman beside him. It was Her Majesty, the empress. She was the only one with golden hair. Not even her daughters had the privilege of having hair similar to her.
Caroline smiled, "Are you feeling okay, Young Master Hayden? Of course, you are. I healed you, didn't I?" She turned towards the group, who were looking at her with shock. "Now, tell me... why were you even fighting? For whom, were you duelling?"