Is this love?


    It was a horrible day as rain fell from the sky. I stood over the corpses of several merchants and nobles strewn across the ground with mercenaries mixed in. I was tired; I had discovered that my assumptions were correct. The merchants and nobles were trying to undo me. Their plan was to appoint a puppet to incite a rebellion within the people of Eros.


    They knew full well that the previous king was an only child with no other family to speak of, and they hated the new laws I had put in place allowing for equal rights among the people. I let out a sigh as servants came to dispose of the bodies.


    I then call my advisor and tell him to send soldiers to kill the remaining merchants and to send word back to Nyx asking for members of the Ministry of Commerce to dispatch some merchants to take their place.


    I walk to my room and bathe, relaxing, trying to get some peace. I’m sick and tired of the corruption in this kingdom; it seems like it will never end, no matter how many I cut down.


    I end up soaking for two whole days with Jason bringing me my meals and my advisor telling me of current events: the last of the merchants have been killed and their families destitute. That is frankly not my problem, though. I then hear that several merchants from the Ministry of Commerce have been dispatched.


    This is both good and bad because if I show any weakness towards them, they will try to take me down.


    When I get out of the bathroom, I dress in my all-black and amethyst armor and boots and adorn myself in my red and black capes and sash.


    I then make my way to the one place where I can find full peace. Opening the door to Cupid’s room, I see that he’s sleeping, and a smile forms on my face as I carefully walk inside and stand over him, looking down at this sweet, sweet angel as he gently sleeps. It is like a work of art; his slim frame combined with his gentle breathing is so quiet that it won’t disturb a cat’s careful hearing.


    And the light, the way it shines on his face as if the rays of sunshine are gently kissing him, I slowly work up the nerve and take my hand and gently run it over Cupid’s gentle frame.


    Touching this beautiful angel sends a gentle chill up my spine. Removing my hand, I sit in the corner and watch this beautiful angel sleep for a few hours. When he awakes, I smile, standing up.


    Draven: Did you sleep well, Cupid?


    Cupid: Oh yes, Your Highness, I slept very well. Did you need something?


    Draven: I merely wanted to check on how you were doing.


    Cupid: Oh, I’m fine. Well, I do feel queasy, but that’s not new.


    Draven: I see. I will have Madea bring you some medicine later. Do you require anything else? Is Cupid a new book or a cutting from the garden?


    Cupid: Actually, I would like to go outside. It’s been a few months, and I would really like to feel the wind on my face.


    Shock would run through my mind. Having Cupid go outside would cause more problems; if the people of Eros were to see him, another mass riot would break out, and then there was the issue that a majority of the Servants within Aphrodite Palace are citizens of Eros. It would be an issue if any of them were to spot the young prince. Who knows what would happen?


    On top of that, the occupation was nearing its end, and I would need to return to Nyx soon.


    I let out a sigh and tell Cupid that we will go out to the garden later after I put some plans in action.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Cupid smiles happily. I then go to my room and call upon Selene. I then tell her to put a sleeping spell on all the palace servants born within the Land of Eros.


    Selene does as I ordered. She then tells me that this sleeping spell will last until four am the next morning. This is more than enough time to give Cupid what he desires.


    I then return to Cupid, who had found the strength to walk to the window overlooking the palace courtyard.


    Cupid then looks at me with a happy smile on his face, but soon he falls to his knees; a coughing fit soon takes over him. I hurry over to Cupid, carrying him bridle style and carrying him to the courtyard, careful to avoid the passed-out servants.


    Now entering the courtyard, I watch as Cupid’s eyes quickly light up with a great amount of joy. I then lower him down to the grass, and he tries his best to stand but is unable to.


    I end up carrying him around the courtyard, taking him to every flower and plant in the garden as well as to every statue. Cupid and I soon lie down in the grass side by side. Cupid soon nuzzles against me, his head gently resting against my chest.


    Cupid soon starts to sing a song, and we greatly relax. Cupid soon begins to tell me about the stories he’s read and tells me about one scene in a romance novel that he greatly enjoyed; it was a love scene between a devil and an angel, and how it played out was a moment of intimacy, and he expressed that he too wanted to experience that level of joy.


    I simply couldn’t resist Cupid; I gently removed every inch of my armor, and I gave Cupid that intimate moment. Cupid’s innocence got me so riled up that I completely lost track of time and ended up falling asleep right there with Cupid in my arms.


    I soon wake up by dawn the next morning, a smile forming on my face, but then I remember the sleeping spell. Damn, I pick up Cupid, not even bothering to put on my armor, and then using the power of Darkness, I get us back to Cupid’s room. I gently dress him in a nightgown and quickly return to my own room, where I put on my spare armor, and my advisor soon comes to me, giving me a letter from Priestess Persephone, and he also tells me that Marquessate Hestia, along with her army, has arrived to oversee the Kingdom of Eros.


    This means that the occupation is over, and with Hestia making her way to the palace, I need to act fast. I soon call Madea and Jason to my side. I first tell Madea to create the Silver Moon potion for Cupid, and after, I tell Jason to ready my caravan and discreetly transport Cupid to it in travel clothes. The two then give a salute and leave. I then activate one of my spells; this one is Primal Fear.


    This spell is mainly used to create the aura of fear that affects everyone except citizens from Nyx. With this in play, I walk around the palace spreading fear in the servants, all the while my own soldiers and servants are unaffected by my spell.


    I soon make my way to the throne room awaiting Hestia; she soon walks into the palace, an heir of grace and elegance following her.


    Hestia is a high-ranking fire magician whose ancestors have been serving the Nyx royal family for generations. They mainly served as problem solvers, and sometimes they acted as diviners.


    Hestia was no different. Her hair was ocean blue, giving off Cynders as she walked, her skin a pale gray. Her top was a feminine silver-plated breastplate with her skirt being long and flowing, bearing the colors of Nyx. Her arms are decorated with silver gauntlets with ruby and sapphire rings on her fingers. Her lips are covered in black lipstick, and lastly, a silver headdress with a cloth veil attached to it.


    Hestia soon comes before me and bows respectfully, saying


    Hestia: Greetings, your Majesty. I, Hestia, your dutiful servant, have heeded your call to manage our newest province.


    Draven: Thank you for coming. I am sorry if this has inconvenienced you.


    Hestia: My lord, you are actually doing me a favor by appointing me to overlook this land.


    Draven: Oh, care to explain?


    Hestia: My husband and I have been blessed with another chance of a child, and you know that childbirth within our Motherland is incredibly hard with infant mortality being high due to the chill.


    Draven: Speak no more; I understand entirely. Hestia, allow me time to arrange for my departure. I shall be leaving a handful of my soldiers with you in case another rebellion should arise.


    Hestia: Thank you for the added security, Your Majesty. You honor me.


    Draven: It is only what is right now. I must prepare for my departure. You are dismissed.


    Hestia: Yes, your Majesty.


    I soon went back to the room I had been staying in, and I found that Noah was packing my things. When he spotted me, he handed me Selene’s box along with a silver locket bearing the crest of the Nyx royal family.


    This locket was the same as the box; only the locket was designed to be portable.


    Selene then transferred herself into the locket, and Noah soon grabbed my bag, and we made our way to the armored caravan. My Wolves were sitting by the caravan guarding it dutifully. Jason was standing guarding the door to the caravan. I soon walked up to him, and he bowed his head. I then got into the caravan along with Noah, and I soon saw that Cupid was waiting. He was dressed in an adorable shirt with a cravat and black pants with flat shoes.


    I sit next to Cupid, who smiles up at me hopefully.


    He tells me that he’s excited to see my homeland. I imagine Medea gave Cupid the good news as she sits across from us. Noah beside her, soon the caravan begins to move, and the journey back to the Nyx Empire is about to begin. I worry for Cupid’s safety, and I have to get him into Nyx Palace without him being seen, but would it truly be so bad? Taking a prize like the prince, having him by my side, would give me great prestige and honor.


    Plus, if I announce that he will be my concubine, that too would spare his life.


    My mind fills with many possibilities of how this will play out; my anxiety is doing its best to burn both ends of the candle.


    Soon I feel Cupid place his hand onto mine. I look to him, and his smile sends my heart a flutter. I soon lean over and kiss his cheek. He soon begins to blush, turning his head away from me. His adorable shyness greatly melts my heart. I truly do believe that what I’m feeling is true, genuine love.


    As I turn my head back around, I catch a scornful look coming from Noah’s face when he realizes I’m looking towards him. Noah quickly fixes his face.


    It seems like trouble will be on the horizon.


    <h2 style="text-align: center"><u>End of Episode</u></h2>