《The Dreams of Time: Storm》 Wedding Her parents didn¡¯t bother coming to her wedding. She isn¡¯t surprised, yet the disappointment still burns. Verrat¡¯s mother loosened her curls so they look presentable. ¡°Don¡¯t worry sweetie, I¡¯m sure your parents will come eventually.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t count on that Ms. Carter.¡± ¡°Ah, just hold out hope, dear girl. However, if they don¡¯t, just know I¡¯m here for you.¡± ¡°Do you want to record yourself now or later? When I was getting married I recorded the entire process and my video trended for weeks!¡± The flowers enveloped them like a cocoon. Ms. Carter must have spent a fortune on them. Ms. Carter continues speaking while attaching circular irons around her hair and face. She considered it. On one hand, this would benefit her acting career, yet on the other it may attract too much attention when she¡¯s barely started her career. The Empire hasn¡¯t forgotten what her grandparents did, so it would be wise to gather up enough allies in the entertainment industry before going all out. However, her parents did say that if her heritage was discovered, being an entertainer was a safe option since they¡¯re considered vapid fools who couldn¡¯t hold down a regular job. ¡°Ah, I wish for this to be a simple affair, Ms. Carter.¡± Though, why should she be so worried since her mother was hardly mentioned by the Main House? It must have been the paranoia causing her such distress, so she shook them off and focused on her sweet Verrat. A few hours later, Anmutig was preparing to stroll down the aisle when her brother suddenly appeared. ¡°Eisen! What are you doing here?¡± She threw herself into his arms while the latter chuckled. ¡°Someone has to walk you down the aisle.¡± ¡°Ah, but you disapprove of Verrat?¡± This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°Regardless of his incompetence, I couldn¡¯t leave my sister on her big day.¡± She ignored the insult towards her future husband and let her brother lead her down the aisle. Phones floated in the air, being held up by the anti gravity gloves their owners wore while seated on the lawn chairs. The floor changed hues as Anmutig¡¯s heels clicked along its surface while up ahead, begonia flowers hovered over the groom. ¡°You look beautiful.¡± ¡°You¡¯re unbelievably handsome.¡± The ceremony went off without a hitch and as they went to the venue across the street, a flood of reporters came swarming towards them. ¡°Mr. Carter, how did you know Anmutig was the one?¡± ¡°Ms. S- pardon me I meant Mrs. Carter, how many children will you have?¡± ¡°Why did you keep your relationship under wraps?¡± ¡°Did you have an affair while on set?¡± ¡°Did you cheat on your ex girlfriend with Anmutig?¡± She stayed composed during the questioning yet wanted to rip their scalps off. Verrat enthusiastically answered every question while keeping a firm grip around her waist. Eisen eventually managed to grab her and rushed her towards the venue while some of the journalists chased after them. She almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. A bride being rescued by her soldier brother from the evil paparazzi would make for quite a tale. Once they were safely inside the venue, Eisen let a scowl appear. ¡°Stupid actors always live for attention, those degenerates. Oh sorry not you of course!¡± He flusters and she can¡¯t help but snicker. ¡°Yes dear brother, my degeneracy will infect you like a virus. Go on without me.¡± ¡°Idiot, your stupidity has already done me in.¡± They shared a few more laughs before his phone rang. He lifted his empty hand and the phone dislodged itself from his pocket. A hologram appears which shows the face of their mother. Swiftly, he rips his iron earring off and answers the call. As a result her voice has a static like quality. Anmutig discretely looks around the room for any warning lights. All the lights from the cameras are still green, so they suspect nothing. ¡°You¡¯re com- Their mother hangs up and they stay silent. Your mission is compromised, is what she had said. ¡°Ah, this stupid phone keeps messing up. I hate to leave on your wedding day, but I must go to the shop.¡± ¡°Of course, brother, thanks for coming.¡± They hug, and if it looks like their last then so be it, the cameras will suspect nothing. ¡°Stay.¡± He whispers before he leaves. Right. She goes to another room and cracks a smile to her reflection in the dressing room. Cameras don¡¯t exist in these places, though she looks around for any just in case. Her reflection depicts a dark skinned woman with wine colored eyes. An iron-like corset runs up her waist like a skeletal structure. Underneath is a traditional red dress while her veil is made from Begonias. Her mother in law had even been kind enough to dye the tips of her hair red in honor of the Empire. She almost laughed at the various contradictions. She stopped serving the Empire and her family years ago, though the former still makes her skin crawl. She straightens up and dons another symbolic dress. This must be unhealthy, participating in various traditions while seething on the inside. ¡°We serve the Empire, not the emperor.¡± Her mother drilled that into her head since she was a child. Before she could write or speak, those words had been ingrained in her bones. The influence cannot be erased. However, she clears her head and walks into the venue with a smile. Viral ¡°He is unsuitable for marriage. Simpleminded, materialistic, and self absorbed. He¡¯s only good for his looks, so it¡¯s no wonder he¡¯s an actor.¡± Her mother had said, to which she retorted something equally shameful. ¡°Your mother was a prostitute.¡± ¡°Who managed to escape being captured by my grandfather for two weeks. While pregnant.¡± ¡°What are you trying to say, mother?¡± ¡°That your Verrat couldn¡¯t withstand the Strogameer¡¯s wrath, even if he tried.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t know that. Your mother was under very different circumstances.¡± ¡°We value those who can withstand the worst of the worst. Mother led a life of hardship and cruelty in the slums of the Empire. Yet her intelligence held off the House of Strogameer.¡± ¡°So her circumstances shaped her intelligence?¡± ¡°Not necessarily. Her intelligence lay within her because of her bloodline. They could¡¯ve been part of the elite advisors if they were born in a noble family. However, only she escaped the cycle only to be brought into another.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying that if Verrat had adequate intelligence, I could marry him?¡± ¡°What would you define as intelligent? There are differing kinds.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­in terms of your House it would be defined as the intelligence of survivability. But also deception and gathering information.¡± ¡°I asked what you considered intelligent?¡± ¡°Is this a test of some sort?¡± ¡°You¡¯re far past the age of testing.¡± ¡°But why do you want to know my interpretation of it? To deter me from Verrat I suppose.¡± ¡°In a way, but I wish to further understand your mentality.¡± ¡°So you can manipulate me.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t stop you from marrying him, though I wish you understood that love cannot save you.¡± ¡°So you speak of yourself.¡± Suddenly, Anmutig awakens. She had forgotten where the conversation had went after that comment. Her phone had continually went off with various notifications so she snapped her glove on and opened the phone. Huh. She¡¯s went viral. Well, her wedding went viral. She scrolled through a few comments. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°I love her dress!¡± ¡°She¡¯s wearing Hannah M.¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t Verrat just with Michelley?¡± ¡°They¡¯re such a cute couple! #couplegoals ¡°He¡¯s sooo sexy.¡± ¡°Vertig is their ship name, which is unfortunate.¡± She doesn¡¯t know how to feel about this. However, as she scrolls through her phone she sees that Eisen hasn¡¯t texted back yet. Should she text him back or wait for a response? She¡¯s horribly worried yet knows he can handle himself. Perhaps she should visit her parents to get a few details? Before she can decide, Verrat bursts into the room. ¡°We went viral baby!¡± ¡°I saw, it¡¯s great!¡± He jumps on the bed and projects the phones screen onto the television. Comments flood the screen while he excitedly reads them aloud. Anmutig matches his energy but deep down feels a nervous premonition come upon her. From the details she gathered weeks ago, Eisen and her father were working on an assignment in the Lower District which involved locating Count Zorn¡¯s mistress. As a newlywed she can¡¯t just wander off from Verrat so quickly. Plus, if she suggests they take a trip to the Lower District he¡¯ll surely decline. She excuses herself to the bathroom and slips a burner phone in her pocket. On her way to the toilet she looks around the house. It¡¯s typical Upper District architecture with dark marble walls and shimmering glass chandeliers which hang from the ceiling. Fake golden crystals are embedded in the walls which glow when the hall darkens. Though the floor is glass, one cannot see the ground, but she¡¯s not worried about that. The house is filled with cameras. Green lights blink rapidly in every corner, including the television and appliances. Supposedly none exist in bathrooms, so they watch even as she slumbers. These are the makings of Xander Corp. Once in the bathroom she takes out the burner phone. This technology is illegal and may warrant execution if found. They have no anti gravity features so they must be held and can only be used twice, as any further use has a higher chance of being detected by the government. ¡°Mother?¡± ¡°Stay low for a while.¡± ¡°What¡¯s happened to Father and Eisen?¡± ¡°Listen to me Anmutig Strogameer, the documents are in the grave and Xander technology ceases to function in the kingdom. Remember. I¡¯ll get back to you when I can.¡± She hangs up and Anmutig¡¯s heart races. How could locating a Count¡¯s mistress lead to this? Her mother wants her to cross the border, so what madness is this? There is no use in pondering. She goes back to Verrat and sees he¡¯s still engrossed in social media so she leaves through the front door. The Lower District can be reached in one hour using hyper trains, but on foot it would take three days. There is a cosmetic shop that can digitally change someone¡¯s face or hair for a limited time, but it only works in certain districts. What¡¯s in fashion right now? Oh right, fiery red hair is currently trending so it wouldn¡¯t look too strange if she bought that. From her observation, girls in all four districts were wearing these digital hair dyes. If she¡¯s questioned a simple explanation will follow. She browses the shop and buys one that has authorized use in three districts. Physical currency is still in use but mostly by the poor so when the shopkeeper scoffs, she pays it no mind. Once outside she activates the dye. She can feel the static as it fizzles around her hair and boards the train. Unease pricks at the back of her neck, but she dares not to turn around. Someone is watching her. The feeling is akin to a lion waiting to pounce. It might be one of her haters, though their gazes are different. The paparazzi are out of the question since her fame barely warrants a scoop. Plus she¡¯s only met a few fans over the years and they definitely harbored nothing but goodwill. She freezes as a thought strikes her. Why was her wedding hounded yesterday by the paparazzi? Verrat is the main lead in the drama while she¡¯s a supporting character, yet their union couldn¡¯t warrant a dozen journalists to the occasion. Weddings go viral everyday so it¡¯s not too outlandish to see herself on multiple sites. And yet the impending sense of doom doesn¡¯t lessen. She can¡¯t dismiss the thought that someone may be targeting her. It¡¯s too coincidental though her paranoia could be just that. Still, she keeps looking oblivious and gets off the train in the Middle District. She doesn¡¯t risk taking another hyper train and rushes into the woods. I Hear the Tempest The trees tug at her clothes and scrape her skin like nails. The underbrush irritates her blood but she doesn¡¯t stop running until nightfall. The Lower District stands below her. Colorful lights and noisy music blast her eardrums. Maneuvering through the crowd is its own form of torture as bodies push her to and fro. Eventually she finds herself at a swanky nightclub filled with off duty soldiers, and she spots Old Fang leaning against the counter. ¡°Old Fang, greetings.¡± He looks her up and down. ¡°Got into a fight I presume?¡± ¡°You could say that. But you know why I¡¯m here of course.¡± ¡°That depends, what can you do for me?¡± Old Fang needs to be handled with caution. He is more inclined towards gathering info for blackmail, though it¡¯s usually geared towards the military. However, anything she shares will be used against her at a later time. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. His greed knows no bounds. And yet¡­ Contracts bind men for life until they¡¯re fulfilled. They want gold, and they wish for blood. She takes off her glove and hands him the phone. His eyes widen. Anmutig tenses, sensing a change in the air. ¡°The market value on this thing is astronomical! It seems you¡¯re more wealthy than I imagined.¡± She says nothing and wipes all data from the phone, but only a fool would believe the empire doesn¡¯t retain most of her information. He takes the phone and stares with a new hunger. ¡°North Avenue is where your brother is headed.¡± She stalks off and feels eyes on the back of her head. Once outside, she hears wind behind her back, but sidesteps at the last minute. A soldier stumbles and she takes the opportunity to trip him. Her heel comes down and bashes his head until someone smacks her in the face. The second soldier almost slams her into the ground until she produces a blade from her pocket and stabs him in the thigh. ¡°I see your years of privilege haven¡¯t taken you off the battlefield.¡± Old Fang saunters around the corner, twirling the phone. She says nothing and starts to walk off. ¡°You¡¯re not going to demand an explanation?¡± He questions, a glint in his eye. ¡°No.¡± There was no contract between them, yet their ancestors held one. They stated that they wouldn¡¯t hurt one another, yet this display may not be seen as a violation. She wonders what joy he deprived from his acts of callousness. Loopholes exist, is what her mother warned. ¡°You¡¯re not going to go off about how I don¡¯t value the Empire? Your brother always does.¡± She almost falters, but keeps walking as he walks beside her. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Expressionless House. You ought to be more ashamed at my grievances. You may be killed one day.¡± The Wind Swirls Soon the lights fade to nothing but illusions if she dares to close her eyes. North Avenue is a spot of consistent chaos and drugs. In one section, a man is being beaten in a drug deal gone wrong while another section bears a self proclaimed doom sayer. ¡±A tempest surrounds Begonia! The wind screams with a horrid warning!¡± As she passes by, his eyes zero in. ¡±Don¡¯t fear the lightning when it strikes.¡± She says nothing and spots a woman with blue hair and purple eyes. The mistress. Her attire suggests her status as a prostitute, though many would suggest her eyes themselves to be an indication. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Anmutig Seyer!¡± A few heads turn but no one approaches. The mistress runs towards her excitedly. ¡±Is Verrat here? Why¡¯d you come to the Lower District? Can I have your autograph? Oh sorry I haven¡¯t introduced myself yet, I¡¯m Pam!¡± This girl is not an actress. The insincerity drips from her tongue like syrup and her eyes look at her with contempt. ¡°Pam is such a cute name! How about instead of an autograph we can take a picture together?¡± Her eyes light up and she scrambles for her phone. After she takes the photo she uploads it on social media. This is not only a risk but a warning. ¡±Pam you have to tell me where you bought that hair color! Does it hold in all Districts?¡± ¡±Actually it was a gift from my boyfriend but he said he got it from the store down the street. Want to come with me?¡± ¡±It¡®s open at this hour?¡± ¡±No but I can call the owner to get us in.¡± ¡±I wouldn¡¯t want to impos- Pam grabs her wrist and starts dragging her down the street. ¡±It¡®s fine! Come on you¡¯re Anmutig Seyer and you deserve this!¡± What an obvious trap. Even if this isn¡¯t part of Count Zorn¡¯s scheme, it may be her John¡¯s. The process of cornering a prey and destroying their boundaries is the move of an amateur. I am One Step Closer to the Fire The conversation yielded nothing substantial. The girl was adept at dodging any and all accounts of being tied to Zorn. A different tactic is needed, so instead of continuing their dull conversation, she bids her farewell and turns the corner. She waits and listens to the girls fading footsteps before following at a safe distance. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. They end up in the shady part of town where multiple Storm girls wander with men on their arms. None of the men resemble Zorn in the slightest though their clothing indicates they¡¯re from the Upper District. Anmutig circles the neighborhood and sees nothing amiss besides the illegal prostitution. However it¡¯s good to know which rich men are traversing the streets. She climbs up a tree and has the phone float above the neighborhood. She zooms in on specific men and takes a few videos and pictures of their affairs. This day may have been disappointing but at least she acquired sufficient material. Ignorant Verrat didn¡¯t notice her absence. She stands at the entrance of their bedroom while he scrolls through comments on social media. It looks like he hasn¡¯t moved since she left. He¡¯s even wearing the same clothes. Fear and foolishness sift through her body causing a shiver. She doesn¡¯t realize she¡¯s on the floor until she feels rough carpet. Wait. She cannot let her emotions show while there are cameras. Memories of repression flood her mind until she forces herself to full height. At least he didn¡¯t notice her suspicious behavior, is what she tells herself. Maybe this is for the best. Her lungs still cling for breath so she emerges into the living room and sinks onto the glowing couch. She doesn¡¯t awaken for two days until Verrat shakes her awake. ¡°Baby we have to be on set today!¡± ¡°What day is it?¡± ¡°The twentieth.¡± ¡°¡­I see.¡± Why did she sleep that long? Was she drugged? She doesn¡¯t remember drinking or eating anything suspicious. Her body is incredibly exhausted. Moving is a chore. Crawling is undignified yet it¡¯s all she can manage while Verrat is too busy staring at comments while a mad grin adorns his face. It is then that she thinks of the nursery rhyme ¡®Magnitude.¡¯ ¡°Two little ravens fell From the mothers womb Onto the sodden ash, failure wasn¡¯t determined But begot sea and wine conflict War drew blood and thus the kingdoms were born.¡± As she applies makeup to her tired face, thoughts drift towards her family. Sometimes they¡¯d send Digital Birds to the window as a sort of message. It¡¯s an outdated form of communication but there are still a few in circulation. After finishing her makeup shock spreads across her face when they step outside. A MAINS vehicle sits in the front lawn. It¡¯s a mechanical horse drawn carriage, the kind the nobles use. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°Like it?¡± ¡°How did you afford this?¡± ¡°A fan sent this as a wedding gift and it¡¯s the newest model!¡± ¡°And you just accepted it?¡± ¡°Yeah how couldn¡¯t I? Baby it¡¯s already sold out everywhere.¡± There doesn¡¯t seem to be any foreign devices on the vehicle yet darkness permeated from the corners of its eyes. Logically, her hand finds Verrat as he helps her into the carriage. Rationally, she leans against him as they go down Main Street. External, she peruses the sky and spots airships when the carriages cover lifts with the click of a button. Reporters are clamoring for their attention on motorcycles flecked with gold that flickers in the dawn, and a strange set of madness curls through her lungs. She flashbacks to a strange time in her life. ¡°I can¡¯t do it!¡± She¡¯d plead with her mother, years ago. She¡¯d been thirteen, an age which the matriarch deemed fit to toss her in the woods with only a knife to spare. Strange men chased her through the foliage until she scrambled up the tree. That¡¯s when they shot. Her body fell from the trees as she struggled for breath, when a fierce adrenaline took hold. Somehow, the knife lodged itself into a man¡¯s stomach but it was all her own doing. Another tries to grab her waist but she whirls around to bite his forearm in such a way that blood drips down his dark skin. Then she stabs him. The third man aims but she leaps like a leopard and has him stumbling for balance. The knife grabs him in the heart, and the second man pulls her by the hair like a menace. However, a sword comes through his chest and he falls forward. Her father wipes the blade on his jeans and she realizes that her mother hadn¡¯t sent her out to die, only to experience her first mission. Why else would she send her father? Her eyes are still wild when she gazes upon him, yet the rational part of her brain recognizes him as an ally. Family. Still a snarl rips through her at the injustice of it all. It¡¯s probably the point. Her mother called her ignorant when she returned home, but still tended to her wounds and pulled out the bullet. ¡°Ignorant. Always watch out for any assailants and trust no one, even family.¡± ¡°B-But it was a t-test. You sent father.¡± ¡°Your father allowed you to get shot.¡± ¡°The M-main House is the same a-as the Branch.¡± ¡°You know nothing of the cold or heat, girl. Know your place and use it.¡± Anmutig returns to the present as Verrat puts an arm around her. He smiles and shouts pleasantly to the reporters. Ignorance can only contain so much until failure heats the ice. ¡°We made a contract, you and I?¡± She says. ¡°Hmm? Yes, of course we did since we¡¯re married.¡± ¡°Before marriage.¡± ¡°Oh you mean at the lake. Why bring it up now?¡± ¡°The terms were that we would never cheat nor destroy each other in any capacity.¡± ¡°Of course though it sounded a bit dramatic.¡± ¡°Another term was that we¡¯d love each other unconditionally.¡± He nods, clearly done with the conversation. ¡°But what does love mean to you?¡± ¡°Uh just caring about other people, what of it?¡± ¡°To some love is doing anything for anyone regardless of circumstances, or even the people themselves.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Though I think some people put different kinds of love in boxes.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°One box is reserved for those in familial relationships while others are of the romantic kind. Sometimes they merge or are reserved for friendships.¡± ¡°That¡¯s kind of complicated.¡± ¡°Some find it easier to label than others, even subconsciously.¡± Vanity Her body stills when she rakes her eyes over the script. ¡®Rose looks around frantically for her phone, and once retrieved, panic quickly forms on her features. She falls to the floor and screams. The camera pans to the phone which shows her father being apprehended by the police. His crime is treason.¡¯ She runs her tongue over her teeth and feels eyes watching her. The Producer, Amina, approaches with a bright smile. ¡°I can see you¡¯re simply stunned by the script!¡± Breathe in. Breathe out. Coincidences exist. Someone watched her the other day. Hesitation is death. Where is her father? ¡°It truly is, but why is Rose¡¯s father involved in the plot?¡± ¡°Well, Michelly asked for us to take her character in a different direction so we came up with a plot that would force her character to express deep emotions.¡± Eisen. Mother. ¡°Thank you! Oh and congratulations on your marriage!¡± ¡°I see. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll do wonderfully.¡± She smiled and excused herself to find Verrat. He had no care in the world as he and the cameraman laughed at something illogical on social media. She grasps his arm like a good wife and laughs with him. Waiting is dangerous. She could stake out Count Zorn¡¯s mansion in the Imperial District for a few days to learn his habits. However he¡¯ll obviously have guards so she¡¯ll have to get creative to get past them. ¡°Anmutig look at this edit of us!¡± Should she kill them? No, killing is a last result. Murder is a high offense in the Empire, though abduction is less so. ¡°We look so good!¡± Should she cause a blackout in the neighborhood? She¡¯ll need a Lightning Stick from the black market then. ¡°I can finally brag about having the most beautiful wife haha.¡± The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. If there¡¯s a blackout then she can¡¯t use any enhancements. Maybe she¡¯ll use a mask and wig to hide her features. ¡°Oh so I guess that¡¯s the only reason you married me.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make me sound like that babe!¡± Hours pass until suddenly Verrat pulls her aside and whispers like a scared man. ¡°I saw on social media that Michelly just posted #EmperorStein!¡± Ah, that wasn¡¯t good at all. She knew Michelly was a bit problematic but this has far exceeded her expectations. She figures she¡¯s going to meet her family sooner than later. ¡°See here it is! She talks about how Lord Stein should be legitimized and take the throne instead of Princess Upendo!¡± A headache forms in Anmutig¡¯s brain. Of all the idiotic things she could have sent out it had to be one bordering on treason. Actors truly are idiots. ¡°Verrat, we must remain calm and do what the authorities say when they come for us.¡± ¡°Obviously! But I don¡¯t want you to be in danger so maybe you can lay low in the kingdom?¡± ¡°What would they think if her coworker suddenly crossed the border?¡± ¡°Oh yeah I didn¡¯t think about that.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll get through this.¡± It¡¯s not a promise. ¡®How many more people must I kill before it¡¯s over?¡¯ ¡­ On the way home she encounters Zachary, an old man whose slithered his way to the top. He also happens to be allied with her family, at least that¡¯s how it¡¯s supposed to be. ¡°A shame you couldn¡¯t live up to your parents expectations.¡± So he wishes to speak of these things openly. He must be overconfident about something. Nevertheless her voice drops to a whisper. ¡°There is nothing to be ashamed about.¡± ¡°Yet you formed a contract with an actor and performed in the arts. Even my daughter scoffed at your decisions.¡± ¡°What do you actually want Zachary?¡± ¡°Baron Zachary.¡± ¡°The nobility blends together I¡¯m afraid. I¡¯m guessing since you keep insulting me I can take a guess that my line is being exterminated.¡± His eyes dance in delight. ¡°It¡¯s always exciting when a House falls.¡± ¡°The House of Strogameer fell before my birth.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re okay with such an ending?¡± ¡°Death, death, death, I¡¯ll get my vengeance regardless.¡± Anmutig hisses like a serpent. Her hand tightens into a fist. She wants to break his nose until he¡¯s begging her for mercy. ¡°Be calm woman, there¡¯s no need to get so hostile. You¡¯re acting like your grandad.¡± ¡°I¡¯m tired of stupid old men saying things they shouldn¡¯t. Open your mouth and honor the contract.¡± ¡°You know I saw your grandad get executed. Had that same look on his face that you do now.¡± He is getting blatant enjoyment from this taunting. ¡°You stood by while your ally was executed. Technically it didn¡¯t violate the contract and yet you benefited from your inaction. How do you benefit now?¡± She knows she won¡¯t get an answer from him, but people tend to let things slip when they¡¯re overconfident. ¡°Oh I benefit from nothing. And when he died the other nobleman just so happened to need new investments so it wasn¡¯t anything foul.¡± Her tongue makes a clicking sound before commenting. ¡°Did your House perhaps let it slip that the Strogameers would do away with them? Just in passing of course.¡± ¡°I was a mere teenager so the details are lost to me.¡± ¡°The nobility train their children from birth about the circumstances of their affiliations and deeds.¡± ¡°I loved myself some good women at the time, just like your mothers uncle.¡± It would be terribly easy to kill him. So old and vulnerable despite his many battles. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re going to insult me on my choice in men again?¡± Kin Anmutig keeps tabs over the controversy the days following Michelly¡¯s foolishness. Calls for her arrest and execution have been floundering social media for quite a while. Boycotting the show is the first thing that fans did. Then the show became a trending topic for all the wrong reasons. Currently, Verrat is in their bedroom writing a post explaining how he supports the future Queendom. Anmutig chooses to remain silent, even if it may be beneficial. These matters are delicate and must be handled with caution. If Anmutig is to portray herself as a ditzy woman with no regard for intellect then her battles will be wise. Perhaps she can feign excitement over marriage and thus not realize the gravity of the situation. Zachary had given no clues about her family¡¯s situation, just the obvious bit of them being in danger. She almost regrets letting him walk away. Sometimes she reminds herself of a tumbling wave about to smash against the deck of a ship. Destructive but expected. Every decision she¡¯s made has been her own starting from the age of eighteen. How did Zachary feel watching her grandfather die? Perhaps joyous from the profit he¡¯d later gain. Were his eyes sparkling? Did he let out a chuckle? She does not know the answer. Baron Stein, or Lord Stein, is the illegitimate son of Emperor Omari, Regis of the Empire. For years Stein has been advocating for his legitimacy over his aunt Princess Upendo but his father will not entertain the notion. If he¡¯d been anyone else, Stein would¡¯ve been executed or jailed like the others who advocated for him. Anmutig muses that she and Michelly will end up in the same place very soon. ¡­ She grows restless. The kind of unease that makes one pace without reason. Paranoia overrules everything until something breaks. Caution is her usual motto but the fear of sleepless horror grips her. Perhaps cursing her parents is a right course of action for holding onto a dead legacy. She cannot do such a horrid thing however. She knows she¡¯s done too much, but somehow it¡¯s not enough. It never will be. Who will she have to threaten? There are far too many egomaniacs slithering around Begonia. Her family will die. Verrat will die. Anmutig will die. Most of the blame goes towards her family for interfering with the Empire but that has been their legacy for generations. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. The Strogameers have done the dirty work behind countless Regis¡¯s for as long as Begonia has strived. So many people were happy to throw away the Strogameers for mere wealth. She quits pacing and unclenches her hair. So many of their former allies have no respect for them. For her. They see her as a remnant turned into silly fantasies. Of course they¡¯d been waiting for her family¡¯s downfall before her birth. A joke to the nobility. They see her as nothing but the face of a forgotten House. She wanders to a camera less room and takes out a small tablet. It projects a video on the wall. Verrat won¡¯t hear. He never does. The video starts with a beautiful shot of the imperial palace and the Emperor Rajabu. A crowd of dark and pale nobles stand behind him. It is a gloomy day as the clouds have not parted yet. It is drizzling, yet the nobles haven¡¯t moved to shelter themselves. Their red eyes gleam in anticipation. A dark skinned man is hunched over with ropes binding his wrists. Emperor Rajabu steps upon him and the crowd laughs. Even the peasants aren¡¯t barred from throwing objects at the bound man. ¡°Chumadolch, your betrayal has destroyed me completely. You drove my daughter mad.¡± His foot connects with his skull before continuing. ¡°Chumadolch, you sold information to Vetursigra which caused me to lose Stigmata.¡± He¡¯s cracked his skull by now. ¡°Chumadolch, my daughter drowned herself because of your schemes. You destroyed my lineage, friend.¡± Rajabu still had a son, but everyone knew they didn¡¯t favor. He leans down and whispers, and for the first time, Chumadolch¡¯s eyes widen, but only for a fraction. The Emperor continues. ¡°Chumadolch, I will destroy your lineage in turn. Dolch will be spared however. That is the only mercy you¡¯ll get because of your House¡¯s lifelong devotion. He will never bear your name.¡± He falls face first and the nobles holler in delight. ¡°Speak. Do you claim innocence?¡± ¡°I was not believed the first hundred times.¡± He breaks his nose. ¡°Chumadolch, I trusted you.¡± He signals for the executioner. He drags him through the mud until they force him to his knees. ¡°Any last words?¡± He straightens and despite the mud, blood, and broken bones, his eyes gleam with wrath. The wine color of his eyes have never shone so bright. ¡°The world is a dark and cruel place except for those privileged enough not to witness such things.¡± He stares at Dolch. ¡°The House of Strogameer has faced the empty and dark foes for as long as the Empire has been alive.¡± He chokes on his own blood, but resumes his speech. ¡°1,300 years ago the Strogameers were betrayed by their allies and slaughtered.¡± ¡°900 years ago the Strogameers were stripped of their titles and hunted down by Omari the Horror.¡± ¡°500 years ago the Strogameers fought to the death over personal matters.¡± ¡°40 years ago my brother tried to kill me for my title. Our father gave me the title despite being second born. For his insolence, father slashed his neck to prevent another massacre. However, he only delayed the inevitable.¡± Dolch squirms. ¡°If father could see me now, he would¡¯ve killed me the day I was born. He would¡¯ve been justified. I wish he would have, because I only saw the Empire as something to nurture.¡± He half bows. ¡°I committed no crimes against your majesty or the princess, but as a servant of the Empire I bow to you one last time.¡± ¡°I apologize your majesty, for not preventing your daughters death. I apologize for being useless. I apologize for not being my father.¡± He looks the emperor in the eye. ¡°However, make no mistake my Regis, for the Strogameers will crawl from the depths. If we cannot devour each other we will devour the betrayal.¡± Chumadolch nods at the executioner. ¡°Long live the Regis.¡± Those are his final words. ¡­ They say on his death bed Rajabu saw the Empire for what it was, but it was too late. Nemesis Contracts are a fundamental part of Begonia that has spanned generations and cultivated through time. For their ally ship, it seems as if the Strogameer¡¯s have used monetary value to urge people to their sides to varying degrees. Each Head would use different tactics and not all proved useful. For example, Rain used blackmail to subjugate the eight ruling houses while Wasiostahili offered lucrative deals such as lands and other business ventures. However, Wasiostahili offered these things when presenting his children for marriage. It wasn¡¯t unusual for a Strogameer to go about arranging things in such a way but his mistake was offering them to noble families. Though they were noble themselves, they were infamous for hardly allowing their children to marry other nobility. Wasiostahili, in one of his many ventures, offered one of his daughters in exchange for an alliance, as well as a way to move up in the nobility. He offered her to a measly Baron House called Tapferyashujaa. They were offered several lands and in return they would defend the Strogameer¡¯s. This is where most of the Tapferyashujaa¡¯s wealth comes from. Contracts are difficult to break but certain authority or loopholes can sever them. ¡­ Old Fang sits across her, lounging in the rust colored seats. A smirk spreads across his face, and mirth illustrates the rest of his visage. In other words, he is far too relaxed. ¡°You¡¯re angry.¡± The old man comments. ¡°No.¡± ¡°I¡¯m an innocent woman who has nothing left.¡± She thinks, and doesn¡¯t dwell too much on the perceived image of herself. ¡°Nothing slips past you.¡± ¡°How about I order you a drink to cheer you up?¡± He pushes himself off the seat and leaves without her input. So, it seems like he has taken control of the situation. Originally their meeting was arranged weeks ago but he had blown them off too many times for her to count. Now he shows up and keeps inserting control over all aspects of the situation. However, she refuses to confront him at the moment. Instead she watches as he takes his sweet time conversing with the patrons and doesn¡¯t return with their drinks until half an hour has passed. However, he brings an unusual sight with him. ¡°Ah Anmutig, this is one of my kingdom buddies, Pferd. I¡¯ve thought to introduce him to a lovely lady such as yourself.¡± If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Pferd is an imposing man that¡¯s somehow taller than her. His muscular physique makes her question whether or not he can break a man in half. His dark skin glows in the low light of the club, but jagged scars sweep across his arms. Looking up, she can see that his hair is long and wild, though the ponytail its trapped in does nothing to stagnate its sheer length. However, his eyes are the most telling thing about him, being a sea green hue that shines with a cold sheen. Obviously he hails from the kingdom up north, Vetursigra. Honestly, she shouldn¡¯t be surprised that a Northman is in the Lower District, considering they¡¯re near the poorly maintained border. Maybe the patrolman have been killed by the constant skirmishes. ¡°Greetings, Pferd. It¡¯s lovely to meet you.¡± His eyes widen, but his expression quickly becomes stoic again. ¡°Likewise.¡± What is the point in introducing her to a kingdom dweller? Does Old Fang wish to send a picture of this encounter to accuse her of treason? It¡¯s not illegal to converse with kingdom dwellers, but the implications of the empires laws are often ignored in these cases, never-mind the societal repercussions. Still, his angle is a clever one. Nevertheless she is the one to open her mouth first. ¡°Old Fang, you are a soldier.¡± ¡°Heh, obviously. Why state the obvious?¡± ¡°Soldiers tend to see death no matter the circumstances. Tell me, Fang, are soldiers essential to the Empire?¡± They give her a strange look. ¡°Soldiers are necessary in all nations.¡± ¡°They¡¯re pawns on a chess board. Armies will lead kings to victory while the soldiers fall.¡± ¡°Careful Anmutig. This is a place that¡¯s crawling with soldiers.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be ambushed either way. So, tell me Old Fang, does death look the same?¡± ¡°You should¡¯ve asked your brother.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t ask a dead man.¡± He throws his head back and bellows, louder than the speakers vibrating throughout the room. ¡°You believe he¡¯s dead now, don¡¯t you? Trying to intimidate me into giving you information on his whereabouts.¡± ¡°Does it look the same? Have you ever seen a man slowly dying of sickness to the point of delirium? Or the woman who can¡¯t lift herself from her deathbed. Do they resemble those who¡¯ve been shot?¡± Anmutig is shouting now and the rest of the club turns towards them. Old Fang rises above her, and a dark look passes over his eyes. ¡°Who do you think you¡¯re talking to? You¡¯re just a spoiled brat who can¡¯t get a real job. You¡¯d crumble in the army.¡± ¡°They say Chumadolch was a fine warrior, though I wonder if he saw a corpse twitch.¡± If silence was a flood, the bar would drown. ¡°A soldier, warrior, same thing really. I never met him but I¡¯m sure you saw a glimpse of him, Old Fang. After all our families held a contract.¡± No one said a word though their jaws dropped in shock, or perhaps horror. ¡°You dare lie- ¡°It¡¯s not a secret. I¡¯m a Strogameer and your family was allied with us. Which brings me to the main point.¡± She turns before continuing in a sleek manner. ¡°Since the Strogameer¡¯s are no more you¡¯re free from the contract. Isn¡¯t that great?¡± Anmutig¡¯s smile was wide and showed teeth. ¡°My great great grandfather Wasiostahili bought lands from the Regis, but since my House is no more, the law states it should return to the reigning Regis.¡± ¡°You cannot- ¡°I only found out today that this is what the law states. I cannot be blamed. After all, the Regis just wants his lands back. Wasiostahili wrote in the contract that should his House fall, return them to his or her majesty.¡± She puts on a sorrowful expression and leans into him. ¡°My House fell officially fifty years ago. You are aware that the contract also states if all living blood with the name Strogameer pass it should dissolve.¡± ¡°Only my mother has that last name, but she¡¯s dead, isn¡¯t she Old Fang?¡± ¡°Do not play with me, child.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have a choice. You can kill me but the land is still Omari¡¯s. Do you really wish to end up in prison? Or executed?¡± Utter dread passes over his face and this is when he crumbles. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you where they- ¡°Oh we are far past that point Old Fang.¡± Poison Ruining Old Fang was just another task that would only strengthen the Empire and weaken a family. Having a heart and forsaking privileges are foreign concepts to the elite. Destroying is another matter entirely. It is not cruel to drag the world into slumber yet something dark tugs at her bones. Her family was by no means poor and despite the Strogameer¡¯s wealth returning to the Regis, private accounts were hidden away. Rain, in his paranoia, stashed money away any chance he could and even had bank accounts registered to others. Some were found but most were not. Her mother never told her the passwords but had hinted they were hidden in the family¡¯s old properties. To find such hidden wealth would require her to venture onto old Strogameer land and look for clues, but they¡¯re a protected space only the Regis can enter. Emperor Rajabu forbid all from entering such residence, and the law has been upheld, though ones who choose to break it are never heard from again. However, despite the many lands her ancestors owned there were only a few that went into frequent use. Kingship was a castle situated in the deep woods located near the mountains. Hardly anyone dared to venture there in this age, but it¡¯s not only because of Rajabu¡¯s orders. Ghosts of the long forgotten Age of Sara are said to roam the abandoned castle. Wrath lingers in the halls, some rumors say. Anmutig has only ventured those halls once when her mother brought her there. Well, it was more like carry since she was still in her womb at the time. How her mother managed to escape the castle will remain a mystery. Suddenly, a voice separates her from her thoughts. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re going after me next.¡± Zachary drawls like the elder he is. He smokes an electronic cigar that gives off blue smoke when he breathes out. ¡°I must say I¡¯m quite impressed with your little maneuvering. You caused quite the stir in the Lower District, so much you¡¯ve gone a little viral!¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡± ¡°And yet you boldly show your face in public.¡± Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! ¡°I have nothing to be ashamed of so I don¡¯t see a reason not to venture out.¡± ¡°And yet you haven¡¯t addressed me by my proper title.¡± ¡°Is there a law stating such a thing? I reserve such things only to his Majesty and the heir.¡± ¡°So intelligent, little Anmutig. You haven¡¯t answered my question.¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t answered mine.¡± ¡°We never made a contract.¡± ¡°Exactly. Now if you¡¯ll excuse me I must be on my way.¡± ¡°Actually I was hoping to form a new contract.¡± A laugh almost escapes her. ¡°Oh? And what would that entail?¡± ¡°Have you wondered why no one has approached you despite your blunder?¡± Absolutely. ¡°I¡¯m obviously not an idiot.¡± He gestures around like it¡¯s a show and not a potential murder scene. ¡°This is my influence, Anmutig. Without it you would¡¯ve been apprehended.¡± ¡°So this is a warning disguised as helpfulness.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a threat, I¡¯m just honoring our families contract to protect each other during times of turmoil.¡± Is he trying to imply her mother is alive? ¡°I see.¡± ¡­ Zachary had tried to establish another contract but luckily he received a call urging him to return home. She ventures home to a distracted husband. Verrat is too busy arguing on the phone with their manager to notice her return. She¡¯s unsure how he¡¯s managed to survive to his twenties. At least the Empire will spare him. It¡¯s almost painful to admit her parents were right in regards to him. Perhaps she¡¯d been obsessed with his handsome face or caring personality. He was never like this when they were dating, though they weren¡¯t living together at the time. Still, he¡¯d seemed so doting at the beginning. However, he¡¯s an actor and those types are wonderful liars. How funny. Two liars married to one another. Marrying him wasn¡¯t an act of rebellion but naive love. ¡°Babe, try not to look at your social media for a while.¡± ¡°I already saw.¡± He groans. ¡°Sorry babe, I¡¯ve tried to defend you in the comment section but they keep trashing us. I mean there are some defending you but still.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. Thanks for defending me.¡± ¡°I wish they could see your beautiful smile. We¡¯ll get through this babe.¡± Her heart melts and her mind is filled with regret for ever doubting him. ¡°But I had no idea you were a Strogameer! That¡¯s kind of cool. We should¡¯ve used that earlier to increase our follower count!¡± ¡°Y-You¡¯re joking right? I told you before we were married.¡± ¡°You did? I must¡¯ve forgotten.¡± Yep, no one is going to kill him. The next day Anmutig spreads out various tablets on the floor and verbally activates them. ¡°J, please show me Gilded Square.¡± A chorus of chimes emit from the small devices until holographic maps emerge from the screens. She makes a show of scrolling across the maps using the stylus. ¡°Verrat, how about we go to our managers house Wednesday and plead our case? See? It¡¯s near Gilded Square.¡± Her husband pops his head into the room. ¡°Are you sure? He wasn¡¯t exactly thrilled yesterday.¡± ¡°It¡¯s worth a shot. Remember Verrat, you¡¯ve accomplished so much in the years I¡¯ve known you so I¡¯m confident we can get through this.¡± The Gilded Square is situated near the woods that house Kingship castle so if all goes according to plan then she¡¯ll be able to sneak away long enough to examine the perimeter. The only problem is that it hails near the Royal District but such things can¡¯t be helped. Moreover she hasn¡¯t forgotten Zorn and his suspicious ways. Recently he¡¯s been advocating for Michelly¡¯s death on social media but his mistake was announcing he¡¯d be in the Square on a certain day.