The imperial palace of Gaerin looked magnanimous and everlasting to the outside world yet the people living within the walls realized that this time was crucial thus walking on eggshells. Emperor Fleunix had fallen into a state where neither the imperial concubines nor the princes had much doubt that he would die sooner or later.

The consorts who had fought hard within themselves for their entire lifetime had a deep realization that in case if Crown Prince Kyzm sat on the throne because of Empress Daphne's power they must not resist and leave the palace silently, also asking their respective families to withdraw their influence. Winds damage the flourishing trees first, the ones holding most power were also the ones that will be targeted first and uprooted.

While the imperial palace was a hub of chaos a few of the people also had time to remember how some months ago Prince Ragel entered his father's harem and raped a consort, the outcome was neither justice nor mercy, imperial concubine Diereze, that was a victim of sexual abuse was instead thrown into the cold palace where food was scarce and lives ended like dust...yet she was alive.

Her last hope was her tormentor, Prince Ragel who had warned her to give birth to a son for him, or if not then she must be buried alive.

While the Emperor's castle had dirty secrets that the commoners were unaware of the nobles were in all of the comparisons different, a woman in the prime minister's mansion was looking pale as if one had lost all life present in one's soul....two years ago her sister had given birth to a child in pain and anguish and she must go through it again.

"Mistress shall eat something today, it had been so many days since her grace had a full meal, if that continues she might fall sick and starve to death." maids whispered among themselves as a tray of light food was prepared.

"It is like this from the day our mistress has heard about her sister, imperial concubine Diereze."

Prime Minister Artim had earlier an engagement with Diereze yet when the Emperor expressed his desire to have the woman into his inner palace the man did not give it a single thought before sending his childhood love into the hellish place, in the place of Diereze later her younger sister Yona was married off to Prime Minister Artim.

Humans are the most selfish creatures yet sometimes sacrifices too are done in their might. Yona had prepared to jump into the river and commit suicide instead of taking away her elder sister's happiness, who in the world was not aware that the imperial palace was built on a heap of bones, it was better that her sister died instead of entering the palace yet the issues had a never-ending stance.

Diereze was pregnant with Artim's child.

Thirteen days after imperial concubine Diereze was taken to the palace, Yona married off lavishly to the Prime Minister's mansion. What followed was a pregnancy faked by the woman for eight months in utmost fear and horror that once discovered she will be killed yet Yona persisted and the night Diereze gave birth was the day she held her eldest sister's hands.

'Sister must live, this child of yours will become the noblest of all nobles and sister must survive to see the day. This one can see that your beautiful daughter will have a destiny of queens...sister must live.' tears had trickled down the irises when Diereze just gave a feeble smile.

That night in the Prime Minister's mansion the Mistress went into fake labor only surrounded by her closest maids that were aware that Yona was never pregnant. With the monster that was standing outside, they could only try and fake the entire process while breaking into a cold sweat.

"This servant begs master to wait, since the baby is born prematurely there might be a few things to be done." Prime Minister Artim who was for the first time going to be a father complied.

After two hours of keeping the inner chambers closed, a baby girl was brought from within to be kept in the hands of the monster who was truly her father.

Gray irises like moonlight twinkled as the little girl cried and looked at her father in pure innocence, large almond eyes fluttering beautifully like an angel.

The man who had never had an ounce of emotion for anything in the mortal realm other than power and position for once melted and raised her high, smiling with nothing but joy.

"This one's name is Artim and yours.....you my daughter must be called Artilia."