Chapter 98 - Pain (2/2)

"If you are ready to live in a black and white, I urge you to do it" the man continued and it even made the woman mournful.

A miserable life is what she currently lives, a loveless empire, children that did not come out from her and a husband whom she rarely sees.

Now, even Grayson, the one who always followed her will be out of her reach.

Grayson Rowan who accepted the scarred and broken Astrid, the man who once said that the scar she has on her back is beautiful, the man who once showered her with affection.

"Can I stay here longer?" she requested, afraid to go back to that big empty and cold castle.

"Sure...but I must go, I have an important meeting early this day," the man said, his brown eyes dull as he looks at her, very different from when they were children.

He gets up in all his glory and started to prepare for another day as the emperor of the Alutia empire.

'What have I done?' this question was what struck Astrid every day she gets up. Sure, she loved that she won against Celestia, but if this is what it feels from gaining a victory, she would've reconsidered everything.

Tears started to blurry her vision, she must pay for she's the one who caused her sister's death.

'Mother said I was born to be empress, I thought with it comes happiness, how wrong am I'

Twenty-six years of existing yet all she gets is a tiny drop of love. Her true father, King Froilan of Thusha was even stripped off his own title, now, the love kingdom no longer exists just like how love can no longer be found in their progressive empire.

The phone on her right side lighted up, it was hers.

"Your Majesty, we got a message from the school, Aiden got into a fight again" her assistant, Anna reported.

Astrid composed herself for a second, although her hand is unsteady, she managed to speak with her straight voice.

"I'll be there..." she replied before hanging up.

She never gained the favor of the twins even though she tried doing all sorts of stuff to please them, buying them whatever they like and spoiling them too much. At first, they adored her, but when the twins realized that their mother, Celestia, is never coming back that's when they started to get distant.

They were only four years old back then...yet their memory is too clear, too vivid to forget their loving mother.

Finishing another stick of cigarette, Astrid decided to prepare for another day ahead.

"I hate this damn life" she muttered after giving a deep breath.

Karma sure is fast.