THE TYRANNICAL EMPRESS & THE PRIESTESS

Silas Sarasvati

FREYA’S POV

Finally, it has come to this-,

“Your majesty, I don’t think this is a wise decision. The empire was involved in a huge conflict with the allied kingdoms. If we took the priestess in, those in the alliance would take this chance to attack the empire. Although we have all the manpower to overcome this, it’s not wise to instigate an unnecessary war just because of a priestess.” I understand the concerns of the elders for this but-,

“We should send the priestess back to the Holy Land and let her marry the king. Doesn’t the priestess know that that mad king is capable of doing anything? Now that the priestess is here, the king will do whatever he can to get the priestess into her arms.” I sighed before leaning back to my seat.

“I’m not planning to send the priestess back to the Holy Land. That woman is useful to me, and I will use her as often as I want before giving her back to the high priestess. Your thoughts aren’t important right now.” The elders look at each other before sighing hard. They know it’s futile to say anything at this point.

“If there is nothing else for you to say, please leave. As you can see, I have mountains of work to do right now.” Freya reached out for her quill before focusing on her work, leaving the elders to themselves.

“Do I need to show you all to the door?” Freya asked when the elders continued to stand in her office. The butler who served the empress opens the door as the elders leave the room.

“Do not let anyone in without any proper reason. In this palace, I am superior, and no one has the authority to do whatever they wish to except for me. Even if the elders or anyone else is threatening you, remember that you’re serving the empress and no one else.” The butler nodded before he prepares another cup of coffee for the empress.

“Your majesty, I apologised for asking such a question but do you remember what today is?” The empress looks up to the butler as he placed the cup of coffee on her desk.

“It’s the death anniversary of my husband. And?” The butler was taken aback by how calm the empress is.

“Will you be joining the imperial family to the royal burial ground?” Freya thinks for a moment before nodding her head.

“I guess I should. The man was my husband, after all.” Freya placed her quill down and took a few sips of her coffee.

“Do you know where the children are?”

“The princes and princess were on their way to the royal burial ground together with the priestess when I was on my way here. Would you like me to prepare the carriage?” The empress shakes her head no.

“I will take the horse instead. Take care of things here while I’m gone. It won’t take too much time.” The butler nodded.

***

“Your majesty?! I didn’t expect you to be here.” Freya walks into the royal burial ground carrying a bouquet of white roses.

“I’ve been skipping this day for two years because of the never-ending war. Since I am here, I should visit your father’s grave.” The princes look at each other before grabbing the princess by the hand to give the empress.

“Do you see my husband anywhere, priestess? Is he happy?” Aphrodite was surprised by the empress’s question.

“I don’t understand, your majesty.” Freya smiled at the priestess before placing the bouquet on her husband’s grave.

“This man was killed before he could even love his children. The moment I knew the late emperor planned his assassination, something in me awakened, which lead to what I am today. Do you think I am cruel for killing my father?” The priestess didn’t dare to say anything.

“Do you think I am unreasonable when it comes to protecting what is mine? Why does everyone thinks I am a tyrant simply because I seek revenge for my husband?” The imperial children look at each other yet again as they listen to their mother’s words.

The priestess was about to say something when the empress suddenly laughed for no reason.

“Do you want to know what’s funnier? The fact that I didn’t get to kill my father with my own hands. The poison did its job, but I didn’t get to stab that bastard as he did to my husband.” The princes covered the princess ears when they think it’s too much for their sister to listen to what their mother is saying.

“I do regret not cutting off that bastard’s head.” The priestess cleared her throat.

“I don’t think it is wise for the children to hear this, your majesty.” Freya turned around and smiled at her children.

“It’s fine- my children know what happened to their father. I don’t see why I should hide about their father’s death. I am not planning to raise weak children. I am raising the future of the empire.” The priestess feels sorry for the children. But there is nothing she can do for them since she is not part of the imperial family.

Aphrodite could only do so much for the children, but she is the type never to give up.

“Your majesty, do you think this is wise? I know it’s not my place to question your way of raising your children but have you ever ask them what they want?” The empress chuckled.

“I didn’t know that you’re deaf, your holiness. I only said that I am not raising weak children, and they’re the future of this empire. In other words, they can do whatever they want as long as my children realise that they’re part of the imperial family.” The empress finds it amusing to see that the priestess couldn’t hide her embarrassment.

“I see- I’m sorry for speaking according to my emotion.” Freya waved it off.

“Shall we pray for the departed?” Freya offered her hands to her children before the priestess started to pray.

***

~Southern Village, Sarasvati Empire~

“Aren’t you a bit obsessive of me?” One of the waitresses in the tavern suddenly asked Silas, the crown prince of the empire, after seeing him visit the establishment every day.

“Isn’t it natural for man to seek someone as beautiful as the lady?” Silas smiled as he tried to get the attention of the waitress. Anna was disgusted after hearing what Silas had said after putting a plate of food that he ordered earlier.

“Well, eat and then leave. Your presence here doesn’t help me at all.” Silas smiled at the waitress before nodding his head. After Anna leaves, Silas proceeds to eat his breakfast while keeping a lookout for his surrounding. It’s been a few months since he left the palace ground, and sometimes he would meet someone from the palace looking for him.

“Here is your drink.” Silas smiled when Anna came back to his table.

“Thank you. I will sure to leave a good tip for you.” Anna sighed.

“That’s okay. Looking at how you dressed, money must’ve been hard. Just eat your food, and don’t worry about the tip.” Silas chuckled.

“If only this woman knows who I am, she won’t be saying this kind of thing.” Silas thought to himself while nodding his head.

While Silas was enjoying his meal, he couldn’t get his eyes off of Anna. If Silas has to count on how many times he confessed his feelings to that waitress, he could have his tavern at this point.

“Anna! Why don’t you marry me and leave this place? I can give you a better life than what you have to endure right now. I heard that you need money for your mother’s medicine. I can give you all the money you want. As long as you marry me.” Silas, who heard this turned his attention to the table next to him. He glared at the man who sought his crush.

The man who laughed noticed that Silas is glaring at him.

“What’s your problem? Do we know each other? Or do you share the same thoughts of making Anna your own? Keep dreaming, little boy. From what you’re wearing, you can’t even afford to make her happy.” The man continues to laugh with his friends.

“At least I’m not a dick.” Silas continues to enjoy his meal after making such a remark. The guys from the table beside him stood up from their seats and threatened to hurt the crown prince, but the tavern owner decided to control the situation.

“How many times do I have to tell you guys to knock it off! If this continues, I have no choice but to kick you all out from my tavern!” The owner slammed his cleaver onto the countertop, which gained everyone’s attention.

Silas smiled when Anna walks out of the kitchen right after the owner does.

“Old lady, you know that your place has the best food in town. Please don’t ban us from coming here. We will behave ourselves.” Silas straightened himself as he watched the so-called tough guys went back to their seats.

After finishing his meal, Silas went to the counter to pay for his food.

“Thank you for calling the owner. If not- they would probably kill me right there and then.” Anna didn’t say anything as she received the p*****t from Silas.

“Please keep yourself away from any more trouble out there. Also, please don’t glare at people like that. It won’t be nice to look if your face gets injure for no reason.” Although Anna keeps her voice low as she said the last sentences, Silas heard her well.

“Is that so? If that’s the case, is it okay for me to have my lunch and dinner here today?” Anna shrugged her shoulder before leaving the counter and went inside the kitchen. Silas chuckled before he leaves the tavern.

“Anna, are you insane? Why would you give that man your attention? You have the looks and figure to gets any man that has a deep pocket. Your mother is sick, and you have to take care of your little siblings as well. If marrying that rude man can help with your situation, maybe it’s better to choose that smelly man than that good for nothing. Do you even know what he does for a living?” Anna shakes her head no.

“Why would you throw your future away when a smelly rich man tried to get your hand in marriage?” Anna sighed.

“Because he’s a smelly rich man. Can you even imagine sleeping with a disgusting man like that? I couldn’t- can you?” Anna’s friend cleared her throat before shaking her head no.

“And that cute guy seems like a hardworking man. Even after I told him about my family’s situation, he didn’t change his mind and continue to annoy me every single day.” Anna chuckled.

“His efforts seem pointless for me, but at least he keeps me entertained with his antics. Perhaps that is why I told the owner immediately when those guys tried to harm him.” Anna’s friend hummed.

“So, do you even know his name?” Anna nodded.

“That man introduced himself as Silas. And no, I don’t know a thing about his family.” The tavern owner suddenly barged in and yelled at Anna and her friend for not doing their job. Anna apologised before going back to the front and continue her work.

“Anna, get me another glass of beer! And maybe, while you’re at it, why don’t you show what kind of slut you are!” Anna sighed while getting a glass of beer for the smelly rich man.

“I’m not a slut.” Anna said before she placed the glass of beer on the guy’s table. Before Anna leaves the table, the man from earlier grabbed her arm and pulled her closer.

“I can make you a madam. Why would you choose someone that looks flimsy like that? I heard you need money for your mother’s medicine. I can give you the money. But you have to sleep with me. That’s it. Don’t worry; I will make you as one of my wives too.” The guys on the table laughed while Anna yanks her hand from the guy’s hold.

“Stay away from me!”

***

“Your highness- I’ve been waiting for half an hour. The dowager empress wants you to come back to the palace as soon as possible.” Silas didn’t expect to see his mother’s trusted butler waiting for him inside his home.

“How did you get in here?” The butler smiled before bowing as the crown prince walked into his home.

“Tell her majesty that it's not my time to come home yet. Why would I go back to the palace? The elders who supported me will use me again.” The butler sighs mentally.

“The elders won’t dare to do such thing again, your highness. The one who ordered for your return to the palace is the empress herself. Her majesty was only acting as a proxy so that you would listen to her words.” Silas sighed.

“The empress? Why would sister wants me to come home?” Silas asked while pouring himself a cup of water.

“The empress is hosting a party for winning the battle at the border. The presence of the crown prince is needed at the palace right now. Would you mind telling me if I need to pack anything? The carriage is ready outside.” Silas almost chokes on the and after he was drinking.

“Carriage?! Get it out of here!” Silas went to the windows and looked out at the golden carriage that’s waiting for him outside.

“What if Anna saw that carriage? Get it out of here!” The butler nodded before he went to the door and told the coachman to move the carriage to a more secluded area.

“Well, should I pack some of your things, your highness? I can’t go back to the palace without the crown prince. The dowager empress said that I have her permission to touch you and drag you back to the palace if I have to.” Silas sighed.

“Why is it that I need to be there? I thought sister is the empress now. What if those people who ‘supported’ me come forth and use me again? What if those people force their daughters on me? I told my mother that I have someone whom I had fallen for. I don’t care if she is a commoner, and I don’t care if they took my title away. I’m tired of living while being in control; I am not a doll!” The butler smiled.

“The empress will never allow them to come close to his highness. Even if they dare to, only death will be waiting for them. I’m sure the crown prince heard all the stories about the current empress from the common people. Some might be good, and some might be bad.” Silas went back to his seat and continue to drink his water.

“Alright- I will go back to the palace. But after the banquet, I will come back here. There are a few things that I need to do here. Also, I know my mother has been sending her people to look out for me. That woman doesn’t even trust his son.” The butler chuckled.

“Her majesty only wish for your well-being. Would you please not get the wrong idea, your highness? After what happened to the rest of the imperial princes and princesses, the dowager empress only wishes for you and the empress to be healthy.” Silas shrugged before smiling at the thought of his sister.

“Lucky for me that the current empress was there to stop me from drinking the poison. Unlike the others, they didn’t know that our father would poison his children. To think the former emperor would do such things after killing the other queens the night before. That old man had gone mad.” The butler hummed.

“And the moment the late emperor breathe his last breath, I can see how wicked my sister’s expression can be. Perhaps that is why most of the aristocrats fear her because they know Freya doesn’t think twice when it comes to executing traitors and criminals.” The butler smiled at the crown prince.

“Most of the servants working in the palace were change the day after the empress sat on the throne. Most of them are former assassins and mercenaries that wish to have a fresh start in life. The empress is a genius strategist that doesn’t waver even if her plans aren’t going the way she wanted. Instead of panicking, the empress would think of another way to overcome the issues.” Silas nodded in agreement.

“Anyway, you don’t have to pack anything. I won’t be away that long. I need to come back for my Anna after all.” The butler nodded.

“Also, you need to change to more normal-looking clothes if you have to bring me back to the palace. What if my neighbours beginning to question my identity? Only those who work for aristocrat households wear such fancy clothing after all.” The butler chuckled.

“You can always say that some noble household recruits you, and I am here to bring you to the mansion.” Silas patted the butler’s back for giving him such ideas.

As the crown prince walks out from his home in the town, he was greeted by several of his neighbours and asked if he’s alright. Silas had to explain to his neighbour how he got hired by a wealthy merchant to be his gardener. The neighbours congratulate the crown prince and wish him well.

“We will take care of the house during your work. Please don’t worry.” Silas thank the old lady who always helps him whenever he’s in trouble.

“Thank you. I will come back. Please do not overwork yourself, grandma. You’re not as young as you were a year ago.” Silas chuckled before the old lady hit his shoulder lightly.

“I may be old, but I am strong! Go!” Silas smiled before he followed the butler to the carriage.

“You have good neighbours, your highness.” The butler said as they went inside the carriage.

“Yes- and I wish to help them. Since I’m going back to the palace, I want to talk with my sister. I hope she’s in a good mood.”