Villainess for the Devil [SAMPLE]

Prologue

THE 675TH YEAR OF THE IMPERIAL CALENDAR

In the middle of the night, in the throne hall of the imperial palace of the Cez Empire, the approaching footsteps clip-clopped down the bleached-marble palace hallway. Each step echoed sharply across the hall, sounding overly loud in my ears.

"Your Majesty, I have been waiting for you," I said calmly as I sat on the throne; carved of a fine oak crested with several jewels and gold, forming an elegant coat of arms.

The figure slinked out of the shadows, halting just when the light from the sconce hit his face, and a pair of deep-set cerulean eyes glinted as they landed on mine.

That man, Joseph Cezar III, the 32nd and current emperor of the Cez empire, and my husband, stood proudly before me. "I believe that seat is mine, my Queen," he said, not even bothering to conceal his ridiculing tone.

What a bastard, I thought. His Queen was dying, poisoned by his own hand, and all he cared about was his throne. I let out a loud, hysterical cackle, realizing how foolish I was to trust such scum.

"Have you finally lost your mind, my queen? To laugh in front of death's door, you are surely amazing," he mused, letting out a low chuckle.

This kind of conversation was unfamiliar, but not shocking. Joseph never loved me, no matter what I did for him or this damned kingdom, it never once mattered because of the witch blood coursing through my veins.

"Why?" I asked as I coughed, covering my lips with my palm. I didn't have to take a glimpse of the watered-down mucus to know that it was blood that stained my skin. But that didn't faze me, nor the blistering heat coursing through my body at this very moment.

"Why?" he repeated, feigning ignorance.

"What did I do to deserve death? Ah... no, that's not correct. Of course, I deserve death. But... not in your hands." A light scoff slipped past my lips. "I deserve to know that much, at least."

The corner of his lips curled into a smirk. "Because you are my Empress, Vera. And as an Empress, there is nothing more honorable than to die for your Emperor, is there not?" There was not even the slightest bit of remorse in his tone.

I was speechless. Remorse or regret... maybe a half-hearted apology or a reasonable explanation... That is all I wanted to hear from him, and yet all I got was bullshit.

"So, I should accept my death because it's my duty?" I chortled, shaking my head in disbelief. "You really have a way with words, my emperor!" I laughed and laughed until I coughed up blood. "To die of poison orchestrated by my beloved husband, isn't that comical?"

"Didn't you say that my happiness is your happiness?" he uttered. I stopped laughing and locked eyes with him. "Was that an empty promise, my empress? Your death will give me nothing but joy. So please, get out of my seat and rest in your chambers. The poison will take effect around morning. Fret not, I'll be sure I'm there to hold your hand as you take your last breath."

How silly, I thought. He didn't bother to hide his contempt now that I can't lift my sword. I leaned my back against the throne comfortably, my arms on the armrest, as I gazed down at him.

"You're a pathetic man, Seph," I said without fear of my impending doom, but only sadness. "You've fought for the throne all your life, and now that you've become the emperor, you'd even kill the person who brought you this chair." That was the truth; a fact we both knew.

Joseph was the weakest candidate to ascend the throne. I helped him succeed it but he couldn't trust me and chose to kill me instead. Pity, was it not? That I loved the wrong person.