Eve | [Completed] [Unedited]

Prologue

Once upon a time, there was a young monarch who adored a young, charming man. However, despite his loyalty and love for the young, charming man, the monarch has to get entangled with other women for the sake of his duty and the stability of his kingdom, but their relationship remains the same, filled with love and respect for one another. The monarch, however, failed at every attempt to gain an heir to the throne. Despite their best efforts and numerous attempts, he was unable to produce a child.

It is undoubtedly a great tale that has been making the rounds in the nation's capital, but what on earth is his beloved emperor doing right here in front of me?

The reigning emperor of the Helian Empire, Noah Axel Helianthus, confidently declared, "I will tell you my intention of my visit. I want you to be my concubine," he said solemnly, looking directly into my eyes.

What's the deal?

"Umm...pardon?" I muttered in confusion, wondering how in the world this guy could have even considered taking me as his concubine.

My mind was racing, trying to comprehend the absurdity of his proposal. Even though I am aware that the emperor is making a once-in-a-lifetime offer and that other women will have to sacrifice their lives in order to accept it, I'm not interested.

I am already satisfied with my life as it is. The person who takes care of me and I are well off.

How in the world is this guy even in this area, let alone in the same room as me?

The emperor peered directly into my eyes and said gravely, "Let me repeat myself again. I want you to be my concubine and my woman. The only woman who can without a doubt bear my child."

I maintained my composure through great difficulty, trying not to show any signs of my expression turning twisted.

I cautiously replied, putting a faint smile on my lips, "How can you be certain that I can bear your child, your majesty?"

"I actually expected you to know what I mean, Lady Iris," he said with great expectation, as if I already understood what he was saying.

I intentionally show a puzzled expression in his meaningful words, but deep down, I have a slight clue as to what he meant.

"I don't know what you are trying to imply, your majesty. I am just a humble woman who became a widow because of the passing of my late husband," I said politely.

"Lady Iris, I've been searching for the woman to be the mother of my own child. But as you can see, I still haven't found the woman I seek. And it's been almost three years since I was appointed as the emperor, but I am still unwed and don't have any single heir. And as for you, you are also single. We are a match made in heaven," he said with confidence while waving his hands left and right while explaining.

Duh, unwed my ass... I lampoon.

He has already secretly married a male concubine, but many people are against him having an affair with a man, so he can't even award his concubine the empress crown. It was an open secret that nobles didn't want to acknowledge.

"As you can see, your majesty, I'm living my life to the fullest and am content with my life. I lived in an immense mansion, I ate three times a day, and I ate those high-class quality foods. What else would I want to have but this? I believe that I have everything a woman could ever want. Even though I didn't have any position as a noble because my late husband was unable to succeed as the earl due to his poor health, it didn't affect my life in any negative way," I explained with all my heart.

He swept his eyes briefly over me, scrutinizing my overall appearance.

"What you said seems to be true," he commented, and he brought his eyes back to mine.

"I knew you had been hiding from the outside world since you haven't left this mansion since you married the late heir of the Mintz. I can hardly see any trace of your existence. But my men are good at searching for someone, and here we are here facing each other," he added and leisurely sipped into the tea prepared for him.

Even though he has already given me the rationale for his assumption, I can't help but ask, "Why would you even think that I needed protection?"

"It's easy! Because you are mysterious and there is no information about you—where you came from, who your parents are, your nationality, and the fact that you didn't even have a last name—and lastly, because you are special," he said almost immediately, as if he had already prepared an answer for this very question.

I quickly denied and gave him a modest, sweet smile to support the innocent and clueless image I was trying to project towards the guy sitting across from me. "I am honored that you, your majesty, find me special, but I don't know what you find special in me."

"I am just an ordinary person," I added with a casual smile.

He said with such emotion that I believed he was being dramatic, "YOU! The very blood that runs through your veins. The blood of an ancient race that has a particular ability that I really need. You! And no one else."

I didn't say anything as I continued to stare at him and study his behavior and facial expression.

He exudes tension. Distress. Desperation.

He is obviously desperate since he took the time to meet with me, a complete stranger, and offer me a deal.

But am I required to assist him?

Naturally, I'm not.

He's just a random stranger who approached me and asked for assistance.

Despite my misgivings, I feel compelled to help him, and I can't help but feel this way.

As though I was supposed to assist him.

I nearly laughed at that idea.

I truly have a soft place for strangers who ask for my assistance.

I replied with a casual smile, "Well, lucky for you, I happen to be the one you're looking for."

Even though it only happened briefly, I could see his solemn expression lighten at my submission. He seemed relieved to have found someone willing to help.

I raggedly asked as I felt my lips tug upward, "As a reward for your effort in searching for a race that barely exists in this world and ended up finding me, I suppose I can help you with your problem. What may you offer in return, your majesty?"

***