28 The Empress Awakens Part 2

Her smile widened as she twirled the black hair of the doll in her lap, making the curls bounce more, a silken ribbon tied into the strands. Painted eyes and mouth looked back at her delicately. The doll and its gown was special made specifically for her Raina.

Years ago she had wanted the Emperor's heart, for he had hers, but that dream soon died when Kira entered the family. A sultry beauty such as her, what did the quiet obedient Empress Evalyn have to compete with?

Soon, Kira's stomach was round with child, while Evelyn remained childless. Due to Kira's efforts, the Emperor paid little attention to his empress, even making Kira's maid his second queen. In all there were 11 women whose beds he could grace, but one stayed empty most every night. The few times the Emperor truly saw the queen they spent the night together in perfect harmony but were often interrupted by some serious need of the royal children or a wife. Normally at Kira's urging.

One of those nights gave Evalyn a son, Clovis… and a several years later a daughter called Vella. Her heart no longer belonged to the Emperor but to her children. She was relieved when Clovis showed interest in the books more than the sword. The Emperor's interest quickly dwindled and the Queens no longer saw Clovis as a threat to their own children's attention. Though neither child were truly special to the Emperor, both received the best of training in manner and sword. Between Evelyn's wit and her brothers battle prowess they had the best teachers possible till the day Vella met her prince.

Vella fell for the Prince of Shadows and after pulling some strings, Evelyn made her dream come true, marrying her daughter off to a man who cared for her and not her title. After Vella was married off to the Prince of Shadow Veil, Evelyn's attention turned to Clovis. His future as the the Crow Prince was likely to be challenged daily till he took the throne. Her training formed a leader from the sweetest child, training him to the gentle loving ways as well as strength and wit of a Emperor. Then came his daughter, from a evil woman abandoning her child, but all the same Raina became her dearest one.

"I don't know why she's still here. That child won't be coming." Queen Fae whispered to Kira with a smirk. The favored Queen, Kira, raised an eyebrow curiously giving her a glance, before turning her gaze back to the Emperor who was playing with the children. Each seeming to get his attention almost equally, but little Keen kept his attention most and that made her smile softly as she listened.

"You should have seen that child's face when he slapped her for her insolence and sent her to her room." The second maid spoke louder than the first, the cruel laughter in her voice put a small crack in the damn. How could they find such a thing funny? What had the Child done to deserve their ire?

"Second Prince Bastil acted arrogantly. Clovis may be weak but, he will not tolerate his daughter being treated as such. Nor with the Empress." Mally, a beauty that often shared Clovis's bed spoke up. She was every inch a lady with her long crimson hair and emerald eyes. She sat near them, cautioning the royals as she brushed the coat of a leopardess.