Book 19: Chapter 23
Book 19: Chapter 23
Abner.
Ikana lovingly leaned onto her husbands shoulder. She wrapped her arm around his arms and took in a big breath. Abners body was the same as always. He had a thin, slender and weak physique of an artist, but he didnt have the smell of another woman on him this time, thankfully.
Ikana did express that it was acceptable for Abner to have an illegitimate child if he minded the fact that she couldnt have children, but there was a principle in life, and that was to never trust women. Another principle was to never offend women. So despite what Ikana said, the reality was any woman he may have had an affair with was no longer in the same world as him.
Not being able to have children weighed on her mind. There was unlikely to be any woman who wouldnt worry about it. Ikana minded it to an excessive degree. Abner trusted Ikana due to what happened in the past, while Ikana finally obtained the power and blissful family she wanted, but it was undeniable that a consort had a duty to give birth to a healthy descendant for the royal family. was the purpose of a consort. If Ikana couldnt give birth to a strong descendant, shed be abandoned. She could be fearless for now, as Abner favoured her; however, she started to feel threatened again owing to what happened with Vera recently. Ikana, who normally focused on work outside of home, frequently returned home to take care of the household as a wife.
Ikana never worried about anything or feared anyone. With that said,. Vera was the woman her husband expended the most emotions on. She was also the first woman to threaten her status and even life. It wouldnt be a stretch to say that Vera was the person closest to her whether that was in terms of intellect or determination. On one hand, she was wary of Vera; on the other hand, which was also the most important, she was jealous.
Ikana was really fond of Abner. She wasnt so fond initially, though. She initially viewed Abner as nothing but a tool. At most, she considered him a younger brother. Nevertheless, to her surprise, Abner tried hard. He desperately seduced other women to oppose her whether it was a wife, maids or the daughters of aristocratic families. He refused nobody. Ikana thought she had him in the palm of her hands, but he continued to resist as a man would. Furthermore, after much happened to her, he opposed her, but also rescued her. He helped her escape and attain freedom. That was why Ikana fell for him. She was very fond of her younger brother. It was also the first time she considered leading a proper life.
Ikana also had a dark side to her. Said darkness was a weakness she didnt want anybody to touch: Vera. Vera was the woman who set her lovers heart aflutter unlike anybody else could. In spite of being married, the mention of Vera put an affectionate expression on his face hed show without any regard for the angry looks of everybody else around. Though he couldnt see her anymore, Ikana still didnt want a strong opponent to be watching her blissful life that wasnt easy for her to attain.
There was nothing more vexing to Ikana than the fact that Vera could have children. Vera didnt have a child at present, but she wasnt an alcoholic. Therefore, she wouldnt lose the ability to have children. That was what frustrated Ikana most. If it was possible, shed gouge Veras womb out and crush it.
Ikana wouldnt allow anyone to ruin her life. Plus, her beautiful life didnt alter her innate violent personality. Therefore, Ikana wanted to use extreme means of dealing with Vera. Specifically, she wanted to kill Vera. A dead woman couldnt compete with her for her man, and most definitely couldnt have children. Thus, it was a simple and easy method.
Ikana needed to be credited with the majority of what transpired in her neighbouring nation. Nobody opposes money. Furthermore, they didnt want to see a female ruler. Ikana, herself, was active as a regent for she didnt dare to claim herself Queen. Vera, on the other hand, directly challenged the taboo, thereby garnering the hostility of lots of elders. Leveraging that to her advantage, Ikana just needed to give them a little nudge to incite the ignorant masses.
The masses rage was a flame that could burn Vera to death. Ikana looked forward to what was to come. Veras coronation was scheduled to soon commence. Ikana also got rid of the ship Vera sent out. Consequently, Vera had no chance of victory anymore. Her only choice was to bear everything and ascend the thrown. Ikana had the firewood prepared. As soon as Vera ascended the throne, chaos would ensue. That was when Ikana would be able to set the nation ablaze.
Ikana wasnt rushed. Virtually all of the people around Vera were in contact with her. Vera didnt have many people she could trust. Vera might be smart, but political resources werent something one could accumulate in the blink of an eye. It was a simple matter for Ikana to get involved if she wanted.
Abner was mostly ignorant about the whole affair. Ikana stopped any information leakage she could in order to prevent her husband interfering. The people she commanded and the things she arranged all went around Abner. He was still happily in his own world instead of paying attention to the fact that his wife was plotting to kill his lover.
Ikana frowned. Her husband was earnestly reading the sheet music in front of him while slowly tapping a beat with his fingers. He didnt spare Ikana any attention, which she took offence to. She once tried to learn her husbands hobby, but she quickly grew frustrated. Then, she killed her music teacher and gave up. She tugged on the chest region of her dress, revealing the top half of her voluptuous globes, and she removed her hair clip, allowing her purple hair she was proud of to rest splayed out on her husbands shoulder. She sensually asked, Abner, Beloved, I dont have any work tonight. We havent had some cosy time together in a long time, right? Abner, do you want some?
Im the only woman by your side anyway. Ill soon be able to get rid of all women who are a threat to me. Ill eliminate them all regardless of who they are. A beautiful flower will attract insects and eliminate them. Reducing them to a puddle of mush is my duty. Its now time for me to eliminate the most threatening one to me, Ikana thought to herself.
Wait, wait.
Abner refused to give his wife time of the day. Ikana went limp; she found his negligence insulting. With his head still down, he mentioned, By the way, somebody mentioned children to me again today.
Ikana jolted. She hugged her husbands arm and suddenly began to violently tremble: Sorry I
Abner set down the sheet music in his hands. He hugged his wife and gave her a kiss on her forehead: Im not blaming you. Weve talked about this, right? I wont stop loving you due to this. Its just dont you think theres something missing between us? Ive seen those children. To be honest, Im a little envious. Ikana, you dont have any business to take care of now, right? This isnt our initial meeting, after all, so do you have plans to have children?
Ikana shook her head with a helpless smile. Voice gentle, she answered, Im sorry, Abner I Im still Im still somewhat scared Sorry I still dont plan to have children Sorry I feel Im still not prepared to be a parent
Yeah? Forget it, then. As you said, if youre not ready to be a parent, having children would only be bad for the child.
Abner stood up. He grabbed a bottle of red wine from the cupboard to the side. He poured two glasses and gave his wife one. Ikana was fond of wine. Abner specifically prepared high-quality wine in the room for that very reason. The two had a glass before they turn in.
It really was a high-quality wine. The wine was exclusive to the imperial family, and the best winery was supplied it. Irina was a fan of the wine, but it tasted bitter this time. It was so strong that she was almost brought to tears. Abner was unaware, and she didnt have the courage to inform him.
Ikana didnt lack courage. She couldnt have children due to her alcohol addiction. She knew she had to quit alcohol if she wanted to have children. Quitting alcohol was just to agonising, though
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The four sisters had never looked forward to dawn so much before. Liu Yue was so excited and eager that she couldnt sleep again. Her tail wiggled back and forth on the bed in an orderly manner, which irritated her sisters, who barely got any shut eye. Her sisters literally wanted to tie her up with her tail, and then throw her out. But nonetheless, the three of them were unwilling to move. In the end, the rustling sound and their anticipation for the shore left them partially awake and partially in dreamland until the second morning.
When the sisters went to the deck, they discovered they werent the only ones couldnt sleep. The youngster excitedly stood on the deck. His eye bags were evidence that he stayed up all night. He wanted to be the first to get to shore.
Upon hearing footsteps, the youngster pivoted around. With a smile, he asked, Are you ready?
Of course. We were ready long ago.
While the four sisters were somewhat split on it, they brimmed with anticipation for an adventure.