Chapter 123: Chapter 123: The Things in motion

Chapter 123 – The Things in Motion

Things were in motion.

The sovereignty of the Human Domain would soon fall into the hands of a young boy—something even the current Emperor couldn’t begin to imagine.

But how could he? The truth was simple: he was surrounded by people who did not want him to rule. People who hated him. People who deemed him unworthy.

Emily, the council, the entire royal palace—traitors, all of them. Either drawn in by Emily’s growing faction, crafted in secret to make it easier to dethrone Rome, or ensnared by Solaris’s web of spies, the result was the same.

Rome was encircled by vultures ready to tear him apart.

Did he deserve it?

Maybe. Maybe not.

After all, he had killed his own brother—for a woman.

Disgraceful. Had he never heard of the code: “Brothers before bitches”? Foolish, arrogant man.

But even that wasn’t the real reason for his downfall.

No. Rome would fall because he had denied Sophie the throne.

He would fall because he believed a woman ruling the Human Domain would tarnish his name and legacy.

He would fall because he thought women were tools for power—not power themselves.

A classic mistake. One that usually passed without consequence.

But not this time.

Because Sophie had the support of Noah Weaverheart.

The Abomination. The Anomaly. The Creator.

The One Who Is All.

And truly, how could one fight a being even the Akashic Records described as “sublime“?

You couldn’t fight him. You could only fall.

And fall Rome would—not because of the spies in his palace, not because of his disdain for women in power.

But simply because Noah willed it.

So it would be.

…

Inside the Royal Palace of the Human Domain—

In the throne room, Emperor Rome stood by the window, hands clenched behind his back, sensing the rising tension in the air. Power surged around him—unstable, ominous.

“What’s going on?” he asked under his breath.

Something was wrong.

“Report. What did the Shadowbonds and the Bloodhearts say about my proposal?” he asked, voice low and grave.

A voice emerged from the shadows.

“The Shadowbonds have yet to respond. But the Bloodhearts…”

The voice hesitated.

“What did they say?” Rome asked again, his tone frost.

“…They said they are not interested in the battle for the throne. They will not take part.”

Silence.

Rome slowly began to laugh—a cold, bitter sound.

“The Bloodhearts? Those battle maniacs refuse to take part in the greatest conflict of our domain? Do they think me a fool?”

BOOOOOM—!

His aura exploded. Wind sliced through the room, reducing furniture to splinters.

“So they’ve chosen to side with Sophie. Of course. Their heir is among her supporters.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“Same with the Shadowbonds. Their heir has also joined that boy.”

He sighed, looking out the window toward the distant sky.

“…Was I wrong?”

Silence.

“Tell me… was I wrong to be stubborn? To choose my sons over my daughter?”

“Was I wrong to believe in the Chosen One… and not in Noah?”

“Is this why everything slips from my hands…?”

“Is there still a way—”

Before he could finish, Emily entered the room.

Her crimson hair flowed like liquid flame, green eyes glinting under the dim light. Her body radiated elegance and sensuality—mature and confident.

She strode forward, her voice calm, calculated, and alluring:

“You weren’t wrong, my emperor. You were right all along.”

“Only a man can shoulder the burden of the Human Domain. A girl will crumble under that weight. And once married, her husband could claim everything.”

She walked up to him, wrapping her arms lovingly around his neck.

“You also weren’t wrong to choose the Chosen One. He is blessed by the Goddess. How could he possibly fail?”

She smiled. Sweetly. Deceptively.

“So don’t falter, my love. You are on the right path. And you must already know… nothing great ever comes easy.”

Her embrace tightened. Behind her smile—disgust. Contempt.

Rome relaxed, warmth returning to his face. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, my Empress…”

He held her tightly, even as the thought crossed his mind: I was right to kill my brother… for her.

A disgusting, shameful thought.

Emily’s expression twisted behind his back—sneering, loathing.

She hated being this close to him. She hated everything about him. She wanted him dead—for taking her love. For forcing her to bear his children.

She didn’t mind Sophie anymore—their relationship had mended. That girl was now her daughter.

But the sons?

They were their father’s copies—arrogant, misogynistic, controlling.

’Yes, keep walking your path…’

She smiled, wicked and cold.

’Because that path… leads straight to your grave.’

From the shadows, eyes watched—Rome’s hidden protector, a woman in her thirties. One of his assassins.

She met Emily’s gaze and bowed.

Yes. She belonged to Emily.

Rome was truly alone—betrayed by everyone, clinging to the one who orchestrated his downfall.

Indeed, never underestimate a woman scorned. In love, betrayal, or ambition—they are relentless.

Emily looked out the window, mind drifting—

’I can’t wait to see Noah again.’

She couldn’t help it.

She too… wanted to feel what her daughter felt.

And if that meant chasing her daughter’s husband?

Emily smiled.

’Forgive me, Sophie. Mommy wants to feel loved too…’

She embraced this forbidden desire. And she would chase it.

Indeed, just as Elizabeth had said—

What a degenerate.

…

Bloodheart Estate –

A woman sat on a throne made of blood. A mirror of her daughter, Rouge.

She held a letter in her hand. It read:

“Don’t oppose Sophie or Noah. I’m with them.”

Red Bloodheart, mother of Rouge, sighed.

“What did that young man do to win you over?”

She smirked.

“Ah, he must’ve agreed to fight you.”

She knew her daughter well. Only one path to her heart—battle.

Shaking her head, she grinned.

“So be it. I was tired of following Rome anyway.”

“Let there be war.”

Her grin widened.

She was thirsty for it.

…

Shadowbonds Territory –

The same played out.

Eric had sent a letter to his father with a simple instruction: Support Sophie.

And like any father who loved his son, he obeyed.

Though not without cursing Eric with every insult he knew for putting him in this mess.

Still… he accepted his son’s words.

…

Everything was in motion.

Even Oliver Stoneheart, the Emperor’s closest ally, refused to act against his children, Patricia and Aiden.

Rome was alone.

A cornered wolf, unaware the den had turned against him.

And the only person he leaned on… was the one who led him to ruin.

Emily.

A dangerous woman, a deceiving flame. Beautiful, deadly, and utterly determined.

A woman who smiled sweetly as she plotted your end.

—End of Chapter 123—

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