Born to be Empress

Chapter 6 - Chess games

Phaedra's pov:

Since that night, I had been summoned to the Emperor's chambers every evening for the past two months. At first, the mere thought of being alone with him filled me with unease. His imposing presence, his unpredictability, and the sheer weight of his authority made my heart race for all the wrong reasons. But as time went on, my apprehension gradually gave way to something unexpected: anticipation.

I found myself looking forward to our nightly meetings, each one a window into a side of him the world outside never saw. Sometimes, I played the harp for him, letting the soft melodies fill the room, or I danced under his watchful gaze. Other times, we would sit side by side and read books, discussing their meanings and exchanging thoughts well into the night.

One of my favorite activities, though, was the game he taught me—chess. The Emperor introduced it to me as a "game of strategy and foresight," a tool that revealed the measure of one's intellect. At first, I was hesitant, unsure if I could grasp its complexities. But under his patient guidance, I learned quickly, surprising even myself.

It wasn't long before I began to win, much to his dismay.

Each time I claimed victory, his brows would furrow, and a small, incredulous smile would tug at the corners of his mouth. "You must have some secret tricks," he'd accuse, narrowing his eyes playfully.

-"Perhaps," I'd reply with a sly smile, pretending to guard my so-called strategies. In truth, I had none. My moves were guided entirely by instinct, a mysterious and inexplicable intuition that seemed to guide my hand to the right pieces and the right decisions.

What puzzled him even more was my refusal to divulge my "secrets," a decision that only fueled his competitive nature.

-"Tell me, Phaedra," he'd demand, leaning across the chessboard, his eyes glinting with mock seriousness. "How do you always manage to beat me? Is it magic? Do you use some spell?"

I'd laugh softly, shaking my head. "Perhaps it's just luck, my lord."

He would scoff in mock indignation, though I could tell he enjoyed the challenge. Despite his frustration at losing, these games were a source of lightheartedness in our time together.

Our sessions became a sanctuary of sorts, a space where the boundaries of power and status blurred, if only for a little while. Each night, I learned more about the man behind the title, just as he seemed to uncover new facets of me. And though I couldn't quite understand it, I felt that these evenings were shaping something between us—something unspoken yet undeniable.

Our nocturnal sessions caused rumors and commotion in the palace. I was the first and only woman the Emperor preferred to spend so much time with. Many girls had shown me hostility and did everything to get me in trouble. However, I was always on guard and very careful. Thank Gods I had also an ally and valuable help in this, my friend Alina. Due to her many years in the palace most girls respected but mostly feared her. She was protecting me and even shared many of Emperor's secrets with me about his preferences in food, music and life.

It was a quiet Saturday evening, and I sat on my bed, waiting to be summoned to the Emperor's chambers. In my hands was a book about a poor villager who, through countless trials, discovered the meaning of life. The story was captivating, full of profound moral lessons, and I was utterly absorbed in the villager's resilience and wisdom.

A sudden knock at the door broke my focus. A guard entered, and I immediately stood, ready to follow him to the Emperor's chambers. But he stopped me in my tracks with a curt nod.

-"The Emperor will not require your presence tonight," he announced, his tone flat and impersonal. Then, turning to Dihlaneera, he added, "You will accompany me."