Everything for the throne

Concubine Zora

Alice opened her eyes as the chirping of the birds reached her ears. Without glancing around, she sat up on her bed, rubbing her temples.

Alice: Do you specialize in scaring people by pretending to be a ghost?

The lady sitting on the chair next to the bed clenched her fist at Alice's comment. Maid May, who stood at the door, bit her lips, trying hard not to laugh.

Zora: I am not here to argue with you, nor do I want to ruin my day.

Alice: Please get to the point. Why is Lady Zora in my chambers?

The Emperor's concubine, who was treated equally to the Lady of the palace, gained power and status after the accident of Princess Alice.

As the Queen was locked up in her room, the authority and power were given to Concubine Zora.

However, things started to change slightly when Marina entered the picture. No one had the courage to speak to Lady Zora looking into her eyes, except for Alice, who often insulted her whenever they met.

Concubine Zora: Your 18th birthday is approaching. The Emperor has decided to arrange your engagement to the Crown Prince of the Southern Kingdom. I need you to ask the Emperor to cancel the engagement, so--

Alice: So that your daughter, Catherina, becomes engaged to the Crown Prince of the Southern Kingdom.

Concubine Zora: I knew you're astute.

Alice sneeringly looked at Lady Zora.
Alice: Can't u be same and acknowledge that I don't adhere to your instructions?

Lady Zora smirked before stating
Concubine Zora: You'll obey my command. If not, your Queen mother will revert to her unstable condition.

Alice didn't utter a word until Lady Zora walked to the door.

Concubine Zora: Comply with my demands, or I'll reveal the truth about your true identity to the Queen

Alice's response was unexpected - she erupted into uncontrollable laughter, leaving Lady Zora perplexed. As her laughter subsided, Alice turned to Lady Zora, who wore a bewildered expression

Alice: Do u truly belive u can threaten me?

Alice questioned as if she never cared about anything, and of course, she didn't. Lady Zora was surprised by Alice's attitude. The expression she expected wasn't on Alice's face.

Alice: You thinking you're the sole arbiter of truth is humorous.

Alice said, looking straight into Lady Zora's eyes. May was ordered to leave the room by Lady Zora. Alice smirked, looking at the level of anxiousness Lady Zora carried.

Concubine Zora: W-what do you mean?

She stuttered. She was sure Alice wasn't an easy person, but she never imagined the day when she would be threatened by the 18-year-old girl who had little power.

Alice: Lady Zora, you promised to expose my identity as a false princess to the Queen. However, isn't it unjust to withhold the truth about the real Princess Alice's death in what might be considered a murder?

The ground below Lady Zora felt like it was cracking up. Her secrets were exposed, that she had planned that year. Nor could the Emperor himself unwrap the real reason behind his daughter's accident.

The tables were turned. Lady Zora was sure by now that she couldn't mess with Princess Alice. She left the room without uttering a word.

The political marriage between Emperor Justus of the Northern Kingdom and the daughter of the Western Kingdom's concubine, Zora, held little significance.

Zora was taken in as a concubine, and while the Emperor fulfilled his marital duties, his heart and soul belonged to Queen Sabina, who gave birth to two brave sons, Henrik and Felix, and a beautiful daughter, Alice.

Although Zora's twin children, Catharina and Carlos, were loved by the Emperor, they were not given much importance or power.

Lady Zora attempted to make her son the Crown Prince by harming Princes Henrik and Felix, but her efforts were unsuccessful.

However, she found an opportunity to gain power when Princess Alice's engagement to the Crown Prince of the Southern Kingdom, Christian, was announced.

The prospect of her daughter, Catherina, becoming the Queen of the Southern Kingdom led Lady Zora to commit a sinful act.

Lady Zora's plan unfolded as expected. Princess Alice met with an accident and died, breaking off the engagement. Despite getting Princess Cathetina engaged to Prince Christian, the matter was left unaddressed, and no one discussed the engagement, causing Lady Zora's plan to fail.

To her surprise, the Queen descended into madness after losing her daughter, making Concubine Zora the Lady of the palace.

However, the situation has changed. Princess Alice has returned, the Queen is recovering, and the marriage proposal has been brought up again.

Lady Zora is helpless as her plan to threaten Alice, break the engagement, and later get her daughter engaged to Prince Christian has failed. Moreover, Princess Alice has recognized Lady Zora's crime.