Chapter 51: His Second Love

Taya's POV

Emperor Namon and his mother approaches the Princess and speaks to her with joyous smiles. I cannot hear a word since I am too far. Their conversation doesn't concern me however. I prefer to focus on my problems first.

I make my way to the grand staircase, get to the ground floor and make my way out to the courtyard.

Everyone appears to notice my presence fast like a change of whether. Smiles turn into anxious expressions and joy leaves their eyes. It's like they expect me to murder the Princess.

Yes, she is here to seek a marriage with Emperor Namon. She has grace, beauty and a rare talent which I wonder how she acquired.

"Dear, Princess Rana, meet my goddess mate, Taya. I trust that you two will make incredible friends, " Emperor Namon says, regarding me with doubt.

So he is taking her? Another wife because she can control dragons?

There is no hint of remorse in his voice, nor in his mother's face. They expect me to happily accept this, which is exactly what I will do. He has broken my heart too many times for me to allow myself to feel any more pain because of his actions. I have made up my mind that I will not marry him.

"Taya, you should welcome Princess Rana with a genuine heart. Do not act like some bitter woman. Her presence here is a blessing to us all," his goddess mother presses.

I did not complain about her presence, did I? What right would I have to do so?

I force a wide smile. "I had no idea that welcoming or turning away guests in this palace is my task. This is your son's home, not mine. Whoever he welcomes is of course free to stay."

The crowd gapes in astonishment.

"I honestly thought she would be jealous," I hear someone whispering.

More murmurs follow before Emperor Namon's mother speaks again.

"Princess Rana will be more than a guest, dear. She will be an Empress like you."

Now my forced smile fades. "I do not remember agreeing to be your son's Empress. Princess Rana can become anything Emperor Namon chooses her to be, but my connection with him ended long ago. I have no dream of wearing a crown of this Empire. I hope this is the last time I have to say this," I reply.

The crowd gasps loudly. Clearly they thought that I am indeed here to marry their Emperor. He could not have told them otherwise.

Princess Rana walks closer and dramatically falls to her knees. "I am so sorry, goddess Taya! It was never my intent to ruin your wonderful relationship with Emperor Namon. I am not as worthy as you are. My only desire was to use my gift to serve my Emperor. I promise that my presence here will never be a bother to you," she announces.

It's not hard to see through her pretense. Every words is thought out to make her a victim. She is exactly the kind of Empress Emperor Namon deserves. What I will not allow is for her to claim victim hood even after I stated that I have no issue with her presence here.

"Dear, you cannot ruin something that does not exist. You're Emperor Namon's best choice, and your divine gift will be a treasure of this Empire. Your presence here should be loud. Let everyone know that you serve lord Namon and that you have my honest blessings. I will only get upset if you make me repeat myself," I say.

A look of disappointment takes over her face momentarily before she hides it with another pretentious smile.

"I had hoped that you would be my mentor, goddess Taya. That I would learn to be the perfect Empress from you. It pains my heart to take your place -"

"Go inside. Taya and I needs to have a serious conversation," Emperor Namon cuts her short.

His voice is filled with anger. I do not want to talk to him when his mind isn't thinking clearly. But then again, it's not like he can have an honest conversation.

His mother takes Princess Rana's hand and urges her and her maids to follow her into the main palace. The Princess hesitantly follows, looking back at us several times.

Emperor Namon gestures at the crowd to move and they walk away. We are left alone in the courtyard, and he closes the space between us.

"I am disappointed in you, Taya. What is it that I have not given you that makes you so bitter?"

"I am not the one speaking in anger. I welcomed your future Empress with a genuine heart just like you wanted. Only thing I ask in return is that you stop using your powers on me," I answer in a calm voice.

"You just made a claim in front of my subjests that you will not marry me. Your grandfather's tests will soon begin and I am the only person protecting you from Harom. How can you not show some gratitude?"

Show gratitude by being his second wife? He is keeping me here for the crown of gods which he hopes to get by marrying after I have passed all tests. He should be nicer to me.

"I do not think you could protect a rat from Harom if it was his target, my lord," I dare say.

"What?!"

"Harom is cunning, pretentious and more powerful than you are. I cannot show gratitude for protection that you cannot offer. I am also tired of being disappointed and controlled like a baby," I state.

I can hear anxiety in my own voice as his reaction to being criticised might be extreme.

He turns around and I watch him take deep breaths, looking away.

"You think I am in love with that Princess?" he asks.

"I honestly do not care," I answer.

He turns back around with a worried expression on his face. "I am your mate, you should care. You cannot have given up on us that much."

"There was never us, just you being a cruel god who listens to no one else."

He jaws clenches and his gaze shifts to the ground again. He appears contemplative for a long moment.

"I do not believe that you feel nothing for me," he says. "I sought your forgiveness for disappointing you the first time, but this time I have made the wisest decision for both of us. If I do not marry Princess Rana as my second Empress she will move on and be married by some King who will then use her gift to tame dragons. I will not allow some stupid King a chance to match my might and challenge my empire."

It's always about power for him, never loyalty. If he cannot give any, then he shouldn't expect mine.

"I wish you all the best in your marriage with her. Make her your first and only wife, for I will never commit myself to a disloyal, selfish and cruel man. Once I have the crown of gods I will allow your mother back to the home of gods. Such a favour is too kind for someone who has only caused me pain," I say, then turn around immediately and walk away.