My Yandere Empress

Chapter 1: Ch 1: A Reader

"That’s an interesting ending for volume one by killing the princess."

Enzo chewed on his lips as he contemplated whatever he had read so far.

"But that also means the throne to the Windsor Empire now have only two successors. And given the nature of the princes, backstabbing might be the one of the main themes of the next volume."

Suddenly, his grip over the edges of his desk tightened and his eyes darkened unnaturally.

"That doesn’t mean I forgive the author for killing off Princess Valerie by giving her an unnecessary antagonist angle. Heck, she was just a silent woman, wallowing in her own struggles with no ambition other than mundane survival...but the damned author had to use her weakness to make her the villainess in all of this."

Sighing, he clicked on his mouse multiple times. The computer screen now displayed the cover of the novel he has been reading.

Rise of the Untamed Barbarian.

An exceptional novel in the making, getting more popular with each passing day.

And just like the title claimed, the story revolved around a barbarian named Thorgar, who had to escape the clutches of the Windsor Kingdom after they had defeated his entire clan. Even killing a huge number of his clan members and forcing the rest into slavery.

Thorgar had been one of those slaves, who had quickly crawled his way towards being one of the top Sihapis in his year, across all the four Isikolos - the training institute for commoners and slaves alike.

Even though Enzo wouldn’t deny he didn’t like it, the author had excessively glazed his main character, even saying that Thorgar could actually rival any third year Legion with a few exceptions from the Citadel, the institute where legends were trained, most bearing the nobel blood.

"It sucks that the only character I was growing so fond of was killed before she could even achieve her full potential." He sighed, the bluish light from the screen illuminating his tired face and drooping eyes.

Obviously, he wasn’t falling in love or whatsoever with the so-called villainess of the first arc. But rather, he genuinely admired her resilence and hard work she put in.

As for himself, he was just an orphan.

Enzo Riccardo.

Taken in by an orphanage, he was sold to a group at the age of eight. This malicious organization worked him off as a beggar, using his frail condition and his childish face as a means to bait in the kindness of the good people roaming the planet.

Even remembering his own past brought that familiar ache inside him. He had once been a boy, full of dreams. He had wanted to be a fighter like those he had sometimes seen on the old television at the orphanage; he had wanted to grow up a reseacher and discover things hidden from the eyes of humanity; he had wanted to study space and whatever lay beyond it.

So much left to be explored. Maybe through generations of humans, they would explore that as well, just like how things have always transpired in history. But he...he wouldn’t be a part of them.

"Just like Valerie, a woman with endless curiosity and potential. Only to be snuffed out for the sake of a bloodthirsty barbarian. Just like how my dreams had been watered down so that corruption could feed upon my soul."

Suddenly, Enzo coughed out loud and he leaned forward in his chair, his thin arms reaching out to hold his aching abdomen.

A door clicked open and a hurried pair of footsteps ran towards him. Moments later, two tiny hands hugged his frame.

"Papa, papa, are you okay?" The worried tone of a child woke Enzo from his haze, as he quickly straightened himself and looked at the little face looking at him with utmost concern, her twin braids bobbing with each movement.

"You have been having these intense coughing from some time now. Papa, why don’t you see a good doctor?" The little girl added, fear and worry evident in her tone. freeweɓnøvel.com

Enzo let out a small smile as he dropped his palms on her head, patting her. Looking at those eyes full of intelligence, something not that usual for an eight year old, he assured her. "I have just caught a flu. It shall go away, Nat."

To emphasize upon his words, he held up his arms as if showing his muscles. But the girl, Natasha, looked at those non existent biceps with a ridiculous look in her eyes. And the next moment, she burst out in laughter.

Looking at that, Enzo’s eyes crinkled with joy. He always loved seeing her laugh.

He had been someone who lacked a family. But he desperately wanted to have one. And thus, he had adopted this sweet daughter of his. He truly had all he could have asked for....well, atleast most of it.

His smile faltered a bit as he looked at his daughter with uncertainty in his eyes.

Not noticing his gaze, Natasha moved her gaze towards the computer screen, all worries from before now forgotten.

"What are you reading, papa?"

Enzo leaned back in his chair and picked up Natasha on his lap. "This is a new book I had been reading, you see. It’s such a nice bo--"

"But father, I have seen this Chapter a month ago right?" Natasha interrupted him mid-sentence, her inquiring eyes looking at him.

Enzo felt his lips twitch. He wasn’t expecting to get caught red-handed like this.

In reality, even he had forgotten how many times he had already read the novel till now. He just couldn’t get enough of it.

And on top of that, the author of the book had been releasing his Chapters at such a slow rate that it made him want to find and punch whoever was writing this behind the screen.

Just 2 Chapters a day.

Or in other words, only 14 Chapters a week.

Heck, he could complete 14 Chapters in a single day itself. So what was he going to do the rest of the week?

Just as he was about to hold his face in his hand, a thought sparked inside his head.

He looks at his daughter and asked her, "Nat, why don’t you read this? I swear it’s a great novel."

But then he groaned, almost facepalming himself.

"Forget I said that. But when you go older, do read it." He added with a slight grin.

At his words, a pout appeared on Natasha’s lips and her eyes filled with a stubborn challenge. She raised her finger towards him and complained.

"Papa, are you saying I won’t be able to read this? Let me tell you, I got an A+ in English in my finals."

She made a "hmph" sound, turning her face away and crossing her arms.

Seeing her, Enzo couldn’t help but smile cheekily.

"Silly girl."