Webnovel Author: Mootsie_4082 - Novel Collection

"It's exactly why I'm attending this meeting," Caio smirked. He and Alessandro still shared most of the same goals, especially pertaining to how to manage Luxentfort. But being on the same page didn't include their view on 20. He had repeatedly told the emperor that he only saw himself as her protector, that her safety and welfare preceded every other concern in his life. But Alessandro only regarded such sentiment as romantic overture, and therefore viewed him as a rival. When did his level-headed friend become so damn emotional – and petty? 

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

I smirked. How many times did I hear the same lines from corrupt politicians when watching the news? "Actually, you do," I countered, waving a piece of paper in the air – the northern region's financial report. "You were not just allocating them properly."

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

I smiled and stepped towards Caio, wrapping my arms around him. "Thank you," I whispered. "For choosing to believe me." I kissed his cheek.

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

"Because you're my responsibility," Alessandro yelled. "Mine!" He strode to the door and slammed it in his wake. He knew he was probably being unreasonable, but he had never actually been the epitome of logic whenever 20 was concerned. Add to that the series of events that happened since 20 collapsed in his arms at the ball, and he was almost at his breaking point.

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

"Did you just call me out for being stubborn?" Alessandro asked, his heart in his eyes.

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

It was like watching a suspenseful and compelling story unfold right before her eyes. Her only consolation was that she got a front-row seat for it. Too bad she didn't have something like that on her own. How could she when she'd never even have a guy volunteer to open the door for her. Life was indeed unfair at times.

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

"It will take effect in about 12 hours," I informed her as I turned to leave. That was approximately the amount of time I was unconscious from the poison, before 1 was able to find an antidote for me. An antidote so strong that it not only managed to treat the poison – but also sent me briefly to Seoul and then to Princess Lucrezia's body.

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

I turned to 1. "After the effect of the laxative wears off, can you release her?" I heard the girl's background from Caio, and I didn't have the heart to deprive her family of their sole breadwinner – they obviously needed her to survive. And truthfully, I wasn't sure I wouldn't do the same thing if I were placed in her position. What really hit my nerve was her cowardice to frame 19 for a crime that she did. I couldn't overlook that. 

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

When 20 and her escort were out of sight, Alessandro turned to the other guard. "When the substance has diminished its effect, have the girl lashed 30 times at the prison courtyard. If she can still walk after that, you may release her." He promised 20 that he'd release the girl, but he didn't say in what condition she'd be in when he did.

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

"Show him to the balcony," 5 instructed, her bad mood evaporating. She had a feeling this might be interesting.

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

"What do you want if you succeed?" Caio asked. If he could help 20 return to her own world, he was more than happy to pay any price. She didn't even need to know about it.

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

When I was new in the empire, almost everything reminded me of us together, and there was never a day when I didn't think about him. As the days wore on, though, and the possibility of returning to Seoul seemed farther away, I unconsciously thought of him less and less until it eventually became a rare occurrence. 'Do I honestly still consider him my boyfriend after everything I've been through?'

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

Lucrezia didn't know exactly what was going on. The last thing she was aware of, she was in bed, in her own quarters, after the nobles were finally released from the banquet hall. That's right, the new scullery maid had succeeded in poisoning Concubine Number 20 – that insolent girl – and the news spread like wildfire in the imperial palace. So how, then, did she end up collapsed on the side of the street?

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

Spotting a puddle of water a few meters ahead, Lucrezia slowly crawled her way to it. The humiliation – not the pain – made her tear up. The only princess of Minedore Kingdom, the highest ranking concubine in the empire, was crawling on the side of a road like a stray kitten. The puddle was murky, of course, but it was enough for her to get a look at her reflection. And what she saw was more horrifying than the thought of being tortured. She was staring at the face of that scullery maid.

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Caio offered when everyone had gone out of the meeting room. "I got you some pastries," he added for good measure, taking out a small package from his jacket. It smelled heavenly.

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082

Their testimonies were good, but it won't be enough to easily convict the princess. Caio knew that if it was their word against the Lucrezia's, the court would likely take her side. And given that Alessandro was defending her for damning reasons known only to him, Caio would definitely need to present more evidence to win this case. Realizing that only put him in an even worse temperament.

Concubine Number 20

Fantasy · Mootsie_4082