The Empress's Harem and Other Unwanted Side Hustles

Raizel leaned back on the couch, feeling the steady weight of his small nephew resting in his arms. Lucien had fallen asleep not long ago, his tiny body curled up comfortably, his head resting against Raizel's chest. A little bit of drool was already soaking into his coat.

Raizel sighed, but there was no real annoyance in his expression.

Diana, sitting nearby, chuckled. "You're taking it well," she teased. "Even when I was a child, your arms were the best place to sleep in."

Raizel scoffed. "So you and this little one are the same? Just clinging to me like I'm some kind of cushion?"

Diana laughed softly. "Well, you are warm."

Raizel looked down at the child in his arms, his sharp blue eyes softening just a little. Lucien's tiny fingers clutched onto his coat, his soft breaths steady. He looked so… peaceful.

And he really did look like that damn Emperor.

But at the same time…

Those round cheeks. That small pout. The way his fingers curled when he slept.

That was all Diana.

Raizel sighed again, shifting slightly to get more comfortable. "He's heavier than he looks," he muttered.

Diana smiled. "He's growing."

Raizel didn't respond right away. Instead, he studied his sister.

She was different.

At first, he thought she had been bullied—humiliated by the Queen and her people. But now…

It was all an act, wasn't it?

His sister, who used to be so emotional, so easy to read, was now calm, composed, and calculating.

She had changed.

And not just a little.

Her golden eyes weren't innocent anymore.

Not the way they used to be.

Raizel clenched his jaw slightly.

Had she suffered that much?

Had she been forced to change because of that bastard Emperor?

It had been five years since they last spoke. Five years since their fight, when Diana had chosen to marry the Emperor despite his protests.

But now…

Looking at her like this, he couldn't help but wonder.

Did she regret it?

Diana noticed his gaze and tilted her head slightly. "What is it?"

Raizel exhaled through his nose. "You… look different."

Diana smiled faintly. "I've grown up."

Raizel's eyes narrowed slightly.

Something was off.

He could see it in the way she spoke, in the way she held herself.

But she wasn't telling him anything.

For a moment, he thought about pressing her for answers.

But then…

Diana leaned back slightly, stretching her arms. "I missed you."

Her voice was light, casual. But Raizel could hear the deeper emotion behind it.

He frowned slightly.

That wasn't like her.

Not the Diana he remembered.

The little sister who would always throw herself at him, hugging him without hesitation, whining about missing him while clinging to his arm.

This Diana…

She was composed. Reserved.

As if she had learned to keep people at a distance.

Raizel's grip on Lucien tightened slightly.

Diana… what happened to you?

But he didn't ask.

Instead, he reached out and flicked her forehead lightly.

Diana blinked in surprise.

Raizel smirked. "Idiot."

Diana laughed, rubbing her forehead. "Still as rude as ever, I see."

Raizel shrugged. "That's how I show affection."

Diana's smile lingered for a moment before she exhaled. "By the way, I assume you already know about the Northern Plain situation?"

Raizel's expression turned serious. "I heard about it. I thought you were going to send me, so I prepared, but then I heard you didn't."

Diana nodded. "The Queen's adopted family, the Evermonts, will handle it."

Raizel raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Diana's golden eyes turned cold. "The Hinsdale family has already given too much."

Raizel studied her carefully.

She was firm.

Unyielding.

And there was something else in her voice.

Something sharp.

Raizel let out a low hum. "So that's how it is."

Diana leaned back. "I'm not a dog. I won't keep fetching bones for the Emperor."

Raizel watched her quietly.

She really had changed.

But was it a good thing?

Or was this just another kind of pain?

He wouldn't ask.

Not now.

Instead, he sighed and adjusted his hold on Lucien, who was still sleeping soundly. "Fine. Do whatever you want."

Diana smiled. "I always do."

Raizel smirked. "Yeah, that's the problem."

Diana chuckled. Then, her expression turned serious again. "Raizel… take care of the western border. Be careful. Usually, the biggest problem there is mercenaries, but this time… keep an eye on the neighboring kingdoms."

Raizel's brows furrowed slightly. "What do you know?"

Diana shook her head. "Just a feeling."

Raizel didn't like that answer.

But he trusted her.

So he nodded. "I'll keep watch."

Diana smiled. "Good."

And for the first time in years, Raizel felt like he was truly looking at his sister again.

Different.

Changed.

But still his little sister.

Still Diana.

Raizel never thought he'd ever feel so conflicted over something as simple as a child.

His nephew was too cute.

It was annoying.

Lucien had those big, round eyes, looking up at him with innocent curiosity. His small hands would grab onto Raizel's sleeve, tugging gently whenever he wanted attention. And worst of all, he was so soft and delicate—completely different from the rough, battle-hardened soldiers Raizel was used to dealing with.

How was he supposed to treat him strictly?

Currently, Raizel was staying at the main house in the capital, deliberately ignoring every summons from his "bastard brother-in-law."

He had no interest in sitting through a meeting with that man.

Instead, he took his time walking through the Empress's deserted palace, observing the empty halls and the lack of luxury.

It was only now that he realized Diana had gotten rid of everything.

Jewelry, decorations, fine silks—everything had been sold or discarded.

This was not the home of an Empress.

This was the home of a woman who had given up.

Raizel's chest tightened slightly.

Diana had always been proud. She was raised as a noble, raised to carry herself with dignity. Yet now, she lived in near austerity, far removed from the riches that should have been hers.

And then, in an unexpected moment, Raizel saw something that made his blood boil.

The Emperor stood in the courtyard, holding Liliana in his arms. Their two children were there as well—Roan and Elysian—both clinging to their father.

Not Lucien.

Lucien stood a short distance away, watching the scene with wide eyes. His small hands curled into fists at his sides, but he didn't say a word.

Raizel felt his anger rising.

That bastard.

How could he so openly shower his affection on another woman and her children while ignoring the son he had with Diana?

Before Raizel could step in, Lucien suddenly turned away from the scene and ran toward Diana.

Diana, who had been passing by without even sparing the Emperor a glance.

Unlike Lucien, she didn't pause. She didn't hesitate.

She didn't even look in their direction.

She simply walked past them, as if they didn't exist.

Lucien, seeing her, immediately ran to her side, clinging to her hand. His expression, once filled with jealousy, softened the moment he looked up at his mother.

Diana gently stroked his hair, her golden eyes calm. "Come, let's go back inside."

Lucien nodded eagerly, walking beside her without looking back at the Emperor and his other family.

Raizel clenched his jaw.

He was learning many things about his sister.

She never attended meetings unless necessary.

She never asked for new jewelry or clothes.

She never clung to the Emperor the way she used to.

From morning to night, she only focused on Lucien and the Empress's palace.

It was as if Liliana was the real Empress now.

And Diana…

She was simply existing.

Later that evening, Raizel found Diana sitting alone in her room, lost in thought.

She wasn't reading, nor was she writing. She simply sat there, her chin resting on her hand as she stared into the flickering candlelight.

He didn't know what she was thinking, but he had a feeling it wasn't anything good.

"Diana," he called, stepping into the room.

She turned to him with a faint smile. "Brother. Did Lucien bother you today?"

Raizel huffed. "That kid is too cute for his own good. It's a problem."

Diana chuckled. "So you like him?"

Raizel clicked his tongue. "I never said that."

Diana just shook her head, amusement dancing in her golden eyes.

Then, she sighed.

"I was thinking about Lucien's training," she admitted. "I wanted to teach him personally, but…"

She trailed off, looking down at her hands.

Raizel frowned. "But what?"

Diana hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "I don't have the experience."

Raizel blinked.

For some reason, hearing her say that felt… wrong.

This was Diana.

His little sister.

She had been raised as a lady, not a warrior.

She had never wielded a sword before.

She had never stepped onto a battlefield.

So why…

Why did it feel like she was mourning something?

Diana sighed again. "It's dangerous to teach Lucien true Imperial swordsmanship without proper preparation. And I haven't even found my old master yet—that crazy old bastard."

Raizel arched an eyebrow. "Since when did you have a master?"

Diana paused before smiling. "I don't. Not yet."

Raizel narrowed his eyes slightly.

She was hiding something.

But he didn't push.

Instead, Diana leaned forward slightly. "Raizel."

He looked at her.

"I want you to teach Lucien the basics," she said. "Hinsdale swordsmanship will be a good foundation for him."

Raizel exhaled. "You're asking me to train him?"

Diana nodded. "You're the best teacher I could ask for."

Raizel ran a hand through his silver hair, sighing. "Fine. But don't blame me if he cries."

Diana smirked. "I doubt he will."

The next morning, Raizel took Lucien to the training grounds.

The boy stood in front of him, a wooden sword in his hands, looking up with those big, innocent eyes.

Raizel sighed.

He had trained soldiers for years.

He had led men into war.

He was strict. Unforgiving. Merciless.

But now…

Looking at this tiny child gripping a wooden sword with both hands…

How was he supposed to be strict?

Lucien tilted his head. "Uncle?"

Raizel tensed.

Damn it.

Those doe eyes were dangerous.

He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Alright, kid. Let's start with the basics."

Lucien brightened. "Yes!"

Raizel groaned internally.

This was going to be harder than he thought.