The Empress's Harem and Other Unwanted Side Hustles

Diana sat in her study, sipping tea as she listened to Celline's proposal. The Holy Empire was hosting a diplomatic event in the capital, and Celline invited her to join as an honored guest. It was an opportunity—both politically and personally. The Holy Empire was powerful, and their internal conflicts between the Royals and the Cardinals were growing tense. A chance to observe them up close was invaluable.

"I accept," Diana said, setting her cup down. "But Cassian won't agree easily."

"Then convince him," Celline said with a smirk. "It's not the northern plains this time. You'll be stepping into another country. He won't just wave it off."

Diana exhaled. True. Cassian might not care about her choices, but this was different.

She stood, adjusting her dress before heading to the Emperor's audience chamber.

Cassian was seated on his throne, his fingers lazily tapping against the armrest. His attention, however, wasn't on state affairs. Liliana stood beside him, speaking softly about some court matters, her voice gentle and affectionate.

Diana approached, her posture poised, her golden eyes calm.

Cassian barely glanced at her. "What is it?"

She didn't react to his cold tone. "A diplomatic visit to the Holy Empire's capital. I will be going."

Cassian gave a half-hearted nod. "Do as you wish."

Diana narrowed her eyes. That was too easy.

"The Holy Empire extended an official invitation for diplomatic exchange."

"Fine." He still seemed uninterested.

She studied him for a moment before adding, "Lucien will accompany me."

Cassian's fingers stopped tapping. His gaze snapped to her. "What?"

"He is a prince. It is only proper."

His expression darkened. "Lucien doesn't need to go."

"Why not?" Diana's voice remained steady. "He is my son. My heir."

Cassian frowned. "This is another country. It's dangerous."

Diana scoffed. "You never cared about his safety before."

Cassian's jaw clenched.

"What if something happens to him?" she continued, her voice sharp. "What if he's taken hostage? Assassinated? Oh, but wait—you've never shown concern for him before, so why start now?"

Cassian's fingers curled into a fist.

Liliana quickly stepped in, placing a hand on his arm. "Your Majesty, please calm down." Her voice was soothing, her touch gentle.

Cassian exhaled sharply, closing his eyes for a moment before speaking. "Fine. Take him if you want."

Diana's lips pressed into a thin line. She gave a small bow before turning on her heel and leaving.

She found Lucien and Evan in the garden.

Lucien's gray eyes brightened when she told him. "The Holy Empire? Really?"

"Yes."

His excitement was immediate. "Mother, I've never been outside Verdeca before!"

Evan, however, remained still. His gopden eyes were unreadable.

"This is a diplomatic mission," Diana reminded Lucien, ruffling his black hair. "We must be careful."

Lucien nodded, still beaming.

Evan's voice was quiet. "Are you sure about this?"

Diana turned to him. "Do you think I shouldn't go?"

Evan hesitated, then shook his head. "I trust you, Your Highness." But his fingers were clenched, his posture tense. He didn't like this.

Lucien, oblivious, continued talking excitedly about what he wanted to see. Evan remained silent, his concern overshadowed by Lucien's happiness.

Meanwhile, in a lavish chamber, Liliana activated a communication device. A shimmering light flickered before forming an image of an older man—Marquis Evermont, her adoptive father.

She smiled, her voice filled with pride. "Father, Diana and Cassian fought again."

Evermont's expression was unreadable. "What happened?"

"I told His Majesty to calm down, and he listened to me." She smiled. "Diana got angry and left."

Evermont's eyes narrowed. "And?"

Liliana tilted her head. "That's all?"

Evermont let out a slow breath before speaking, his voice sharp. "You're a fool."

Liliana's smile faltered. "What?"

"You're an absolute fool."

She frowned. "I don't understand—"

"You let Lucien go?" Evermont's voice was cold.

Liliana blinked. "Why does it matter?"

Evermont's fingers curled around his cane. "You truly don't understand, do you?"

Silence.

He exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. "Even Roan and Elysian have never been given such a role. Lucien is going as a diplomatic representative of Verdeca."

Liliana's expression remained blank. "But he's just a child—"

"He's a prince." Evermont's voice was sharp. "And now the Holy Empire will recognize him."

Liliana finally looked uncertain. "But that's…"

Evermont cut her off. "If the Holy Empire acknowledges him, if they decide to support him… he will be more than just a neglected prince." His voice turned scathing. "Do you understand what you've done?"

Liliana paled. "I—I didn't think—"

"No, you didn't," Evermont snapped.

She flinched.

He continued, his voice low and seething. "Do you know how much I have done to secure our power? The stolen granary, the hidden scandals—do you think I did all of that for you to make foolish mistakes?"

Liliana swallowed hard. "Father, I—"

Evermont wasn't done. "And the Holy Empire's secret projects? The ones involving those experiments? If they investigate… if they dig into old documents…" His lips curled into a sneer. "Do you think they won't find your involvement?"

Liliana's body stiffened.

For the first time, she felt genuine fear.

Evermont's gaze was cold. "I used to be patient with you. I could use you." His voice dropped to a whisper. "But now? You're just a liability."

Liliana's hands trembled. "I—I can fix this—"

Evermont scoffed. "You? Fix this?" He let out a humorless chuckle. "You've already done enough."

The communication device flickered off, leaving Liliana alone in the dimly lit room.

For the first time, she realized—she was not untouchable.

And she had made a terrible mistake.

*****

The journey to the Holy Empire would take eight days, a mix of traveling by carriage and setting up camp in the wilderness. It was the first time Lucien had ever gone on such a long trip, and his excitement was boundless.

Diana sat comfortably in the royal carriage, watching her son bounce in his seat. His gray eyes sparkled as he peered out the window, taking in the sights of the vast landscapes they passed.

"Mother, look! The trees here are so big!" Lucien's voice was filled with excitement.

Diana chuckled. "Yes, the forests in the east are older. Some of these trees are hundreds of years old."

Evan, seated beside Lucien, sighed softly, his small seven-year-old frame stiff with responsibility. "Don't stick your head out the window. It's dangerous."

Lucien pouted. "I wasn't going to fall…"

"But you could," Evan said seriously.

Diana suppressed a smile. He acts more like a babysitter than a child.

Evan's golden eyes flickered toward her, his brows slightly furrowed. She could tell he was worried—not just about Lucien, but about her as well.

She reached out, gently patting his head. "Evan, it's alright. We're safe."

Evan hesitated before nodding, though the tension in his shoulders didn't ease.

Cassian had assigned a knight to escort them—Sir Hadrian. A tall, stoic man with a rigid posture and sharp eyes. He was a capable knight, but it was clear from the start that he didn't respect Diana.

He never outright disobeyed her, but his tone was always clipped, and his gaze carried a hint of disdain whenever he spoke to her.

Diana didn't care.

After all, the escort wasn't just made up of Cassian's knights.

Among them were knights from the Royal Order—men who had once served under the former Emperor, Allen. They were loyal to the crown, but more importantly, they had been present when Diana was first brought to the palace as Empress. They had seen her struggles.

Unlike Hadrian, the Royal Order knights treated her with a sense of silent respect, their expressions softer whenever they looked at her.

That was enough.

On the third day, the group set up camp in a small clearing near a river.

As soon as they stopped, Lucien practically jumped out of the carriage, his energy seemingly endless.

"Mother! Look at these rocks! They're shaped like eggs!"

Diana smiled as she stepped down gracefully, stretching her limbs. Traveling was exhausting, but she didn't mind.

Evan, however, was tense.

The moment Lucien reached down to pick up a leaf, Evan lunged forward. "Wait!"

Lucien froze, blinking in confusion. "What?"

Evan grabbed the leaf, inspecting it carefully before exhaling in relief. "It's not poisonous."

Lucien puffed his cheeks. "I know that."

Evan scowled. "You didn't check properly."

Diana watched the exchange with amusement. Evan is too mature for his age.

Lucien crossed his arms. "It's just a leaf…"

Evan's expression darkened slightly. "You don't understand."

Lucien hesitated.

Diana sighed softly. She knew where this was coming from. Evan had spent his early years as an experiment—living in fear, surrounded by cruelty. He had learned to be cautious because carelessness could mean death.

She knelt beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Evan, we're not in the Holy Empire anymore."

Evan's fingers clenched. "But we're going there."

Diana didn't deny it.

He looked up at her, his golden eyes filled with an emotion too heavy for a child. "I won't let Lucien get hurt."

Lucien, who had been pouting, slowly softened. "Evan…"

Evan turned to him. "You have to be careful. You're a prince, but that won't stop bad people from hurting you."

Lucien was quiet for a moment before nodding. "Okay. I'll be careful."

Evan let out a slow breath, nodding back.

Diana smiled. "Good. Now, let's set up camp."

As the knights worked, Diana found herself being watched.

Cardinal Celline stood a short distance away, glancing at Evan with an expression that was both hesitant and awkward.

Diana raised a brow.

She wants to talk to him.

Evan, however, ignored her completely, sticking close to Lucien.

Diana sighed. This is going to be difficult.

She approached Celline casually. "Just go talk to him."

Celline looked startled. "I—I don't think he wants to talk to me."

Diana gave her a knowing look. "Well, ignoring him isn't going to help either."

Celline hesitated before nodding. She took a step toward Evan, clearing her throat. "Evan."

Evan glanced at her briefly before looking away. "What?"

Celline faltered but quickly composed herself. "You… you seem to be doing well."

Evan didn't respond.

Celline looked uncertain. "Do you… need anything?"

Evan's fingers curled slightly. He looked up at her, his green eyes cold. "I needed you a long time ago."

Celline stiffened.

Diana sighed. This is going to take time.

She patted Celline on the shoulder. "Just try again later."

Celline nodded, looking slightly defeated.

That night, the campfire crackled, casting a warm glow over the clearing.

Lucien sat beside Diana, nibbling on a piece of dried fruit. Evan sat on her other side, still alert despite the peaceful atmosphere.

Some of the knights murmured amongst themselves, stealing glances at Diana.

She ignored them.

Hadrian, however, couldn't hold his tongue. "Your Highness, it is surprising that you are so comfortable in such conditions."

Diana sipped her tea. "Why?"

Hadrian's brows furrowed. "An Empress should not be well-versed in camping."

She smiled slightly. "Perhaps I'm just full of surprises."

Hadrian frowned, clearly dissatisfied with her answer.

Diana leaned back slightly, staring up at the stars. If only they knew.

In her past life, after her downfall, she had been sent to the frontlines. She had lived in far worse conditions. She had learned how to survive in the harshest environments.

But she wasn't about to tell them that.

Lucien yawned, leaning against her. "Mother… I like this."

Diana stroked his hair. "Hmm?"

"The fire, the stars… it feels nice."

She smiled. "I'm glad."

Evan, still on edge, kept scanning the surroundings.

Diana sighed, pulling him closer. "Evan, relax."

Evan hesitated but eventually leaned into her warmth, his small hands gripping the fabric of her cloak.

No matter what happens in the Holy Empire, I will protect them.

With that thought, Diana closed her eyes, letting the sound of the crackling fire lull her into a rare moment of peace.