Fake Auspicious Signs

Mousy was frantic. His tiny body trembled as he clutched onto my shoulder, his voice rising in frustration.

"Come on! What are you thinking?! What about our plans? Why are you making the Fourth Prince pretend to be stupid?!"

His squeaky voice rang in my ears, but I remained calm, stretching lazily as if this entire situation was nothing but a minor inconvenience. I had been waiting for this moment, after all.

"Noor Giza still hasn't given birth," I said, my tone relaxed.

Mousy stilled. His wide, beady eyes stared at me as if I had just uttered something ridiculous. "W-what are you saying?" His voice wavered, a mix of fear and disbelief seeping into his tone.

I sighed, waving my hand as if dismissing his worries. "Shouldn't a pregnant woman have a period of respite?"

For a moment, there was silence. Then, Mousy narrowed his eyes, his tiny paws clenched into fists. His whiskers twitched in irritation before he scoffed. "You're so kind, Host." His sarcasm dripped like honey, thick and unmissable.

I smirked. "You flatter me."

The little creature huffed, clearly not convinced.

I leaned forward slightly, my voice dropping into a whisper. "Don't worry. There's no way Consort Yahiya will let Noor Giza off the hook. She sees her as a threat. For the next few months, just sit back and enjoy the show. Let them tear each other apart first—when they're nothing but wounded beasts, we'll strike and take her down."

Mousy gulped.

He knew I meant every word.

Six Months Later – The Harem War

If I had thought this would be entertaining, I had severely underestimated the level of chaos that would unfold.

The past six months had been a spectacle—one that would put any palace drama to shame.

Consort Yahiya had attacked first, accusing Noor Giza of bullying lower-ranked concubines. A predictable move. But Noor Giza had played her cards masterfully, retaliating with a scandal far more damaging. She exposed Yahiya's embezzlement of the consort's monthly allowance—an offense that sent the Emperor into a furious rage.

But Noor Giza didn't stop there.

She laid a trap so intricate, so devastating, that even I had to applaud her ruthlessness.

She arranged for the eldest prince—the one with the highest chance of inheriting the throne—to be caught red-handed in bed with a lowly concubine. The news spread like wildfire, and the Emperor had no choice but to disgrace and imprison his own son.

Consort Yahiya was crushed.

The once-powerful woman, who had held her head high in the harem, now lived in the shadows of shame. Her influence was nothing but a distant memory.

I sighed, shaking my head. "I really underestimated Noor Giza," I murmured, watching the palace from a distance. The walls that once echoed with laughter now buzzed with whispers and fear. "She's far more dangerous than I thought."

Mousy paced back and forth in front of me, his tiny paws rubbing together anxiously. Then, as if struck by lightning, he jumped onto my lap, eyes wild with panic.

"Host! A few days ago, Noor Giza gave birth to a prince!" He was practically screeching at this point. "It looks like she's going to be promoted to Noble Consort! Do you have a plan to stop this?!"

A slow smile spread across my lips.

"Tell Raazi," I said, my voice calm yet firm, "from this day onward, he doesn't have to pretend to be dumb anymore."

Mousy froze. "Wait… what? Why?"

I turned my gaze to the glowing lanterns that lined the palace walls. "Because I have a special present for Noor Giza."

Noor Giza's Palace Chamber – The Illusion of Victory

The scent of exotic incense filled the air. The chamber was lavish, bathed in warm candlelight. Noor Giza lay on a velvet chaise, her newborn son swaddled in silk, his tiny fingers curled into fists.

The Emperor sat beside her, his eyes filled with rare tenderness. His fingers traced the child's soft cheeks, admiration evident in his every gesture.

Their moment of bliss was shattered by a frantic knock.

A maid rushed in, her body trembling. She fell to her knees the moment she entered.

"Your Majesty!" she gasped, struggling to catch her breath. "A sign from the heavens has appeared!"

The Emperor's brow furrowed. "Speak."

The maid swallowed hard before continuing.

"The royal pond…" she stammered. "The fishes have formed a divine pattern, unlike anything seen before! And in the sky… an auspicious dragon symbol has appeared!"

The chamber fell silent.

Then, the Emperor laughed—a deep, joyous sound that echoed through the halls.

"The heavens truly shine upon my reign!" he declared. "I have moved the heart of the gods themselves!"

Noor Giza smiled, her fingers tightening around the child. Yes. This is fate. No one can stop me now.

Outside the chamber, Mousy trembled with rage.

He turned to me, voice shaking. "Host! I don't understand! Why did you use an A-grade artifact to help Noor Giza?! That was priceless!"

I turned to him, my expression unreadable. Then, I smirked.

"Because, Mousy…" I exhaled slowly, letting the suspense linger, "I want her dead."

Mousy's ears flattened. "What?"

I gazed back at the palace, my voice laced with amusement.

"After this 'auspicious' sign, everyone in the palace will believe Noor Giza is destined to become the Empress—including herself. But… rising from a Noble Consort to an Empress?" I chuckled. "That's known as exceeding one's position."

Mousy gulped. "Y-you're making her believe she's untouchable… just so you can destroy her?"

I nodded.

"I want her to be one step away from her dream… and never realize it."

Just then, footsteps echoed through the palace halls.

A new presence entered Noor Giza's chamber.

The Ninth Duke.

He moved with calculated ease, his bow precise, his lips curling into a polite smile. "Congratulations, Your Majesty. And to you, Consort Noor."

Noor Giza stiffened.

For the first time, uncertainty flickered in her eyes.

Mousy clung to me, his tail curling anxiously. "Host… why do I feel like this isn't just any ordinary visit?"

I smirked.

"Because, Mousy… the wildcard in Noor Giza's game—the one she unknowingly handed to me—is none other than her childhood sweetheart."

Mousy's breath hitched. "And… His Majesty's stepbrother."

I nodded.

"The real game begins now."