MOTHER EMPIRE

Synopsis of Chapter One: Lullaby of the Beginning

In the Empire of Antania, a vast and powerful realm ruled by Empress Hira, the legacy of its past is marked by the stories of three legendary monarchs: Mother Empire the Founder, Empress Antania the Savior, and Emperor Arsel the Conqueror. The chapter opens with the recognition that the empire's glory is rooted in a history of vengeance, particularly that of Empress Antania, who transformed a kingdom into an empire after avenging her own losses.

The narrative shifts to fourteen years later, where a young king, now 25, stands at the port, coldly ordering the execution of 500 rebels to prevent future threats to his mother, the Mother Queen. As the brutal orders are carried out, the king's advisor expresses uncertainty, but the king remains resolute, prioritizing power over compassion.

Meanwhile, in a nearby village, Maria, a spirited 25-year-old woman, enjoys a carefree life, playing with her calf and cherishing moments with her grandfather. However, this tranquility is shattered when the king arrives with his soldiers, demanding that the village women serve his troops for three nights. When her grandfather pleads for mercy, he is violently punished, igniting Maria's fury.

In a desperate act of defiance, Maria fights back against the guards, killing two of them in a moment of rage. The king, intrigued by her spirit, offers her a cruel proposition: spend a night with him, and he will spare her village. Torn between her personal feelings and her responsibility to her people, Maria reluctantly agrees, knowing the cost of her decision. The chapter ends with the king commanding the destruction of the village, leaving Maria standing amidst the ashes of her former life, her heart filled with the promise of vengeance.