Astoria Aspen

Astoria's POV

My name is Astoria Aspen, I am twenty-one years old.

But even though I am considered young for my age, I have been fighting monsters since I was ten years old. Everyone couldn't believe it when I said I have been fighting since I was ten but that's the reality for me.

Living as the only living Aspen puts a lot of pressure on me. It doesn't help much when your mother is practically a deranged person who blames my birth for the death of my father. I for one knows that my father is innocent. I was old enough to understand what is happening when the law enforcer came to our house and slander my father for all those crime,

My father, the former count Aspen did everything he can to protect the borders, But instead of glory and praise by the people of the empire, he got defamed for nonsensical crime,

And now that I am old enough, I got the opportunity to debut into society. Thanks for count Lowenstein and his family, I am able to be at the capital, enjoying such leisure as a noble.

And yesterday was my first royal banquet, Count Lowenstein was kind enough to get me an invitation but because of me, Jennifer, the count's daugther was in a predicament, I did tried to stop the fight but Jennifer told me to stay where I am because this is her battle and not mine. And as a warrior, I stay exactly where I was and continue eating. Although I did felt a little bit worried.

"Jennifer, are you alright?"

I asked when we both got into the carriage.

"Yes""

Jennifer sighed,"You have no idea how happy I am to be able to reach that girl a lesson, Just because she's from a Marquess family! Urgh! I finally get to win a battle against her!"

I really have no idea how noblewomen could continue this silent war among each other. Why don't they just raise their sword and kill each other? Wouldn't that be easier to deal with?

"Anyway, enough about me. Did you had fun, Astoria?! know for sure you had your fair share of food from the imperial chef shove into your little bag over there. Did someone saw you?"

I shake my head no.

"The food was too delicious. I have to get some and enjoy it tonight before bed. Anyway, the person sitting next to the emepror, was that the empress?"

Jennifer nodded.

"She's really young. How old is she? Didn't you say she has a fourteen year old daugther?"

Jennifer gave me the eye.

"I think the empress in her thirties. But don't tell me you're a into older women, Astoria. I understand you said you like women but I didn't realised you're into married woman.

I shrugged my shoulder.

"In Aspen, married or divorced woman are a gem, They have experience. Men only likes young ladies but I for one am proud to say that I like the company of older woman."

Jennifer look at me with disgust.

"You're disgusting."I take that as a compliment anytime. Anyway the real reason I am in the capital is something far more important than the food I 'stole' from the palace, Everyone knows that the Northern Territory is famous for its snowy escape and dangerous mountains.

Even though it's a perfect natural barrier between humans and monsters, but to be honest, the Northerners are currently at its end. If we could secure a proper trading route, the northern garrison might dissapear, As the new lord, I was given a task from the elders to find a way to make sure our people survive before the next great snowstorm hits,

"Is there a way for me to meet the emepror? I need to see him. It's for the survival of the Northern garrison."

Jennifer hummed.

"For that, I think you need to consult my father. He should know better appproach for that. But you've seen the emepror and empress today. What do you think of the ruler of this empire?"

If u have to be honest, I am quite surprised.

"Growing up in the North, I often heard stories about the emepror and how he is the best swordman in the empire. After all, his prowess in swords is what made others fear him. But after meeting him yesterday-he is nothing but a man who thinks nothing but sex."

Jennifer laughed at how straightforward I am.

"Trust me, you're not the only person who thinks that. But what do you think of the empress?"

The empress is something else. I didn't expect her to carry such aura with her. The moment the empress enters the ballroom, I could feel her tremendous power. That woman has more presence of a ruler than the emperor,"The empress is someone I wouldn't mind sacrifice my life for. The world needs someone like her. She didn't show it much but if someone told me that the empress is the actual ruler, I wouldn't be surprised. The emperor doesn't seems like a decent leader to me. I guess the stories of him was exegerated by his followers to make him look good."

Jennifer chuckled. What? Did I said something wrong?

I'm only telling her what I felt when I saw the couple.

"Well, what you see is what you get. The emperor doesn't care about the affairs of the empire. It is the empress who rules this land. The emperor only cares of indulging himself in pleasure. It's unfair really for the empress but she doesn't seems to mind since she had fulfilled her role as the wife."

See! I was right. That emperor doesn't carry any ounce of dignity. What kind of ruler would spank one of his consorts on the butt in official setting?!

"If you really need to meet the ruler of this land, I suggest you talk to my father. Who knows he might be able to get you to see the empress."

The empress- yes. I should meet the empress.

PS: leave a comment if you find any mistakes or grammatical errors so that I can correct it.

haaaa~~~