In the Shadow of the Crown

The evening was quiet, the air in the Imperial palace filled with a charged anticipation. The great mage had finally arrived, summoned by Raen himself to examine and enhance his most prized possession, his Empress, his perfect doll, Eliza.

***            

Dressed in dark robes, the mage stepped into the grand chamber where Raen awaited him. Before him, seated motionlessly like a divine sculpture, was Eliza. Her beauty was ethereal, untouched by time or imperfection, yet Raen always sought more, more perfection, more control, more proof that no one could ever compare to what he had created.

The mage slowly approached, eyes narrowing as he observed her. Even without speaking, Eliza radiated an unreachable elegance, a presence that sent waves of envy and admiration through the noblemen of the empire. She was the first and last of her kind, an unattainable masterpiece that no one but Raen could claim.

The mage reached out his hand, hovering it just above her skin. A faint glow of magic emanated from his fingers, scanning her existence, testing the limits of her design. Everything was flawless.

He turned to Raen with a knowing smile.

"She is still unmatched," the mage spoke in a tone of reverence. "The first and the last. There will never be another like her."

Raen’s lips curled in satisfaction. But he was not satisfied with her remaining the same, he wanted her to be even better, even more unattainable, even more envied.

"Enhance her," he ordered. "Make my masterpiece even more perfect."

***

The mage nodded and began his work. His magic pulsed through Eliza’s body, weaving into her very essence, refining what had already been a flawless masterpiece into something even more magnificent.

• Her beauty intensified, a glow beneath her skin that made her look even more divine, almost untouchable.
• Her presence became more alluring - a silent force that commanded attention without effort. Wherever she stood, she would be the center of the world, the embodiment of an unreachable dream.
• Her skin became even smoother, her features more symmetrical, her movements more graceful, even if they were controlled by Raen’s will alone.
• Her voice, though rarely heard, became more delicate, more hypnotic, as if every whisper she could speak would enchant anyone who heard it.
• Her obedience was reinforced. Raen alone controlled her, and her body would never move unless he willed it. No command from anyone else, no force, no power in the world could override his absolute control.

The mage stepped back, admiring his work.

"Now, she is even more extraordinary," he announced. "No man will ever look at another woman without first comparing them to her, and they will always find others lacking."

Raen smirked, his eyes filled with pride. "Good. Let them suffer in their jealousy."

***

It was already known that the noblemen of the empire seethed with envy toward Raen, but now their frustration would turn to despair. No matter how much wealth, power, or beauty they possessed, they could never have what Raen had.

She was his alone - the most exquisite creation in existence.

The mage, as a final test, issued a command:

"Stand, Empress."

Nothing.

Eliza remained still, unmoving, untouched by the words.

The mage turned to Raen, a smile creeping onto his lips. "She does not obey me."

Raen’s eyes gleamed with triumph. He approached Eliza and, in a soft yet firm voice, commanded:

"Stand, Eliza."

Immediately, she moved. Her delicate form obeyed only him, responding to his will alone. It was undeniable. Raen had absolute power over her.

The mage exhaled, shaking his head in admiration. "No spell, no command, no magic in the world will break her from your control. She is bound to you completely, Emperor."

Raen nodded, satisfied beyond words.

Before the mage departed, he hesitated for a moment, then said, "And I must offer my congratulations, Your Majesty."

Raen raised a brow.

"The Empress is with child. The pregnancy is progressing as expected. A most... unique circumstance."

Raen’s smirk deepened. He already knew, of course. But hearing it from the mage only confirmed the reality - Eliza, his perfect doll, carried his heir.

And no one could take her away from him.

As the mage turned to leave, he added one last thing. "I shall return in a month, Your Majesty. Until then, enjoy your masterpiece."

Raen barely acknowledged him as he departed, his focus was entirely on Eliza.

***

Raen took a step closer to Eliza, reaching out to brush his fingers over her flawless skin. She was perfect. The most perfect thing in this world.

A slow smirk curled on his lips. He leaned in, pressing a deep, possessive mark on her neck.

But it wasn’t enough.

His hunger only grew as he trailed his lips down, leaving another mark, then another, then another. Every time a faint bruise began to disappear, he replaced it with a new one, ensuring that there was not a single untouched part of her.

His obsession consumed him - his hands, his lips, his teeth marked every millimeter of her skin, until there was no space left untouched.

Every inch of her body bore his claim.

She was his.

Only his.

Forever.

***

Still breathless from his indulgence, Raen stepped back, admiring his fully marked Empress.

But something in him wanted more, not just to enjoy his masterpiece alone, but to remind the world that only he could have something this perfect.

He called for his chamberlain.

"Prepare an event," Raen ordered. "A private gathering for noblemen only. I will personally present Eliza to them."

The chamberlain bowed. "As you command, Your Majesty."

Raen’s smirk deepened.

He would let them see.

Let them witness the perfection that was his.

And let them drown in their envy, knowing they could never have her.