The World Is Mine For The Taking

Myrcella’s POV

"Father," I said, addressing the King of Milham. I had requested a private meeting, but instead of granting me that courtesy, here we were in his chambers. A maid—she looked to be in her forties—was kneeling at his feet, licking his toes as he sat on the edge of the bed, seeming entirely unbothered by my presence.

I held back a sigh, wishing he’d at least dismiss the woman for our conversation. But my father was the type who relished his own decadence, the kind who rarely concerned himself with the respect or comfort of others.

Since I could remember, he had never been anything but dismissive toward his family, especially my mother. He adored his concubine more than us and certainly more than his queen. His marriage to my mother had been purely for convenience, lacking any true bond of love, which explained why my brother Julius and I weren’t exactly conceived out of affection either. We were here as a result of duty, not devotion.

"What is it, Myrcella?" he asked, his voice laced with mild boredom.

"The capital is in danger," I replied bluntly. "I need you to do something about it."

I didn’t mince my words. There was no time for subtlety; if he didn’t take immediate action, the kingdom itself could fall apart.

"Oh? And what would you have me do about it?" he smirked. For a man pushing eighty, he retained the brazen charisma he’d wielded as a younger ruler. That cocky grin suited him, I supposed—reminding me why he was still King.

"I want you to deploy every knight in the castle to help us retake the capital. The Eclipse cult has taken control, and it’s only a matter of time before they spread further."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, is this what you mentioned in that broadcast earlier?" He sounded amused, barely interested. "I don’t see why the chaos in the Capital concerns me right now. This is

my

time to rest, not my time to work."

"Father, this is an emergency," I pressed, my tone insistent. "We can’t sit here and let the cult gain more ground. This is the time to act."

He chuckled, crossing his arms. "Well, if you feel so strongly about it, then why don’t

you

order the royal knights yourself? You’ve already been playing the part well enough, bowing your head in that broadcast. Isn’t it all about showing them how deeply you care for the kingdom, so they’ll rally behind you when the time comes?" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He was dead on, and I knew it. That broadcast wasn’t just for show—it was part of a larger plan. If I could demonstrate my devotion to the kingdom, if I could convince them I was on their side, then when the day came for me to usurp my father, the people wouldn’t resist. They might even welcome it.

"You even had the nerve to bow before them," he said. "I know you didn’t mean a word of it, but that’s exactly what makes you my daughter. We’re both born manipulators."

He was half right. It hadn’t been all a lie; there was truth in my words, even if they were laced with ulterior motives. My kingdom meant more to me than my pride, and if I had to lower myself to protect it, I would. I was a princess, and this was my responsibility. But my father? He didn’t share that burden.

"It’s a pity Julius never became like us," he mused, shaking his head. "If he had, he might’ve been the best of my children. Your eldest brother may be strong, but he’s a fool if he thinks combat experience alone makes him fit to rule. What makes a king isn’t brawn, it’s cunning and intellect. And while you are clever, do you really think I’d ever hand the throne to a woman?"

Father’s views on women had always been despicable, unyielding in his belief that we existed solely to pleasure men and bear their children. No matter the strength a woman might show—even if it could rival his own—he never wavered. Women, to him, were merely flesh to serve and satisfy him, something he could own, wield, and discard. As the King, he believed his right to do so was absolute. His refusal to name me as his heir had nothing to do with merit; it was simply because I was a woman.

The Kingdom of Milham was built on the sweat and sacrifice of countless generations. While men fought and defended the land, women were relegated to the background, regarded as mere bedwarmers for the men who "shaped" this kingdom. This belief had only grown stronger over time, reinforcing the notion that a woman could never be suited to rule, that our role was to lie beneath men, not lead them.

Despite everything I’d accomplished, no matter how many times I’d proven my worth and strength, Father would never acknowledge me as a successor.

"Father," I said, my voice unflinching. "I will take your throne. I’ll tear you from your rule."

But he didn’t even flinch. He looked at me with that same arrogant, unconcerned gaze.

"Oh, is that so?" he replied with a slight smirk. "Are you willing to die for it? You know the price of usurping a king, don’t you? You’d have to kill anyone in the royal family who opposes you. That includes me. And do you really think I’ll sit idly while you try to slit my throat? I still command every royal knight within my reach, and each one will defend me to their last breath." Read latest chapters at empire

His grin widened as he leaned forward, menace glinting in his eyes. "If you’re so determined, come back here with an army, and kill me with your own hands."

His words weren’t bluster; the threat in them was real. I knew full well what it meant to overthrow a king, especially one as ruthless as him. The weight of killing my own blood wasn’t something I took lightly. But I was prepared, even if it meant facing Father on the battlefield to ensure the kingdom’s future. I wasn’t about to falter.

He leaned back, stretching his arms wide as if to welcome my challenge, his gaze chilling. "If you think you have the strength to take me down, then come. I’ll welcome you." A slight smile played on his lips. "I’ll show you no mercy, even if you’re my daughter. I’m that kind of king, after all. Right?"