I giggled maliciously as I searched the bookshelves for the hidden erotic treasure. Of course, I am not looking for myself. No way. This is purely for selfless reasons.

I snuck to the top floor and found that there was a corner that seemed to be hidden. I quietly tip-toed over and peered along the shelves. My eyes lit up when I noticed the top shelf had several books with covers over them as if to hide their shame. There is only one reason why people use book covers to hide a title…

…Erotica!

I stretched to reach the books but found I was still too short to grab it. I strained and stood on my tiptoes, but it was no use. I put my hands on my hips in a huff. Why is someone trying to make it so difficult to obtain such treasure?

I looked around and noticed a chair next to an old table nearby. I grabbed it and dragged it back to the bookcase. I stood on the chair and reached toward the top shelf.

So… Close…

As I stood on my tiptoes, I could feel the chair begin to wobble. I ignored the shaking and grabbed the nearest book in victory. The chair swayed under my weight and toppled over. I was sent flying backwards flailing wildly.

D*mn. If only Dante could catch me.

That is what happens in these kinds of novels, right?

My head hit the floor with a loud thud. I stared at the ceiling watching as stars circled my vision.

Yeah, of course no one caught me. Urg.

Simon's voice came from below, "Did you die?"

"No." I answered weakly.

I rubbed my head as I sat up. The book I had grabbed was laying neatly beside me. I may have not saved myself from damage, but at least I saved the erotic treasure. I opened it and peered inside. A wicked grin spread across my face.

Sure enough, it was an erotic novel.

Who would have thought the Sanki Kingdom could have such salacious material? I suppose this kingdom is not so bad after all.

As I sat on the ground reading the novel, I heard a strange creaking noise. I looked up to see what the noise was only to find several books falling from the top shelf and landing directly on my upturned head. I collapsed on my back surrounded by several erotic novels.

It was like a dream come true.

Or maybe a nightmare?

Simon spoke from the bottom floor, "Still alive?"

I mumbled back unintelligibly.

"Good to hear."

I rubbed my swollen face and opened my eyes. My vision was clouded by several pieces of paper. I sat up in a hurry and saw several diary entries each one with familiar writing belonging to the Holy Empress.

No way… Did she really hide these writings in the erotic novels?

Does that mean…

She really was a fan of this genre?

I cannot wait to tell Dante.

Fern unwrapped himself from my wrist and slithered along the ground. He approached the papers scattered about and seemed to recognize the smell. No matter how many years it had been, he had never forgotten the smell belonging to the one he thought of as his mother.

I started collecting the strewn about papers and placed them in chronological order. It seemed that she still continued to write even after leaving the church.

I could not wait any longer and started to read it as if I was possessed.

________1

Page One:

I have been living at the Palace for a while now. I am not sure why I am still writing, but I find it rather relaxing.

Too much has happened in these few months since I have left the church.

At first, I was surprised to see the door open and strange people come into my room. They looked very different from the Holy Priestess and Holy Maidens. They had such deep voices and were far larger and muscular. I have never seen another that looked and sounded like them.

A few of the snakes tried to bite them, but they stomped on them and the snakes stopped moving. At the time, I was not sure what happened to the snakes. I only thought that perhaps they were tired and decided to take a nap.

They led me out to where there was a very tall and muscular person with a sharp and long knife. It was covered in a red liquid. The person looked a bit scary as they looked at me. Then the person grabbed my hand and told me we were to be married.

I have heard of marriage before. The scriptures the Holy Priestess made me read had said that a marriage was between a man and woman and was blessed by the Gods. However, she told me that as a Holy Empress, I could never get married.

I suppose the gods changed their minds.

When I was led down the hall, I soon found it had a strange smell in the air. It smelled like the metal bowls that the Holy Priestess would bring me. When I looked towards the source of the smell, I saw the Holy Priestess and Holy Maids laying on the ground covered in a strange red liquid.

I went to their side and nudged them, but they did not move. I thought they were only sleeping.

However, the person beside me said that they were dead.

I understand what it means to be dead. The scriptures mentioned that when you died, you would go to the realm of the Gods. There you would live a peaceful life without any worries. I am a bit jealous of them. I wish I could go to the realm of the Gods. My room is far too boring and dark.

Yet, the Gods are letting me leave that small and dark room. I have no idea why. Are they perhaps rewarding me for allowing the snakes in the room to feel sunlight on their skin again?

If that was true, then why did those people stomp on the messengers? Was it merely the Gods way of saying the messenger was to return to them?

I really do not understand the wills of the Gods. I guess that is why the Head Priestess always told me it was not up to us to understand it.

Too bad the Head Priestess is with the Gods now. I would not mind being able to see her again and ask her just why the messenger of the Gods had to be returned.

As I walked through the church, I was surprised just how much the Sun God blessed it. My eyes stung from the brightness, but it was so amazing to see so many things! There were strange drawings on the walls. Plants that reached the ceiling. People that were made from stone that were double or even triple my size.

It was all so different.

Even the air smelled so much better. It was even fun to be able to walk further than just doing circles in my own room. I do not really understand why the Gods decided to bring me out from my room, but I know I am not meant to question the Gods. I only wish that I could have brought the snakes along. I am sure they would have enjoyed this much attention from the Sun God.

The strange person walking with me told me to enter a strange room. When I did, the room started moving!

This person must really be sent from the Gods if he can make a room move. Even though they were a bit frightening, the person allowed me to look out of the window. It was bigger than the small little hole I had in my bedroom. Strange things went past the window as I watched.

The sights were very different from anything I have ever seen. I did not even know there were this many colors in the world!

I really wanted to keep looking, but the Sun God was too strong. My eyes began to hurt after too long. Even my skin felt like it was on fire.

Luckily, the person sent from the Gods handed me a blanket and I was able to hide from the Sun God under it.

I have never felt such a soft blanket before. This person is truly nice for allowing me to see and feel so many new things.

When the room stopped moving, I was led inside a giant church. The person explained that this was the Palace that we would soon live together in. He was the King and I would be the Queen. But how can I be the Holy Empress and the Queen? The scriptures never mentioned this.

They took me to a room and explained that we would consummate our union. I did not really understand what they meant. But I soon learned that the King was male.

I suppose the men must also be messengers from the Gods because they too have a snake on their body.

[To avoid confusion: This perspective is now from the point of view from the Holy Empress.]