Chapter 372
Behind her, the sound of swords being drawn filled the room as her three bodyguards closed in.
The slavemaster blinked, his beast receding, the yellow draining from his eyes.
โNo, go on. Summon your beast,โ she said angrily. โOh, mighty predator who likes to prey on powerless girls.โ Then she turned to Amie, who stood trembling, tears streaking her face. โWhy didnโt you tell me this was happening?โ She was not just angry, but hurt.
โIโm sorry, Princess,โ Amie sobbed. โHe warned me. Said if I spoke, heโd punish me worse-โ
โSeize him,โ Emeriel snapped to her guards. โTake him to the dungeons.โ
She turned to the slavemaster. โGood luck writing enough petitions to earn the courtโs interest. Maybe in a few months, theyโll even read one. Until then, youโll rot in there.โ
The slavemasterโs eyes widened in disbelief as the two Urekai males stood motionless at the door, stunned, but wisely kept their heads down.
โBut Iโve done nothing wrong!โ Kenta bellowed, guards dragging him toward the door. โI havenโt even mounted her yet!โ
That earned him another backhanded blow from one of the soldiers before they marched him out, leaving Emeriel with her remaining guard and Amie.
Emeriel crossed the room, gathering the discarded clothes from the bed. With a softer voice, she handed them to her. โPut these on. Letโs get out of here.โ
โฆ
Back at Frostfall, Madam Livia tended to the bruises on Amieโs wrists and cheeks. Thankfully, the slavemaster hadnโt taken things any further. For that, at least, Emeriel was grateful.
Amie wouldnโt stop thanking her. Over and over, she repeated her gratitude like a rhyme on replay, and when it came time to rest, she refused.
โNo, I really want to go shopping with you, Princess.โ Amie smiled brightly, wincing from the ache in her cheeks. โIโve been looking forward to it. I donโt want to rest. Iโm fine. Truly. Please, donโt make me stay behind.โ
Emeriel didnโt know what made her feel worse โ how easily Amie had brushed aside what had just happened, or the realization that this wasnโt the worst sheโd endured.
In the end, Emeriel relented with a defeated sigh. โFine. Letโs go.โ
The shopping took longer than expected, and the sky had already begun to warm with the golden tones of evening by the time they returned. It wouldnโt be long before Lord Herod arrived โ if he wasnโt already within the fortress walls.
โHas the former Lord of Agriculture arrived?โ she asked one of the stationed guards.
โYes, Princess. He passed through not long ago, on his way to the Court of Duty.โ
Emeriel quickened her steps, Amie right behind her, hoping she might catch him before he entered the grand chamber. She hurried through the west corridor toward the great hall. As they rounded the final bend, she caught sight of him, cloaked in formal attire, walking toward the court doors.
โLord Herod!โ she called.
He turned at the sound of her voice and smiled, lifting a hand in greeting. โMy young friend!โ
She smiled in return, took a step forward โ then stopped.
The strange colors were back. Only this timeโฆ they floated beside him.
A sharp intake of breath sounded behind her. Emeriel turned.
Amie stood rigid, her eyes wide, locked on Lord Herod.
The same impossible swirl of unnamable shades sparkled around her, too โ five distinct colors, twisting and merging in the air. The exact same blend surrounded both of them.
Emeriel blinked. She looked between them, then back again. Something heavy and charged was going on here. Lord Herod was staring at Amie, curious and transfixed. And Amie, too, couldnโt seem to look away.
Emerielโs voice was quiet. โAmieโฆ are you alright?โ
The girl startled, catching herself, her cheeks flushed. โYโyes, Princess.โ
Lord Herod closed the distance, finally tearing his eyes away from Amie to look at Emeriel. His warm smile returned as he embraced her. โThereโs my dear friend. How are you doing today?โ
โIโm well,โ Emeriel returned the hug before pulling back. โIโm glad to see you in the Citadel. You made the right choice.โ
Lord Herod nodded. โThank you, Princess.โ His gaze shifted down to her belly. โAnd how is the little one faring?โ
โFineโฆโ she said distractedly. Because now, the colors were changing. The two sets had floated closer โ interwoven into a single, larger hue. As one.
Compatible.
The thought startled her. Where had that come from?
โAre you alright, young Princess?โ Lord Herod asked, brow creased with concern.
โYes. Donโt mind me,โ Emeriel said softly, blinking a few times to clear the haze โ yet the colors remained. She kept her smile warm. โI still canโt believe youโre a Dragaxlov.โ
โYeahโฆ no one does.โ He chuckled self-consciously, scratching the back of his head. โIโm sorry I never told you. Itโs justโฆ a part of my life I never thought would see the light of day again.โ
โThereโs nothing to apologize for,โ she said. โI understand completely. And more than anything, Iโm so glad you chose to step into your legacy. To take on the throne.โ
He smiled back at her. โI never thought I would. Butโฆ your male helped me see a lot more clearly. Now, Iโm actually looking forward to this new phase. I want to give it my best shot.โ
โI know you will,โ Emeriel stated matter-of-factly. โYouโre incredibly determined. I have no doubt youโll pass every test they put in front of you. Youโll finish your training, earn your coronation โ and youโll rule with wisdom.โ She reached out and touched his arm. โI have faith in you, my dear friend.โ
His eyes took on a soft light. โThank you, Emeriel. That means more than I can say.โ
She smiled, waving him off, motioning toward Amie. โHave you met my servant?โ
Lord Herodโs attention returned to Amie.
โAmie.โ Emeriel stepped aside to give him a clear view. โYou havenโt seen her before, have you?โ
โNo.โ His soft eyes remained locked on the girl. โI would have remembered.โ
Amie dipped low into a bow, trying to hide her face, cheeks already a deep scarlet. โMy Lord.โ
โIt is a pleasure to meet you, Amie.โ He stepped forward and offered his hand. โYou are a beautiful flower.โ
The girl hesitated, staring at his hand. Then, carefully, she placed hers in his. โThank you for the generous compliment, my Lord.โ
Huh.
Emeriel still was not sure she understood all that was happening โ but she was beginning to get the idea.