Chapter 19 “You will strip now and let me have my way with you!”
Amarien’s POV
“It's not what you think!” I said with trembling lips and tears in my eyes. “Prince Daevir and I are nothing but friends!”
“Friends, you stay?” Basgrid whined sarcastically. “I don't see friends cornering themselves in the shadows, holding each other so tight like they'll never see the light of tomorrow.”
I shook my head vehemently. “I will never be unfaithful to the emperor. I serve him with all my heart.”
“Yeah, right, you serve him and his son, you little slut,” Basgrid scoffed.
“Don't you dare call me that!” I screeched back.
Where was this audacity coming from? I had never screamed at my peers before, not to mention one of the strongest muscular men in the kingdom.
But I didn't care. I have been broken so much today that all that's left of me is anger. My fist tightened like I was ready to take Basgrid head on.
Basgrid gaze swipes through me. He watched my defiance and was amused by it. For a moment, his eyes remained fixed on me like he was looking for a crack of fear.
Maybe he thinks I'll fall to my face and cry, begging him like any concubine in my position will do. After all, Prince Daevir won't be the one to be punished; I will bear the weight of all punishments.
The palace doesn't forgive an unfaithful concubine. So I won't let Basgrid bully me into such false accusations.
Call me a thief! That's fine. I'll take the whips. I'll gladly be punished.
But don't you dare call me unfaithful. All I did was comfort my friend, Daevir. All I was was an arm he could cry on.
I had no chance to process all my angry thoughts when Basgrid suddenly threw his head back and burst out laughing.
He laughed so hard it shook the walls of the room. His long laugh almost shook me up, but I stood my ground.
His laugh suddenly came to an abrupt end, and I saw that unsettling flicker again.
“You're one feisty little mouse, Amarien. It's good to see you have a feisty side, ahn.”
I swallowed. It was just me alone in the room with the giant man, standing at the door.
“You're right about not being a slut. I know that because I've had my eyes on you the moment you walked in here.” Basgrid stepped closer to me, taking even more space in my room. “I know how scared you are, how tender…” He raised his palm to brush my cheeks, but I flinched, getting my face off his touch.
He scoffed at my attempt. His face suddenly morphed into a frown.
“But you're naive and stupid, Amarien. What do you think people will say when they see you and the Prince locked up in a corner? What rumours do you think will spring forth from your delicate meeting with your friend?” Basgrid towered over me as he scolded.
“You think you can just play around with any man and call it all innocent and harmless. No, you can't, stupid girl! You're already vulnerable now that the emperor has his eyes on you. It's only a matter of time before your fellow concubines look for a reason to get his eyes off you. A rumour of an affair will be a good start. And I tell you, Amarien, you're making it way too easy for them to take you down.”
His words sank into my head like silk in rain.
He was right!
What was I thinking, holding on to Daevir like we were nothing but friends? The thought of an affair with Daevir shook me up.
I've never had such thoughts before!
I don't even think he sees me that way!
He had other pretty women of the courts that could catch his eye and warm his bed. I…I would never be in that category.
I indeed acted stupidly, and Basgrid is right.
Seeing, I was soaking up his words. Basgrid nodded like he was glad he finally got my attention in the way he wanted.
“I've n…never thought of things that way before,” I muttered.
Basgrid nodded like he understood my carelessness. “How could you? You're nothing but a child?” Basgrid hovered around me, circling me.
“If that's the case. Then I apologize.” I said when he finally stopped before me. “I acted foolishly, and I'd watch my conduct with the prince in my next interactions.”
Basgrid chuttled. “Not so fast now, Amarien.” His hand brushed my chin. “I can't let you off that easily…not when I swore my loyalty to the emperor.”
The feeling of unsettleness resumed.
“You're not going to tell him, are you?”
Basgrid sighed like he was helpless in this situation. “It's my duty, Amarien.”
My heart resumed beating fast. I swallowed, trying to still myself. “But when he hears it, he will be forgiving, knowing nothing went on between his son and me, right?”
Basgrid sighed helplessly again. “I'm afraid not, Amarien. You see, the Emperor is very, very jealous. He hates when his little trinkets are tampered with…” Basgrid held my chin again.
“But he knows I won't do that with his son. I mean, it's…”
Basgrid slammed his arm into a table, shocking me to my core. “Don't act naive, Amarien! No one shows mercy here! You'll be dead the moment he finds out!”
Silence.
I stood there frozen.
Seeing what he did, Basgrid forced a sly smirk and leaned even closer. “But…, maybe I could help you.”
My eyes found Basgrid again. This time, desperately. “Really?”
Basgrid nodded.
“Please, I'll do anything. You can't tell the emperor!”
Basgrid nodded in approval, like he had been waiting for me to say this all day.
“It's very simple, Amarien.” He brushed my chin again. “All you have to do is quench my urges for you.”
My eyes widen. “You don't mean?”
“Now don't act all naive now.” Basgrid leaned in so much that his shadow obscured all the light in the room. “You will strip now and let me have my way with you!”