Chapter 23 Let me punish her, Father!
Daevir's POV
I was escorted by guards to the imperial council hall. My fist swung steadily by my side as I tried my best not to show any emotions.
How did they find the portion in the drink? Had they trailed its source? Does father know that I'm poisoning him? Is this a setup? To lure me into the council and then punish me openly?
Father has always been mysterious. He is not one to pull out his cards openly. He watches steadily like a snake in a brush before leaping out and strangling his prey.
Honestly, I don't care what he does to me. He could go ahead and chop off my head if he pleases.
I just don't want him to hurt Amarien.
“Your highness.” A guard called up to me, bringing me back to the room.
We were right at the gates of the imperial council. He gestured me in.
I nodded and walked in.
As I stepped in, my heart leaped in my chest. The emperor wasn't just already seated. Amarien was here! And she was seated by his side.
“Come in, Prince Daevir. Come in.” The emperor said.
All I saw was fear in her eyes. She trembled as she clasped both hands on her thigh. Has she heard something? Does she know something I didn't?
My feet moved before I could process what was happening before me. Everyone on the council was here. Even Zephyr was seated. I remained calm. I am always calm.
And then, in the centre of the room was Basgrid. His giant form was buried in chains. He was on his knees. When he caught sight of me, his eyes swelled in terror.
I got to my seat, right next to the Emperor, and lowered myself to it. As soon as I sat, the proceedings began. I tried hard not to look at Amarien. Though I swear I wanted to.
I wanted to yank her off the emperor’s side and perch her on my side.
“Basgrid Daytan.” One of the councilmen began. “You have been tried for treason. Caught in the act of unruly acts like raising false alarms, destroying court property…and forcing yourself on the emperor's concubine…”
“My little trinket!” The emperor’s growl blazed through the courts like a thunderclap. We all sat there silenced.
I could feel Amarien's trembling through my bones.
Don't be scared, Amarien. Just stay calm.
The emperor sprang up to his feet with a giant sword in his hand. He slowly marched up Basgrid, dragging the sword behind him. “I thought a little sick break would spare me some troubles. I thought all I had to do was shut the world out and enjoy my little bride.”
The sword screeched painfully on the marble floor as he dragged it behind him, making the room unsettled than it was before.
Despite the tension, the emperor spoke softly. Too softly. An untrained mind will think his tone meant virtue, and he was handling this matter as calmly as he could.
But this isn't the Emperor being calm, this is him being furious. Father has always been a subtle man. A man who tucks his fury in a billowing robe so his prey won't suspect a thing.
Being relieved in this situation will be just as foolish as being calm in a lion's den.
“Being an emperor is hard enough. I've had to oversee wars, occupations, territories I've not even touched yet. My only request from all you cunts is a hint of loyalty!” He pointed at each of us. And then slowly his gaze returns to Basgrid, whom he now stands before.
“Oh, Basgrid. Who would have thought you shared my taste in women…”
“Your highness…I…” Basgrid protested, but the emperor barely acknowledged him as he went on talking.
“And instead of Basgrid here trying his luck to hunt down his own little mouse that he so desires, he instead came for what is mine. My little trinket.” He pointed at Amarien, who shook at the attention of the whole room on her.
I could have lunged up to my feet and grabbed her. I wish I could snatch her out of his place where she won't feel any fears again.
“Your highness!” Basgrid screeched, bringing the attention of the room back to himself. “It's not what you think! I will never be disloyal to you! It's not me who has been unfaithful. I have been faithful to you all my life.”
“Is that so?” The emperor sang as he rested on his sword.
Basgrid hesitated. His eyes darted from the sword to me and then to the emperor.
“Forgive me, my lord! I have failed you!” Basgrid lowered himself to the emperor's feet. “But I have never been disloyal.” His gaze darted up to the emperor. “The only one who has been disloyal to you is your son!”
Basgrid pointed at me. The whole room shook.
Yet.
I remain calm. My gaze did not even flinch once.
The emperor’s gaze darted from me to Basgrid in confusion.
Basgrid didn't wait for a go-ahead. “He’s... he’s one who has been trifling around with your trinket! I've got them compromising in dark rooms and corners! I saw him hold her! Touch her! He cried in her arms like a little child, and she welcomed him like a lost lover!” Basgrid barked hysterically.
“And your concubine.” Basgrid pointed at Amarien, who flinched at his point. “She's the one! She's the one running things. She's the curse in the palace! She has a wolf at her beck and call! She's the beast lurking in the shadows! The one brings discord and chaos! The one plotting father against son, and son against father! She's the mastermind!
I felt my patience slip by the second. Basgrid barked like a mad dog. I clenched my fist, ready to lunge at him at any moment.
“Don't be fooled by her calmness, your majesty. She's more dangerous than you think! She killed her own mother! She'll kill you, your majesty! She'll be the end of us all!”
In a quick flash, the emperor raised his sword and slashed Basgrid's head off. It was so quick and fast that his blood spilled everywhere.
A sharp, shrill cry rang through the council. It was Amarien.
I found the courage to turn to her, and the terror in her eyes broke my heart.
She had Basgrid blood splashed on her face, her skin was pale like she had lost all her blood to fear, and she was trembling, trembling as if she could combust at any moment.
Basgrid’s head rolled down the council room to the door. He fell limp, and he collapsed to the floor.
Everyone in the room was shaken. No one has seen the emperor wield a sword like this before. No one has seen him this violent before. Father looked even angrier than ever. Like his anger would never be satiated, even by Basgrid's blood spilled publicly.
And then, suddenly, the emperor turned his bloodied sword to Amarien as she trembled beneath the weight of it all.
His bloodshot eyes fixed on her with maddened intensity.
“You're next,” He spat.