Chapter 24 “I know what you did son.”
Daevir's POV
The Emperor's sword gritted on the floor as he matched towards Amarien.
Is he that crazy?! Will he really make a massacre because of his jealousy?
But Emperor Darian was unrelenting. Despite tears pooling down Amarien's eyes and her trembling like a fish out of water, his maddened gaze never felt once.
He was going to kill her. And he'll do it in front of everyone.
“Father!”
I shot up to my feet, standing between the Emperor and Amarien.
For a moment, I saw a flicker in his eyes.
“Why are you standing in my way, son?” His low growl was even more terrifying up close.
“What satisfaction will you get with your little trinket dead?” Saying the words ‘little trinket’ made me want to stab myself in the throat. But I had to play along.
“Surely it will be a waste to butcher her like a dog when you've not even…touched her yet.”
I hate myself. But I have to focus!
“You don't even know how fine she is, yet…”
I chose my words carefully. The last thing I want to do is tell the emperor it wasn't Amarien's fault that Basgrid tried to rape her.
An outsider will think, Why should that be outrageous when it's true? Well, because women are blamed for literally anything a man does here.
It's sickening. But I'm not the emperor, and I don't have a bloody giant sword at hand, so I can't change it. Saying anything that father doesn't agree with will only undermine his judgment and anger him the more.
It kills me to have to play pretend, but this is the only way I can save Amarien from that bloody sword.
“Now that you mention that. I indeed haven't tasted of her sweetness.” The emperor’s eyes darted to Amarien as he slowly licked his lips lustfully.
“Your judgment is indeed true, Father.” I bowed stiffly. “And you have done sufficient today.” I lifted my head. “I will send a call through the palace walls speaking of the emperor’s swift, bloody judgment, so the praise and fear of you will ring about all your territories.”
The emperor chuttled as he slapped my shoulders in approval. “Ah, son. You do know how to get on my good side. That's a good one! At least, I won't be known as the wrinkly, sickly emperor who can't wield a sword while his son wins all his battles for him.”
I nodded, avoiding Amarien's eyes.
It kills me to have her see that this monster is my father.
I don't even know which is worse: dying instantly at the swing of a sword for a crime you didn't commit, or being mercilessly raped by a powerful man you can't stand.
I would die before I let the latter happen to her.
“Well then,” The emperor shook my shoulder, bringing me back to the room. He suddenly seemed excited about the prospect of Amarien being alive for his pleasures.
“I will spare her this once.”
The whole council heaved a sigh of relief. No one wants to see a little girl die horribly because of the actions of an older man.
“But not without punishment. I want her beaten with whips and locked in her room for ten weeks for catching the eye of my guard.”
“Let me preside over the punishment, Father.” I stepped forward quickly. “It…it's been a while since I have proceeded over cases like this. Wielding a sword in battle has taught me so little. I intend to learn judgment and punishment from your examples, father.” I bowed again.
The emperor stood there frozen.
Had I said something wrong? My heart thumped loudly in my chest.
Suddenly, he dropped his giant sword before me, grabbed my shoulders, and shoved me up, so I matched his eyes.
“I know what you did, son.” He said, his voice low and fixed.
Every hair on my skin pricked at that moment. I froze, yet my hands trembled.
“I know…” he continued. “I know you've always looked up to me.”
I shut my eyes. I felt my lungs give out a rush of relief.
“Despite being the best warrior in the kingdom, you humble yourself enough to call me father and serve me as a son.” He parted my back again. His eyes were teary and proud.
I lowered my gaze.
Shame.
I felt shame.
Shame that I called this man father. And shame that I tried to kill my father.
“Anyways!” The emperor whipped around, his joyful demeanor returning. “While my son escorts the concubine to her room and has her punished. I'll be visiting her tonight.” His gaze returns to Amarien, gazing at her with such predatory intensity.
“It's time I take a look at you, Amarien.” He said. “And this time, I promise I won't just be staring.”