Chapter 18
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Chapter 18
“I think it’s a good start.” Erevan advised as he followed his friend, Draven, along the palace corridors. “You have just won the emperor’s trust.”
“No, I think this is a death sentence, you know how easy it is to lose his trust.” Draven declared, he had been fidgeting, and his palms were sweating, and his entire body was visibly shaking. “I think I should turn down his request.”
“You mean turn down the orders of the emperor, wouldn’t that get you killed faster?” He muttered with a tint of mockery in his voice. “Draven, you are brave. The first one to ever go against my uncle in court, and I want to be like you. This is not going to be as hard as you think.”
“You know I am clumsy,” Draven shook as he spoke. “I don’t even know how to talk to a human.”
“You don’t have to talk to her as a human, just look at her like a female dragon,” Erevan advised with another smile, but even so, Draven hadn’t spoken to any other female dragon except his mother. How was he supposed to handle her? And she wasn’t just any random female, she is one the emperor is interested in. Any small mistake and he would be a dead dragon. “Besides, you have got me to help you every step of the way, there is no need for you to be afraid.”
He sucked in a deep breath as he tried to calm himself down, this was the first time, the emperor had ever appointed them to do more than their civic duties and more so, a younger dragon.
Since Draven was the one who was bold enough to suggest that the human girl be spared, the emperor had kept him in charge of her welfare until further notice.
“What do you think she would need first?” Erevan muttered.
“Um…” Draven stroked underneath his jaw as he thought about it deeply. “An attendant, one we can trust. Someone who would help her without prejudice.”
“But isn’t Kalida in charge of the women of the harem?” Erevan questioned, and Draven nodded in agreement. “There is only one woman in the harem, I am sure Kalida can take care of her.”
“No, Kalida is a proud dragon; she also shares the same views as the elders and the other council members. She won’t be fair to the girl, I would hate it if she were being mistreated underneath my nose.” And then Erevan nodded in agreement, one of his hands underneath his jaw, stroking his chin softly.
“I think I know someone. My cousin Darkorta is looking for a job.” He announced, and Draven nodded. Since he trusted his friend, even with his life.
***
Draven stepped into the chambers of the empress, his long flowing robe dragging along as he stepped inside. His heart raced in his chest, this was the first time he would be having a conversation with a non–dragon female,
The emperor’s woman.
“Greetings,” Some of the maids in the room noticed his silk robe that had silver threading and then greeted
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Chapter 18
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him. Only members of high social status wore silver threading, and gold threading belonged to the emperor and every other member of the royal family.
“Greetings.” He muttered back, his forehead swept with sweat, but he had no intentions of showing his nervousness. His eyes met the fierce green eyes of the princess who sat on the bed like a wounded animal.
One is waiting to attack.
“Greetings, my lady.” He neared her on the bed, “My name is Draven Embervain, his majesty, and the emperor just assigned me to be your caretaker.” His voice was loud and clear as he announced. “I will be in charge of everything you might need. I know you might be a little worried since I am a man, but don’t worry, I have brought a medium of communication as well.”
Natalia glared at the trembling dragon, a little uninterested in whatever he had to say, and then Draven stretched his hands, and a lady with long dark hair and red glowing eyes came inside the room with her head lowered.
“Good day, Your Grace.” Her head remained lowered.
“This is Darkorta, your new personal hand maiden.” Draven introduced, and Natalia rolled her eyes. “She will be in charge of your personal affairs. I will take my time to find a seasoned etiquette teacher who would teach you the customs and traditions of the palace and dragons.”
There was a soft quietness in the room; for some reason, Draven felt the weight that settled on him lift.
“Also, in the meantime, you should be informed that the seamstress will be coming to the palace tomorrow to take your measurements. We need to make you some new dresses.” He sucked in a deep breath. “That would be all. Is there anything you need?”
“I want to see the emperor.” She muttered, and Draven felt his heart stop in his chest. “Can you tell him to come?”
It was his first day at the job, and then she was sending him on an errand of no return? He shut his eyes tightly, he should have refused the job.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” She questioned again.
“Pardon me, my lady,” he said with a polite bow, and once again his eyes locked, but this time seriously. “I will have to refuse your request.”
“Why?” Her nose scrunched up in disgust, her hands clenched almost as if she was ready to hear one more nonsense they were about to blurt.
“It is disrespectful to summon the emperor; if anything, you are expected to request to see him,” He muttered. “Such a blasphemous act is usually punished by 15 strokes to the bottom.”
Natalia burst into laughter.
“Is the emperor planning on canning me when he promised to court me fairly and according to my tradition?” She wondered, her voice lowered, and then it became a growl. “Tell the emperor, I will never request to see him. He has to be the one to come here.”
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Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
