Gam 20

Chapter 20 

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Natalia felt her knees give out, and her weak body collapsed against the marble flooring of the courtroom. A heavy silence stretched in the room as the members of the court council murmured as they got up from their prostrated state. They were startled by the emperor’s sudden outburst, all eyes reeled in his direction. 

Azmaveth’s eyes were a glowing red color, casting a terrifying glow as he glowered at them. They were swept with dread as everyone froze, trembling in their boots, because the air around the emperor had lifted. And he now reeked of death. 

By no mistake should any of them annoy him, or their heads might fly. 

“Pardon us, your majesty,” Sarkan muttered as he fell to his knees; the rest of the council members did the same. “We didn’t intend to offend you.” 

“As you can see, I am still within my capacity to make decisions for myself,” He sneered, his thunderous voice bounced across the walls, resonating in both the room and in their minds. “You shall no longer speak regarding the human princess.” 

“As you wish, your majesty,” Sarkan answered his head lowered, sweat glistening on his temple and falling into the ground. 

“I have made an exception of the law for the human princess,” He then proceeded, his voice still beaming with regal authority. “She will be allowed to summon me if she pleases.” 

“Yes, My Lord. We understand.” 

He lifted his fingers slightly, and almost immediately, the pressure in the room began to clear, and Draven felt his throat open, and air gushed in. Almost as though he had been holding his breath throughout the conversation. 

He coughed slightly, choking on the air as they rushed in, his teary eyes lifted and they met with Erevan, who had the same expression. 

“You may all leave.” He ordered and they scampered up, everyone else clearing out of the court room. Leaving the emperor with Natalia who seemed to have fainted. 

“Are you okay?” Erevan asked his colleague, who had a pale countenance and was staggering. He rushed towards him and stood by his side to assist him. Draven felt his legs shaking, about to give out again. 

“You’re bleeding,” He noticed as he searched through his pocket for a cloth, and he helped him wipe his bloodied nose. 

“I am fine.” Draven shook again, “It’s just that I felt the emperor’s presence in my mind.” 

Yeah, they all felt it, but Draven wasn’t as strong as the other; he lacked agility. 

“This is all your fault!” Azarok came towards them, his eyes booming with anger and hatred. “How dare you have a different opinion from the rest of us?” 

“The reason we are council is because we need to speak to the emperor in one voice.” He rasped again. “We 

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should find a way to have you removed.” 

“Uncle,” Erevan defended as he held Draven closely to him. “It’s not his fault; whatever happened was the emperor’s will.” 

“This is because of you, you keep supporting his outrageous claims.” Azarok snapped. “Just so you know, the entire council is unhappy with you two.” 

“I am only doing as I was told,” Draven muttered, coughing slightly, “If you are unhappy with me, it means you are unhappy with the emperor.” 

Their faces remained sour. 

“That is not how to talk to elders!” Sarkan spat. “Because the emperor seems to recognize you, doesn’t mean you can do as you please.” 

“Then you can take this as advise from your juniors, I implore you not to anger his majesty any further.” He begged, but they said nothing but the scowl remained on their faces, in anger, and without anything to say, they stormed away. 

Erevan let out a sigh, The council elders were always so intimidating and scary. They had been threatened by the emperor and now by their fellow council members. Just how much can two young dragons take in one day? 

“Why did you defend me?” Draven asked as he leaned into the support of his friend, Erevan simply shrugged as they both walked away. “Azarok is your uncle, he might not forgive you for a long time.” 

“Even though he had talked to the emperor before I was given this position, he can’t take it away from me,” Erevan remarked softly. “Perhaps, I want to put your theory to the test.” 

“My theory?” Draven’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. 

“You did say that the solution to breaking the emperor’s curse might be in this human woman.” He continued with a slight smile. “I thought you were saying rubbish, but seeing just how much the emperor regards this girl, I am starting to believe it is true.” 

“You said I was crazy.” Draven reminded him, and Erevan chuckled, nodding his head. 

“I know, but it seems like we are the crazy ones for not seeing it.” He tapped him. “I am going to protect you and defend you like this.” 

“Because of this theory?” Draven wondered, “You know it might still be a guess, the emperor is sneaky, who knows if he just wants to play with her, and I am just being too hopeful.” 

“No, I am doing this because you are my friend.” 

A small smile appeared on Draven’s face, They had simply gotten close because they were of the same age. The first young dragon to ever be admitted to the council, Erevan had been recommended to the council by his uncle, Azarok. He was skilled in combat, a very agile black dragon. Draven, on the other hand, was recommended by the royal physician, and as a means of appreciation for his services, the emperor decided to listen to him. 

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Chapter 20 

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Draven wasn’t all that good in combat, he was a scholar, and graduated out of the academy with the highest 

score. 

He is a strategist. An indispensable one. 

“Then I will trust you to watch my back.” Draven grinned. 

Azmaveth squatted in front of the unconscious princess. He could have called for someone to take her away, back to her chambers, but for some reason, he wanted to watch her. 

He couldn’t believe such beauty existed in the world until he saw it himself, he reached for her face, but before he could touch the soft fair skin of her cheeks, her green eyes fluttered open. 

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Chapter 21