Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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“If you want to fight for your honor, then I, Princess Griselda Ayala of the Green Shade Tribe, challenge you, the emperor of the dragon lairs, to a duel!”
As soon as the words escaped Natalia’s lips, the silence that followed her declaration was loud, and only the wind dared to speak. The men beside the emperor stood still with horror etched on their faces, some of them had a look of shock mixed with pity.
Her jaw clenched so tight it ached, and her heart pounded against her ribs fearfully, but her gaze stayed locked on the emperor.
He showed nothing.
No emotions, just nothing.
There was no stopping her now, even if she was going to die in this duel, she would make sure she protected her sister’s dignity and the rest of her people.
“No…” Izaiah muttered, his voice low as he dropped to his face, hot tears welled from his eyes, he was filled with a sudden sense of déjà vu, and he could remember clearly how his wife had died in battle.
While she was trying to protect him, just the way Natalia was trying to protect her sister. He loved both of his daughters dearly, but he just couldn’t go along with her plan… it was suicide. He wanted to stop her, scream sense into her, and drag her away if he had to. But Natalia was already watching him, her eyes gentle but firm; she could sense her father’s fear, and she wanted to give Josiah more time to take her sister far away from here.
“Father, I beg you.” She muttered. “Trust me, whatever happens here today is the will of the goddess, please don’t interfere.”
Before he could respond, a harsh voice shattered the moment.
“Who do you think you are to challenge the Emperor to a duel?”
One of the emperor’s men surged forward, fury blazing in his eyes. His hand clutched the hilt of his dagger as he stormed toward her. Natalia’s gaze snapped to him, ice–cold and daring.
It would seem like they won’t even let her proceed with this duel.
“There are hundreds of men who wouldn’t even look him in the eye–and you dare? What guts you have!”
He closed the distance, his arm raised to strike her.
“Erebus…” The emperor’s voice suddenly rang out, and the soldier stopped before his hands could reach her. “Do you think there is anything wrong with the challenge?”
“Your Majesty!” The man whose name is Erebus fell to his knees immediately. “She is nothing but a worthless human woman, someone who is dirt beneath your feet, whose existence is merely an insult to your greatness. How dare someone like her?”
11:03 Tue, Sep 16
Chapter 6
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The emperor nodded slightly, acknowledging his soldier’s rage. Yes, this was how he should feel. Disrespected. Mocked. This hot–blooded princess had challenged him before the eyes of his men and told him to fight for his honor. And oddly, he felt no rage. No urge to tear her head off.
“Princess,” He muttered suddenly, his red eyes flickering back to her. “Do you understand the gravity of what you are asking me?”
The Emperor asked again to be sure she won’t regret her decision.
“I am a warrior, I fight as long as it’s fair. However, this battle won’t be fair since you are exceptionally outmatched. Do you still agree?”
The men gasped, their faces all distorted in perplexity; never in a thousand years did they believe the emperor would accept such a silly duel. Erebus stepped away with his head lowered in submission. He had stepped in to put the girl out of her misery by killing her, but it seemed like the Emperor wanted to have fun first before he killed her.
“What is he doing?” Draven asked Erevan curiously. “If he is going to accept the duel, then that means-”
“She would be publicly executed…” Erevan finished for him, with a sour look as well. The princess was indeed fair and pretty, yet he could imagine the way that lovely body would fall apart after the duel. “…In the most gruesome way possible.”
“I don’t think I can watch this…” Draven muttered as he turned away.
“Apart from the fact that I am a man, and you are a woman,” The emperor proceeded with his explanation. “I am no ordinary man, I come from the descent of the black dragon. A thousand men put together could never beat me in a duel.”
Natalia trembled lightly, but she wasn’t going to back down, as the princess of the tribe, she had to make a sacrifice for the good of her people. Bowing her head down in defeat now would only mean one thing.
The emperor had won.
“Princess!” Some of the clan’s men shouted, in wailing voices, begging her not to fight.
“Yes, I understand,” Natalia answered. “But before we start, I would like you to hear my condition.”
The upper lip of the emperor curved into a taunting smirk, and he nodded his head, giving her permission to speak.
“If I win, I want you to leave the tribe, after you have paid for the damages and also apologized to my father and my people for the fear you put in them.” She answered, and all of a sudden, the emperor burst into mocking laughter. He liked that she was bold, but it would be delusional for her to assume that she would even win.
“And if I win?” He questioned, raising a sharp brow, she sighed slowly as if she had been defeated already. “What would happen?”
“Then you can execute me publicly for my insolence, but then I ask you to have mercy and spare my people.” She continued. “If I were to lose, then I would pay for the disrespect with my life,”
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Chapter 6
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He nodded his head again.
“I wish someone could stop her,” Erevan muttered, his fist closed tightly.
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“She would be a good leader if she were a man,” Azarok muttered to his subordinate as he patted his beard. “Everything she was asking for was for the benefit of her people. She was born a human but has the heart of a dragon. That’s a commendable princess.”
“I agree,” Kharvax muttered, but no signs of impression in his dark eyes. “But its still foolish to take on the emperor; she could have begged for their lives instead. Now she would die worthlessly.”
“If those are your conditions, then I, Azmaveth Thalrion, accept the princess’s challenge.”
11:03 Tue, Sep 16
Chapter 7
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.
