Confrontation

"I find it hard to believe that you were truly unaware of Princess Valerie's actions, Your Majesty."

"Oh? And why do you say so?" Emperor William leaned back into the large throne, gazing down upon a kneeling Duke Devland.

Currently, they were situated in the palace's grand throne room. Because Emperor William had refused to see the Duke so late at night, he was here first thing in the morning after the morning duties. Even after being rejected once again, the Duke had stubbornly persisted so much so that the Emperor had finally relented and granted him an audience.

This was the first time the pair had met in person after the ball a few nights ago. Actually, the Duke's presence was rather unexpected. Even the Emperor himself did not know that he had come back after leaving so quickly after the ball. Had Princess Valerie known this, she would have never gone through with her plan.

Azriel's lips pressed into a thin line. He would rather not play this game but he had no choice. Last night's incident had severely crossed the line and the only thing that stopped him from beheading the main culprit was her blood relations to the man in front of him.

"There is not a single thing within these palace walls that Your Majesty is unaware of. Moreover, Princess Valerie would never act without your approval."

"My dear sister is simply stubborn." William counters, his chin resting on the palm of his hand as if he were bored. "You are aware of the hardships of her life. She was stifled at such a young age that it is only right that I, as her elder brother, indulge her a bit."

"Your indulgence could have led to something detrimental occurring at Dione's expense. Regardless of the friendship between us, Your Majesty, this is something that I cannot overlook. "

William chuckled dryly, his expression dark. "Something you cannot overlook? Are you really willing to allow some woman you've just met to come between the three of us like this? Azriel, as your friend I would advise you to rethink this before you go down a path where only destruction awaits."

"A friend would not use their friend's weaknesses against them."

"A dog's loyalty would be unwavering - it would not betray its master."

The temperature of the throne room dropped tremendously. Had there been anyone else in the room with them, they would have long dropped to their knees from the sheer pressure of the two men's auras as they locked in confrontation, both unwilling to back down.

"I won the war and brought you honor so that you could further solidify your position on the throne. I've killed and suppressed those who spoke against you. I have done everything that you have asked of me and more." The Duke's voice was heavy, the firmness in his voice unwavering. "What I will not do, though is allow you to control who I love and the children I have not even sired yet."

Part of the reason the Emperor was so adamant about Duke Devland marrying Princess Valerie was because of the control he could have over him. Princess Valerie would become another weakness and the children they would have together would naturally be his kin.

Emperor William sought to do something no Emperor in the history of the Salian Empire could make possible - make the Devland family his.

"Hm...so you love Princess Dione?"

"As long as the Gods claim it so, she is just a means to an end." The lie rolled off his tongue so easily that even he almost believed it.

William laughed without mirth. "And here I thought you had gained yourself another Achilles heel. You should be careful, Azriel. It would do you well to remember the reason you have been able to live so long As far as I'm concerned, I am your God."

The Emperor stands, descending down the stairs with long, slow strides. He exuded arrogance, much like the words he had just spoken.

When he reaches the last step, he pulls a small bag from his back and tosses it down at Azriel who is still in his kneeling position.

"That's right, I wonder how you were able to survive so long without it. Surely it must have been an agonizing hell for you. I half expected you to come crawling back on your hands and knees begging for mercy you do not deserve, not playing the hero for a bastard child."

While Azriel does not answer the Emperor's obvious provocation, his jaw clenches visibly. William's eyes glistened with a hint of mockery, his lips tilting up into a small arc of cruelty. He wholeheartedly enjoyed the hold he held over others.

William did not mind the silence from Azriel and spoke again, "I do not need my sword dying so pathetically. If you do not wish to marry Princess Valerie then so be it. Because of our history, I will overlook your insolence this once but keep in mind that I do not sustain the lives of dogs who bite their owners. You're dismissed."

Azriel's hand clenched the bag tightly, a fire burning in his eyes. What he desired most in this world was to kill that arrogant bastard upon the throne with his bare hands. He no longer wished to play this tug-of-war of power between William - not with the safety of Dione now hanging in the middle.

The dull throbbing in his chest brought him back to his senses.

For now, at least, he would have to play along. For both of their sakes.

—————

A while later, Duke Devland sat across from a pale-faced Princess Dione.

She had awoken not that long ago, still a bit disoriented, and was being evaluated by a palace doctor.

"Her Highness is fine," Samuel, the doctor, informed. He removed his hand from her wrist, jotting down a prescription on a small sheet of paper. "It seems that she just went into shock yesterday but it's nothing to be concerned about. Just in case, I am recommending that she takes this medicine once a day for two weeks."

Azriel let out a breath of relief.

"However, I recommend that Her Highness avoids…bloody scenes from now on. Women do not have the same capacity as men." As Samuel spoke, he looked pointedly at the Duke.

There was not a single person in the palace who did not know what he was referring to.

Last night, as Princess Dione was admiring her mother's flower garden, the Marquess had attacked her. He simply could not accept the fact that she was now engaged to Duke Devland and wished to sully her innocence so that she would have no choice but to be his bride once again.

Luckily, the Duke had arrived in the nick of time like a knight in shining armor. He truly lived up to his reputation, directly cutting off both hands of the lustful Marquess Neil. Had Princess Dione not fainted, he would have not stopped until there was not a limb attached the the Marquess' body.

Dione felt a wave of nausea coming on just from recalling that awful scene. Her face turned an even paler color, drawing the attention of the two men.