13 First talk
It took even more time to the young woman to come back to reality and for her to answer, so much her amazement was great and unprecedented.
- Isn't it up to you to introduce yourself first? Put she finally retort.
- I saved your life, so it is my prerogative to ask questions.
- I am the guest and the victim in your great empire, so it's my place to ask the questions. Besides, I didn't allow you to call me by my first name.
The prince rolled his eyes, feeling his insides contract with powerful emotions that were heartbreaking and complex, but with certainty, had nothing to do with tenderness.
- A stranger, of course. Because in this empire, no one would ever have the audacity to answer me and especially not like this. And to make it clear to you from the start, I never call anyone by their first name.
- Of course not. I can easily guess that. But could you tell me why?
- A girl as perceptive as you should be able to guess it, shouldn't you ?
Sensing the sharp irony beneath the light words, Ivy couldn't help but provoke him.
- Perceptive? she said with feigned enthusiasm. I am. But you have to realize that you don't need to be perceptive to guess what you are. You are a noble, at least a guardian, and at the top of the hierarchy, or at least around it. A powerful and rich being, unerringly believing himself to be born superior. And I can easily guess that you judge and punish with your unbearable smugness and great powers all those who do not play by your rules or disobey you in the way you demand.
Although the sharp words could not be described as truly flattering, the prince could not help but admire and at the same time be deeply annoyed by this young woman whose white skin, highlighted by her midnight blue suit, took on an even more unreal pallor in the starlight. And at this moment, he did not know what he wanted to do with her. Or rather, he knew it, even very well, too well. Anger had invaded him with force, but it was hunger that dominated everything. This hunger so terrible and that this woman would not understand, even if she was the object of it.
- You deny it? she asked defiantly, feeling in spite of her this feeling of terrifying, unimaginable greed which emanated from the royal creature, but which she tried with all her being to ignore..
- Of course not. he said nonchalantly. I would never deny the truth.
- How sanctimonious.
- Yes, isn't it? But anyway, let's move on, now I would like to know your name and the reason for your presence in my Empire.
After a slight hesitation, Ivy finally agreed to answer.
- Very well. She sighed discreetly, after a time of reflection. As you so precisely pointed out, having saved my life gives you all the rights, I will tell you who I am. My name is Ivy Kaltan, a third year student in the rare creature specialization. So logically, I came here to your Empire precisely to study them as much as possible. Does that satisfy you, my lord?
- No, not at all.
Ivy rolled her eyes, clearly showing her annoyance.
- Of course not! Why do I even ask. Someone like you would never be satisfied with so little. To the point of wondering if anything was ever complete enough to satisfy you.
The beast's face seemed to have become distorted and its eyes veiled by a deep darkness. Probably deeper than anything this empire could ever truly contain.
- No one was ever stupid enough to come and ask me.
Stunned, Ivy could only smile.
- I see. If you're like that, I wonder how your sovereign can be.
- Sovereign?
- Yes, the one who is, I can easily guess with simply unlimited smugness, at the top of the hierarchy of the Vaegos empire.
- And then?
- So nothing, because I doubt very much that he could be more arrogant than you. Anyway, may I know your name in turn, my savior?
The prince was silent for a moment before shaking his head to indicate his refusal of what she had asked.
- My name is secret. But to make things easier, you can call me Zion.
- Zion? A very snobbish name, but I wouldn't expect anything less.
- And now ...
But before the prince could finish his sentence, Ivy closed her eyes and fell weakly to the destroyed floor, but before she lost consciousness, she had time to murmur almost dreamily.
"So it was you, the terrible presence, so ominous who had saved me the first time."
