54 _ Defiance.

Ever since her previous confrontation with Dai Fang , Mizuki had not been summoned by him. He had made sure that she had been locked in her chambers for daring to rebuke him and the only person she could interact with was one other of his enslaved servants he ordered to be in charge of delivering food to her door.

Back at the Yang residence , she had a beautifully adorned Chamber with all the necessities a young girl could require and her bed sheets and covers made of the softest silk imagined but here she was made to sleep bare , only the cold , hard floor as her comfort. Mizuki detestedy living in such humiliating conditions . He watched her every move constantly and treated her like a pest! It was so debasing on the amount of control he had over her and she was powerless in doing anything about it.

She opened her hands and brought the object concealed in them, up to eye view. It was the blade that had been lodged in Dai Fang's chest. Mizuki examined it closely. It must surely contain magical properties for it to have been able to do damage to the Devil King.

This may have its use in the future, She thought and soon a knock was heaerd on the door. Swiftly, Mizuki secreted the shard in a small enough crack located in the wall. The door instantly opened and there came in a maidservant . She possesed an impassive smile on her face, clothed in a green and white robe. Her hair was knotted into a bun and she interlaced her fingers infront of her as she bowed.

Her name was Nucai and she was the illegitimate Child of the Lao , Military Commander in charge of warfare. She was born to him by a Courtesan but not wanting to tarnish his reputation , Lao Xinyen refused to acknowledge or accept her into his family name and bloodline and her life was regarded as worthless as her name meant.

Her father had given her to the Devil King in exchange for his assistance to conquer a formidable enemy and defeat all armies in battle. Dai Fang had not reneged on his promise and Nucai was taken back with him to the Forbidden Palace to serve and wait on him.

She bent forward at the waist , lowering her head in a gesture of respect before she open her mouth to speak. "Master Dai Fang demands your presence this evening in the Dining Hall."

"I decline." Mizuki shook her head ruefully as she looked away.

"But M...Mistress , The Devil King himself, has requested for your presence. You can not refuse." The girl stammered.

"Tell 'Your Master' in my exact words that I shall not grace him with my presence and there is nothing more to be said about it. You may take your leave now."

Nucai , who could do nothing about it bowed once again and departing , fearing the reaction of Dai Fang when he heard of such impudence.

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"WHAT!"

"I am sorry my Lord , but on explicit terms did The Lady Mizuki refuse to dine with you ." Nucai explained trembling as Dai Fang paced about the Hall.

"That ungrateful mortal. " He snarled. "I save her , spare her life, feeds her and she still has the effrontry to deny my demands?!" His body seethed as he tightened his grip on a metal staff in his grasp which slowly melted into a pile of liquid molten on the ground. Nucai knew his temper would only get worse from here as his inner beast had been unleashed.

"Take her back to the dungeons." He shouted at Nucai who took a few steps back for good measure , lest he melt her into nothingness. "My good will towards her has been mistaken for weakness. I want her to know that I am not one to be refused or mispoken to. Starve her for as long as it takes till she begs to dine in my presence, Do you understand Nucai?!"

"Yes, My Lord.' She replied and did as she was bidden and with this Mizuki Yang returned to the dungeons. Dai Fang expected to hear news of her compromise , that she was willing to come into his presence but on the second day ....

Nothing.

And in the third , The fourth , The fifth,

Also Nothing.

Frustrated at this raw deal at his hands , he summoned another one of his servants who immediately responded to his beckon.

"What of Mizuki Yang?" He queried as sat in a meditative pose as he Cultivated his essential spirit , gradually feeling his Cultivation base rising.

"She has remained the same way we had last left her five days ago and has refused to take in anything we offer her , My Lord."

"What an Insolent girl."Still , He was impressed by her resilience and endurance but in the end he always had his way.

He was not the Devil King for Nothing.

"I want Mizuki Yang to be informed that if she refused to accept my invitation to dinner , each hour she keeps me waiting , A servant shall be killed until she regains her senses."

"Killed, My Lord?" The servant repeated totally petrified.

"Yes Slave. And Do not leave any word out."Dai Fang continued , submerged in his meditation.

Some minutes later, he was notified that Mizuki had given in to his wish and would be ready for him evenfall. The Devil King smiled smugly because it was like he said , at the end...

He always had his way.