The Emperor's Test

Aisha was dumbfounded and could only stare blankly at him. The impatient Archibald pressed both sides of her cheeks with one hand before shoving the meat inside her mouth. Despite his forceful gesture, the hand that touched her was pretty gentle.

"You should eat while you can."

Archibald picked another slice of meat before bringing it in front of her mouth again. He had a deadpan expression all the time, so Aisha couldn't tell what was on his mind.

Thinking back, because she had to maintain her holy power, her meal was strictly monitored, and she was forbidden to eat any kind of meat. She mostly only ate buns, vegetables, or porridge.

After leading an abstinent life for so long, tasting juicy and flavorful food for the first time was an eye-opening experience. She knew she shouldn't, but her mouth automatically chewed on the tender meat in her mouth as her eyes sparkled in delight.

She never knew meat could taste so delicious.

"Are you that happy? Here, another one."

The way Archibald treated her was like he was treating a pet. Aisha felt conflicted, but she couldn't tear her eyes from the meat. Gulping hard, she spoke gently, "Your Majesty, I don't think it's appropriate for a peasant like me to be served by you. Let me serve you instead."

"You are mine. So I will decide what you can and can't do. Now, stop yapping and open your mouth, or no food for you." Archibald uttered impatiently.

Aisha could no longer resist and let him feed her. She could feel people staring at her, but she didn't ask for this to happen either. If Archibald told her to eat, then she had to eat; if he told her to starve, she had to starve herself. There was no room for her opinion.

And after running away for a day without stopping, she was extremely famished and weak. She had to eat to survive, even if that meant eating from her enemy's hand.

Eventually, Aisha finished all the meat that was supposed to be eaten by Archibald. While she was still basking on the heavenly taste on her tongue, Archibald reached out his hand and wiped the remnant of sauce from the corner of her lips.

The gesture was gentle, as his eyes held a deep and unfathomable emotion for her.

Aisha already noticed this, but why did he look at her like that? Wasn't he supposed to hate her? Why did he treat her like this?

It was as if he was trying to treasure her, which should be impossible considering their circumstances.

"Your Majesty?"

Her voice seemed to rouse him from his trance. Archibald quickly withdrew his gaze. "Are you full now?"

"Yes. Thank you very much for the meal."

"Don't rush to thank me just yet. I have another present for you."

Aisha looked up at him and was surprised to see no trace of his previous gentleness on his face. There was only amusement and deep malice.

"It's time. Bring them in!" Archibald ordered his men, and the soldiers immediately scattered to create some space in the field. Soon, there was nothing left in the middle except for the bonfire.

Aisha had a bad feeling about this.

Archibald's smile deepened seeing her uneasy expression. He leaned down and whispered beside her ear. "It's time for you to learn the Empire's customs. In my country, people usually watch an entertaining show after they eat. Aren't you curious about what kind of entertainment I prepared for you?"

Chill ran down her spine when she saw a group of people dragged by some soldiers from behind the tent.

"Hurry up and move! Don't dawdle around!"

Those people had a sack of bags covering their eyes and walked in a line. Their hands were tied in front of their body. The rope was connected to each other, so if one fell, the other would follow suit.

Aisha didn't need to look at their face to notice the garment they were wearing. Those were people from the village!

"Now stop there and kneel! Quickly!"

Men and women of various ages were forced to kneel in front of them. Aisha could hear their sobs from where she sat.

Her facial color turned ashen as she finally realized what was happening.

"That was a nice expression you have there," Archibald said in amusement before caressing her cheek gently. His sadistic tone made her shudder in fright. "I'm sure you know how this show will end. Pardon me, I don't have much time to prepare. As a barbarian, what is more entertaining than people shedding blood?"

Aisha clenched her fist hard as hatred bubbled up inside her. "Did you have to go this far? You won the war. There is no need for further bloodshed. Don't you feel anything for a human's life?"

"Oh? I thought you had sworn your loyalty to me, so what is this I heard? Did you just admonish me for these people's sake? Don't forget that I still have your guard's life in my hand."

Aisha gritted her teeth. Her face twisted so much that she looked like a wounded beast.

Archibald couldn't be happier to see this scheming woman suffer. It was fun to see the indifferent mask she was putting on slowly crunch into that of anger and bitterness.

He wanted to see her in pain as she begged him to save her.

"Take off the bag on their head! Let the Priestess see their faces." Archibald ordered the soldier, who immediately followed his order.

Aisha's heart tightened when she saw all of them had terrible bruises and wounds on their faces. Their clothes were dirty and all tattered. A sign of ordeals they have just been through.

These Empire people didn't even bother to treat those who couldn't fight back anymore like humans. She felt so sick to the gut.

Fright, confusion, and despair were clearly written on their faces, but they all had the same expression once they noticed Aisha sitting on the Emperor's lap in front of them.

"Priestess! Please save us!"

"Oh, Holy Maiden, did you come here for us? I beg you, please save us!"

"Silence!" One of the soldiers berated them. They immediately clamped their mouth shut and lowered their gaze with teary eyes.

"Priestess Aisha? Can't you see them begging and pleading for your help? Don't you have anything to say to them?" Archibald snickered mockingly. He sounded like he enjoyed the sight very much.

Aisha didn't know what to say. She knew this was one of Archibald's schemes to torture her again. He wanted to test her loyalty using the cruelest way he could think of.

If she chose to save these people, that would mean she was lying about pledging her loyalty to the Emperor earlier. She didn't care about her life, but she couldn't implicate Maya.

No wonder he treated her so well earlier. It was all preparation for this.

He would treat her well before pushing her back into the abyss again.