“Did you think I let you live all this time just because of my predecessor?”
The Count raised his head to meet the Emperor’s gaze.
The Emperor’s eyes, tainted with blood, felt like they were burning him alive. Never having experienced such fear, the Count quickly lowered his gaze.
The young Emperor had known all along. He knew about the Count’s long-planned treason.
Each time the Count visited the Emperor in the palace, he was warmly received.
Praised as the loyalist who saved his grandfather, given a special seat at official events. He thought he was the only one the Emperor trusted.
“Ugh…”
Pain distorted the Count’s face.
The heel of the Emperor’s boot pressed down on his hand, grinding it painfully.
“You…”
A deep, dry voice dropped chillingly overhead.
“You tried to assassinate me with poison on the battlefield, leaked my location to the enemy, helped my uncle install his son as the Crown Prince in my absence, embezzled taxes for years without sending half to the capital, ignored central administration to enact your laws…”
The Emperor slowly lifted the Count’s head with the tip of his boot.
“I overlooked it all because I planned to use you at the most opportune time. Like today.”
The Emperor knew about the Northwest Alliance’s ambitions.
And also knew that Count Lorel was conspiring with them to declare the southern territories an independent kingdom in alliance with the Alliance.
Even if reinforcements were sent from the capital, it would take at least a week to reach the territory. The dense forests and mountains provided the perfect cover for Alliance troops to infiltrate via the river.
“The Northwest Alliance was a thorn in our side, but we lacked an excuse to act. We were restrained by the foolish peace treaty signed by the incompetent Emperor Gustav. But after I knew you were blinded by your vain desires, I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
The Emperor’s red eyes shimmered with genuine joy, reminiscent of the look he gave Emperor Gustav when he refused to abdicate the throne.
Count Lorel’s triple chin quivered with greed, and cold sweat ran down his back.
“I’ve been waiting for the day when I could eliminate you and your forces, and the creeping Northwest Alliance, who have been draining the Empire’s blood in return for saving the previous Emperor. Thanks to you, I now have a legitimate reason to exterminate all these rats, both internal and external.”
As Commander Peter entered the ballroom, the Emperor nodded to him and lifted his foot off the Count’s hand.
“You’ve served well, Count Lorel.”
Just like he told his small uncle, Emperor Gustav, “You’ve done well” on the day he returned to the palace, the Emperor left the ballroom with those parting words.
“Shall we mobilize the Count’s soldiers and the people of his domain for the fire control?”
As Commander Jacob, who had moved the new weapons underground, asked, the Emperor shook his head.
“It looks like it’s going to rain soon, so just leave it be. If more than half the mountain burns, it’ll prevent enemy soldiers and smugglers from hiding there. It’s not a bad idea to create a bare mountain at this opportunity.”
Indeed, dark clouds were gathering over the fiery red sky.
“Have you sent word to bring the lady to the castle?”
“Yes, as soon as we took the castle, Kyle went to fetch her. She should arrive soon.”
Soon after, the sound of horses’ hooves from the soldiers guarding Arabella’s tent grew closer.
As the Emperor stepped towards the door, he suddenly stopped. Glancing at himself in the main hall’s mirror, he thought his appearance might frighten her again.
He took a long runner from the table and rubbed the red stains off his face and neck. Annoyed he couldn’t remove his bloodstained armor but hoping dim lighting would help, he stepped onto the main staircase.
As Kyle, his aide, hurried up the stairs, the Emperor’s jaw tightened, sensing something terribly wrong.
“Miss Arabella…”
Kyle gasped for air.
“She’s gone. She said she had to save the animals from the fire and rode into the flames.”
The soldiers who were responsible for Arabella knelt before the Emperor.
“We followed her, but lost her in the flames. She knew the terrain too well and disappeared too quickly… We failed to obey your command, Your Majesty.”
“Where did you lose her?”
The Emperor’s calm voice hid an unreadable expression.
“On the eastern side of the river where the fire was spreading.”
With a sharp whistle, the Emperor’s white horse appeared from the stables. Shedding his armor and cloak, the Emperor leaped onto the horse and galloped across the castle garden, vanishing into the night.
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
