The Emperor's obsession

Kael staggered to his feet, face bloodied and pride torn, and charged once more, a reckless storm crashing toward Zareth. The Emperor's red eyes glinted like burning coals as he smoothly switched his sword to his left hand, deflecting Kael's wild attack with effortless precision. The sound of their blades clashing rang like thunder across the court, yet Zareth remained disturbingly calm, almost amused.

"Predictable," he murmured, sidestepping Kael's lunge with grace that bordered on arrogance. With a swift, fluid motion, he twisted his blade and slashed across Kael's abdomen—not deep enough to be fatal, but cruel enough to make him collapse with a groan of pain.

Serenya gasped standing up as her eyes met that of Kael's, her heart slamming against her ribcage. Kael writhed on the ground, blood soaking into his tunic. Zareth, instead of granting mercy, kicked him harshly, forcing Kael to cough out blood. The Emperor then pointed his sword at Kael's throat, his voice as cold as the steel.

"Is that all you've got?" he taunted, his lips curving into a dark, crooked smile.

Serenya's legs trembled, her instinct pulling her forward to help Kael. But just as she took a step, Zelda appeared in front of her, balancing a tray of refreshments. Her eyes flicked subtly toward the Emperor before addressing Serenya.

"Your Highness," Zelda said in a composed tone , she missed her lady . Serenya blinked in recognition, caught off guard.

In one swift, graceful motion, Zelda brushed a folded piece of paper into Serenya's hand, her expression blank. Serenya quickly tucked it into the inner pocket of her gown, her heart now beating for two reasons.

Had Zareth seen that?

She forced herself to look up, only to find him walking toward her with that maddeningly unreadable expression. Her breath caught. His chest glistened slightly under the golden light, his muscles tensing with each step, like a predator closing in on his prey.

He stopped in front of her, his gaze piercing.

"I hope now you know who the real man is," Zareth murmured, brushing a loose strand of her hair back behind her ear, his fingers deliberately lingering against her skin. "Don't settle for less when you can have the best."

Serenya's face turned scarlet, her lips parting but no words leaving. The Emperor's presence was suffocating—possessive, commanding, seductive—and worse, she didn't know what to do about it.

As nobles flocked to him like moths to flame, praising his skill, Zareth waved them off with mild irritation.

"You're the greatest swordsman in all of this empire, Your Imperial Majesty!"

"May your reign last forever!"

Zareth's lips curved in amusement but his eyes never strayed far from Serenya's hand. The one she had tucked awkwardly against her dress. His gaze darkened with interest, and a smirk spread across his face.

"I have some business to attend to," he drawled, turning away. "I'll see you soon, my princess."

Cassian fell in step with him.

Zareth's eyes flickered to Serenya. "Keep your eyes on the princess. It looks like she wants to play a little."

Back in the court, Serenya waited until the Emperor was out of sight . She took a step forward, only to find three imperial palace servants tailing her.

"Is there something you wanted?" she asked, feigning nonchalance.

"We're your assigned servants, Your Highness," they replied in unison.

Serenya swallowed, nodding stiffly she knew . Without her veil, she felt laid bare, like a flame flickering in an open storm. She turned toward her sister's chambers, her slippers barely making a sound against the cold, polished marble.

The moment she entered Elarynth's room, the scent of herbs and ointment hit her. Her sister lay face-down, back covered in crimson welts that looked too brutal to be real.

Her stomach twisted.

"How cruel," Serenya whispered, voice trembling as she neared the bed.

Just as she reached out, Elarynth's eyes snapped open.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed, her voice soaked in venom. "I thought you'd be warming the Emperor's bed by now."

Serenya's breath caught in her throat, her cheeks burning as if slapped.

"Why would you say something like that? I came to check on you. I'm sorry… that I couldn't stop what happened," she whispered, guilt clinging to every word.

Elarynth scoffed, her eyes glassy with pain. "Don't play innocent. You think I don't see how he looks at you? You love the attention."

"That's not true!" Serenya cried.

"Oh, please," Elarynth muttered bitterly. "Don't pretend to be the victim when you're clearly enjoying being his latest toy."

Serenya's fists clenched. The words stung more than they should have.

"I would never be happy seeing you like this. I didn't ask for any of this," she said quietly hurt by her sister's words .

Elarynth rolled to her side with a wince. "Save it. Just go."

Serenya stood frozen for a moment, a dozen words caught in her throat. But none of them mattered now.

Without another word, she turned and walked out, her eyes glistening and her heart aching.

Elarynth was her elder sister and just like any other younger sister she loved her , seeing her treat her like that hurt more than anything and it was all because of the Emperor!.