Chapter 71: Festival of sacrifice
"May Your Evilness reign the future."
The court echoed with the praises that pierced his eardrums.
He walked past the nobles that stood left and right. The emperor Infront of him sitting on his high throne on the dais. The chair beside him was vacant. The empress died years ago. Although he brought countless concubines in his harem, he never took another woman as empress.
He wasn't a womanizer. He only viewed them as tools that benefited him in every possible way.
He killed his own kin. The empress was known to be barren. Whenever he found a concubine with a child he killed them both.
-"Ruthless till today after all these years. I wonder why he showers all that adoration on me." He looked up at the emperor.
"My son. Come up here." He ordered him.
He obediently stepped up the dais without a word.
"Sit here." He commanded patting on the vacant throne beside him.
It was made blackwood and the deep purple velvet over it faintly reflected the candle lights.
"Do not disappoint me this time." He murmured under his breath.
Zavaikal sat unmoved. His forefinger twitched as he bit his lower lip.
The emperor then rose and began his speech.
"It is an honor to have all of you tonight at the celebration of three hundred and twelfth festival of sacrifice. In every five years we celebrate a whole week and will announce it a national holiday throughout our realm. The citizens of all classes have every right to enjoy and celebrate the upcoming festivities praising the great Overlord of demons. Though we crave to be in his presence. He still oversees us from our humble shadows. And this year my sole successor, crowned prince Zavaikal will take charge of the celebrations." He looked at Zavaikal who had his characteristic frown.
Taking a quick glance at the nobles who only knew how to whisper and then at the emperor he got up and continued from where the emperor left.
"I'm eager to serve my empire as it's future emperor. The emperor has graciously trusted me with an honorable task.
This year will make a little difference. I invite every noble in this realm to attend the festivities in the palace.
I believe many among you will oppose to the idea, however. I promise you that it will only let the realm prosper. So let the festivities begin. All hail the great Overlord. All hail his great evilness the emperor!"
The hall echoed with the praises repeating after Zavaikal.
He watched the nobles from prestigious families enjoy the night with dance, wine and dining.
" Some speech you delivered out there your highness?"
A gloved hand holding a wine glass appeared Infront of him.
Zavaikal sighed and took the glass from him.
"So? Does it bother you?" He swirled it in his hand slowly.
"What?" He chuckled.
"You know what I'm on about.". He scowled taking a sip of red wine.
"This is some great stuff they got." He commented the taste of the wine.
"I'm done watching them." He groaned and stiffly got up from his chair.
Draco followed him to the terrace. Some ladies tried to get their attention inviting them to dance but they declined.
"Until when are you going to put off your wedding? At this rate the emperor will start losing patience with you." He inclined by the stone pillar at one end.
The moonlight was clear and shone on his pale blonde hair that was tied in a low ponytail. His blood red eyes shone like pair of rubies in fire.
"Until I get what I want." He replied sourly.
"Are you going to keep waiting until they actually send their princess for you? There are more suitable ladies in our turf. Why not try courting them?" He shrugged.
"Says the man who brought in half blood denying his father's dying will." He turned back to look at him.
Draco laughed it off like he had nothing to do with it.
"I'm satisfied with my choice. Leila is for me and mine alone." He bragged about his wife.
-"A half Amanécerian for a wife. Not bad." He thought.
He recalled meeting her when he travelled to stay in Draco's domain for his expedition a year ago.
She was a beauty. Curly silver hair and soft lilac eyes. She was pregnant at that time. Later on he discovered that it was her fourth pregnancy and had once again miscarried.
His subjects urged him to bring in another wife but he hanged them in the gallows.
"I didn't see her in the grand hall."
"She's in the lady's resting room. She's pregnant."
"Again?" He winced.
"This time isn't like the past. She's almost past five months at the end of this month. I'd say we're lucky. She seldom says that she doesn't care If the child is a girl or a boy. As long as it is born safe and healthy." He scarfed down every last drop of the wine until he got drunk.
"What? You want my woman for yourself?" He suddenly shouted out.
-"He's drunk again." Zavaikal was disgusted and tired of Draco's prudish drunk behavior.
"No... I have no plans to do so." He raised his hand in defiance.
-"Since I saw one more dazzling than Leila who's only half Amanécerian."
He recalled the woman with warm silver eyes in the basement.
"Hah? You found someone better? Bring it on. Let's see if she surpasses Leila!"
"She'll be joining us soon." He admitted.
Zavaikal signaled the servants to take him to his resting room.
But he was strong enough to shake off three men in one swing.
"I'll be seeing myself out. Don't need these flies to do it for me." He grumbled and left he terrace.
"The woman...is already married to that warhound I despise. Let alone has an offspring with him." He gritted his teeth.
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