He would use whatever trace of her mother’s powers was in her blood to stabilize the steel and render it more durable. Meaning, being able to steal the life of even more innocent people.
She listened to his plans, nodding her ascent, declaring her unwavering loyalty to the empire and its cause.
She felt like throwing up. She nearly did. She would have if not for the emperor and his mad advisor’s hawk-like eyes scrutinizing her every movement. She swallowed the bile that traveled up her throat and met their stares with a determined look. She feared he would start his experiments then and there. Fortunately, the steelmaking process was more intricate and complicated, requiring days to acquire enough quantity for an entire blade. And the blood needed to be fresh, still containing the faint traces of magic.
Hopefully, it would be enough time for her to think of a way out of this whole ordeal. She wasn’t going to lend a hand to these madmen in their desire for slaughter. No. There was no way in hell she would be an accessory to the murder of thousands of innocent people. If push came to shove, she would have to stand against the emperor’s tyranny—treason or not. At least she had her knight order’s support, she thought as she recalled Mazin’s daunting words. And Haitham. She doubted the assassin would pass up a chance to go against the emperor.
She couldn’t wait to get back to her mansion and tell Haitham about her findings.
But wait.
Wouldn’t that mean giving her life to him on a silver platter? The assassin had wanted to figure out a way to stop the weapon’s production. Arham had sacrificed himself to get any information on the steel.
According to Makram, she was now the key to the weapon’s full potential. Realistically, getting rid of her would be akin to getting rid of the weapons.
Would Haitham choose to throw her under the bus for a chance to one-up the emperor?
No, he wouldn’t. She knew he wouldn’t. She might be foolish for doing so, but she trusted him. She trusted that he would do his best to both help her and prevent the steel production.
But what about the other assassins?
What about Laila? The assassin would want nothing but to obliterate her, weapon or not. Finding out about the whole ordeal would only give her more incentive to swing her dagger at Daliya’s throat.
Daliya sighed. Why were things getting more complicated?
She didn’t even remember how she had left the underground chamber. Her mind had gotten hazy as she listened to the advisor’s words as he relayed the days for their meet-up to start the experiments.
Right after the ball.
She sat in her chair back in the war room where the general was waiting for them with tapping feet and a badly-hidden scowl.
The news of the prisoner’s escape and Qar’s keeper’s disappearance reached them at their meeting.
During the whole meeting, Daliya couldn’t get her heart to cooperate. It thumped against her chest, each heartbeat louder than the next. She worried it could be heard in the reigning silence. The general’s grinding voice helped a bit to anchor her at the moment, especially when he spoke about his plans to mount a full assault on the South. The emperor shot down his proposal before it could take full shape.
“The army is already spread thin as it is. And an unsuccessful campaign would only incite them to rebel. The North won’t be far behind.”
Daliya frowned. If things were so bad to begin with, why was he so adamant about keeping them under his authority? If there was one thing she knew, if a people refused to be ruled by someone, sooner or later, they would dethrone him.
Stubborn tyrant.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
The sight of the panicked guard as he stumbled into the meeting room– a poor middle-aged man who must have lost a bet– was met with a mix of dread and relief.
The general burst to his feet, a myriad of emotions going through his face. Then he turned his angry eyes at Daliya.
“You did this!” he accused her.
She raised an eyebrow at him. “What do you mean? While sitting here? Amongst you?”
“It’s your Fire Bearer lover! Don’t think no one knows. The whole kingdom knows about your little beast that trails you like a second shadow. Who knows what goes between you two behind closed doors? You must have sent him after your visit yesterday.”
Behind closed doors? Daliya mentally screeched. After all was over, she was going to find who was spreading these kinds of rumors and give them a piece of her mind.
“My lover is not here because he was denied entrance to the palace,” Daliya said.
“The perpetrators were seen heading outside the city gates. Where is he then?”
Ah, shit.
“He’s on an errand.”
“Where. Is. He?”
Daliya stood up, glaring at the general. “You dare question me? You should know your place. I’m the princess of this emp–”
“Where is your little fire bearer?”
This time, the emperor asked the question. His voice was eerily calm, and he looked at Daliya with emotionless eyes. Daliya stilled, her wide eyes locking with the emperor’s stern gaze.
She swallowed. “Father–”
“Answer the question, girl.”
“He’s in the market. I sent him to buy me some cakes.” Her voice was low, almost a whisper.
The general snorted.
“Send guards to get him,” the emperor ordered the general. He turned to Daliya. “We shall see.” The look he leveled her with was enough to freeze the blood in her veins.
Daliya waited with bated breaths for the guards’ return. To her surprise, it didn’t take them much. They came back with Haitham between them, but he wasn’t alone. The Duchess was walking alongside him, her hand curled around his arm. She was talking to him hushedly, laughing at whatever he said back to her.
Most importantly, in his hand was a bag of honey cakes.
Daliya felt like hugging him.
The Duchess bowed to the emperor and Daliya. Then she smiled sheepishly.
“Forgive me, your Highness, for snatching him away. He was nice enough to accompany me around the market. I didn’t mean to get him away from you for this long.”
“Oh, no. It’s fine.” Daliya smiled.
She didn’t know why the Duchess was lying, but she was glad for it. She would get to the bottom of it away from the emperor’s eyes.
The general’s glare was hot on her back. Daliya turned to him, smiling.
“Are you satisfied, general?” Her smile widened at his scathing glare. She turned to the emperor and bowed. “Father, I’m your daughter. Your triumph is my triumph. I would never do anything to harm you. All I ever do is for the sake of our glorious empire.”
He looked at her for a while. Then, a slow, chilling smile traced his lips.
They were somehow allowed to leave. The emperor stayed with the general, giving orders and moving troops to look for the escapees.
Daliya walked away with steady, measured steps, Haitham half a step behind her. The Duchess was next to her, talking idly about the things she bought from the market. The dress she would wear for the ball, the sweets she wanted her husband to try, souvenirs for her handmaidens who couldn’t accompany her for her trip—for a good reason, she had clarified as she grinned conspiratorially at Daliya.
Once they were near the duchess’ carriage, she turned and smiled at Daliya. “After the ball, I would love for you to pay me a visit to my residence. I would like to speak with you a last time before my departure.”
“Of course.”
She would leave all her inquiries till their next meeting then.
They stood there for a while. Then Daliya asked. “They’re gone?”
Haitham paused for a moment, then said, “They’re gone.”
Daliya put her hand over her chest and let out a deep, relieved breath. “Thank God.”
She heard Haitham chuckle. “You’re a little bit old to rebel against dear father’s authority.”
She turned to him, grinning. “Says who? You know, a little bit of defiance is needed occasionally to keep things from getting too dull. As they say, some action is needed to keep a relationship alive.”
“You should focus more on keeping yourself alive.”
“Still working on it.”
He shook his head. “I was right. You’re a little storm. A bit too wild for your own good.”
She snorted. “So said the rebel.”
They looked at each other, then burst out laughing.
They were so screwed.
