Chapter 116: 73 – Devil’s Game, Part 8

Well, well, well. So this is where you are.

Kind of reckless, aren’t you? Weren’t you the one who said she wanted you dead?

Amara smiled wryly as she found Amin, who had refused to answer her call, as he sat talking with Celene within the empress’ tent. Celene’s tearfilled, reddened eyes were glued at her son, her affection and guilt clearly expressed on her face.

Amin, on the other hand, seemed tense. His typical, faintly sarcastic expression was nowhere to be seen, as he fought an internal war of conflicting emotions.

You know, you could have told me that you intended to meet her privately! It’s not as if I was going to peep! …Maybe.

You know me too well, Amin. Damn you, I wanted to see this!

“I thought you didn’t care about me.” (Amin)

A self-deprecating smile spread on Celene’s face. “Allowing that misunderstanding to manifest was my greatest mistake, rather than allowing the attempt on your life to happen.”

The empress was silent for a while before she glanced at Amin. “Did you perhaps think I view you as a disposable tool?” When Amin nodded, a faint anger flashed in Celene’s eyes before she averted her eyes to glare at someone who wasn’t present. “...I should have known.”

Celene rubbed her eyebrows as if she had a headache before letting out a sigh. “No doubt it’s a combined result of my neglect and the education Teacher gave you. After all, he…it shames me to say it, but he’s probably been a better parental figure to you than me or your father. Which is a worrisome implication on its own, as he is hardly capable of loving anyone.”

When Amin didn’t answer, Celene gave him a thoughtful look. “Do you remember how you came to be his student?” 

Amin frowned as he thought. “...No.”

“It was during the war with the demons.” Celene said while looking at Amin with a gentle gaze. “You wrote in a letter that you wanted to learn how to fight. Because you were going to beat the demons so your family could come home.”

A grin spread on Amara’s face. How cute. 

“I never wanted to use you as a tool for the kingdom. But the fact you believe you are one…is but another proof of my failure.” Celene smiled faintly. “I’ve never been a good mother. But I’ve always loved you. And so does your father.”

Amin glanced at her at the mention of his father. “I heard he was cursed by the dragon.”

“...Yes. A curse of nightmares.” Celene nodded with a sorrowful gaze. “I’ve seen what kind of effects it had during the demonic war. The one affecting him seems…potent.”

“Zenon said that he could be brought to Whildernae for treatment if necessary. Though, he said the treatment isn’t foolproof.” Amin spoke slowly, clearly being careful with his words. “The saplings are supposedly quite adept when it comes to dreams.”

“...Please thank him for the offer.“ Celene replied with a thick voice. “We’ll see what state he is in once the pope has lifted the curse.”

Amin nodded, after which the conversation went silent. 

Awkward.

“Aleesha seems quite capable. Both in the art of war and tactics.” Celene said in a thoughtful tone as she looked at her son. “Frankly, a bit too capable to believe. Even if the elves individually are stronger than us, I find it hard to comprehend how she was able to stay aware of the situation across the battlefield, even while fighting.”

A wry smile spread on Amin’s face. “That was because I was relaying information to her from two goddesses.”

Celene raised an eyebrow. “Amara and…Ezme?” When Amin nodded, she looked at him as she fell in thought. “I see.”

Another awkward pause arose in the conversation before Celene smiled. “Well, in either case she seems like a capable commander. As well as being skilled with both the sword and magic.”

Amin shrugged. “She’s been fighting demons for almost a century on Whildernae before the armistice.”

“Even better, then.” A playful smile spread on Celene’s face as she supported her jaw with her fingers while studying Amin. “Luke needs a fiance, and she would make an excellent empress.”

Amin flinched as he avoided her gaze. “...The elves don’t practise marriage.”

“When forging ties with other cultures through marriage, it’s customary to adopt their traditions.” Celene replied with a teasing smile. “She might be willing for the sake of strengthening the ties between our peoples.”

Amara grinned as she watched how Amin was looking at the floor. Can’t you tell she’s messing with you? Jeez.

“Of course, having an empress that will outlive several generations of emperors could become troublesome. So having her supporting the throne, rather than being in a position where she could claim it, would be better for the long-term future of the Empire.” Celene cocked her head with an amused smile. “Instead, perhaps I should extend the offer to let her wed someone of the royal family, who is not in the line of succession? What do you think?”

You are reading story Ascended Pawn: Destined as Sacrifice at novel35.com

Amara burst into laughter as she watched how Amin’s face reddened. Oh, that’s priceless!

“That…that would be unnecessary.” Amin mumbled.

Celene smiled teasingly. “Are you sure? If you’re not against the idea, I don’t mind asking.”

Amin lowered his face to hide his expression. “Knowing the elves, they won’t appreciate it. They believe that if the wish for friendly ties is genuine, something like marriage is unnecessary. And if it isn’t genuine, the relationship is doomed to break anyway.” 

Celene looked at Amin thoughtfully while tapping her jaw with a finger, before a wry smile suddenly spread on her face. “I suppose they’re right. Well, the offer stands, should you need it.”

During the tense silence that followed, Amara grinned as she watched how Amin gradually regained his composure. See, Amin? Everyone can tell you like her!

Amin however, was quick to change the topic of the conversation. “Why…why was I attacked in the first place? I’d understand if the rumors claiming that Amara and the elves were working with the demons were true, since it would mean I was working with the demons as well. But you’re the one who spread those rumors.”

The smile faded from Celene’s face. Leaning back in her chair, the empress looked at Amin with a sad gaze. “The rumors I spread at the time were the truth as I saw it.”

Amara’s frown mirrored Amin’s as she heard Celene’s response. As the empress revealed how she had been approached by a goddess, who had explained over thirty years earlier about what was about the transpire, Amara listened in disbelief.

A rift in heaven? I’m a rebel who will sell their souls to the demons?!

Just who could come up with this crap! It’s nothing but lies!

When the name of the angel she despised left Celene’s lips, the anger that had been slowly building up inside Amara boiled over.

That…that BITCH!!

 

_______________

 

“What happened?” Ezme asked in a worried tone as she arrived. “Did something else happen on Teyrin?”

Amara clenched her fists until her knuckles whitened while she avoided looking at the angel in order not to glare at her. But the anger that permeated her voice couldn’t be suppressed. “You remember the rumors someone spread about me on Teyrin? That made them paint me as a demon and reject me?”

Ezme tilted her head and looked at her anxiously. “Those spread by that queen, right? Celene?”

“Yes.” Amara glanced in the direction of the angel. “But she isn’t the one who came up with the rumors.”

Ezme sat down next to her before she spoke in an anxious tone. “Then who-”

“Alarice!” Amara’s fists shook in anger. “It was that damn bitch!”

Ezme looked at her in silent confusion. “That can’t be. The armistice forbids all divine beings from speaking with-”

“She did it before the armistice!” Amara exclaimed in anger, finally raising her gaze to glare at the surprised angel. “She told Celene that the champion was going to be in league with the demons! She even warned her that the demons would be coming ahead of time to make her claims more legitimate!” 

Watching the angel’s shocked and disbelieving expression, Amara gnashed her teeth. “As if it wasn’t bad enough I have to fight to the death with a demon lord in the future and she’s tried to kill me before, but now I find out she’s deliberately made things more difficult for me! THAT DAMN BITCH!!”

Ezme flinched as Amara unintentionally empowered her voice with divine power.

[Ding!]