Archer's unexpected words left them montarily stunned. Nefertiti turned to him, eyes wide with disbelief. ''But husband, she insulted you! I cannot stand when won think they're better because they want one spouse,'' she protested, frustration clear in her tone.
He only chuckled, his gaze settling on the woman in question. She stiffened under his stare, fear creeping into her expression. Then, with an air of absolute confidence, he addressed them all. ''A dragon does not trouble himself with opinions of rats.''
When all the won apart from Nayeli heard this, they burst into laughter, even Colestah, who turned to her cousin with an amused shake of her head. ''Why would you insult him?'' she asked her tone both chiding and bewildered.
''Archer's been nothing but kind to us. He even gave our people free food without asking for anything in return,'' she concluded.
''He has dozens of won just like the dragon kings of old and I find it disgusting,'' Nayeli retorted as if she had a good point, which only achieved in pissing everyone off again.
Archer chuckled, his laughter echoed throughout the living room. ''So, you don't like harems? That's fair,'' he said with a calm smile. ''Most won wouldn't share a man and I won't judge you on it.''
His tone was light, carrying no offense, just simple amusent. Then, his gaze sharpened as he leaned forward, his next words carrying a quiet weight. ''But there's one thing you're forgetting, Nayeli.''
Archer let the mont linger before revealing the truth with an amused expression. ''I've been with most of them for years, and not a single one is unhappy. Ask yourself, why do you think that is?''
The woman's voice was sharp as she challenged him. ''I bet you bribe them with gold or threaten them, don't you?''
Archer's smile grew wider, but there was a flicker of amusent in his eyes. He leaned back casually, unfazed. ''Gold doesn't buy loyalty, and threats don't build trust,'' he replied. ''What I offer them is far more than that: respect, freedom, and the choice to stay.''
''I've never restricted them. Nefertiti and Leira here work on many things across Draconia just like Hecate does. Now stop insulting like a child and act like the woman you are'' he finished speaking.
Archer stood, his patience snapping at her continued dirty looks. His voice was low but cut through the tension. ''I'm going to check on the Domain,'' he muttered before vanishing without another word.
The mont he was gone, five sets of eyes turned toward Nayeli, their gazes burning with silent fury. Hecate, her red eyes glowing with barely contained rage, stepped toward the water elf without a word.
Then, with a vicious snap of her hand, she slapped Nayeli hard across the face. ''Don't you ever insult my husband again!'' Hecate snarled, her grip tightening on the woman's collar as she lifted her off the ground.
''You don't even know him! Who the fuck are you to judge him?'' she demanded.
The slap echoed in the room as Hecate's fury erupted, her hand eting Nayeli's face with another stinging strike. She shoved the woman roughly onto the sofa, her voice seething with venom. ''You're lucky he's not the old Archer... because if he were, you and your entire empire would be dead.''
Colestah's eyes widened in shock, her instincts screaming at her to step in and help Nayeli. But before she could move, a blade pressed against her throat. Leira stood behind her, silent as a shadow, the sharp edge of her knife glinting in the dim light.
Her erald eyes burned with a dangerous intensity, her voice a whisper of lethal intent. ''Don't move, Empress,'' she warned, her tone calm but ice-cold.
''Nefertiti will handle your disrespectful cousin. And yes...'' Leira leaned in slightly and revealed. ''I know my husband well and he's seriously considering burning the Moonriver Empire to the ground, thanks to her.''
Hecate t Colestah's gaze and dipped her head, her expression laced with apology. ''I'm sorry for this, but for our husband, we can't help but be protective. He's been through more than you know.''
With that, the succubus stepped toward the trembling Nayeli, her voice heavy with sorrow. ''Do you understand why he has so many wives? Tell , what do you think?''
The water elf shook her head while holding her cheek, but Nefertiti sighed before casting a healing spell. A pink glow healed everything as she continued, ''To get slapped by the most timid wife is sothing else. But now give your opinion.''
''He's a playboy?'' Nayeli answered.
Nefertiti giggled softly before settling beside her, offering a glass of wine as she prepared to reveal the truth. The others gathered around, including Colestah, who was curious to find out more about him.
''Well,'' she began, swirling the wine in her glass, ''I t him many years ago, and the first thing I noticed was the terrible aura that surrounded him, an overwhelming force of pain and rage. Shortly after that, I witnessed him reducing entire kingdoms and armies to ash. The Southlands will forever bear the scars of his flas.''
She took a slow sip, her pink eyes drifting toward the window, lost in thought before continuing. ''When Ella told about his childhood, I finally understood why he's so different. Honestly, I'm surprised he's not a villain. He had every right to beco one.''
As Nefertiti finished speaking, the water elves listened intently, their expressions serious. Suddenly, two violet portals shimred into existence, and from them stepped Ella and Sera.
Hecate and Leira's faces lit up at the sight of the newcors, but it was Nefertiti who greeted them first. ''Hello, you two. Thanks for coming.''
She turned toward Ella with a thoughtful gaze. ''El, could you explain to these elves what Arch went through?''
The half-elf's eyes narrowed in suspicion when seeing Colestah and Nayeli before she questioned. ''Are these the water elves the ones he told about?''
''Yes,'' Nefertiti nodded before gesturing toward the white-haired elf. ''This one pissed him off, and now he's retreated to the Domain to cool down.''
Ella took a deep breath, calming herself before joining Leira and Hecate. A warm smile spread across her face as she turned to them. ''Congratulations, ladies. I'm truly happy for you both. You'll make wonderful mothers.''
The won hugged her while beaming with happiness radiating from them. Following that, Ella turned to Nayeli. ''Did you have a mother and father?'' Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire
''You're a half-elf—a High Elf, at that,'' Colestah suddenly remarked, drawing everyone's attention to her.
She swallowed hard before continuing, her voice cautious. ''You're radiating an aura similar to the people of the Nightshade Empire.''
Ella's eyes widened as a smile appeared. ''Yes, I believe I am, but that doesn't matter for now. We can discuss that over so tea.''
While they spoke, Sera stared at Nayeli as she let out a nacing growl. ''She upset him by claiming he bribes us.''
Before anyone could react, the redhead vanished, leaving everyone blinking in stunned silence. A beat passed before the realization hit, and chuckles spread through the room as they sensed her excitent through the tattoos.
Ella threw up her hands with an amused sigh. ''Of course, it's her. Why is it always that little gremlin who can snap him out of a mood? That girl is an absolute nace, but sohow, he worships the ground she walks on.''
''Seraphina was the one who saved him, rember?'' Hecate revealed. ''Talila told he was crazy and ready to snap when they first t but changed when they reunited and it was because of her.''
Everyone nodded before Ella turned to Nayeli, who nervously answered her previous question. ''Yes, I have parents. Why?''
''So did Archer, but they never loved him,'' she said, her voice heavy with sadness. ''They abused him in every way imaginable, tearing him down until he was nothing more than a ghost haunting the Ashguard household.''
Ella's hands clenched into fists as a deep frown creased her face. ''I tried to protect him… but what could a little girl do against a duke?''
Her voice wavered as the mories surfaced. ''I watched them beat Archer, starve him until he was skin and bone while they ate expensive als. Sotis… I'd sneak him bread, but it was never enough.''
Everyone was shocked at her words, as they didn't know so of it. Ella took a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she clutched the fabric of her dress as Archer had given her permission to reveal what she wanted to.
''You don't understand,'' she whispered, her voice barely holding together. ''They didn't just hurt him. They destroyed him.''
Her light blue eyes glistened with tears as she continued, her tone hollow. ''Do you know what it's like to hear a child scream until his voice gives out? To watch as he's locked in the dark for days with no food or water, just because he looked at them the wrong way?''
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