Rowan’s piercing blue eyes found Hua Ren, and his heart skipped a beat, an unfamiliar sensation tightening in his chest. Truly, as he had heard, the Ivory Warlord was exquisite. Flowing snow white hair, eyes as pale as the clouds, smooth unblemished skin and a striking figure. He looked like an ethereal being sent to earth specifically to torture the hearts of n. The rumors he had heard about the Ivory Warlord’s beauty certainly did not do him justice. Nothing they said could have prepared him for such a gorgeous entity.
Unfortunately, the Ivory Warlord belonged to the Celestial Kingdom. A re prince like him could not even dream to have him.
Though, the more he looked at the Ivory Warlord, the more he felt as if he had seen him sowhere before but he couldn’t rember where. He then shook his head, tearing his gaze away. This was his first ti eting the Ivory Warlord. He was just thinking too much.
“I shall relay everything I know, Your Majesty,” Rowan said, deciding to focus on what he could get. “But, on one condition.”
The Emperor arched a brow, amused. He had expected this much. The crown prince of the Lioncrest Kingdom would not just offer up information without getting sothing in return. “Speak.” he commanded.
Rowan squared his shoulders, clearing his throat. “I wish to partake in the investigation, Your Majesty. There is an Oga among the suspects whom I desire. My only request is that, once the rebels are captured, I am allowed to claim that Oga.”
A faint frown tugged at Hua Ren’s lips. Which Oga could Rowan be referring to? It surely couldn’t be him, could it?
The Emperor studied Rowan for a mont, his gaze sharp and calculating. He figured that there was no harm in the prince’s request. All he wanted were the heads of as many rebels Hua Ren could get.
He pretended to think about Rowan’s request for so ti then finally, he inclined his head. “Agreed. Once the rebels have been captured, I will grant you your Oga.”
Rowan’s lips curved into a satisfied smile, his eyes drifting back to Hua Ren who gazed ahead, his face devoid of a single expression. ’What a cold beauty.’ Rowan thought. It made him wonder what the Ivory Warlord would look like if he was subjected to pleasure.
Hua Ren could feel Rowan’s slimy gaze on him and the intensity of his it made his skin prickle with discomfort, though he maintained his composure.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Rowan said, bowing deeply.
The Emperor nodded then waved away at the clan heads. "Out."
Although dissatisfied, the clan heads had no choice but to leave.
********
After the eting...
The Pei family head paced back and forth in his lavishly decorated chamber, his sturdy fra radiating barely-contained rage. His deep brown eyes burned with fury as he ground his teeth, the stark white of his hair contrasting sharply with his crimson-hued face. His scarlet robes were in disarray due to his constant pulling and squeezing while pacing up and down. With a guttural growl, he snatched up a tea cup from the nearby table and hurled it to the marble floor, where it shattered into pieces, the sound echoing sharply.
“That little brat!” he barked, his voice rough.
Across from him, the Lu family head sat serenely on a plush chair. His slender fingers held a porcelain cup, and he took a deliberate sip of tea, his dark, calculating eyes half-lidded. His black hair was streaked with grey, and his long beard, ticulously grood. Just like his neat silky yellow robes.
“Calm down, Pei Lian,” Lu Wen said, smoothly setting the cup down with a soft clink. “Breaking more of your fine china won’t fix anything.”
“Calm down?” Pei Lian whirled to face him, his deep voice rising with indignation. “Calm down? You expect to calm down after what that brat said?! He completely disregarded us in that hall! What do you think he’s trying to do by making the Ivory Warlord investigate? He’s trying to get rid of us you idiot!”
Lu Wen sighed, stroking his beard thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. “I am aware, Pei Lian. He sure has grown wings, hasn’t he?” he said, his tone laced with quiet disdain and a hint of amusent.
Pei Lian growled angrily. “He has forgotten who made it possible for him to sit on that throne. I can’t believe it. Biting the hand that feeds him.” His fists clenched, his knuckles whitening as he snarled, “I’m telling you, we have to teach that brat a lesson. He needs to understand that he’s nothing without us. Nothing! We put him there! If we wanted, we could have let his older brother take the throne instead, but we backed him, thinking we could control him. And now? Now he’s proving to be far smarter than we anticipated. We have to do sothing."
Lu Wen continued to stroke his beard, his calm exterior hiding the gears turning in his mind. “Indeed,” he mused. “The Emperor has beco far more independent than we’d hoped. But rushing in with reckless anger will only make him double down and we’ll end up just like your precious grandson."
Pei Lian exhaled sharply, his anger simring but slowly giving way to grudging agreent as he recalled what the Emperor had done to his precious grandson. "You’re right. But what are we to do? I’m sure that he has already manipulated the case. That’s why he put the Ivory Warlord in charge. At this rate, we’re going to end up labeled as rebels."
"If we’re to remind him of his place, it must be done subtly. Strategically.” Lu Wen said, leaning back in chair.
“Strategically?" Pei Lian repeated, his voice grudging but curious. “And what do you propose?”
Lu Wen’s eyes glead with cold calculation. “First, we must learn everything the Ivory Warlord uncovers in this investigation. Then, we ensure that any trail leading to us is swiftly erased and if need be, shifted toward an expendable target. You’ve always hated the Yuan family, haven’t you?"
Pei Lian quickly caught on and he sat down across Lu Wen, bursting into loud laughter. "You devil. Remind never to get on your bad side."
Lu Wen chuckled, sipping his tea once more. "Do not worry, Pei Lian. The forr Emperor couldn’t escape our clutches. What makes you think the current one will? Our families have always been the true ones controlling the Kingdom and that will not change. Not for generations to co. That brat will regret trying to turn against us.”
Pei Lian’s lips curled into a faint, chilling smile, his body now brimming with excitent. "Ah, Lu Wen, you always find a way to dispel my worries. I cannot wait for the investigation to begin."
Reviews
All reviews (0)