55 vouchers " Not every woman gets as lucky as you , princess . " He muttered with a small frown on his face , but Natalia refused to back down as well , even though she was trembling inside . " Yes , you are right , I must be lucky to be a royal whore , than the rest of the women in the tribe , who would be groped by barbarians ." She sneered . " How happy I must be . " " I see you are a leader who loves her people , " he muttered , a little surprised . Women in their empire were not allowed to be involved in politics , and it was like that all over the world , except for the Nohweigen kingdom , also known as the iron kingdom , whose emperor was a tyrannical woman who rose to power by killing her husband , the previous emperor . But this princess would be something like that , she was wise , and confident in her decision ; she was also cunning in a way as well . " What leader won't love their people ? " She questioned . " I have heard you don't regard yours , so how is someone like you supposed to understand ? " Azmaveth smiled . This was the first normal conversation he had with anyone , and the fact that she wasn't cowering and was looking into his eyes the whole time made something stir within him , something he had never experienced before . For some reason , he didn't feel like burning anything ; his emotions were in an odd equilibrium with each other , as though this princess's absence was the reason for the chaos . He was intrigued by her , and the fact that he seemed to let down all his guard around this violent woman seemed to irk him . " It's vice versa , " He muttered softly , but Natalia didn't care what he meant . He stepped carefully over the pieces of a broken chair . " I implore you to behave like the princess you are . I will ask for repairers to come and mend your room . " " What have you done to my father and my sister ? " She asked curiously , in a softer voice as if she had resigned to her fate . " Where did you take them ? Did you perhaps kill them ? " " Unlike the princess , I have no reason not to keep my end of the duel . " He continued . " I made them government slaves , the men work in the mines and forests , making timber and heavy construction , while the women work in the rice and wheat farms . I was fair enough and they have my complete protection ." Natalia's eyes eyes widened , a ragged breath escaped her and she took a few steps backward almost stumbling on the mess she had made . " Fair ? My father is old ! And working such a strenuous job every day will kill him , " Tears welled in her eyes . " He has a bad leg . " Her tears leaked to her cheeks . " And my sister , do you have any idea what will happen to her ? " " No man will dare lay a finger on her . " He promised . " You have my word . " " No , I don't want your word , what good would it do ? " She snapped , wiping the tears away from her cheeks . " You were wrong to begin with . We were nothing but a peaceful village , we did nothing wrong but refuse your marriage proposal , how can you trample on our happiness so easily and act like it's nothing ? " 11:05 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 14 : 61 55 vouchers " No one , absolutely no one refuses me , and that's the order of the word you live in princess ; the strongest will always prevail . " He neared her , a little frustrated with her stubborn , and Natalia took some protective steps away from him . His red eyes glowering at her . " I was stronger , and your disrespect is everything wrong . I have to take whatever I want anyways . " " That is wrong , exploiting people for your own selfish gain is wrong ! " She spat . " What do you think about keeping animals for food ? " he suddenly quizzed , and Natalia felt her breath hitched because it was similar to things Josiah would say playfully , and comparisons like that seemed to irk her so much . " You are exploiting them for food because they are weak , and for the sake of your selfish gain they have to die . Do you think you are any better than them ? And if you think it's different tell me how . " Natalia remained silent , her heart palpitating in her chest as the emperor moved again , she glanced backwards slightly , and realized there was nowhere to run to . She bit down on her lips as his tall menacing frame walked her into the wall . Her back hit the walls softly , his frame blocking her vision and his large arms blocked her escape routes . " There is only wrong , when it is happening to you , and since you are weak that is why you feel wronged ." He continued , " Had you won the duel by chance , you would rejoiced , even laughed at me for being weak , and then demand that my end of the deal be kept or it would be injustice ." His hands suddenly shot out to pull back some strands of her dark curly hair away from her face . His fingers brushed through her skin softly , and Natalia shuddered . Her heart racing wildly as she stared directly into his eyes that resembled pools of blood , it looked so unrealistic , but he was standing in front of her so it was no dream . " If animals were given the chance to defend themselves , I am sure they would do it . The hunter might end up being the hunted ." She maintained eye contact , her voice firm , and didn't waver . " I won't keep quiet while I am being slaughtered , because I am not an animal . I promise I will fight back ." She assured him , and the emperor's lips twisted in a sardonic smirk , something rising from the pits of his chest . " I pray you don't make me show you why the people around me fear me so much ." He whispered , his breath fanning softly across her face , and Natalia stilled . " For some reason , I don't want you to see that side of me ." The emperor suddenly pulled back , there was a certain excitement flooding him , from the way her body responded to his touch . Her skin was as soft as he guess , like skin of a baby , and as white as milk . " If you are concerned about the courting , I will try to make it formal , so you can be comfortable with me , you are not here to be my plaything I want to make you my queen . " He promised a little softly . " How do the humans court ? I am willing to learn if you show me ." 11:05 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 15 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!