Chapter 8 61 155 vouchers " Do you acknowledge your defeat ? " he asked , pressing the blunt edge of his sword against her throat . Natalia shuddered . She knew she could never win in a fight against him ; she would die , but at the same time , she had hoped to wound him at the very least , but all she had managed was to break off one of his horns . A petty victory was all her life was worth , but a soldier doesn't regret the life he has chosen to live in the face of death . " I repeat , do you acknowledge your defeat , Princess ? " She bit her lip , hard enough to draw blood , her breath hitching when he abruptly lifted the sword and traced its cold tip across her mouth . A soft gasp escaped her . His gaze darkened , his brows knitting as though in contemplation . " Your lip is already torn , " he murmured , almost to himself . What is that supposed to mean ? Natalia wondered to herself if he was mocking her . She wasn't too sure , but if she were going to die anyway , she would like to die with her honor . I , Princess Griselda Ayala of the Green Shade Tribe , yield ," she declared , her voice steady despite the trembling in her limbs . She met his gaze without flinching , defiant even in defeat . After a long , stretched silence between them , she slowly closed her eyes . " I ask only that you preserve my honor ; please kill me quickly ." He studied her for more than a moment longer before he pulled his sword away from her . " Wouldn't it be a waste to kill you so easily ? " He muttered lazily as he strolled off . Natalia's eyes fluttered open as she watched him . What does this mean ? He wasn't going to kill her anymore ? Just as she was thinking about the possible reasons for his hesitation , she heard muffled groans belonging to people . she turned in the direction of the sound , and her breath seized . Her eyes widened , and she felt her heart stop in her chest . No ... Not them . " The princess is quite strong and witty ," The emperor announced , there was a sharp glint in his eyes , one that wasn't there during the battle . " But she can never outsmart , from the very start , I knew she was nothing but an impostor. " " Griselda ... " Natalia muttered softly as she watched her sister and Josiah , bound in heavy ropes , being dragged to the clearing by the emperor's men . " No , this can't be happening ! " " Natalia ! " She yelled , fighting the hands of the men who held her captive . Natalia's eyes flickered towards Josiah , who was injured , but as soon as their eyes met , he looked away , guilt clouded his eyes . " Let go of me ! " Griselda tried to shake the man off . " Let go of her ! Get your filthy hands off my sister ! " Natalia yelled in a panicked voice , her eyes were almost 11:03 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter S : 61 55 vouchers bulging out of their sockets , and it was as though all her efforts were in vain ; she had agreed to stay back and even risk her life by challenging this formidable emperor to battle , all because she wanted her sister to be safe . " Your majesty ! " Izaiah yelled as he tried to reach forward , but he was still restricted by the emperor's men . " Please have mercy , I will make sure to take any punishment you are giving ." " Silence ! " the emperor thundered , and the whole area remained still . " The entire village has made a fool out of me , trying to hide the real princess Griselda away from me by bringing out a decoy ." " That was not my father's intention ! Everything was entirely my plan , and out of love for his daughter , my father was forced to keep the cover of his daughter ." Natalia found the courage to continue speaking , She met the emperor's gaze , fire burning in her eyes . " You claimed you knew of my deception from the beginning . And yet , you struck a pact with me . That , Your Majesty , is a bond sealed by your will ." His upper lip curved into a small smirk . " I accept whatever punishment you see fit , " Natalia continued , her chin lifted with defiance . " But I beg you , spare my family . Spare my people . This was the agreement we had bound on the duel ." " Natalia , you are going to get all of us killed ! " Izaiah snapped desperately . " Stay out of this , I will handle it . " " In fact , it's the complete opposite , father ," Natalia muttered with the same wild fire in her eyes , the one the emperor was fascinated by . An emperor like him places great value on his honor and his word . And if I must gamble our lives on anything , it will be that ." Impressed by both her knowledge and confidence , Azmaveth let go of the sword in his hands , it slipped and fell with a dull thud . " What is your name , girl ? " He asked curiously . " I am the second daughter of the Chief , and the second Prince of the Green Shade Tribe . I am Natalia Zaniyah Ayala . " She sucked in a deep breath . " Out of your malice for my elder sister , you have ruined my marriage ceremony , and destroyed the rites of today. " His eyes narrowed slightly , and then , noticing she was indeed in marriage attire , even though it was now unrecognizable and smeared with blood , according to the news he heard , humans usually choose the blood red color for their wedding dress . So this was the reason for all that music when they first arrived here . " I would like to consider this as even . " She continued . " Please show my sister mercy and punish me instead ." " What is he going to do ? " Draven muttered under his breath , eyes fixed on the emperor . " I've never seen him hesitate like this . Not once ." " Nor have I ," Erevan replied , arms crossed tightly over his chest . " If he intended to kill her , she'd already be dead . But to think a man like him might show mercy ? " He scoffed softly , shaking his head . " Almost laughable . " The emperor stood still , almost as stone , as he had entered into a deep thought , placing a finger underneath his jaw . 11:03 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 8 ... : 61 55 vouchers " As you have said , we fought under the agreement that , should I emerge victorious , you alone would bear the burden of my wrath ." Natalia's breath caught in her throat . Her eyes fluttered shut . Here it comes , her sentence . " I will spare the lives of the villagers ," he continued , his voice resolute . " The chief and the first princess included . None shall be executed . " " In return , " he added almost immediately , " they will be taken to my empire ... as slaves . " Gasps rang out . " And as for the second princess of the Green Shade Tribe ... " His gaze locked with Natalia's , cold and unreadable . " She shall be taken to the capital with me , as my prisoner ." 11:03 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 9 D : Chapter 9 : Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!