Prisoner ? Natalia's eyes widened in disbelief . She had heard stories about prisoners of war , the ones gifted to kings , chiefs , and other powerful figures , and she knew what they did to them . That isn't something she wants to be . " I would rather be a slave along with the rest of my people ," Natalia muttered stubbornly . She would rather die than be a prisoner of war whose sole purpose is to warm the beds of the emperor and his men . The emperor let out a stiff sigh , a little perplexed , his slave was choosing how she would live ; no one had dared to challenge his authority like this before , even if they weren't at his mercy . " Did you spare me to dishonor me before my people ? " She questioned , and he neared her . " You are not in any position to demand anything from me , little princess . " He muttered , unsure of how to label what he felt . " The only reason I have chosen to spare your life and not kill you was because you broke my horns ; it is a feat that is commendable , but if you force my hand , then I won't hesitate to kill you . " " Then I would rather you kill me right here and now ... " She retorted with a small frown on her face . " The princesses of this tribe place great value in preserving and protecting their dignity and honor . You claim to spare my life due to your kindness , you have also come to destroy my wedding , and with no regard for my groom , you have proclaimed me to be your prisoner of war ." Azmaveth remained silent as he watched the princess speak with fire in her eyes and voice , there was something strange and unique about the princess , unlike his men who cowers and fear whenever they spoke to him . They rarely even look him in the eye , but this one , he could see that she was shaking visibly from her fear , but she won't even cower . Even though he had demonstrated just how outmatched she was , she wasn't afraid . Why wasn't this woman scared of him ? He was suddenly curious , and he wanted to know . Maybe because he was being soft on her , unwilling to allow his beast to show . " The emperor has shown you mercy , Princess ." All of a sudden , Azarok , a member of the emperor's council , called from the crowd . " I see the princess is beginning to take the emperor's kindness for granted . You have challenged his majesty to a duel with your life as a gamble , and since you lost , who do you think your life belongs to ? " Natalia bit down on her lips ; she had truly gambled with her life , because she was expecting him to kill her , as her eyes shot in the direction of the man who had just spoken , she wore a mask of disgust on her face . " You shouldn't even be allowed permission to speak , " He muttered , eyeing her with disgust as well . " A shameless woman who doesn't know how to keep her tongue ." She kept hearing these same words right from the time she was born . Women are only able to speak when they are allowed to speak ... Women should only stay and look pretty . Women are the most common commodity , and in times of war , they are traded as objects of gratification and 11:03 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 9 61 55 vouchers pleasure . This was the sole reason she wanted her sister to escape , Griselda was the most beautiful woman alive , and if she were to be in a state where she didn't have any freewill , then men like this would only use her . And the sense of her value will be measured by her beauty and body until she is deemed worthless . Natalia didn't want this for her sister or any other woman in the tribe . " There aren't many women out there worthy enough to be his majesty's prisoner , but since he chose you , be quiet and accept it with honor . " " Accept it with honor ? Something as degrading as this ? " Natalia muttered shakily as she bent slightly to pick her sword that had fallen from her hands . Everyone's eyes widened in fear , if she was trying to challenge the emperor again , this time she won't be surviving it . Some of the soldiers and royal advisor to the chief lower their heads , they would also love to join Natalia in her challenge to fight back the aggressor but they didn't have any confidence . The emperor of the dragon lairs had battled even with real dragons and won . What could they possibly do to him ? But no one was as frustrated as Natalia's father . " Natalia , I beg you . " Izaiah burst into tears , regretting every decision he had made over her , he wondered if she had turned out like this because he was too hard or soft on her . But in this moment , she looked exactly like her mother . Fierce . Stubborn and unstoppable . Her fire was strong enough to consume the emperor of dragons himself . " Do not be reckless , " Azarok cautioned , his voice low with warning . " To raise your hand against the emperor is treason . The moment you attack , the guards will descend . You will not survive it ." She rolled her eyes , she took her stance , her two feet about an inch or two apart , and she brought the sharp blade of her sword towards her own neck . " What do you think you are doing ? " Izaiah muttered in confusion , his eyes widening , " I order you to put down the sword , Natalia ! " " Father , I would rather die than become a prisoner of war . " She turned around , looking at the faces of the women and little girls who were also captured . " I , Princess Natalia Ayala , refused to be made a plaything or a token passed between warriors . And I say to you all , death is a kinder fate than what these men would do to us . Let us leave this world with our honor intact ." " No ! " Izaiah yelled ... " She speaks the truth , Father ! " Griselda yelled from her far end . " I , too , will choose to die before I will become any man's gift of war . " Both of his daughters have finally gone mad , Izaiah didn't know what to do , as a chief the princesses were not wrong , but as their father , he didn't care what state they were in , for as long as he knew his daughters were alive and breathing , that much was okay for him . 11:04 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 9 61 E55 vouchers " I know you are going to hate me , Natalia . " He muttered as he wiped his eyes . " But as your chief , I command you to live . " His gaze swept to Griselda . " Both of you . You shall not end your lives by your own hands - not while I still draw breath . This is not a plea . It is my final order as your chief ." Natalia lips tightened , she was in a tight spot now , her father the chief had given her his final order , which was to stay alive , disobeying him in public would only make the emperor's men ridicule him more . Her grip on the sword tightened as she thought of what to do , but there wasn't any universe where she had seen herself becoming a toy for sexual gratification . A small gasp escaped her when she felt the slight change in air , she didn't even see him move , but he was suddenly in front of her . The emperor's movement happened in lightening speed , as she staggered backward due to the shock , she felt him yank the sword out of her grip . She barely had time to react when his fist struck . A blur . A rush of wind . A sickening thud . His knuckles crashed against her neck , and her body flew through the air , lifted and hurled like a doll . She landed several meters away with a lifeless thump , her limbs splayed unnaturally . Her consciousness flickered out before she hit the ground . " Natalia ! " Griselda and Izaiah yelled in horror . The force of the hit was so powerful that they even doubted she was still alive . " She is not dead , " Azmaveth muttered as he threw the sword to the ground again . " In respect to the princess's concern , I will pass out a new order , the women who have been taken prisoner will be taken to work in the rice and wheat farm . And on no circumstances should any of them be touched or assaulted against their will , they are the empire's slaves and they will be treated with respect . Anyone who is found guilty of breaking this rule will be executed immediately . " " No way ... " Erevan muttered with a small smirk on his face . " He actually listened to her ? " " Are you sure that is the emperor , and not an impostor ? " Draven wondered too , and the rest of the men were also surprised , but who dared to challenge his authority . " Seems like he has finally gone mad ." 11:04 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!