Chapter 599 Exiled Cousin (1)
Ashton and Anna walked into the grandeur of the Emperor's courtroom, their masks finally removed, revealing their true faces to the public for the first time.
The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted as the courtiers and members of the noble families turned their attention towards the entrance, their gazes drawn to the charismatic pair.
Anna, her radiant beauty and allure heightened by her succubus nature, emanated an ethereal charm that captivated the entire room. Heads turned, and whispers of admiration and intrigue rippled through the crowd.
The men, in particular, found themselves entranced by her presence, unable to tear their eyes away.
One nobleman leaned towards his companion, his eyes fixed on Anna, and whispered, "Is that the famed Bella? By the stars, she is even more mesmerising in person. No wonder Reaper is so smitten with her."
His companion nodded, unable to take her eyes off Anna's graceful movements. "Indeed, she possesses an otherworldly beauty. It's as if she holds an enchantment that bewitches all who behold her."
As the courtiers marvelled at Anna's charm, the few female members of the court couldn't help but steal glances at Ashton, the enigmatic Reaper.
His rugged features, chiselled jawline, and piercing eyes exuded a magnetic allure that left them weak-kneed. The air in the room seemed to grow warmer as a collective sigh of admiration escaped their lips.
One noblewoman, her eyes lingering on Ashton, whispered to her companion, "Have you ever seen a man so captivating? It's as if he stepped out of a tale of knights and heroes."
"Indeed, he possesses a raw masculinity that is utterly irresistible. No wonder Bella is drawn to him. I would give anything to have his attention." Her companion nodded, a dreamy expression on her face.
"You're married to Lord Batten! Compose yourself-"
"Hmph, I'm only his fifth wife. It'd be a miracle if he even remembers my first name."
"Alright, but please, take hold of your emotions!"
Ashton and Anna, aware of the attention they commanded, remained composed and focused. They navigated through the sea of admiring gazes, their eyes scanning the room, searching for any signs of hidden cult members among the courtiers.
They knew that lurking beneath the surface of the opulent court, there were those who wished to see them fail or disappear.
"I think we went overboard~" Anna smiled, tightly hugging Ashton's arm.
"That was the entire point, wasn't it?" Ashton smiled back. "To show off your charm and let the cultists go haywire. Having the one they want to capture so close to them would blue ball them so badly."
"You and your words..." Anna shook her head before the two went quiet again.
Their gaze met briefly, a silent exchange of determination and understanding passing between them. They had infiltrated the Emperor's court not only to gain support but also to expose the cult members who sought to harm them.
They remained vigilant with each step they took, their senses attuned to any suspicious behaviour or subtle hints of deception.
As they reached the Emperor's throne, they turned to face the noble assembly, their eyes scanning the room one last time. Anna's enchanting smile graced her lips, captivating the courtiers even further, while Ashton's stoic demeanour commanded respect and attention.
The Emperor, seated upon his throne, regarded them with curiosity and approval. His voice resonated through the chamber as he addressed the gathered courtiers, his words echoing with authority.
"Welcome, Reaper and Bella, to the heart of the Orion Empire. Your presence here is an honour, and I trust you will bring your unique skills and strengths to our cause."
Ashton's voice, deep and commanding, cut through the hushed silence. "We are grateful for the opportunity, Your Majesty. We stand ready to serve and protect, to ensure the prosperity and safety of the Empire."
The courtiers listened intently, their eyes shifting between the Emperor and the formidable duo standing before them. They recognised the significance of this moment, the arrival of two legendary figures who could shape the Empire's future.
Just as the Emperor was about to commence the court's daily proceedings, a sudden commotion erupted outside the courtroom.
The sound of hurried footsteps and strained voices filled the air, drawing the attention of the entire assembly. The grand doors swung open, revealing a chaotic scene unfolding before their eyes.
Several guards, clad in the Emperor's regal armour, rushed into the courtroom, their faces etched with frustration. They were in hot pursuit of a brawny figure, a man whose imposing presence seemed to overshadow the guards themselves.
Evidently, this man possessed formidable strength, overpowering the guards' attempts to subdue him.
The courtiers murmured amongst themselves, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected interruption. Whispers and hushed conversations filled the room as they exchanged speculations about the man as they knew what would happen next.
The man struggling against the guards was none other than the Emperor's exiled cousin, known for his volatile temper and thirst for revenge. His eyes burned with fury, his face contorted with anger and indignation.
He had come with a singular purpose—to seek retribution against Ashton for what he perceived as a grave humiliation inflicted upon one of his family members during the ball.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, the Emperor rose from his throne, his voice resonating with authority and concern. "Hold, everyone! Cease this struggle at once!"
The court fell into an uneasy silence, their eyes shifting between the enraged cousin and their sovereign ruler. The tension in the air was palpable as the Emperor's gaze bore into his cousin, a flicker of disappointment and weariness evident in his eyes.
"Adri... what's the meaning of this!?" The Emperor clenched his fists as he held back the desire to punch the exiled moron. "Do you not understand the meaning of being exiled?"
"Well, well, little brother. It seems you have grown quite a bit... at least your ego did." Adri greeted the Emperor with a half-smile before pointing at Ashton. "But don't worry, I'm not here for you... but for that bastard. To punish him for his deeds!"
[A wild moron appears! What will you do now?]
'Could you shut it...' Ashton shook his head. He did not know who the man was, let alone what deeds he was talking about. 'Let's see how things pan out first.'
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶