Survive As The Brute's Wife

The blooming flower looked like a celestial flower that would be apt for decorating the hair of the celestial maidens who dance around in the celestial pools. That enticing flower made everyone awed.

But for the Dowager, she felt like the flower is mocking her. The one that should not he there; the one that foretells the destruction of her beloved Empire, appeared to be mocking her. Gritting her teeth, she crushed the flower under her foot.

A tear that lingered in her eyes glowing to the light that lit up the sky scattered on her hand that appeared soft like the cream of milk. 

"I will stop you... I will..." she muttered as she closed her eyes. 

She was asked only one thing by her husband at his dying breath. He pleaded with her to protect the last of the Lukyan line with her everything. She couldn't give her heart to him but she vowed to at least give him his last wish.

And now... Everything is in ruins.

"Leave~" She said with her voice trembling as she heard the sound of a raven at the distance. The cry that many would consider a bad omen and the call for death, is her only hope for now. 

No one would like to stand near the Dowager to take the brunt of her anger. It was surprising that she is asking them to leave without meting punishments. And so, everyone scrambled away including the gardener. 

"Speak," Theodora didn't find any flutter in her heart seeing the figure rising from the dark. She used to be stunned seeing a figure forming from the shadows and used to wonder if she is seeking help from the wrong side. But she got used to it the more she sees it. 

The countless enemies of the state who were taken care of so splendidly by this... entity, dulled her senses and has hardened her heart. As she aged, her senses of morality reduced. Only the desire to protect the kingdom remained. 

"The wife your son chose is the one who took the sword," the dark figure said.

Theodora laughed. She had an inking of doubt that the destroyer of Lethusia cannot be a woman. To her defence, when was the last time a woman did something great?

Others may dismiss that idea altogether. But she didn't. She didn't believe it entirely either although it comes from a reliable source. But she cannot take a chance.

"So, kill her," she said and lifted her foot. 

Her lips curved to a smile seeing the flower crushed to a pulp. Just like the flower, she decided to crush that woman too. 

The dark figure bowed his head. The one they are going against is confirmed to be the Drovarys. The best they could hope for is that she hasn't realized her full potential. They were able to succeed to an extent the last time because of that. He just hoped that is the case this time too.

And...

"Have you found out about the whereabouts of the Choshech Orb, Your Highness?" the dark figure looked at the Dowager, still with his head bowed.

That was the one thing they couldn't get the previous time, allowing her to escape. The one who had access to that Orb was reluctant to use it. They have waited a long time for bringing her down. This time, they will have the chance. They have everything but that Orb. 

The Dowager waved her hand and turned her back to the dark figure, signalling that she has done talking to him. 

"The Dark Lord wants to tell you that there will be fire, Your Highness. And it will burn everything standing against him. Only those who are shielded behind him will prosper," the dark figure hissed and his voice trailed away in the breeze that brought in the scent of flowers. 

She let out a sigh. 

Choshech Orb is something that was protected by the Lukyan family for ages. Her husband said that it was something entrusted to them for safekeeping from the inception of this world. The Lukyan family believed that they are one of the descendants of the gods who are one of the first humans and are protected by the gods for generations. 

And she has access to the Choshech Orb; well, Maximus does as the heir of the Lukyan line. But she can get to that Orb if she put some effort. She is the one running the Empire in the absence 

Would she give up that Orb?

That Orb is said to be enclosing all the calamities within. It is said that the Great Father trapped the darkness ruling the lands inside that Orb so that the humans and other beings would live on the world peacefully.

For the Dark Lord to want that Orb...

For the first time in a long time, Theodora started to wonder if she has done something wrong by getting help from the dark mage. And if the woman Maximus insisted on marrying and bringing back is the destroyer, how can she relax? 

But then she shrugged off the feeling. Her son would return and she can talk some sense to him and find a way. Her son is called the Brute for a reason. He probably has a plan bringing her here even after knowing who she is because he has a plan.

Theodora's lips curved to a smirk. 

There isn't a shortage of women in the Palace. But her son insisted on bringing a woman from Deberia making her go mad. But knowing him, he only cares for expanding the empire.  For him to insist on marrying and bringing her back here, even giving her the title of a Princess, he should have a plan.

She would come here thinking that she would get coronate as the Empress, but what is actually waiting for her?

The dungeons or the gallows?

Staring at the sky, she started to laugh, scaring away the unsuspecting mole that peeked out of the ground. 

-----

Both Arioch and Maximus stared at each other in surprise. Arioch stared at the hole in his trouser and Maximus at the holes in the shoes. 

Arioch was stunned seeing the bright light. The last time she picked up the sword something different happened. And this time...

<With her here... will she change her mind? Will she learn who I am?>

"Well... are you up for a fight without weapons?" Maximus turned at Arioch and fisted his hand. Little sparks of lightning formed around his fist making Arioch grit his teeth. 

"Mock me all you want, Maximus," Arioch said his name with utter mockery. He still couldn't believe that the one who used to be so beneath his status, now calling himself the one above all. His blood boiled with rage. 

"You won't laugh for long. She promised to be on my side!" he added as if he was certain of it. His heart filled with glee as he saw Maximus' smirk reducing. 

He can provoke Maximus but he still couldn't even go against his powers. And that was a stab to his ego. His hand ended up on his necklace. Only then he remembered that the darkness hasn't returned yet. 

<I shouldn't have left it in the temple when I knew it is still guarded!>

But he didn't have a choice then. He couldn't win his fight against Theodus. He looked up. Morfan will have to stay inside the temple away from the sunlight. But had he found something to feed, he would have returned already. 

<So Theodus survives?>

He clutched the chain of his necklace as it vibrated. He sensed that Morfan is returning and he didn't want to expose it to Maximus. 

<It's time for me to leave!>

His eyes ended up at the wall of water in front of him. She is behind there and she is having the coveted sword in her hand. With her and the sword, he could rally a great army and take back what he owes. 

But he cannot stay here now for his plans to get exposed to Maximus. 

<But the sword...>

Arioch was in a serious dilemma. 

<Eh... I can get her back anytime I want! She thinks that I am Tubby!>

His lips curved up with a smirk. Also protecting his plans are more important than getting her by his side. It is not even a certainty now that she will be obedient as before.

As he was wondering how he could get out, he was stunned to see a glint right in front of him.

An arrow!

He swiftly fell on the sand, merely avoiding getting hit by the arrow and darted up. 

Maximus chuckled. Without even  turning back, he could see that his men he left at a comfortable tavern, riding towards him. 

"Elrich is pretty skilled with an arrow. If I were you, I'd just hug his arrow and spare wasting my energy running away," Maximus said sitting on the sand. 

Arioch gritted his teeth turning to look at Maximus.

"The day you part with your head is very near, Maximus!" he shouted and started to run. 

Elrich's arrows whooshed past Maximus. Elrich was chasing Arioch sitting on his horse, but Maximus was stunned as he saw Arioch disappearing in the darkness.

"Where is he? Did he disappear? Damn! I thought I hit him!" Elrich got down from the horse and asked as he was stunned. 

Maximus squinted his eyes as he felt a familiar darkness.

«Morfan?»