(eng) Michael-Scott Earle by The Destroyer 03

Author:The Destroyer 03 [03, The Destroyer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Empress Telaxthe,

I will be returning to the capital with my army and generals.

I look forward to partnering with your people and hope that you believe in peace and prosperity as much as I do.

Duchess Nadea Satina Nia

I read the words in less than two seconds, but it took a few dozen for the meaning to sink in and for my stomach to curdle into rancid cheese. What in the hell was she doing? This wasn't what we had agreed to and her decision destroyed the plans I had made over the last few days.

"Isslata has told me of your feelings for the duchess. Initially, we had been led to believe that you and the king's daughter were lovers." I looked at the empress's slight smile and tried not to growl. "The letter is great news for me."

"Why do you benefit?" I tried to say the words calmly, but there was a quiver in my voice.

"I do need her help to placate the nobles and merchants. We had believed Nanos could replace his father, but he has proven unsuitable. We have been unable to find his sister. Nadea and her father are well respected in this country. If she will cooperate with me, then I will fulfill what I outlined in the letter I wrote to her." She raised her wine glass to her lips and took another sip.

I forced a slow, deep breath out of my lungs and realized that this may not be such a bad turn of fate. As soon as Nadea met Telaxthe, they would know about their relationship. I doubted that my beautiful friend would be in danger after that.

I could only guess at the circumstances that caused Telaxthe to abandon her child in the first place. Maybe she wanted Nadea to be killed and someone else had saved the babe and sent her away via the Radicle?

"I take it that the human's decision was not what you planned?" Alatorict raised an eyebrow in question. I wanted to burn the smirk off of his angular face with a fireball.

"Not quite." I looked down at my food, but the bowl was still empty. Maybe there was a way I could quit this dinner, retire to my prison tent, and plan more before speaking to them. Now that Nadea was coming back I needed a new strategy.

"We already had delegates in Brilla of course,” Jayita said. "We've promised them profitable trade agreements and some of our craftsmen on loan in exchange for their refusal to shelter any soldiers or political refugees." I nodded and managed to gain control over my emotions. Of course they had planned that Nadea would try to flee. They would want to tie up all loose ends with death or alliance. Nadea must have found out about Brilla's inability to help her and took the only avenue available.

"That brings us back to the topic of discussion for tonight." Telaxthe waved her hand and the servants began to clear the salad bowls and bring out massive silver platters.

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