Chapter 224 - The World She Remembers
Chapter 224 – The World She Remembers
Whatever was happening in this world, the sun would still rise without conditions and the night would still fall when it was time. No one could stop it and we simply had to go with the flow. As long as we could rise each morning and rest each night.
We do what must be done. Because in the end, we would eventually leave this world, and the world would continue to revolve at its own pace. It was simply a matter of choice how we would want to leave this world to those who were yet to be born.
"It happened."
The air in the meeting room where the council in the Ronmin Empire and a few members of the royal family thickened. It had been three months since what happened to Althea.
"The previous emperor's reign in the Hendrik Empire ended and is now hailing a new emperor," Ivo continued the report with a stern voice. "Based on the reports from the pack who were keeping an eye on the situation of that place, the emperor is focusing on military strength. They hunted down the werewolves we planted in Hendrik. Although our casualty is small, I'm certain this is only the start before the new emperor declares war."
Again, silence enveloped the entire room after Ivo's reports. Niall claimed the throne faster than I had expected and he didn't waste time to let the werewolves know he had succeeded. This may sound an irony, but if not for Hugo's pack surrounding the Hendrik Empire, the casualties would be critical.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Niall would send all werewolves' heads back to Ronmin only to taunt the emperor. But he let his warning known to us.
Niall would come for us, for the werewolves.
The tapping of the emperor's fingers against the surface of the table was clearly heard. Sitting silently on the end of this immense oval table, his expression grim. Everyone remained silent, eyes on the emperor, waiting for his orders.
"We had always known this would happen." Deimos's low voice echoed, bouncing at every corner of the meeting hall. "The old man had fallen in the hands of his son. Although I had a little of hope he would persist, the result said otherwise."
"Unlike the previous emperor of Hendrik, the new emperor poses a threat to our kind. It is only a matter of time before he declares war to end this feud that had been going on for centuries once and for all." His expression grew worse by the second, curling his fingers into a fist. "We had seen this inevitable occurrence. Therefore, we had been preparing for it for a very long time."
Deimos glanced at everyone sitting around the table solemnly. Just like him, everyone wore a solemn look on their faces. The only exception was Hugo, who was leaning back comfortably, staring at the ceiling, trapped in his own world.
"Before they march to the borders of Ronmin, Silas, Daniel, Cora, and Alice will prepare their men to guard the respective borders they had been guarding. The Tarsa tribe will assist you. The royal warriors will as well prepare to assure the safety of our people," he continued in the same determined voice, giving everyone their task under the royal decree of the emperor. "We will also form a special group who will journey to the Hendrik Empire and regroup with the mad wolf pack. Hugo will lead the group and I will give him the authority to pick the people he wants to take with him."
Deimos gave out his orders, while everyone could only listen. This wasn't the first time he joined in the council meeting, but he wasn't always present. Yet each time he was, the movements of this situation would take one or two steps.
Shortly after receiving his orders, the council meeting ended with the emperor standing from his seat. As soon as he did, everyone also stood to show respect. But instead of simply walking away, my father-in-law cast me a look.
"The Grand Duchess, may you come with me? I would like to talk to you privately," he said sternly, and I bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With that being said, I followed Deimos' tracks out of the meeting hall. I glanced at Hugo before leaving, catching him wink at me. For obvious reasons, I felt like missing him.
****
"Rinnie."
Deimos led me to the emperor's study room and also his office. He stood in front of the window, hands on his back. Meanwhile, I stood from a respectable distance, eyes on him.
"You knew about the mole?" he asked in a solemn tone, and right then and there, I knew why he asked me to come with him.
"I am aware of the mole, but I don't know who it was," I replied calmly, breathing out faintly. "Father, are you perhaps hesitating now that you figured who it was?"
The emperor remained silent for a very long time. Staring at his back brought this slight sadness and pity to my heart. He wouldn't bring up this discussion if they hadn't uncovered who was the traitor among his children. It had been months since they started their investigation and it was just about time they finally figured out who it was.
"Do you have an ability to make everyone forget?" he asked, slowly turning around to face me. "Child, can you make all of us forget?"
I stared at his solemn expression, noticing the utter sadness lying deep in his eyes. He was asking me with pride and dignity, but his eyes wore desperation. He was suffering already, and the terror hadn't started yet.
"I… can't," came out a soft voice, but my calm mien remained the same. "I can't do that, Father. Even if I can, your heart will remember the agony."
I took a momentary pause when his face crumpled slightly. "Acceptance… that one must have a life to live on their own terms is the way in life. And it's not a matter of not being able to let go, Your Majesty. Your child made a decision, and you must also choose. Was it that person? Or your other children?" I explained as I trudged towards him until we were face to face.
"Lamb… how can I make such a decision? How can I choose between my children?"
"I know, child." I cupped his cheek and smiled wearily. "How can one choose between their children? But isn't that the real reason… until now, the werewolf and vampires are in this situation? Because your creator… cannot choose between who gets to live and who dies?"
"If you don't do it, I or Hugo will do it for you." I breathed out, watching him on the brink of breaking down.
My eyes softened, staring at the vulnerable emperor. When I blinked ever so slowly, Deimos was gone, and I simply had my hands up. The magnificent study room of the emperor was replaced by a ruined castle with the window and wall now broken. A sight I was getting used to.
"Lamb, stop it now," spoke a voice from behind me, but like usual, I ignored him. "You cannot change it! Until when will you stay stubborn?!"
"Until… it becomes reality," I whispered the usual words I would speak to him, blinking once again only to find myself in the current lapse. "You'll be fine, child.. My heart is with you."