Chapter 50 - Welcome To Ronmin Empire
Chapter 50 – Welcome To Ronmin Empire
"We're already surrounded."
Multiple figures suddenly slinked out of the dark while letting out a growl. I squeezed myself to Hugo, looking around at those glowing eyes around. The wolves were just like my size, making me clasp my hand together.
"Your Highness, His Majesty, the Emperor, summoned you to meet him immediately."
I froze when I heard an unfamiliar voice. I looked around to search for the source of the voice and my eyes landed on the silver-colored wolf. They could talk in their wolf form? But his lips weren't moving, though. No, that wasn't what important. These wolves didn't look ordinary — although I didn't have anyone to compare them to. My gut feeling told me they weren't easy people to deal with.
"Uh," Hugo chuckled in a low tone, and yet, it sent a shiver down my spine. "He summons me… but you all came here as if I am a felon. What am I going to do with you lot?"
He scratched his temple with his index while raising a brow. Staring at him and at how his aura changed, I was starting to get more terrified of Hugo than these other werewolves. Hugo looked pissed.
"Are you trying to embarrass me in front of my woman?"
My shoulders instantly tensed as those glowing eyes shifted on me. I tried to hide behind Hugo, still clipping the hem of his shirt tightly.
"Not at all, Your Highness. His Majesty had been waiting for you since earlier. He will be upset if you make him wait longer."
"That is not my problem." Hugo's reply was quick and emotionless. "He should've waited for me in the palace. I didn't ask him to welcome his beloved son –"
Hugo abruptly cut his words when an arrow landed an inch away from his feet. I looked back only to see a pack of wolves with a man riding on the biggest wolf. My heartbeat slowed down as I held my breath.
To me, these wolves were akin to soldiers marching to war. I was scared — terrified, even.
"Hugo…" I called worriedly as I looked up at him. Should we make a run for it? But Hugo just patted my head, smiling, closed-lipped.
He then bent over and whispered in my ear. "Don't be scared. They won't harm you." But before he could straighten his back, I clutched his chest.
"How about you?" I asked while staring into his eyes. "Will they harm you?"
Hugo's eyes dilated for a bit before they softened. His low chuckles slowly grew louder, making me knit my brows. Why was he laughing in this situation? I watched him shake his head lightly before he set his sharp eyes on me.
"Of course, they won't. They can try, but it won't happen." Hugo leaned his face forward, making me draw my head back. "This situation is not that serious. They just want to bother me because they miss me."
Missed him? His lips stretched into a grin, winking at me. For reasons unknown, his words felt… reassuring. So, I nodded slightly and watched him draw his head back.
"Hello there, dear Father," Hugo greeted with a big smile as soon as the man riding a big wolf entered our vicinity. I curtsied on instinct when the latter's eyes landed on me.
His aura was no joke and those golden eyes felt like they could pierce through my soul. Although he looked old, I could tell he was someone I shouldn't look in the eye. Even if Hugo didn't greet him, I already recognized who this person was. The emperor of the Ronmin Empire, Hugo's father, and the strongest werewolf, according to the pack.
Now, that person was staring at me. Although I had my head low, I could feel his penetrating gaze lingering on me.
"Child, raise your head." He ordered, and I knew it was meant for me.
I swallowed down a mouthful of saliva, mustering my courage to follow his order. I slowly raised my head, my heart beating slower than usual. I froze the second I locked eyes with him. I couldn't look away even when my mind was yelling I should.
He looked at me from head to toe with narrowed eyes, extending his hands in my direction. "Come here, child."
What? Why? I looked at Hugo and saw him nod approvingly.
'Hugo,' I whispered in my mind before I reluctantly approached the emperor. Once I stood a step away from the giant wolf he was riding, I cautiously looked up at him.
"Greetings to the brightest sun of the Empire," I greeted politely once again under his stifling gaze. My brows rose when he handed his hand to me.
"Come up here, child. It's cold out here."
I darted my eyes between his eyes and hands, confused at this hospitality. Was this alright? I looked back at Hugo, only to see he had his hands up at shoulder level as if he was surrendering.
"Don't worry about that pup. He will not die unless I kill him myself." I snapped my eyes open as I shifted them to the Emperor. "He just needs to finish something he left behind."
Finish something he left behind?
"Come."
I bit my lower lip and glanced at Hugo once again before taking the emperor's hand. As soon as I did, he pulled me up like I weighed a feather. My heart stopped for a bit when I sat on the wolf's back, in front of the emperor, legs on its rear.
"Teach them a lesson." The emperor ordered coldly as the wolf started walking away.
Wait, what? Did he order… I perked up over the emperor's shoulder only to see Hugo staring in our direction while Ivo and others were being seized.
"Hugo…" I called under my breath but looked up at the emperor when he spoke.
"They will be fine, child. I just need to teach those pups a lesson so they know how to treat a lady next time." The emperor gazed down and, to my surprise, his stony countenance a moment ago was replaced by a welcoming smile. He almost resembled Hugo's carefree smile.
"And welcome to the Ronmin Empire, young lady. Please marry my son."
Huh?