The Crown's Fire - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Traitor
Asura let out a heavy sigh as she made her way back to see if her father was done with his usual report and offering as the person in charge of overseeing Zion.

Guilt washed over her face at the thought of what her father did. She was aware of all her father’s dealings, especially since her father had sold himself to Devon so that he could have his current position over Zion.

She didn’t want to rattle her friend’s hideout on that one night three years ago during the siege of Helion, but she had no choice if she wanted to stay alive. Just because she was her father’s daughter didn’t mean that she would be protected. Nothing mattered to her father other than himself and his greed for power.

“You, stop right there!”

She abruptly halted, her heart hammering hard against her chest at the sound of Mistress Marla’s voice. Already, Asura could tell what the woman wanted from her.

Turning around, she met the scrutinizing gaze of the mistress. Marla might have a beautiful face, but she had a dark aura over her. She had the perfect curves and an allure that no man could reject. No wonder then that she was once the favorite of the Demon King. The woman was madly in love with Devon, and she would do anything for him even if it meant offering her own life for the demon.

“Tell me what’s going on with you and that bjtch?” Marla growled. “I smell something fishy, and why do you two always hold hands whenever you meet?!”

“Maybe she just misses me that much?” Asura answered with an awkward smile. She then added, “Either way, I believe I shouldn’t be the one you should ask that question, Mistress. You see, I’m also confused as to why her Ladyship loves holding my hands whenever we see each other.”

Snorting, she even naively blinked at Marla before offering her hands to the mistress. “Can you hold my hands and see if there’s something special to them?” Asura asked. “To be honest, I always get nervous whenever she holds my hand. I mean… I know she said she already forgave me for my mistake years ago but for some-”

“Enough with your nonsense!” Marla barked.

Asura gulped. “I understand, Head Mistress,” she meekly nodded. “I guess I should leave now and look for my father this instant.”

She then quickly turned and walked away as fast as she could. “That was close,” she sighed to herself. Her face then darkened upon recalling the man who dared to sweep her off her feet only to run away after getting the information he wanted. Because of her weak heart and poor judgment, she once again rattled her friend.

“Those men are all the same!” she grunted.

For some reason, they only wanted her body, not caring deeply enough for her as opposed to actually loving her. Her eyes reddened at such thoughts. She had truly thought she already found the man who would take her away from her misery.

“I’ll definitely kill that werewolf once our paths cross again!” she chided with gritted teeth.

With her teeth still gnashing, Asura made her way back to the hall where her father was having his formal meeting with the other officials of Helion. She turned to him, and she then saw Luis who was currently waiting for her signal.

She simply nodded at the young Commander, and she let out another sigh as she stared at the man. It seemed like the guilt would continue to haunt her for a long time. She and Luis, along with their Princess, grew up together. Their dear Princess, whom she now addressed as Her Ladyship, the favored mistress of the Demon King against her will.

‘Damn these two…’ she inwardly grunted.

Luis had formed a union with Her Ladyship’s knowledge, and she became a part of it without her even knowing of it; making her their messenger and an accomplice without her consent.

Still, Asura didn’t mind. This way, she thought she could at least repent for her and her father’s crimes. Besides, the secret group, Luis and the Princess had made no direct actions against Devon so far. Their group’s current mission was to simply ensure the safety of Zion’s citizens despite how it was already under Devon’s rule.

Unsurprisingly, her Ladyship didn’t just bargain for her and her brother’s safety, but she also didn’t forget about her people. Asura didn’t know what was happening between the Demon King and Her Ladyship behind closed doors, but she could only think of the worst between them.

Thankfully, Luis made sure that the citizens of Zion were aware of their princess’s actions. Because of their Princess, they were fortunate enough to not suffer too much when compared to the other kingdoms Devon had conquered.

Asura’s face twitched at the thought of the other people suffering. She couldn’t even imagine how the other kingdoms were faring against Devon’s severe mistreatment. At least their Princess was smart enough to get something from the devil and not just have the damn devil take advantage of her without gaining a single thing for all the trauma and unimaginable suffering she was surely getting.

“Have you seen her?” her father, Laban, asked with a frown as soon as she approached him.

“Of course. You should start paying respects to her as well, Father,” she grumbled in annoyance. “Who knows? She might end up Devon’s Queen soon.”

Thud

The sound of a chest falling echoed throughout the room, and Asura shook her head as she watched Luis quickly pick up the small chest that fell from his hand.

“You clumsy bastard!” her father hissed at Luis.

Rolling her eyes, Asura quickly grabbed her father’s attention. “I heard that the king will make her his Queen as soon as Her Ladyship completed the task the King gave her.”

In truth, she just heard it from the servants who were eavesdropping outside the bedchamber of the Princess a while ago. They had quickly reported it to Marla, and with her strong sense of hearing, she was able to hear what the servants whispered into her ear.

“Hah. We don’t know that yet,” her father hissed. “Why don’t you try your luck with the king and be useful for once?”

She quickly signaled for Luis to leave. She then pouted her lips and sarcastically stated, “The king is too obsessed right now with Her Ladyship, but maybe I’ll try since you want me to.” She ground her teeth in anger. “What exactly is even left in my life anyway? I’m the daughter of a traitor and a woman that every man never wants to take seriously! Someone like me suits the king better, right?”