The Crown's Fire - Chapter 88

Chapter 88: A Wish
At Ebodia Encampment.

Ezme sat on the makeshift bench outside, watching as her men wrapped up everything to depart and journey back home. The war was far from over, but with their enemies retreating, there seemed little point in remaining in the encampment.

Ebodia had emerged victorious in this battle, thanks largely to the help of the golden dragon, which effortlessly decimated almost all of Helion’s forces.

“Now that damn dragon is hailed as a hero? What nonsense!” Ezme scorned, her gaze falling on Atlas, who was busy issuing instructions to his men. Clicking her tongue in frustration, she muttered, “Brother will scold me for sure if I return without our men.”

She wasn’t eager to leave just yet, especially since she hadn’t yet won over the man she desired. “Damn, he’s a tough one,” she muttered with a pout, her eyes sparking as she continued to watch Atlas.

Atlas owed her one. He had promised to grant her a wish in exchange for letting him borrow the disc where he could watch his first love, Princess Xenia, in her trials. She vividly remembered how he had cheered like a madman while watching the vision from the disc and witnessing Princess Xenia’s victory. And now, it seemed her fate was sealed as Princess Xenia ascended to the throne as the official Queen of Cordon.

“Heartbreak and joy all wrapped into one,” Ezme scoffed. Her thoughts were interrupted by one of her soldiers approaching her. “Your Highness, everything is ready, and everyone is prepared to depart.”

Right, she almost forgot to send a report to her brother.

“[Brother,] Ezme contacted him through their sibling bond. [Our men are ready to go back home…] she reported. [They will be arriving in a few days.]

[They?] he questioned.

[Well, I…]

[You! Mother was so worried about you that she kept asking me to order you to come back,] Nikolai scolded. [Bring him home. You’re powerful. You can bring him here in a snap in your mist form. Let Mother at least meet that man you’ve been obsessing about!]

Ezme gulped. As expected, her brother was well aware of what was going on with her.

Rolling her eyes, she scoffed, “Damn these soldiers, so very loyal to their king!”

Ezme then glared at her men, and they quickly turned away, making themselves look busy by engaging in conversations or pretending to be occupied with tasks.

She turned to look at Atlas instead, releasing a heavy sigh.

[But that man’s pretty tough, Brother. Can we give him more time?] she reasoned. [You see, things are complicated right now.]

[You have a duty here in our kingdom, Ezme,] Nikolai reminded her. [Must I remind you that you’re the Minister of Defence?]

Ezme pressed her lips together, feeling the weight of loneliness that had settled in her heart. Living alone for her entire life had taken its toll.

For a hundred and forty-eight years, she had wandered the earth, serving as the Ministry of Defense for thirty of those years, coinciding with her brother’s ascension to the throne as king of Valcrez. Yet, despite her accomplishments, she found herself growing weary and longing for something more. All she desired now was to settle down and start her own family.

‘Why is it so hard?!’ she inwardly complained, frustration bubbling within her.

Unrequited love was not a new experience for her. Darius had been her first love, but the werewolf king of Cordon was destined to be with another—a twist of fate that intertwined with Atlas’s own romantic history.

‘What a complicated twist of events,’ she mused, her expression reflecting the complexity of her emotions. Despite the complexities of the situation, she found it difficult to let go of her feelings for the Great Constable of Ebodia, Atlas. Before conceding defeat, she wanted to do her best to win him over.

[But, Brother… I’ve never felt this way in my years of immortality. Can you help me just this once? I want to win his heart, and I promise you I’ll bring him home as soon as I can to formally introduce him to you and Mother,] she insisted. [Besides, the war isn’t over yet. Prince Ezekiel strongly believes that Devon is still on his move and that their armies retreating was just another part of his plan. I want to assist and-]

[You. Get him here this instant so we can talk about your union!] Nikolai ordered, cutting her off using his authority. [I will not allow you to stay there without a proper stand on your current issue. You’re a Princess of our kingdom, Ezme! If you can’t bring him here, then come home. That’s an order!]

It was just the principle of the matter. Her brother simply refused to let her chase some man like that.

There was a loud sigh on the other end of the line before Ezme finally replied in a downcasted tone. [You do know that there will come a time that you and Mother will have to let me go…]

[I know, Ezme, but we have to do things properly. We cannot just let you do what you want. Please listen just this once and don’t break mine and Mother’s heart,] he firmly stated. [We want to send you off properly. I’ll send a formal request to Ebodia if you’re really decided on being with that man.]

[Alright then, Brother,] Ezme sighed. [Let me have a few days, then I’ll give you my final decision on the matter.]

Their conversation died down as they shifted their focus to more pressing matters. Once they had concluded, her brother severed the connection.

Ezme deliberately massaged her temples, feeling the weight of impending decisions. She glanced at her men and issued instructions to the second in command, “You can begin the journey back home without me. I’ll accompany Commander Atlas to Ebodia to discuss important matters with Prince Ezekiel.”

As her men departed, she remained in place. As expected, Atlas approached her with a furrowed brow. “Your men have left. Why are you still here?” he questioned.

“Are we prepared to depart? I’ll be joining your convoy,” she stated simply.

“What?!” he burst out.

“You promised to grant me a wish. I’ll tell you now what that wish is…” she declared with a mischievous smile.

“What is it?” Atlas inquired, his expression remaining stoic.

“I want to be your personal assistant for one hundred days,” she announced with a grin.