Chapter 30 - Zero

I left the council room dragging my feet. Those old men like to work me to the bone, I thought to myself rubbing the back of my stiff neck.

The temporarily peace treaty with Gem is done and the date for the meeting for the Emperors is set. Now I can finally relax a little, maybe soak my body in a nice warm bath.

I was just about to reach my room when I heard voices a few doors down. "She wont wake up. Doctor please do something." Said a worried voice that sounded like Jugo's.

'What is he doing here so late?' I walked to a door that was cracked open a little and pushed it open. Jugo's back was facing me and standing next to him was an old man with a long white beard. If I remember correctly he is the doctor for the guards.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked demandingly, Jugo jumped at the sound of my voice turning towards me fast.

"Lord Zero, I am sorry for disturbing you." Jugo said in a panic bowing. There was only one lamp making it very dim in the room.

"I have brought Anya here but the young Master was asleep in his chambers so I brought her here to sleep my Lord." Jugo said still bowing. The doctor beside him also bowed and then looked over at Anya who looked very pale.

"What happened to her?" I asked rushing to her side. "I'm not sure my Lord, I haven't examined her yet." The doctor said kneeing beside Anya's bedside. "Please give me time." He said bluntly, I glared at Jugo who coward in the corner of the room.

"I will only ask you once more, what happened to her?" I asked Jugo coldly, he was shrinking in the corner trying his best to disappear.

"I-I gave her the drug the young Master gave me to give to her." Jugo said shacking with fear in his eyes.

"What was the drug you gave her?" The doctor behind me asked calmly. "I gave her a spoonful of starless. I put it her tea when she left the room." Jugo said bowing his head.

"I'm sorry Lord Zero I didn't mean to cause harm to her." He kneed down on all fours. "You may punish me as you see fit my Lord but first please help her I beg of you." His forehead was touching the ground and his body was stiff.

I was speechless, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Has he grown feelings for her?. . No that's not it he's just terrified of what Teo would do to him.

I sighed, "I'll deal with you later. For now just leave and don't inform the Emperor, I'll do that myself." I said sternly, he finally lifted his head up.

"Thank you my Lord." I could hear the relieve in his voice. He got up and walked to the door before he left he took one last glance at Anya before leaving the room shutting the door behind him.

Teo didn't tell me he was going to have her drugged. If I had known this I wouldn't have allowed it, for this exact reason.

I went to Anya's bedside looking at her beautiful pale face. She had long black eyelashes and her lips were a soft pink. Every minute that past the color was slowly coming back to her beautiful face.

Now that I get a closer look at her, she was more beautiful then the last time we met. I was almost tempted to touch her but the doctor spoke taking me out of my trance.

"He gave her to much starless but it will wear off in a few days. Just make sure she stays hydrated until she wakes up. She will lose some weight but she will be fine." The doctor said unenthused packing up all his tools getting ready to leave.

"Wait...," I grab the doctors arm. "She may be the Emperors first concubine. I need you to..," I cough but the words were stuck in the back of my throat. I cleared my throat, hating that I even have to ask this. I straightening my posture hardening my face.

"I need you to make sure she is eligible." Those few words tasted bitter on my tongue. As much as I hate doing this to her. I don't have a chose, I need to do what's best for Teo and this is the perfect chance to do it.

"I need you to do a body examination. She must be perfect for our Emperor. Make sure she is healthy and she must be a virgin if not let me know right away. I'll make sure to bring a maid in to assist you." I said keeping all my emotions hidden. The doctors eyes widen but he closed his eyes looking pained. "I don't agree with what your asking of me but very well," he whispered sorrowfully. He sat back down and I felt the room to look for a maid.

I'm sorry Anya but my job is to make sure I'm doing what's best for my Emperor, even if it's not in your best interest.