Playing with Fire

"You're really not going to run away? I'm giving you a chance right now," Axel whispered through Lila's ear. "I am giving you a chance, just run away and stop this game."

As he stood there, waiting for his father, the Emperor, to speak, Axel suddenly remembered how unbothered Lila was when his bare torso was showing. Her indifferent expressions were so hard to read. He couldn't read her at all. A beautiful face devoid of emotion.

Thinking back, the knights quietly claimed before, while they were taking a bath together, that all of the women would drool over his figure. Axel thought every woman would beg for his affection. 'How come I didn't appeal to her at all? She must be crazy.' Axel pondered.

One thing that would be beneficial to him from getting married to her is that he could finally get rid of Stella. Stella's greed for power. Axel enjoyed watching her hopes come to an end.

"Your Highness, you swore that I will be your Crown Princess. How can you abandon me and leave me after we had that one passionate night?" Stella furiously said.

One passionate night?

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince Axel Carlisle of Ezra of the Northern Empire, and Lady Lila Elara of Montgrave from the Southern Empire, Azro have arrived."

Axel looked at the woman beside him, Lila Elara of Montgrave.

'What the hell are you planning? If you are going to use me, I'll also use you, Lila.' Axel muttered to himself.

"Let them in!" the Emperor commanded.

"Greetings to the Ezra's Son of War, I, Lila Elara of Montgrave, all hail to Atticus of Ezra, the Emperor of the Northern Empire," Lila elegantly said as she bowed.

Lila's slender innocent face, dainty beautiful neck, and pale shoulders evoked protective impulses. This woman is showing exceptionally excellent noble etiquette. Slowly raising her upper body, her long golden hair seemed to shine unbelievably bright. Her hair was thick and luxurious, appearing to flow like fluids of expensive gold.

"I am pleased to meet you, Lila," the Emperor said.

With the same red eyes as Axel's, dark black hair, skin marked with apparent scars, and a powerful build, he was once a renowned sword wielder. Axel's father, the Son of War, Atticus of Ezra, the Emperor, attempted to maintain an air of generosity, claiming to be kind and benevolent. The rivalry between the two empires is revolting to him, watching an outsider with his beloved son.

[flashback]

"Your Highness, I have already chosen the Crown Princess," the Empress replied.

"Lila Elara of Montgrave from the Southern Empire, Azro."

"Are you out of your mind, Mother?" Axel yelled.

"Montgrave? Is she related to Noah? Noah of the Montgrave?" the Emperor inquired.

The Empress casually mentioned, "I believe Noah of the Montgrave is her father."

"Oho! The daughter of the renowned knight, Noah. The only one who can beat me in sword fighting. Interesting," the Emperor exclaimed excitedly.

Axel questioned, "Father, what are you planning?"

"Use her. Use her as a pawn, you're the king, control her. I've always wanted Noah by my side. I heard she's the former Crown Princess of the Southern Empire, Azro. If she's planning to harm our family, kill her in an instant," the Emperor replied sternly.

"You mentioned that her father provided us with the letter establishing the proposed treaty, right?" the Emperor inquired.

The Empress answered, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"That's strange. Why would Noah bring his only child inside the house of his enemy? This is not logical," the Emperor asked. The Emperor commanded to summon Noah of the Montgrave.

"If Noah is finally on my side, my offer from years ago remains valid; I am looking forward to seeing him again." The Emperor smiled. Despite the fact that the two empires had been established as rivals, it was clear that the Emperor revered that knight, Noah of Montgrave.

"If this is a trap, we'll have his daughter with a sword around her neck in an instant. If this is a setup, Montgrave and the Southern Empire of Azro are playing with fire. I will ensure that Lila, his precious child, is unable to withstand the heat," the Emperor said with those burning red eyes.

'Lila Elara, you are going to regret this,' Axel thought.

[end of flashback]

≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾

The magnificent door behind Lila gave the feeling that a God could be enthroned here. 'Wow, this is amazing. All of the items here must be costly.' Lila said to herself.

'If Axel grows old, he will probably resemble his father. Atticus of Ezra, Emperor of the Northern Empire and Son of War. I can't breathe. His presence is utterly overwhelming.' Lila uttered to her mind.

"Greetings to the Ezra's Son of War, I, Lila Elara of Montgrave, all hail to Atticus of Ezra, the Emperor of the Northern Empire," Lila said as she bowed.

"Your coronation will take place tomorrow," the Emperor announced.

"You will be the Crown Princess of the Northern Empire Ezra,"

'I cannot believe that everything is quickly happening.' Lila pondered.

The Crown Prince didn't even utter a word.

"I am very grateful, Your Majesty. I swear on my name that I will serve the Northern Empire," Lila said.

"Well then, you may take your leave. Enjoy the rest of the night," the Emperor said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Well then, if you'll excuse me," Lila answered, but a big hand grabbed her and yanked her outside spitefully.

"My patience is wearing thin. Leave while I'm giving you a chance," Axel commanded.

'If it was inevitable that my family would be labeled as a traitor. At least here, I have power. My family and I are safe. I'll accept the risk that comes with it.' Lila contemplated.

"If you're planning to do something, do not do it. Do not drag me into your fairytale," Axel remarked as he walked away.

≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾

"I, Lila Elara of Montgrave, solemnly swear to serve His Majesty and the Northern Empire, Ezra," Lila said as she kneeled down at the Emperor.

"With this sword, I bestow upon you the title of the Crown Princess of the Northern Empire, Ezra!" the Emperor calmly said.

"Long Live the Crown Princess of the Northern Empire!"

"Long Live our Princess!"

The Crown Prince extended his hand. Lila was hesitant. However, he instantly took her hand and placed it on his arm.

1. Marry the Crown Prince Axel Carlisle of the Northern Empire, Ezra.

2. Invade the Southern Empire, Azro. Kill the Crown Prince, Mateo of Azro. This time, his death will be in her own hands.

This marriage isn't a treaty. Lila is one step closer to her plans. She won't run away.