The imperial envoy stood aghast, staring at the man before him. It was one thing to curse the Emperor in private when no one was around. But to spew such blatant venom in front of an imperial envoy, bearing the Emperor's own missive?
"How dare you! How could you speak so disrespectfully of His Imperial Majesty—"
"Shut your mouth unless you want to be thrown alive to a pack of starving hounds. I'm in a foul mood."
The envoy flinched, his body trembling at the man's threat. If it had been mere bluster, he might have retorted with righteous indignation, accusing the man of treason.
But this man was no mere braggart. The cold gleam in his eyes, the way he carried himself—it was clear that he wouldn't hesitate to follow through on his words.
"This bastard… there were already whispers about him killing one of the Emperor's envoys before…"