The Princess'choice II

Last straw

Elidi

I took a deep breath before entering to the town hall. Emmett was already waiting for me with a smile on his face. I stood in front of him and seeing my face, his smile faded.

- Is something wrong? - he asked and I shook my head.

- I'm just a bit tired. Let's discuss the terms of pur alliance, shall we?- I asked offering him a seat but Emmett kept standing.

- Why are you so cold again? Did I do something wrong? - he asked and I felt bad for him. Why is he staring at me like this? He has his love at home. Why do I see care and worry? I might be imagining things.

- This is a serious question and we must treat it as it is. You need to know exactly what you are getting yourself, your Empire and your loved ones in. Take a seat. - Emmett sat in front of me and I started.

- Honestly, I can't guarantee anything. If we succeed, the chance that this Empire gets back on its feet in a short period of time is almost impossible. We do have riches, but the damages my half brother did, requires those savings. I don't know how we could pay back the help and I don't find it fair with you this alliance. - Emmett looked me with a serious expression and said in a cold, emotionless voice that I haven't heard from him since we met.

- I already told we want your power on our side and not against us. We can guarantee that with an alliance. We will write a contract if needed with the terms that we help you get the Empire back and in return you will never turn against us. - I knew this was still and unfair agreement.

- What if your Empire turns against mine in the future? The contract will force me to look as you destroy what I built up! - I said a bit angrily and Emmett laughed with and empty laughter. Than, he hit the desk between us with both of his palms. The desk cracked a bit and he looked at me with anger and a little bit of disappointment.

- Do you think I would ever do something like that?! I was the one who came here offering my help and risking being caught! You don't even know me well enough to judge me! Did I give any sing of unfairness in these last days which makes you think that I'd ever go against my word?! - the last part he shouted at me basically. I felt my heart breaking. What I thought I felt was just an illusion. There was nothing between us.

- Your Highness's current behaviour only confirms what I have just said. There can always come a moment when self-interest, the interests of our own empires, can override the agreement. We should think about this more meticulously. - Emmett laughed but his voice sounded like a battle horn.

- You are making a serious mistake. - he said and we both stayed silent for seconds that felt like an eternity. The doors swung open and Conrad shouted.

- THEY TOOK MAYA! - my heart skipped a beat. I ran out murmuring a spell to change my appearance and my palms were already on fire. I've had enough of this. With or without help, I'll protect my people and take back what belongs to me! I had no time to be annoyed or worried about Emmett or the alliance. Maya needed me.

- Don't let anyone out of the barrier! - I shouted to the guards and I ran through the protective shield. I glanced behind and sighed with relief that no one followed me and the barrier remained intact. I followed the footsteps of the horses for hours until it get dark. I arrived to the depths of the forest and noticed a campfire further ahead. I checked my appearance in the nearby lake and smiled at the silly looking blonde who stared back at me. I approached the camp and waved.

- Hello, is anyone here?! - I asked shyly and all men turned to me. Poor Maya was tied up against a tree, guarded by two muscle mountains. A sly looking man, probably with the leader stood up and walked to me smiling.

- Hi sweety, what is a fine, young lady doing all alone in the woods? - I looked down acting innocent.

- I got lost. - another man approached and he smelled horrible from the alcohol.

- Aren't you afraid of the big bad wolf? - he asked and I opened my eyes wider to appear afraid.

- So there is a wolf! Please may I stay here for tonight? You are all strong and brave knights, I won't survive alone! - the leader stared at my boobs and smiled.

- Of course! It is our duty as a knight to protect the weak and innocent! Please take a seat. - I took a seat where he pointed and he pulled me closer to him. I stared at Maya and asked.

- Why is the lady tide up there? - one fat and disgusting man smiled at me woth his mouth full of food.

- She is a bad person sweety. She serves the evil witch who hides somewhere in the Empire! - I caught my hands in front of my mouth and asked.

- Witch?! So its true as well?! - I turned to their leader and asked.

- Is everything from the fairytales true?! The wolf that eats the granny, the knights who save ladies and the evil witches as well!? - he laughed and held my face with one of his hands.

- Yes they are, but we will protect you don't be afraid. - they all got closer to me and Maya shouted.

- LEAVE THAT LITTLE GIRL ALONE YOU FILTHY ANIMALS!

- Shut up! - the leader screamed and one of the guards hit Maya in her side. They gathered closer to me and I asked.

- What is going on? - they laughed and the leader smiled keeping my face held in his hand.

- We are just trying to protect and keep you warm.

- Brave knight... - I started and felt his disgusting hand on my waist. I swear as soon as this ends I'll jump into the lake for a bath! - I thought but kept my disgust hidden

- Tell me sweety. - he said leaning closer.

- If everything is true from the fairytales, are there dragons as well? - they all laughed and didn't care to answer my question.

- Who starts? - the fat one asked and the leader said.

- I'll obviously.

- RUN LITTLE GIRL! - Maya screamed and I felt bad that she got hurt again, but I needed all these idiots as close as possible.

I opened my eyes wide and pointed behind the leader.

- Is that a dragon? - I asked and they didn't care to turn around. - I moved my hand carefully and formed a huge dragon out of the campfire behind them. When the leader wanted to kiss me he probably saw the dragon's reflection in my innocent brown eyes and he pushed me towards the dragon.

- A DRAGON! KILL IT! - he ordered but his people ran away. I stood up and walked through the flames. As I saw them running away I shook my head.

-Not under my watch. Let's play catch knights! - I sent the fire dragon after them and literally set all of them on fire. The knights screamed in pain and tried to extinguish the fire without success. The leader was sitting om the ground terrified.

- DON'T COME ANY CLOSER! - he shouted and I lifted him with my powers bringing him in front of me.

- WHAT ARE YOU? - he asked pointing his dagger at me. I held the point of it with two fingers and burned it into ashes. My hair turned back into red, my eyes green and I smiled looking into his mortified glance.

- The one you shouldn't mess with! Tell that motherfucking i***t that if he tries to lay a hand on any of my people again, I won't care about the consequences. I will hunt him down like a pig. I'll strangle with his guts the damned man I'm ashamed to call my father, and I'll pin both their heads to the castle tower as a reminder. - I grabbed his head with one hand and started to burn his face on one side. My head hurt due to the amount of power I used and because of the malice I used it for. He screamed in pain and Maya shouted at me to stop. I stopped burning him and asked.

- Will you deliver my message, brave knight? - he didn't answer. I released him from my magical hold and he fell lifelessly on the ground. I signed and stepped over him heading to Maya.

- Why did you do that? - she asked when I released her and I hugged her.

- It was the last straw. I guess, even I can make mistakes. Next time, I'll be a little more careful. - I said and healed Maya quickly. My head hurt and I suddenly felt dizzy.

- My lady! - I heard Maya scream before everything got dark.