~~ALIVE IN BLOOD AND DEBRIS ~~
CHAPTER 2
"Azekiel Izer Dowanger, I- The Emperor of Astharoth , command you to leave for Sundrael and conquer the kingdom," the young emperor with eyes matching the rainforests and hair as dark as the night sky. He sat on the lavish throne proudly, or rather- on the throne where someone else should have sat on...
Azekiel bowed quietly. His aide, an expert at reading his unspoken words, bowed and replied, "Master Azekiel have ensured that he will bring victory to you, Your Highness."
The corner of his lips twitched slightly, "Azekiel- I hope you would not disappoint me. Oh yes- also bring war prisoners back alright? And if you find any particular interesting one- I dare say- you could make it your own."
Azekiel said nothing, but his one glare held a chain of words- which again- his aide transalated, this time seemingly more nervous, "M-Master Azekiel.. wants to say that.. he is unlike his naive little brother the emperor.. a-and has no intention in being like him-"
"AZEKIEL! How DARE you look down on me! Just because you are my elder brother doesn't mean you could say just anything about me! I AM the rulling king!"
Azekiel said nothing, his light gold eyes looked at his younger brother with a pitiful but authoritive look, his black hair swaying in the zephyr which blew timidly as if to ease the tension.
But then the faint cries of a child was heard, as an old woman entered the court and curtisised. Her grey old eyes were tired, but full of care and warmth. The emperor straightened up, his anger being betrayed by the small smile now creeping up on his face, "Nanny Cheo- What brings you here?"
"We hail the Emperor of Astharoth," she curtisized and continued, "Master Lucien , Its just.. the baby.. she is throwing a tantrum since she desperately misses Master Azekiel."
The emperor's smile fell, replaced with a expression of rage and dislike, "Nanny- You should say that to her FATHER here-" he looked pointedly at Azekiel, "Too bad he has to go for war now-"
He was interrupted by the cries of the baby growing louder as the maid brought her to the court hurriedly.
Azekiel's eyes and his unfazed demeanor soon changed slightly, with a look of worry in his eyes as he strode forward and raised his hands to the maid.
The maid cowered in fear, but the baby crawled into his arms. His hands may have been rough, even unfit to hold a small life in his arms- but he held the baby close to his chest as gently as he could, as the baby clung on him smiling up at him with a innocent face, very much contrasting to his own.
The baby's gold eyes and black hair mirrored his own, and her cheerful facade aligned against everything he stood for- yet his lips gave way to a rare smile whenever the child as much as spared him a glance, and his heart felt warm at the sight.
"Hah- How despisingly 'heartwarming'," the emperor spat, "I would mistake that smile as one only reserved for THAT thing- couldnt imagine brother, that you will step that low and heir a child with some lowly woman-"
Azekiel glared at the emperor- enough to make his mouth shut. His aide bowed and transalated his words rashly, "Umm.. Your Highness.. Master Azekiel wishes to say that.. that... 'Its none of your business whom I interact with, and I will only leave for war after I have put my daughter to sleep'.." the aide trembled slightly, knowing the treacherous words escaping his mouth were the words of the first son of the royal lineage- but very well knowing that his lord was crossing the lines.
Lucien was so brogious that he drawled out his sword, but his aides and ministers fell forward to their knees begging him to not harm the mute Azekiel, who was the only hope for everyone in the kingdom to win a battle against the enemies. But Azekiel, as much didn't spare a glance at Lucien, and turned to exist the court with the young life in hand, as if he didn't care whether the king made his life hell.
Because he had suffered enough that even hell didn't seem that bad...