NOVEL NEXT Chapter 232. The Dragon’s Celebration II
Dragon King's Harem Chapter 232. The Dragon's Celebration II
As the celebration carried on, Evelina and I simply sat and enjoyed the festivities from a distance. The night was getting late and the celebration was getting more and more lively. Evelina even decided to add to the celebration by singing a song to commemorate the dragons' victory.
With a harp in hand, she began to play and sing, her melodious voice filling the room. The notes she played on the harp were like a symphony, each one building upon the last to create a beautiful and moving melody. Her voice was like a bird's, sweet and clear, and as she sang, it was as if the words came alive, painting a picture in the minds of all those who heard her.
The soldiers were mesmerized by her singing, their eyes fixed upon her as they listened in awe. They were captivated by the beauty of her voice and the emotion that she put into her singing. As she came to the end of the song, applause filled the room, the soldiers showing their appreciation for the beautiful performance that they had just witnessed.
"Next is me. I hope you don't mind listening to my song," Guillotine stood up from his seat, a broad grin on his face as he volunteered to perform.
I answered Guillotine with a nod, permitting him to sing. Once he began to sing, it was clear that his voice was discordant and harsh, causing the soldiers to wrinkle their foreheads and cover their ears in discomfort. But Guillotine didn't seem to care and continued to sing confidently, his voice filling the room with its harsh and grating notes. The soldiers couldn't bring themselves to say a word, for Guillotine was their general and they held him in high regard.
Despite the poor quality of his singing, I remained calm and sipped my wine, understanding that his power and skills as a fighter and leader were far more important than his singing abilities. The soldiers, too, seemed to understand this and still gave him applause, showing their appreciation for his leadership and bravery.
After Guillotine's song, the celebration continued with a magnificent dinner. The tables were piled high with delicious meats and savory sauces, and the soldiers ate and drank with relish, enjoying the feast that had been laid out before them. The mood was light and joyful, as we all took a moment to forget about the war and simply enjoy each other's company. The night was filled with laughter and song.
I glanced to the side and noticed that Evelina had finally regained her appetite. She was clapping and laughing along with the soldiers, her face alight with joy. I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me.
"You look better," I said, my eyes fixed on her.
She turned to me, a sweet smile blooming on her face. "I am. After resting and calming myself, I feel much better. My mind is clearer now," she said.
"Good to hear that," I said, taking a sip of my wine.
"May I ask you something, Your Majesty?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
"Go ahead," I said, giving her my permission.
"Why were you not mad at me?" she asked, her eyes searching mine for an answer.
"Hmm?" I frowned, not fully understanding the meaning of her question. "Why would I be mad at you?" I asked, confusion etched on my face.
After a moment of contemplation, she finally spoke, her voice soft and hesitant. "It's about my request to give medicine to the young orcs," she explained, her eyes fixed firmly on mine as she awaited my response.
I let out a long exhale, the weight of my emotions heavy on my chest. "I was mad, very mad," I admitted honestly. "They are my enemies yet you asked me not only to spare their lives but also to give them medicine. It was so irritating," I added, the frustration clear in my tone.
She looked at me with clear confusion etched on her face. "Then why did you do it? Why are you holding back your anger and not yelling at me?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.
I glanced at her, my eyes scanning her face for any sign of understanding. "You want me to yell at you?" I returned her question, my tone measured and controlled.
She shook her head from side to side, her long hair cascading down her shoulders as she did so.
"Then what answer do you want? From the empire's beneficial perspective? Or from my personal perspective?" I asked her again, my voice tinged with a hint of weariness.
"Both," she replied simply, her gaze fixed firmly on mine.
I let out a sigh, my eyes scanning the room as I considered my words carefully. "Fine, but maybe you won't like it too much. Since I didn't do it to save them," I warned her, my voice tinged with a hint of seriousness. I shifted my gaze forward, watching as my soldiers laughed and joked with one another, their voices raised in song and celebration.
"From the empire's beneficial perspective, they are good hostages," I continued, my voice low and measured. "Indeed, they are not as valuable as Glasha but I can use them to force the orcs to open Vurdor's gates," I added, my eyes scanning the room as I considered my words carefully.
"You want to use them as a negotiating tool?" she clarified.
"Exactly. But that’s only one of them. If they don't want to negotiate with us, I can use them in a different way,” As I spoke, I couldn't help but let a sly smirk spread across my lips. My words were calculated, and chosen with precision and intent, as I explained my plan to Evelina. She looked at me with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, her frown deepening as she tried to understand the meaning behind my words.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
I turned to face her fully, my smirk widening as I relished the power of my words. I knew that my plan was a cruel one, but the potential rewards were too great to ignore.
"For example, killing one of them every 10 minutes," I began, my voice low and menacing. "Or, if the orcs decide to attack us, we can use the prisoners as our shield. They are in our mercy so they are nothing more than pawns in our game, tools to be used for our own gain."
Evelina's eyes widened in shock at my words, the reality of my plan hitting her like a ton of bricks. She could see the determination in my eyes, and she knew that I was not one to be underestimated.
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