Octavia and her troops had reached Borigard, the city of Gold. Unfortunately, the battle in Borigard had a significant impact on her army.
"General!!!" Octavia growled. "What the blazes is going on?!"
"Your majesty." There was a crack in his voice. "The city, the people, it’s impenetrable!"
Octavia slapped him across the face violently, and he staggered back. "Do I pay you to be incompetent, general? Or do I pay you enough to be able to penetrate cities and kingdoms?"
General Glovus fell to his knees. "Please forgive , your majesty, but..."
"Do not give excuses, general," she growled. "I want results, and I want them quickly."
"Our army suffers fatally from the invasion, your majesty. If we continue, we could lose half the soldiers in the army, your majesty. We would have too many casualties." He tried to reason with her.
She knelt in front of him and whispered, "Then let them die. Because if you don’t get that city, it would be your head instead of theirs."
"Your majesty." His voice quivered.
She stood up. "Leave ," she ordered.
They had won the battle in Borigard. But, just as Glovus predicted, they’d lost a large number of n in their army.
The remaining soldiers razed houses and farms to the ground out of spite. They looted hos, raped won, and brought chaos.
Octavia sat in the throne room with a few of her n. "Bring the king," she ordered.
They’d imprisoned the royal family.
He was covered in rags and dirt as they dragged him in. The soldiers in the throne room hooted and hollered at him.
"King Richard," she drawled. "It’s good to see you in such fine conditions."
His shot daggers at her with his eyes.
"Oh, don’t look at like that, Richard," she said. "This isn’t personal, I’m sure you understand."
He scoffed and spat at her.
She smirked. "I’ve called you today to offer you a deal." She waited for the information to sink in before she continued. "I can give you back the kingdom; help you take care of it..."
He scowled at her. "You want us to rule jointly? I would rather die than..."
"Hold on, hold on," she replied, laughing. "You don’t need to declare your yearning for death, Richard; you are going to die, sooner or later, but I wanted to give you an option. You could rule alongside to save your family, or you can all die now. It’s up to you to decide."
His eyes softened with fear. He wanted his family to be happy and alive. His face twisted in pain at the thought of sitting beside the very evil he despised.
"Fine," he said. His voice was small.
"Good." She clapped.
"Your majesty." A guard rushed in. "We caught two girls lurking below the ships. They were hiding in the lower hold."
Octavia raised an eyebrow. "Have you asked where they’re from?"
"They’ve refused to speak, your majesty."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Bring them to ," Octavia ordered.
The two won the soldiers dragged in looked familiar to Octavia.
"Did my brother send you?" She asked. Her back was straightened.
They refused to speak.
"What are your nas?"
No answer.
Octavia narrowed her eyes and glared at the two won in front of her.
"Since you do not wish to speak, then you must remain that way forever," Octavia said. "Guards, cut off their tongues and show it to ."
Octavia studied them as she made the announcent. There was no fear in their eyes. They did not shake or beg like Richard. They were devoid of all emotion.
"Wait," she said, and stopped the guards from dragging them away. "Imprison them in the dungeons instead. I will get the truth out, one way or another."
The soldiers dragged the won out of the throne room, and Octavia focused her attention back on King Richard.
"So... My king, where was I before the interruption?" Her smile was wicked. "I will station a few of my soldiers in Borigard, of course, soone will be here to advise you on the best course of action, in my place.
Until I give the order, you will continue to supply gold to Erindros and other cities in Aurelia until I state otherwise. Is that clear enough for you?
"Yes, your majesty." His voice was small and defeated.
"You may leave," she said cheerfully.
Octavia leaned back into the throne and stared at the space in front of her. This was her life. This was supposed to be the life she earned. Unfortunately for her, she was second fiddle.
"Who’s out there?" she called.
"Yes, your majesty," a soldier stepped in.
"Fetch the fat pig," she drawled.
The soldier stared at her, bewildered.
She chuckled. "Your General, soldier," she said. "Fetch General Glovus imdiately."
"You sent for , your majesty?" General Glovus asked when he arrived.
"Yes, yes. How many more kingdoms or cities do we have left on our agenda?"
"For your majesty."
That’s still a lot of places to go, and a lot of n who would die.
"Where next to then?" She asked.
"Ichoria, your majesty." General Glovus replied. "They have the best horses, your majesty. For decoration and war."
"Horses?!" Octavia asked. "Are you sure you haven’t gotten it all wrong? What i heavens na are we doing with a large supply of horses?"
"It is precisely because we do need them that they are getting bought, your majesty," Glovus replied.
"Don’t act smug with , I know when things are needed."
"Of course, your majesty."
"Any reports on my brother?"
"He’s heading to Thalassia now, but my guess is they would have to stop at ridonis."
"Interesting. And how were his casualties in the battle?"
"Surprisingly very little, your majesty," General Glovus stated. "The reports say that a woman appeared and saved him. And most likely the battle."
"A woman? Saved my brother?"
"Yes, your majesty."
Octavia frowned, but broke into a smile afterwards. "It seems things are getting a little interesting."
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