"It’s ti to complete the promise we made."
He said, patting my shoulder with a smile.
"My grandson-in-law."
I removed his hand from the shoulder as I stared at him.
"...What did you just call ?"
Edwin didn’t blink.
"Grandson-in-law," he said again, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You didn’t forget, did you?"
Of course I didn’t, you fucking old ass shit.
How can I forget my mother selling to the vampires.
How can I fucking forget the first condition that I got to arrive in Akasha.
How am I supposed to forget how you threatened on my first day here.
I drew in a deep breath as I kept my emotions in check.
There is no need to make a scene right now and it didn’t co out as a shocker anyway.
I was sure Edwin would play his ga sooner or later.
"Lady Mariam." Edwin said, as he looked back at the elf. "It’s ti to make it public."
He raised his hand as he smiled brightly. "The starting of the strong relationship between vampires and Elves."
"No one and I an NO ONE will believe you Edwin." Nerissa rebuked, glaring at the man. "Don’t act like you don’t want to destroy us."
"That’s all in the past." Edwin replied, his voice clearer than ever. "Right now all I want is the betternt of the elves."
"You don’t have to play gas, Edwin." Mariam finally said. "We know you enough to understand that isn’t what you want."
Edwin’s smile didn’t fade. If anything, it grew more amused.
And it didn’t take much brain cells to understand that he was enjoying it.
The miserable life that elves were going through.
"You wound ," he said lightly. "Is it so hard to believe that I’ve matured?"
"Get to the point, Edwin." Mariam said, her voice low. "And I advise you to not play any tricks, we aren’t on the sa level now."
Finally, Edwin’s fake smile died down, he returned back to his previous self.
"I don’t like how things are going with the Demiurges." He said, his voice serious. "They are being too obvious with their goals."
Nerissa and Mariam stared at him without any words.
Finally, Nerissa whispered. "Explain."
"The current goal of the Demiurge is clearer than ever." He said, his voice soft. "To take over Alfheim continent and rule as the only race."
He drew in a deep breath as his voice slowly lowered down. "When they are done with you, the Demiurges will co for us."
Mariam blinked slowly. "Are you saying they will attack the vampires next?"
Edwin nodded slowly, his red eyes flashing with sothing that looked eerily like concern.
"They won’t stop with the Elves," he said. "Once they’ve broken your borders and scattered your bloodlines, they’ll co for mine."
He took a mont, his voice becoming prideful now. "Vampires are too old, too dangerous, too unpredictable for them to allow us to exist freely."
Nerissa crossed her arms. "You expect us to believe you’re scared?"
"I’m not scared," Edwin replied calmly. "I’m aware. That’s more than I can say for most of the High Families."
Mariam’s eyes narrowed and I can see that she was slowly believing his story.
I an, I would too if only I wasn’t aware of his true nature.
"I am giving you a chance, Mariam." He said, his voice clear. "Join forces with us and save yourself."
"And what’s the catch?" She asked, staring dead into his eyes. "What do you want in return?"
Edwin remained silent for a while as he kept on staring at her.
Finally, he stretched his hand on either side. "I want recognition of the Vampires."
The elves frowned at his words but I didn’t, I was sure what he ant.
"I want the World Tree to acknowledge the Vampires." He continued, "I want lady Elife to yield and never attack any Vampire in the future."
"...."
"...."
They both stared at him without any words.
Finally Mariam walked forward. "Why?" She asked. "You should be aware that the World Tree is dying right?"
"I am aware about it." He said, nodding his head. "That’s why I am asking for it before it completely dies. For lady Elife to swear on the tree itself that she will never attack us."
Nerissa’s brows furrowed. "Lady Elife would never agree to it. Not for you."
"She doesn’t have to like ," Edwin said smoothly. "She just has to honor the agreent."
Mariam stayed quiet for a mont, her golden eyes locked on Edwin.
"Even if you want, I can’t allow you to stop this engagent." He said, slowly turning towards . "Not after what he did."
When Edwin gave a cold look, I just smiled.
And noticing my smile, Edwin’s irritation spiked even further.
Nerissa frowned. "What did he do?"
"He took advantage of my granddaughter." Edwin said, "He took away her purity."
Even the rustling of Nuaria’s golden leaves seed to stop for a mont.
Mariam slowly looked at with a blank expression. "Himl?"
I shrugged, still locking eyes with Edwin.
"Yeah," I said, voice flat. "It happened. A long ti ago."
Edwin’s jaw tensed, just slightly but I saw it.
Well, I did fuck his granddaughter and also all his plans as well.
Mariam let out a slow groan as she rubbed her temples in frustration.
Even Nerissa looked at with disgust which I don’t understand.
Why are you being disgusted for?
I let out a sigh as I gestured at Mariam. "I will do as you say."
Mariam glared at but didn’t scold , she just rubbed her temples.
"I need so ti to think." She replied, her voice low. "Even though I didn’t want it but..."
She didn’t continue her words but I understood.
"Siersha is a princess of Vampires." Nerissa said, glaring at . "What else could we expect from you other than breaking others’ houses."
"Can you keep your mouth shut?" I asked, frowning deeply.
Ti and ti again she has been taking shots at .
Even though I know she was like a mother to when I was a child.
There is a limit to how much I can endure.
Nerissa glared at coldly but I completely ignored her.
Instead, I looked at Edwin who quietly stood on the side.
I walked towards him and created a translucent shield of void energy around us.
No one could see or hear us inside the shield.
"Whatever you are doing, knock it off." I said, staring dead into his eyes. "You are digging your own grave now."
Edwin smiled like he didn’t care at all. "I don’t understand what you an, boy."
"Don’t play dumb," I said flatly. "I can see through your stupid plan in one glance."
He glanced around the shield and just to make sure, he created one of his own.
"Then enlighten ." He said, looking back at . "What is my grand plan?"
"To use as a way to revive the world tree." I scoffed, staring dead into his eyes. "With the contract made from Elife, you don’t have to fear the world tree’s protection and can freely attack the elves."
The more I spoke the faster his smile faded.
"You think I won’t understand your plans?" I asked, smiling softly. "Neplh and Muspelh are not sothing—."
"So what if you do know my plans?" He asked, cutting off. "What can you do?"
I stared at him.
Edwin’s face no longer held that usual smugness.
His smile was gone. His eyes, though still calm, were sharp.
As if he was reassessing , finally realizing I wasn’t just so pawn shuffled across the board by Esray.
"What can I do?" I repeated, my voice low. "You really want to test that?"
Edwin replied with a small punch on my stomach. "Boom, and you are dead."
He smiled and softly punched my face. "Boom, and you are dead again."
I stared into his eyes without speaking.
"Understand your place, Azariah." He continued, patting my shoulder. "For , you are nothing but a nuisance that I’m keeping around."
He suddenly squeezed my shoulder until my muscles were torn.
"I can kill you anyti I want." He said, releasing the grip. "The only reason you are alive is because I want it."
He didn’t say anything else as he walked past .
"You have enjoyed your life enough." He said, "It’s ti to fulfill your destiny."
And...
With just a sudden punch, he broke the shield.
He walked out leaving alone. "I will wait for your answer, lady Mariam!"
I didn’t look back at him as he flew away.
There was burning anger within my mind that was really making tremble.
Ahh, the desire to just summon my daughter and cut open Edwin’s smug face....
It was hard to control.
Taking in a deep breath, I looked around.
My eyes moved on Mariam who stood close to the tree.
Without any words, I walked past her and stood in front of the tree cultivated by the first head of the Segyal household.
Just as I touched it, I felt a familiar feeling.
’Why do I feel like I can control this thing?’
"Look at the bright side." Mariam suddenly said more to herself. "We can use this chance to say that the Heir of the elves is sacrificing himself for them."
I kept my sarcastic remark to myself as I looked at Mariam who called Daina.
When the blonde elf entered, Mariam let out a sigh.
"Hire soone to decorate the palace." She said, looking around the place. "We need it to look beautiful."
Daina blinked in surprise as she wasn’t listening to the conversation.
"For what, my lady?"
Mariam grabbed my hand and pushed closer.
"Himl is getting engaged."
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