"Maria Svesta, you are left with no choice in this matter. Your king is no more, your son has perished, and the majority of your nobility are being twisted into abominations!" Asura grinned, his voice stern and powerful, causing her lips to tremble.


    The threat to her kingdom was more than just a mere danger, and one catastrophe loomed. She became stunned, feeling Asura''s strong desire, yet Maria could only tremble on the ground beyond the orc threat.


    Maria realised that this man was far worse a threat to her kingdom than the cultists! "My.... son? He is dead... you lie! You must be lying!" Like a wench losing herst coin, Maria called out, her eyes filling with watery tears.


    Pah!


    Asura''s left hand swung out, pping Maria''s face, sending her body floating across the room, her unsightly body on full disy as she forgot to grasp her clothes. The news of her son''s death was too raw and dug deep into her despair. "How could he be dead... My son, is he really gone?" Her soft voice and weak eyes looked at V as if seeking salvation from the princess.


    "However, let me tell you I don''t n to make you a ve or sully your nobility. Instead, you will be my liege vassal, along with your beloved n. I swear to save him and return him to you unharmed." Asura used a cruel and unfair bargaining chip, but he didn''t care for this woman; the ones he cared for were sleeping above him and watching him right now.


    His words were like the devil charming a poor, innocent soul onto the path of damnation.


    "..."


    Silence filled the room like the unwanted stench from atrine.


    Several minutes passed.


    Maria finally made her choice.


    "What do you mean by liege vassal?" Her hoarse voice reached Asura''s ears as her body knelt before him and lowered her head, her mouse blonde bangs falling to her cheeks as her nude body shivered from the cold air blowing from the window.


    "It means that I will swear a magical oath to keep you and n safe in exchange for bing my liege vassal, in a sense, owning andmanding all that you are. Should you betray me, n will die, and you will endure a fate worse than death. Since you are a mage, you should create wonderful children.


    I heard n''s cousin seeks to bed you quite desperately." Asura pretended to be a vile and evil man, yet V didn''t show any signs of refuting him as she watched the beautiful woman''s face crumble and the tears leaking down her cheeks.


    "You''re truly evil..." Maria choked.


    "How can I be evil when I am going to bring your beloved back to you?" Asura whispered, this time in a gentle voice. "I swear to treat n like a brother and hold him with high regard."


    ''Though I nned to make friends with him anyway after speaking with Grom, but this woman doesn''t need to know that.''


    ***


    "..."


    Asura knew this would make her hate him, always holding a grudge, but he would tell n the truth and one day, maybe on the day of their marriage, she might learn the truth andin to him in person. "I will take no action towards n; as long as he supports me and you show no signs of betrayal, he will have nothing stopping his rise."


    With a cough that made Maria tremble, Asura changed his position, realising V began to y along with him, leaning against him and acting submissive like she was the same as Maria. "Do not worry about your people; I n to make them live better lives than now because I love my people." He continued with a bitter smile, feeling V''s hands trace along his chest.


    Maria didn''t know how to react to these words, which seemed out of ce with his earlier actions and words, but she felt Asura''s eyes felt honest, seeming as if he were sincere towards her. It made no sense that someone threatening her beloved and asking her to be his ve would speak such idealistic words that she almost wanted to believe them.


    ''If this man bes king, will we live in prosperity?'' Maria couldn''t help but ponder, her eyes shing with doubt before she saw Asura''s smile as he pulled the gentle V towards his chest, causing Maria to feel a slight hint of envy before she replied, "I understand. I shall be your liege vassal be your support, and be worthy of the kingdom you envision."


    However, the next moment, her nude body became wrapped in mes and ice, her eyes glowing with one amber and the other blue as she pointed at Asura. "If you should dare betray me and hurt n, even if I was to be destroyed, I will do everything to crush your kingdom and take your life!"


    ''Did I act too strong? I just want to guarantee n''s life...''


    To her surprise, Asura nodded, his lips curling into a smile, confusing her. "That''s the kind of vassal I desire. Passionate and loyal to the ones they love. You have my word. I will make sure n and your people are unharmed and will do my best to create an empire that doesn''t shame their honour and dignity." His voice was no longer fierce and powerful but still filled with a regal and elegant tone.


    "Then shall we sign the pledge with our blood? Maria Svesta, my first vassal."


    ''What!? Why... He suddenly seems so gentle... Am I wrong?''


    Maria knelt still, feeling doubt and uncertainty about his attitude change. Asura knew her conflicted feelings and extended his hand before taking a de from the void.


    The de, given to him by the queen, symbolised his current position as a prince. The ck handle resembled a dragon, and its talons were sharpened steel that appeared pale golden in the light. "Let''splete this pledge."


    "Asura..." Maria looked at the sword with disbelief, yet the sweet smile on V''s face surprised her even more. She felt that this might be a trick or some kind of mind maniption. Yet when she observed him with her magical aura, nothing seemed wrong with him.


    "I will be king soon, but I would rather use a sword than my sceptre." His words were deep and held an unmistakable charm and seduction, causing her cheeks to burn as he sliced along his wrist and chanted a strangenguage.


    "Sanguine Oblitus - by blood, my words are forged. If my vassal should betray me, your line shall forever perish and find no eternal rest."


    Maria could only watch as blood dripped onto the ground. The next moment, she seemed to understand what to do. Slowly, her lips trembled as she extended her arm.


    Though she desired the future with n, a fear of the unknown and possible betrayal of her kingdom and people caused her heart to feel pain. She wrapped her hand around Asura''s as she whispered. "Sanguine Oblitus - I would do anything for n''s sake and my people''s, so by blood, my words are forged. If I should betray you, my line shall perish and find no eternal rest."


    The de sliced an intricate shape along her wrist, a thin cut. Even when healed, it would be closer to a tattoo than an ugly scar. "V, as our witness, can you confirm?" Asura whispered while pulling V close to his chest.


    "I confirm you, Asura, have epted Maria Svesta as your liege vassal. Anyone who breaks their vows will face a cruel fate worse than death." V''s words were melodic and calming. Maria could only feel a warmness fill her body as her wrist pressed against Asura''s, and a faint connection formed.


    "So it shall be." They both spoke together before the blood returned to their wounds. Maria''s blood filled Asura''s, and Asura''s flooded Maria''s. The wounds rapidly healed before the strange atmosphere faded.


    ***


    A few moments of silence passed before Maria and Asura seemed to return to normal.


    The thoughts and feelings from each other''s minds during the oath enter each other. This ceremony was something Asura learned from absorbing the memories of the fifth shard, the phoenix elder, whom he devoured and destroyed.


    Though Maria now understood Asura better, she knew nothing detailed, just his guiding force and desires, while Asura knew everything about Maria. This was the truth about how unfair the oath became for the one with less power.


    "Your liege, I am at your service." Maria''s voice became soft as she interrupted Asura. Her tone with no resistance, she knelt and bowed to him. "Please, the princess needs to rest, and so must you—I shall prepare everything."


    Maria couldn''t help but sigh and mumble under her breath, "He will be king, a man with such power and knowledge, n. I hope you can forgive me." Her body trembled at the thought, unable to handle this change of events as she climbed into her bed, clenching the quilt tightly.


    ****


    Meanwhile, V''s eyes seemed to sparkle while Asura carried her towards their room. She didn''t speak but let her fingers trace his lips, chin, and jaw. She had a constant look of affection and pride on her face before she slipped into a light sleep.


    "Sleep well, my lovely wife. I will not leave your side tonight. I will be the strongest king for you and the others."