Zemblanity

Chapter 23

Seraphina walked through the office building; the building was too crowded for the time in Berretta but there was war outside, people were planning.

She stepped through the main corridor leading to the empress's room. Seraphina was certain her sister was here; if not then she will be in her room on her balcony floor drinking a glass of the strongest bourbon out there.

"It will be better if the western council atta-" Talini stopped mid sentence when she saw her sister entering her office without knocking.

"I need to speak with my sister alone." Every royal knew to address the empress as the empress in the premise of their council office.

"Leave us and Laila talk to the south-east council; all the three levels convince them to attack after the western council." Talini ordered.

The addressed woman nodded and left the premise followed by the other members present in the room. Once the two sisters were alone, Talini took a seat on her chair and motioned for Seraphina to sit down as well.

"You're not supposed to be out of the house." Talini stated her voice was tired; almost hoarse.

"It's important." Seraphina replied taking a seat.

"It better be; you know the rules, I am not your sister here." Talini said and picked up her glass of whiskey.

"I wanna fight in the Battle of the Royals."

Talini stopped mid action at the confession. This was not even the last thing she expected her sister to say to her.

"You wanna fight? Against Azrozan?" Talini asked.

"I wanna fight against the Archfiends." Seraphina said.

"Why the sudden love for your own clan?" Talini asked finally taking the sip she desired.

"It's the right thing to do." Seraphina replied.

"Really?" Talini asked, her voice dripping with disbelief. She finished the liquid present in the glass and leaned back on her chair.

"Did something happen, Sera? Did someone say something?" Talini asked after observing her sister for a solid minute.

"Malachi came to visit; he tried to force himself on me stating that he will punish me for running away, causing a war and humiliating him." Seraphina said with a devoid of emotion.

"What?!" Talini stood up at her sister's confession.

"Oh I pledge to Themis; I will fucking kill him!" Talini roared as her hand went to her phone.

"He's dead." Seraphina broke through her sister's anger.

"What? You killed him?"

"No, Azazal did."

"Azazal Archfiend?"

"Yep, he showed up in my balcony in time and shot Malachi and then I went to meet Azrozan." Seraphina revealed.

"You did what?!" Talini asked.

"Azazal was actually there to take me to meet Azrozan; he wanted me to convince him to fight in the battle." Seraphina said.

"Huh." Talini said retaking her seat.

"Where is the body?" Talini asked after a moment of silence.

"With Azazal, he said he will take care of it."

"And you trust him?"

"He shot him, if the body is found Archfiends are at a disadvantage so yes I trust him to make things easier for his clan." Seraphina said making Talini nod lightly.