A Pet for the Dragons

126.

IVRET

"You cannot do this to me," I said. I was shocked at Mavie's words even though I knew I shouldn't be. I knew I'd set foot into a trap the moment I entered this room. There was nothing to be shocked of but... I'd have never expected that she'd be so forthright.

Usually, she used more conceited ways to get her way. Mavie liked to pull the strings from the shadows so she could blame other Royals should things go wrong, but this was different. She was out in the open, which was more terrifying than her working from the shadows.

"I'm the Empress. I absolutely can," Mavie said coldly, tossing the petal-less flower away like it was nothing. Whatever emotions had been on her face previously were no more there. She wore her real face— the cold and ruthless one. "Or should I take this as your defiance towards me, Ivret?" She asked darkly.

"Mav— Your Majesty, I think I'm no longer adept to be at your service," I told her as sincerely as possible. Mavie was now downright in an offensive stance. It would be completely foolish to piss her off. I'd already ruined this.

Maybe just playing friends with her wasn't that bad. At least I wouldn't have to swear into the position I worked so hard to leave. But then I realised that it didn't matter. Mavie had already decided she wanted me back into her service, and she'd have employed every way possible to get it her way. Whatever path I chose, all would've led me to this. There was no escaping this.

"That's for me to judge. You come from an exceptional family of Silge dragons. You'll always be fit for this role," Mavie dismissed quickly, but I wasn't going to have it.

"Your Majesty," I tried again despite being brimming with rage. She was using all my weaknesses against me. This was another reason I regretted being close to Mavie growing up. She knew much about me and could and always would use it against me.

She had no mercy for me despite us being good friends in the past. Well, she had no mercy to begin with. Again, why was I surprised? I knew all of this, yet I still walked into her trap. "I'm sorry I wouldn't be able to do this. You know this place troubles me deeply,"

"You'll learn to fit in if you spend here long enough. But it's decided that I shall have you in my service again. There's no changing that, Ivret," Mavie spoke adamantly this time, pinning me with her commanding gaze.

"I'd have never imagined you'd do this to me, Mavie. I thought you cared for me."

"This has to be done. There's no other way,"

"But why me? There are dragons who are far better suited for—"

"— because of your lineage," Mavie snapped. "That's what you wanted to hear, didn't you? There you have it. It's because of your lineage. You come from a family of very ardent servants of the throne. I hope you uphold their name, Ivret,"

"I'd like to remind you, Mavie, that I've given up my titles,"

"They'll be restored, and you shall be a Lord again," She said with a flick of her fingers because it was easy for her to do it. I stared at her long, speechless. The feeling of helplessness grappled me. I had my back against the wall and couldn't do anything about it.

"Is this all I am to you?" I asked. "A pawn in your grand scheme of things?"

"We're all pawns of the fate, Ivret," Mavie said darkly. "I know I'll be at the receiving end of your resentment for this, but I must do this. This is one of those sacrifices I need to make for the greater good,"

"Greater good?" I hissed. "What good it would bring you by having me back in your service? If anything, it will cause more chaos among the Nobles. It will once again make me the centre of envy and scheming. I don't want that,"

A dark look crossed on Mavie's cold face. Her eyes briefly blazed red, making me tense. It seemed like she was on the verge of snapping, but she closed her eyes, letting a tense silence stretch between us.

"Ivret, I don't like this place more than you do," Mavie finally started speaking. This time, her voice was less cold and more expressive, but I knew better than to fall into another trap of hers. "I've grown up surrounded by prying eyes and the nobles. This place is a hell for me— a hell that I must preserve and pass onto my sons the same way it was passed onto me. You speak of sacrifices. I have sacrificed my whole life to keep the throne intact. I sacrificed the loved ones I had and even the ones I could've had. My life is nothing but a huge sacrifice to keep this hell thriving. After doing everything, I could not see this place fall into ruins. It'd destroy me, Ivret."

After all the honest yet brutal conversation, all I could offer her was my silence. For a brief moment, I felt sympathy towards her. Mavie might be conceited, but she had her reasons. However, my sympathy for her was short-lived, knowing well that I was nothing but just another means for her to get what she desired.

"I know this seems cruel to you, Ivret, but think about me once. Think of me as your dear friend who needs your help again. I cannot do this without you, and I'm not asking for a lifelong service," Mavie clarified. Her tone was strange, but it was gone before I could read more into it. "I require your service until it's clear which one of my sons will sit on the throne."

"That's a long time for me," I returned curtly, determined not to give her anything. She might have been saying these things to earn my sympathy, but I had none left for her.

"I'll ensure that you and your pet have all your needs met," Mavie offered something conceited in her tone again. "Speaking of your pet, how is she liking this place? I'd like to meet her soon again. You see, she has appealed to my curiosity as well as others,"

That's why I'm trying to leave this place. I clench my fists and give her a cold look.

"Everything is new for her here, but she prefers the Arctic more,"

"I see," Mavie smiled darkly. "In that case, I shall make arrangements to appeal more to her interests because she'll be spending much time here while you are at my service. It'll be interesting to have a human be part of my court,"

~

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