Toxic Obsession: Massimo Maxence (Emperor Series, #2) ✔️

Chapter 02

Chapter 02

"XARA MY dear, kindly check the rabbits at the backyard."

"Got it, matron!"

Another morning, another day of being careful. The sun shines beautifully from their wing and Brielle couldn't help but smile. She's being careful for three straight days, careful enough not to cross paths with the Emperor again. She peacefully walked through the yard and called the rabbits to feed. Rabbits are being taken care of in her pavilion. The palace might know about it because it's been going on for years already and no one had said anything about it or against it.

The servants in the third Empire have their own pavilion, and she's fortunately assigned in a wing far from the Emperor. It's been three days since her encounter with Emperor Massimo, three exact days since she lost contact of him. It was so traumatizing, she cannot ever bear to be in the same radius with the Emperor anymore. She will never step into that terrace again. Ever.

She did not tell anyone, aside from the fact that she's scared no one might believe her, she fears that they might think she's crazy instead. And it might reach the ear of the emperor and could take the wrong idea of her spreading bad news or gossips about him. She cannot bear to lose this job.

Brielle came from a poor family. Due to her family's needs, she was coerced to work to different places. And she ended up working as a servant in the palace. The spookiest place Brielle could ever enter. The palace is not so bad as well as her job, the only thing that makes her day anxious is the Emperor. She's so careful around him, she's making sure not to see an ounce of him or else her day would be done.

She was happily feeding the rabbits early in the morning. It's so relieving, watching the tiny animals makes her heart flutter. But that was, at least, until she heard the most terrifying voice in the hallway. She immediately hid behind a big tree pot to conceal herself.

Speaking of the devil. Why is he here? What a coincidence!

"Your majesty. A servant from--" his majesty's wiseman was cut off with the Emperor's shrug.

"I don't have time for servants. They don't deserve a whit of my time. Fucking note that." the Emperor strictly answered.

Brielle had no idea what to feel. Is that for real? Does that mean she's safe now despite what happened that night at the terrace? He doesn't care, he doesn't have time for servants, and it just means hope for her! Right?

"Yes your majesty, I'm sorry..."

Brielle sighed heavily. At least, she kinda feels safe with those words. The Emperor might have forgotten about her already. She might be the only who hasn't moved on from that night. But how could she move on? She's traumatized! That event was traumatizing! It haunts her every night and gives her creep and anxiety every day. He visits her in her nightmares and daydreams and it's not something to be proud or shaken off. But for now, maybe she could feel relief assuming that the Emperor doesn't really care about servants at all.

Or maybe not.

"I wonder why I haven't seen my kitten in the terrace. Are you perhaps scared of me now?"

Brielle jumped and nearly cried upon hearing the Emperor's voice. Good heavens, take her out of here! She's been careful enough not to face the Emperor but what the heck is this now? The rabbits scrammed and ran away upon her shocked reaction. Only one remained and she handled it carefully while trembling.

She's done. Her day is done and she's definitely doomed.

"Y-your majesty..." her voice faltered as she greets him. She bowed so lowly on the ground emphasizing their status.

Emperor Massimo's lips curved. His amusement is evident. The girl is about to cry and he's getting excited to see her wail in fear, "Oh, what a beautiful rabbit, just like you." he teased with a bit of threat.

But that threat was not an ounce anymore as it became a big thing when he took the rabbit harshly away from her. He feels so disgusted upon seeing her care about the rabbit. He has now this anger towards the innocent poor rabbit who knows nothing about his twisted mind. Emperor Massimo's face darkened, his hands now unconsciously clutching hard at the rabbit's neck.

"What are you doing, your majesty?" Brielle's voice echoed in his mind yet his red eyes could see nothing but the poor rabbit slowly dying in his hands.

"No! Please, stop... no!" Brielle begged and Emperor Massimo twitched in anger.

Is she begging for the rabbit's life? How much does she care about that fucking poor little thing? Does she care about it more than anything? More than his anger-- what the fuck is he even thinking now? Ahh, who knows and who cares? He's mad and that's the only thing that matters. She should have cared about his anger and not about the rabbit. She definitely has a poor decision making skills.

In a snap, the rabbit fell almost lifeless on the ground. He just hurt the rabbit.

"Oops, my hands slipped and hurt it." He said as he let go of the poor rabbit and raised his hand. "You shouldn't be holding such dirty things."

"No..." Brielle fell on the ground as she took the poor rabbit away from him. And there he could finally see the tears he's been longing to observe. Watching her cry... gives him relief.

"Aren't you gonna cry harder, kitten?" he said and smirked. He drew nearer and wiped the tears falling from her cheeks. "I wonder how would your tears taste in bed."

"Your majesty... please stop." The poor servant begged beneath him.

But Emperor Massimo became more excited. "Cry more, cry for me..." he cupped her face and stick his tongue out to lick her tears. "Come on, cry. I want to taste your tears."

She then cried and he slurped it all.

"No... stop it!" Brielle tried her best to avoid him but he's so strong.

"You're delicious." he whispered while licking his thumb which was used on wiping her tears, "Delectable."

"Your majesty... You have an appointment. You don't have time for ser--" the wiseman was cut off once again with the Emperor's deadly stare and tone.

"I have all the time in the world. I am your fucking Emperor, what do you take me for?"

The wiseman trembled, "I... You said--"

"What?"

"I'm sorry, nothing your majesty."

Brielle took her whit time to escape. She doesn't care if he's the emperor anymore, all she wanted to do was to escape. She doesn't care if she's triggering the Emperor's ego by escaping on her own will, she just want to run away from him. And she did. She scrammed taking the dead rabbit away from him. Fast.

But Emperor Massimo just smirked darkly. "Get her name and assign her on my hall."

"Your majesty?" the wiseman was confused all of a sudden.

"Did I stutter?" Emperor Massimo was serious. "Now."