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

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

THE EMPEROR began acting as though he had never been whipped the following morning. From the corner of her eye, Brielle noticed the Emperor strolling peacefully down the palace's hallway. Brielle is so proud of herself after taking care of the Emperor and making sure he fell asleep. It appears as though she has just tamed the savage lost beast. It'll certainly be challenging to control it once more, but at least she was able to assist.

She desperately wanted to get away from him, but his voice shouting her name echoed throughout the corridor before she could do so. He yelled her name, and the chirping birds joined him in blessing the morning. Never before has hearing her name be this seductive; how could it sound so different coming from his mouth? He continues to frighten her, but she can't help but be drawn to his beauty. Alternatively, he can make ordinary things beautiful, like her name.

To welcome him, Brielle came to a stop and bowed deeply. She trembled once more as the Emperor walked towards her quickly. She will always feel fearful around him since she will never be able to cope with his environment and cannot have her fear removed so simply. She just wants to leave right now, if only he's not an emperor.

"Greetings, your highness."

The Emperor cleared his throat, "You can look up now."

Brielle stood straight and avoided his gaze. She could really not stand his stares. His crimson eyes screamed all the terrors in the world, no matter how beautiful they were in the eye. The ambiance was getting awkward when someone called from behind.

"Emperor," called a man. "I heard you were sick."

The Emperor frowned upon seeing Lord Araullo approaching, saying, "And what's it to you, fucktard?"

Lord Araullo chuckled, "Well, I came here to visit a friend..." He directly greeted Brielle, "Hello, young lady."

Brielle awkwardly bowed. She immediately straightened her back when she saw the Emperor's hands clenched.

"I've told you not to come again, haven't I? Or were you waiting for me to slaughter your head?" Emperor Massimo growled.

"Don't be so hard on me, your highness," Lord Araullo replied. "I'm just concerned."
 
"To me?" Emperor Massimo raised an eyebrow.
 
"Well," Lord Araullo's eyes drifted to Brielle, then back at the Emperor, "Yes."

The Emperor rolled his eyes and said, "I don't need it. Go back home."

Lord Araullo laughed and said, "Well, I don't mind taking a walk first—"

"You are not allowed to roam around my palace." The Emperor cut him off.

Lord Araullo's eyes widened in shock. "Your highness?"

The Emperor ignored him and turned to Brielle, "And you, what business do you still have here?"
 
Brielle flinched. She almost jumped in shock and fear. "I, I'm sorry, your highness. I remember I still have a lot of things to do, so I must go." She said this and sprinted away from the two aristocrats.

"Wait!" Lord Araullo called.

But Emperor Massimo's voice dominated the hallway, "Faster! Move fast!"

And so Brielle ran faster away from the men. "What the hell?" Lord Araullo was left dumbfounded.

"And you?" The Emperor glared daggers at him. "Leave now before I slice you in half."

•••

He still terrifies Brielle, and that fear won't go away right away. However, if he orders her to remain with him, she will be powerless to act. She had no choice but to comply. He's still deranged; he'll always be the mad Vassily. And that puts Brielle in danger. What if he reverts to the Vassily monster and pursue to harass her? Oh my goodness, she couldn't stop thinking about the situation. How could she defend herself from him?

"Where have you been, Xara?" Winter's voice echoed in her ears.

Brielle stopped as she almost flinched hard once again. "J-just somewhere, patrolling." she joked.

"What?" Winter raised a brow, "But no joke, all right? Don't wander at night. Rumors say that there are lost assassins in the empire right now."
 
"What?"

They stopped for a moment under a tree a few meters away from the pavilion they were heading to. Brielle was suddenly caught up in Winter's gossip.

"The remaining half of the Algrande empire is trying to get back to us. They're sending assassins to slowly kill us. Eight assassins have been caught already. Be careful." Winter said.

"I don't understand," Brielle said before asking, "What and why?"

Winter sighed, "The west Vassily empire, our empire, attempted to subdue the Algrande empire; we already won; we dominated half of their empire as well as the empires they have seized; it is now all ours; but the Emperor of Algrande is still alive and half of it is still progressing," she explained and looked around before continuing, "Emperor Massimo may have offered them the choice to submit in order to stop the bloodshed, but it appears that they are calling for a conflict by sending us assassins. The Emperor will not keep mute, and I am confident that a major war in the west will break out soon."

"Seriously?" Brielle reacted.

Winter nodded. "That's why be careful and never roam around at night, okay?"
 
"Okay."
 
They slowly walked around the tree. "Are you still scared of the Emperor?"

Brielle nodded madly, "I was always scared of him, and I think it won't cease. He scares me, I must admit."
 
"Don't worry. He might be a bully, but he'll surely protect his empire and people with all his might," Winter said. "Only him has the right to kill anyone in his empire. Kind of sick, right?"

Brielle stopped walking and said, "I can't believe this. Behind the good weather is an impending war. A looming disaster is forthcoming, concealed behind the bright morning lights."
 
Winter stopped walking as well, and said, "During my stay here, I've never experienced being scared during a war because we were never dominated. We dominate instead. But I don't know. Right now, my agitation is giving me anxiety. It feels like something wrong will happen."

"Let's not talk about this please," Brielle said. "I'm getting scared again."

Winter just sighed and nodded. But then, Brielle realized one thing about the upcoming war; "What about our families? If a war is about to happen, what will happen to our families away from us?"

"I don't know," Winter replied. "Trust me, Brielle, I'm scared too."

Oh no, they are in danger. Brielle never expected that an impending war was really about to happen. The Emperor looks calm and collected. Who would think that there's a disaster coming on the way and he's behind it? The man behind everything that'll happen is him, Emperor Massimo, the mastermind.

What's wrong with the Vassilys?