Herald of Steel

Ptolomy was left absolutely stunned at Alexander’s words, so much so that he just stood by the door like a statue, not even registering as Alexander rudely brushed past him.

The proud king was struck by the brutal words as he struggled to believe someone had disregarded his whole existence this brazenly- and in front of so many people!

No one had ever talked to him like that.

Even Pasha Farzah, the most powerful Pasha would at least put a certain curtain of humility in front of him… if not out of deference for him, then at least out of respect for his family and lineage.

Yet this time, a young man, a former slave, a foreigner, a man who had his status only by the grace of Ptolomy himself- such a small and lowly man had talked to him like he was not at all afraid of even the tiniest of consequences.

Ptolomy definitely saw the encounter as such and hence the latter’s ‘betrayal’ made the vain king very angry.

And this feeling increased to newer peaks when many of the nearby nobles from Amenheraft’s faction started to give him the most mocking and taunting looks, revealing they had heard the exchange.

The public humiliation made the plump man’s cheeks burn with shame and venom, ‘No matter what… I will punish him!’ as he swore such with such tight fists that they soon turned red and swollen.

….

On the other side of the palace, Alexander, the main character of Ptolomy’s infernal wrath remained completely oblivious to the plots. He probably would not have cared even if he did.

As he already said, Ptolomy lacked any ability to convert his thoughts into actions, so that is the best he could do.

And currently, Alexander’s heart was filled with far too much happiness to make him pay attention anyway. There was almost nothing right now that could ruin it.

‘Hahaha…. Two birds with one stone. No! Two giants, one stone!’ He chuckled to himself as he skipped towards his room with leaping glee, regularly turning to give the three ladies very mirthful looks. Alexander was naturally very glad with the choices Lady Ezaya had made with regard to Amenheraft.

The looks even got to the point that the three maids started to feel a bit shy, as such overt affections were not the norm in Adhania.

Alexander reached his room without any incident, and as he entered, he ordered his men outside to reject any guests under the pretext that he was tired.

He was of no mind to pay any attention to the ongoing chaos, content to let Lord Assazd’s faction cry and howl on their own, while Amenheraft’s men scrambled to find a temporary replacement.

He was currently in the mood to celebrate, hence turning around to Lady Ezaya, he quickly congratulated her with a smile beaming from ear to ear,

My lady, thank you for making the correct choice at the correct time. Yours is a favor I will never be able to repay.”

“..Mmmm…” However much to Alexander’s astonishment, the lady did not respond with any sort of enthusiasm, only a lukewarm nod.

“Is something the matter?” The reaction made Alexander lightly frown in concern.

“It… it is nothing, my lord. I am just a bit tired. All the questioning and checking…I… it has been a very hectic day. Haha… so… ” Lady Ezaya only casually waved her palms, trying to brush the entire thing off as nothing but fatigue.

However her acting was so poor that even a child would have seen through it.

‘Is she regretting what she did? Is that why her mind is so distracted? Hmmm… it looks like the decision to poison Amenheraft came at a much greater cost than I imagined.’ Alexander did not know the exact emotions the lady had gone through while preparing the mixture, but given how venerated the lineage she plotted against was, he could make an educated guess.

“If my lady is feeling apprehensive, I assure you can talk to me. It surely must have been a hard decision.” So he offered in a soft, kind voice.

“That…then I would like a leave for tonight, my lord.” Lady Ezaya quickly took Alexander up on his offer, wanting to retreat somewhere secluded for now.

However, that was not to the man’s liking.

‘No! Given your condition, who knows what you might say and to whom! You are hardly in the best of mind. He instantly rejected the request in his mind out of security concerns.

But outwardly he was a lot more understanding, as gently grabbing her by the shoulders, Alexander smiled, “My lady, I understand what you did must be weighing heavily on you. But leaving my room right now will not be prudent… given the current choas in the palace. You are most safe here with me.”

“And if something truly large is bothering you, I will not pretend to understand all of it, but if you are willing…. I… we are willing to listen.”

Alexander said this indicating to the two sisters beside Lady Ezaya, who too were looking at her with some concern. Upon meeting their gaze, the hurt, confused look in Lady Ezaya’s eyes at least somewhat lessened. Official source is novelꜰire.net

She remembered she was not alone in this. She might have been the main one, but at least she had other helpers and ‘well wishers’.

Hence that feeling of having committed apostasy decreased exponentially. And it finally gave her the courage to open up.

“I… I did not feel like this before but now..” Lady Ezaya started in a shaky voice, “Now that I am safe and have had the time to think about what I did… my body…. Hahaha… I did not think I was this weak. Look, my whole body is shaking!”

The caramel complexed lady lifted up her hands to show everyone how they were visibly shivering, for she felt like she was eternally doomed. Even her knees started to grow weak and she worried her vision was beginning to grow patches of black.

So immense was her guilt.

“My lady…” Alexander attempted to console and reassure the lady hearing this.

However was curtly cut off by a shivering, lost voice, “I… even I do not what came over me when I mixed in those ice cubes. It was like my mind blanked! Before going there… I…. I was sure I was going to make up some excuse for the crown prince… that I had run of ice or simply pretend I forgot. But when I looked at him….and I looked at you… I…”

Lady Ezaya’s whole body began to suddenly shiver, almost like it was starting to break down.

“No! You have done us a great favor Lady Ezaya!” Alexander jumped to hug the shaking lady at this point, quickly stroking her back like consoling a child, “You have nothing to fear now. I will protect you from everything, from all suspicions and backtalk. As will His Majesty Ptolomy.” “Remember, he is also from the divine lineage. And more than that, he is the one rightfully occupying the throne, the Life Sea, the Grand Temple. What more proof do you need that he is the one truly chosen by Lord Ramuh? So…”

Alexander’s hands began to get a bit naughty at this point, as he subtly started to undo some of the knots around the lady’s back, loosening her gown.

“Mmmm!” And sensing this, Lady Ezaya only hummed a silent consent. Right now, she was not in the best of mind and lacked the self control to reject the pleasurable advances.

In fact, she rather welcomed it, for it would let her take her mind off the current worries.

And Alexander took full advantage of this, wildly grinning as he moved his fingers faster, “It must not have been easy when so many around threatened and accused you. I was very impressed by how you kept a straight face. Let this lord reward you for your service.”

Lady Ezaya’s heart beat faster and faster at the clear innuendo, her mind clouding over with lust. And the speed increased ever further when she saw the man turn his head and chime to her sisters nearby, “My ladies, why don’t you chip in and help your sister? I am sure she could use the distraction.”

The words also broke Lady Elia and Anusha out of their own stupor. Until then, they too were engrossed in thoughts over what they had done, as the words Lady Ezaya said also applied to them. Alexander’s invitation provided a great opportunity to occupy their mind with something else.

Lady Ezaya hence could only shyly look away with a girlish blush as another two pairs of hands joined the fray, freely roaming over her curvy body and taking in the hourglass shape.

“Mmmm…” She only moaned at this, not objecting. She of course liked it and on top, as a maid and even as a woman, she could never have rejected the advances of a man she had a responsibility to. According to Adhanian tradition- only dire circumstances such as illness or her monthly discharge could have let her do that.

Hence it was with a sense of both duty and lust that Lady Ezaya accepted the generous offer and turned her gaze up to lock eyes with Alexander.

She instantly found a very hungry wolf ready to eat her.

As already said, Alexander was in the mood to celebrate. And it was clearly proven as he hungrily growled just before they started, “I will have you tonight like you have never been taken!”