Bound To The Ice Dragon King
Chapter 82: Protecting him from getting hurt

Chapter 82: Protecting him from getting hurt

The guard immediately went down on his knees, shivering in fear "Forgive me my Lord. We didn’t know you weren’t expecting any guests. The two came this way awhile ago."

Draven and Rhea who heard what the guard said quickly crouched down behind the bushes as they noticed Lord Edmund approaching their direction.

Lord Edmund looked around, then turned to face the trembling guard, "You said they came this way, where are they?"

The guard nervously glanced around, "I saw them come this way a moment ago."

Lord Edmund’s eyes narrowed in suspicion when he heard that, he beckoned for another guard to come over, "Gather your troops and surround the grounds, no one is allowed to leave or enter!"

"Yes, my Lord!"

Rhea lightly nudged Draven’s side with her elbow to gain his attention, when he looked at her, she moved closer to whisper in his ear, her lips slightly brushing against his earlobe, "We can’t keep hiding here, since I have a little magic and abilities to heal faster, I will distract them while you go inside and get your dragon powers. I can’t afford to let you get hurt again in your condition, I’ll take the risk."

Although she’d said those words in a matter of fact tone, Draven felt the urge to protest, however he realized she was right. He was just a human with no powers to heal, nor magic to fight. If he got hurt, it wouldn’t only affect him but her as well. Thus, she’d take the dangerous path while he took the easy one.

However, in reality, it wasn’t supposed to be that way. It wasn’t right for her to be placed in potential danger for someone like him. But she thought it was the right thing, because she wanted to protect him just as she’d said before. She didn’t want him to get hurt...

Draven’s blue gaze faltered as Rhea leapt out of the bushes without a word of a warning. She landed right before Lord Edmund, who stood opposite the bushes Draven was. She smiled, "Are you looking for me, my Lord?"

At that moment, all the guards eyes were drawn to Rhea. Draven used this opportunity to sneak away from the bushes and head towards the entrance path. Rhea made sure not to look towards his direction and fixed her gaze on Lord Edmund. She then said,

"My Lord, I’ve been looking forward to personally meeting you, I hope my presence didn’t come as a surprise?"

Lord Edmund’s expression grew dark as he looked her from head to toe. He curled his lips into a sneer and said, "Did you think I was a fool? Trying to divert my attention from your accomplice, huh? Idiot!" With these words, Lord Edmund raised his hand and conjured a blazing flame magic whose heat she could already feel even from where she stood. With a swift motion, he hurled it in the direction Draven had gone.

In that very moment, Rhea felt a searing pain on her arm, instantly realizing that Draven had been hit by the flames. Without hesitation, she sprinted towards the location and found him on his knees, clutching his burned arm. She quickly helped him to his feet and positioned herself protectively in front of him, as if shielding him from further harm.

She knew Lord Edmund had dangerous flame powers, but never thought he had a sharp sense of hearing as well. He had never been part of the leaders of the fire controllers due to the fact that he was the Emperor’s advisor. However, he was well skilled with swords and martial arts, after all he had lived for more than a century, not even Azure could face him head-on not to mention Draven who was now just a human.

Rhea swallowed hard, they’d really stepped into a quicksand, Aria had warned her to avoid him as much as possible, but here they were, face to face with the devil himself.

Lord Edmund steadily approached them, "Stupid girl, you thought you could trick me," he let out a dark laughter, "my ears are sharper than you thought, now tell me, which household are you from to dare step into my territory with passing cards?"

Rhea smiled, outwardly she looked so calm and collected, but her back was already covered in cold sweat. It was good that she’d changed her hair color, or else he’d have guessed she was the troublesome daughter of the Villden household who had dared release the children last time, which would only bring them trouble if her family and the Emperor knew what she was up to in the city. Furthermore, she didn’t want any of them to know she was back in the capital yet. If her father knew...

Rhea composed herself and said, "We are not from here, we were guests from another Empire on a tour, we visited the Emperor so he granted us with the passing cards." She lied with confidence, she was aware that lying like this could cause more trouble, but then she knew how people in Birhhan respected guests from other Empires, especially the ones who were treated nicely by the Emperor.

Furthermore, Lord Edmund hadn’t been to the palace for awhile now as he’d been busy here, and if he decided to confirm this with the Emperor, they’d already be long gone by then, and since he knew nothing about their background, he wouldn’t be able to find them.

However, Lord Edmund didn’t look convinced by her words, he raised an eyebrow, "You are saying His Majesty permitted you to come here?"

Rhea gave a nod, acknowledging, "Indeed, if he hadn’t granted permission, we wouldn’t possess the passing cards that bear his seal. We..."

Rhea’s words were abruptly interrupted by a guard who approached to whisper something in Lord Edmund’s ear. Although the guard spoke quietly, Rhea’s keen hearing caught fragments of his words, "Lord Azure has successfully extracted the core of the powerful creature."

Azure. Rhea’s face lit up upon hearing that name. However, as she comprehended the meaning of what she had just heard, her expression gradually shifted. Was Azure also involved in all of this? Did he also heartlessly kill those innocent creatures as well? Rhea became lost in thought for a moment until Draven gently nudged her, bringing her back to reality. It was then that she realized Lord Edmund had posed a question to her.

"You don’t think I’d believe your words, little girl. I know about all the Emperor’s guests, now tell me, who sent you here?!" He raised his hand and conjured a huge flame in his hand, "I want nothing but the truth." He said.

"I’m telling you the truth, if it wasn’t the Emperor, then where will we get the passing cards?"

"You probably stole it from some officials, and that is a huge crime. You and your partner will be punished by my flames for crossing the lines!"

Rhea’s heart raced as Lord Edmund, with a malicious grin on his face, prepared to unleash his deadly flames, she quickly turned to Draven and whispered. "Go, I will handle this. I can’t let you get hurt."

Draven’s eyebrows furrowed together as he looked down at Rhea, he didn’t get the chance to speak before a deep smooth voice cut through the air, interrupting the impending doom. "What’s going on, Father? Why are you suddenly unleashing your flames? I hope some disaster isn’t about to befall." The voice held a light playful tone, with a carefree hint to it.

The sudden voice of that person shifted the focus of the people, all heads turning towards him. The person was none other than Lord Edmund’s stepson, Valen. The infamous Casanova.

Rhea’s gaze also shifted to the young man, her eyes slightly widening in surprise as she took in his appearance. He was undeniably handsome, with a chiseled jawline, piercing hazel eyes, and a mop of dark, tousled hair that framed his face perfectly. His attire rested solidly on his firm figure, leaving a few of his shirt buttons unbuttoned, showcasing his well-built abs.

No wonder her friend, Aria was head over heels for this man. He looked breathtakingly handsome. Although, she had heard about his notorious Casanova reputation, she’d never set eyes on him until now.

A smile tugged at Valen’s lips, a smile that could melt hearts and disarm enemies. It was the most charming smile Rhea had ever seen, and it sent a warm shiver down her spine.

Lord Edmund’s expression was different from Rhea’s stunned look, his face was twisted into a mix of anger and surprise, his flames immediately extinguished from his hand. He looked utterly displeased for being interrupted by his useless stepson’s appearance. "Valen, what brings you here, haven’t I told you never to step foot into this building again?"

Valen stepped forward, his gaze shifting between Lord Edmund and Draven and then Rhea, his hazel eyes lingered longer on Rhea’s face before he positioned himself between his stepfather and them like a protective barrier, "Father, how could you be so mean to me in the presence of such a beautiful woman?"