CHAPTER 448: HE CAN ONLY DIE BY HAND

Abrielle ran down the hallway holding back her tears that threatened to fall. She was not going to cry now. Cedric was not dead yet.

She has to see the emperor not just because he is the best mage, but also to have access to the secret royal library. Yuki also told her to see the emperor. The universe wants her to meet him.

With the help of direction from the servant, she found her way to Aurelius’s study. She pushed the door without taking any permission. "We need to talk." She declared. Her eyes fell on Aurelius, who was busy reading a letter that had just arrived from the palace.

"We do need to talk, Abrielle. News from the palace says the nobles are making a motion to force Cedric out of Heliosa." Aurelius mentioned, his hand crumpling the letter in his hand. Who was behind this?

The messenger who was beside Aurelius bowed and exited the room immediately. "The nobles," she blurted, a sense of impending doom lingered, was it related to the hearsay?

"Yes, Cedric’s presence in Emberlynx is top secret but all of a sudden it is everywhere. Some say he is the demon that will bring damnation, others say it is a plan by Draconia to plant a spy." Aurelius explained. He started pacing around, unable to hold himself.

"Something is wrong Abrielle. If there was anyone who would not want Cedric in Heliosa, it would be me, because if he agrees to marry my half sister and eventually become king of Draconia, there is a slight chance he would support my half-brother, but it wasn’t me." Aurelius explained. That was the main reason in the original novel that he was against Cedric seeking asylum in Heliosa.

"Then why did you help us in the first place if we were a threat to you?" Abrielle asked Aurelius. This was a question that had been on her mind. Aurelius sighed, his fingers brushing through his ginger hair.

"Because I have my reasons. All I will say is that I have no intentions of harming you. If possible, aside from Cedric, I am the one who wants to protect you the most." He admitted. She was stunned by his reasons..he helped them because of her.

"I don’t understand. Don’t tell me you are in love with me?" She blurted in disbelief. Aurelius smiled at her.

"Maybe I am. You can imagine whatever suits you." Aurelius shrugged off. Abrielle had a feeling it was more than what the eyes saw, or was something in plain sight. Aurelius was hiding something that Cedric was suspicious of.

"What if the person behind the propaganda isn’t from Heliosa?" She asked him. She pushed Aurelius’s mystery aside. Right now, her only priority was saving her husband.

Aurelius’s eyes narrowed. "It’s not possible. I highly doubt Lucien has spies here. I made sure to handle matters like that personally." He stated with certainty. He already suspected Lucien but it was unlikely.

One thing is for sure: there was someone out there who wanted Cedric dead. If he leaves Heliosa in his condition, he is a dead man. He suspects it is someone who knows about his condition, making Lucien a suspect, but how did they get spies into his territory?

It might even be another party because Cedric Von Drakkar was a man with many enemies.

"I also thought so too," Abrielle muttered. They were her suspicions too. This was beyond Lucien’s abilities. The only kingdom that can protect Cedric is Heliosa.

"There will be a court session tomorrow at the emperor’s court. I fear the nobles will bring this up. This is to your disadvantage because the emperor can use it to pressure Cedric into the marriage." That’s when it hit Abrielle. Aurelius understood the look on her face.

"Do you think the empress might have a hand in this to coerce us?" She spoke out. Aurelius hissed then walked up to his table to pour himself a drink. He knew the empress was dangerous but this was not her style.

Yet she could be threatened and desperate, seeing how much control Aurelius has. "That can be possible too. What do you plan on doing, Princess Abrielle?" He put her on the spot. Cedric was not in a position to make the decision.

He has already given up on life. He was a hypocrite; he claimed to love her, but wasn’t ready to risk it all. Choosing death over marriage. "I want to see the emperor. I am going to accept the marriage as long as he can heal Cedric. "

.

Aurelius was amused he knew this was going to be her answer. "Do you know why Cedric chose death instead?" He asked her. She bit her lips.

"To protect me from the drama of the harem. To keep me safe." Her heart squeezed as she admitted it. Aurelius was sipping his drink. His eyes were watching every fleeting expression.

"That is one of them, but it means something more. A reason I even admire him. " Aurelius said, true admiration was written on his face.

Before she could ask what he answered her. His mind drifted as he got lost in his trust.

"They say if you truly love someone you would be able to let them go for their own good. He is letting you go from the burden of his love. He loves you without a doubt. He knows he would never be happy in that marriage, just as you. So why torment each other when he can die with the love he has and hope you will move on since it seems he has the bigger love in your relationship."

Aurelius’s explanation struck her. Was that how Cedric felt? He thought she would be happy if he died. A sad smile curled on her lips, she deserved it. It was what she wanted before things changed.

How was she going to be happy when the man who forced his way into her heart dies? She didn’t want to admit it, but she knew the truth she had been denying. Things weren’t the same anymore.

She loved him even when she wasn’t meant to.

"I’ll meet the emperor tomorrow at court. Cedric won’t die unless I let him. If he must fall, I’ll be the one to end it." She declared.

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