CHAPTER 449: SWEET LIES

The entire night, Abrielle could not sleep; she was anxious about what would happen the next day at the court. She lay on the bed pretending to be asleep by Cedric’s side.

"Try getting some sleep, staying awake all night won’t help you." She heard Cedric’s calm voice. She froze then slowly glanced at him. He was staring at her, she wondered for how long.

"I have a feeling something unexpected is about to happen. Something I am not prepared for." She replied, staring back at him.

"The worst that will happen is you failing to convince the emperor. Even if you fail, know that you tried your best." He replied. His words were considerate but it only made her ache more. How could he smile in a situation like this?

"You don’t seem scared of death. I would never be able to smile if I were in your shoes." She mentioned. His smile didn’t fade. He reached out for her face with his good hand, which he could still move. It hurts that he could not even hold her when they were this close.

"I am more scared than you can imagine. I am scared of not knowing if this will be the last time I see you. I am scared of staying an eternity alone. I have lived my life, it wasn’t perfect, but at least I had my crazy wife who badly wanted to kill, no matter how impossible it was. The same woman is now determined to keep me alive." He said with a smile.

Her eyes stung, and she refused to let him see her tears. Abrielle cuddled up close to him wrapping her hands tightly around him. She trembled slightly, he knew she was crying. It gave him a bittersweet feeling knowing she was scared of losing him.

His heart ached knowing he was the one causing her tears. "You speak like you are going to die. I am the one who is meant to kill you." She playfully hit his taut chest.

Cedric laughed, and Abrielle snuggled closer. Her palm was against his chest. "You still have a lot to do." She muttered.

"I know, I haven’t even had children. I always wondered how mischievous our children would be if they would also join their mother’s philosophy of wanting to kill me." Cedric joked and he felt a sharp pain in his chest.

"Ouch," he winced even if it didn’t hurt as much as the inferno, making him numb. He still moved away, laughing. He saw the culprit who had just bitten him glaring at him. "Your jokes are horrible. If you continue like this you are going to die alone and miserable. " She snorted.

He arched his brow at him, "How will I die alone when you promise to be the one to end me. I will die with a smile, Abrielle, but I will also live with a bigger smile if time spares me and gives me the chance to meet the miniature versions of you that bear a resemblance to me." He chimed

His smile was a bit infectious, even Abrielle could not help but smile. Cedric managed to lean in and seal her lips with his. It was a very gentle kiss that left them craving for more. "You will do great tomorrow because you know how to face the impossible. " He praised her.

Abrielle smiled even if her eyes prickled with tears. He was telling her sweet things, but it sounded like a goodbye. She climbed over him leaving him surprised by her sudden actions.

"It seems you have forgotten how to kiss. Let me jog your memories, " she said before claiming his lips hungrily. Sucking and nibbling exactly how he thought she would

The kiss grew wild and she moaned softly into his mouth once his lips parted for her tongue. Their tongues entwined in an erotic dance. She didn’t want to stop even if she was running out of breath. She wanted to have the most of his lips. Cedric’s hand was on her waist pulling her closer.

She tasted something salty in her mouth that made her stop. Puzzled, she parted with his lips, gasping for air. "Are you hurt anywhere?" Abrielle anxiously asked scared

He shook his head and averted his head. "I am just too happy I cried." He lied to her. She didn’t know if it was a lie but didn’t push further. Cedric could not look at her. He was completely dead down there, even when her softness and intoxicating scent were close. His member didn’t react.

*******

"I have already written to the emperor about your attendance. We can only hope for the best." Aurelius’s voice drew her from her deep thoughts. Abrielle’s mind was in the clouds. She was still bothered by Cedric’s tears.

"You don’t want me to meet Emperor Aurelius, yet you are still helping." She mentioned it out of nowhere. Her eyes were stuck on the view outside. Aurelius was taken aback by her statement. He laughed.

"Am I that easy to read?" He asked with his eyes sparkling with amusement. Abrielle finally stared at him their eyes locked.

"You are," she answered quietly.

He sighed. "I don’t want you to meet him for selfish reasons. But Cedric... Cedric is a priority."

The carriage came to a halt. "We are already here. I can’t convince you against seeing him now. " The door opened and Aurelius stepped out first then he gave her his hand to step down.

The palace of Luminaria was a breathtaking place, but Abrielle was not in the mood to admire it. Her hold on Aurelius’s hand tightened slightly.

He led her through the palace walls. On their way to court Abrielle observed the weird looks other nobles gave them. Especially the older ones. Shock and disbelief but she didn’t pay any heed to it

They finally arrived at the large doors leading to the court. "Are you ready?" Aurelius asked her. She let go of his hand and drew in a deep breath.

"Never been more ready.." Aurelius gave the signal and the door opened. They both stepped into the large courtroom. Everyone’s eyes were immediately drawn to them, and it seemed time stopped. She wasn’t fazed by their gaze. She followed Aurelius towards the front, her gaze focused ahead on the emperor.

"Greetings to the sun of the empire." Aurelius’s voice rang. He bowed slightly to the emperor. The emperor’s attention was on them, it was ever since Abrielle stepped into the room. "Bethany," he muttered with a ghostly pale face. Only the empress heard him and her eyes were cold.

"I would love to introduce Princess Abrielle Von Drakkar, the wife of the exiled first prince of Draconia." Aurelius officially introduced her. A round of gasps rang.

Abrielle’s hand clutched her dress, and she stepped further and curtseyed before the emperor. "It is an honour to be before the presence of the sun of this great empire."