Free Web NovelChapter 119: Blood Over Dominance
Kane leaned back against the cushions of the Emperor’s throne, letting his conqueror’s aura saturate the room.
[System Notification: Royal Blood Spilled]
[Experience Awarded: 45,000 XP]
[Level Up!]
[Class Feature Triggered: Berserker’s Spark]
[Status: Battle-lust threshold exceeded]
[Global World Announcement: The Menual Empire has fallen.]
[Territory Claimed: The Marble Canopy]
[New Title Acquired: Sovereign of the South]
[Reward: +100,000 Faction Renown | Imperial Treasury Access Unlocked]
Kneeling beside his salt-crusted boots, Sarah stared at her husband’s severed head.
The once-dominant seductress realized her intricate political web had just been shattered by violence.
Keeping one large hand locked firmly around the back of her neck, Kane rested the axe blade gently against her cheek.
’These aristocrats think a fancy title protects their necks,’ Kane mused, feeling her rapid pulse flutter against his palm.
’I figure a quick reality check sets the new hierarchy.’
"Your empire’s little game ends here," Kane ordered softly, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze.
"Pour."
Her fingers shook wildly. freёwebnoѵel.com
She filled it with red vintage, spilling a few drops onto the carpet before offering it up.
Kane drank deeply, enjoying the flavor.
Instead of handing the glass back, he tilted his wrist, pouring the remaining wine directly over her head.
Red liquid cascaded through her hair, streaking down her face and soaking into her cleavage.
Gasps echoed from the kneeling aristocrats.
Kane let out a savage laugh that rattled the chandeliers.
A hot pulse of rage began building in his veins.
Slaughtering Morvak and the guard captain barely scratched his itch.
Old battle-lust roared to life, the same familiar fury that earned him his legendary reputation on the northern borders.
Veins pressed against his skin. His muscles swelled with unspent energy.
Yanking Sarah upward by her wine-soaked hair, Kane dragged her right onto his lap.
He shifted his grip, forcing her to sit straddling his thigh while he addressed the trembling court.
"Anyone who moves dies," Kane projected, his voice carrying lethal certainty.
"Anyone who speaks without permission loses their tongue. This empire now belongs to Kane of the North... and his wife from Milfheim."
Pointing Mjoldr toward two surviving royal guards shivering near the doorway, Kane issued his next command.
"Take Misha to show the empire."
The guards scrambled over themselves to obey, sprinting down the corridor to retrieve his seraphic partner.
’Let the whole continent know who really sits on the top,’ Kane reckoned, leaning back into the chair.
Sitting astride his leg, Sarah refused to remain a broken trophy.
Wine dripped from her eyelashes, mixing with the scent of blood, but her survival instincts kicked into overdrive.
Fear wouldn’t save her position.
Submission meant exile or death.
Seduction, however, offered a path back to the top.
’She’s recalibrating,’ Kane noticed, watching her amber eyes sharpen.
’Most widows would weep for a week. She is already plotting her next ascension.’
Tracing a manicured nail down the center of his scarred chest, Sarah leaned her wine-soaked cleavage against his leather harness.
She tipped her head back, offering him a sultry smile.
"A northern king needs someone who understands the southern treasury," Sarah whispered. Her voice steadied as she ground her hips subtly against his thigh.
"You took the throne by force. But holding an empire requires finesse. I can give you both."
Kane arched an eyebrow, keeping his grip firm on her waist.
"I figure you change loyalties faster than a mercenary, widow. Your husband is still bleeding on the rug."
"Loyalty belongs to the strongest man in the room," Sarah countered, biting her lower lip as her fingers tangled into his red hair.
"My late husband was a fool who hid behind iron ships and weak plots. You are a true sovereign. Rule beside me, and I will hand you the keys to every vault in the capital."
Before Kane could answer, Sarah turned her head toward the cowering nobles.
"Keep your faces glued to the floor!" Sarah commanded, her voice cracking like a whip.
"Anyone who looks up will answer to me!"
Nobles buried their faces into the carpets, terrified by her sudden resurgence.
She still commanded their fear, weaponizing it to prove her worth to her new master.
"Let us negotiate the terms properly," Sarah purred, tracing his jawline.
"The imperial bedchamber is just down the hall. I will show you precisely what southern hospitality feels like."
Footsteps echoed near the entrance.
Misha walked into the hall.
Golden rings burned in her eyes as she surveyed the bloody aisle, the headless corpses, and the seductive widow straddling Kane’s lap.
’She always reads the room instantly,’ Kane smirked, catching his oracle’s eye.
"The Emperor’s treasury ledgers are secured in his study, husband," Misha reported calmly, folding her hands in front of her waist.
"The remaining guards have already surrendered."
"Our new captive offered to give me a personal tour of the royal chambers," Kane rumbled, running a calloused thumb over Sarah’s wine-stained cheek.
"I figure she wants to prove her usefulness."
Misha tilted her head, analyzing Sarah with seraphic indifference.
"Her pride is dangerous. Break it thoroughly, Kane. We need a compliant treasurer, not a rival queen."
Giving him a single, approving nod, Misha turned her attention toward counting the cowering aristocrats.
"You have your permission," Sarah whispered, her breath hot against his neck.
"Now let me show you why I ran this city."
Kane stood up, hauling Sarah effortlessly into his arms.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging to his broad shoulders.
"Point the way," Kane ordered, tossing Mjoldr onto the throne cushion.
"But remember who holds the leash."
"Down the west corridor," Sarah directed, her fingers digging into his biceps.
"Past the tapestries. The guards know better than to interrupt."
Carrying her through the vaulted halls, Kane felt her heart racing against his chest.
’She thinks a few sweet words and some skin will put her right back in charge. I will let her try, then I will show her the difference between a political scheme and a conqueror.’
The imperial bedroom showcased absurd wealth. Silk canopies draped over a sprawling mattress.
Gold-leafed mirrors lined the walls.
Tossing her onto the center of the bed, Kane unbuckled his sword belt. It hit the floor with a loud thud.
Sarah didn’t scramble backward.
Crawling across the sheets on all fours, she looked up at him with ambitious eyes.
She peeled the wine-soaked crimson gown off her shoulders, letting it pool around her waist.
"You took my husband’s head," Sarah breathed, arching her back to display her impressive curves.
"I expect you to replace what you broke."
"I think you talk too much for a conquered woman," Kane replied, pulling off his leather harness.
"You aren’t negotiating terms anymore, Sarah. You are auditioning."
"Then watch me perform," she challenged, reaching out to pull him down onto the bed.
Kane leaned over her, catching her wrists in one hand and pinning them above her head.
"I set the pace here. Try to scheme your way out of this."
