Chapter 17. The unethical proposition

From his seat, Charles ambled toward Hera's direction and caressed her shoulder down to her waist, which caused her uneasiness. "You can use your mesmerizing beauty, Hera… and your energy. I will try to convince the emperor, but you have to pay for it. Just do everything I say."

Without hesitation, Hera stood up abruptly and pulled herself from Charles. "I went here to ask for your help, uncle, and not to grant your unethical proposition."

Charles laughed, clearly making fun of her.

"What's so funny?" Hera dumped him an angry look until his uncle halted his stupid laugh.

"You know very well that obeying the rules is important for every citizen, to all of us. And I'm apprising you that the emperor doesn't have a good spot for anyone who dared to go against him. Your father was arrested for a certain offense, and you can't do anything about that unless you do me a favor, then I'll take heed of your entreaty."

Closing her fist tightly, Hera strived to restrain her sentiments and not be rude to her uncle despite his debris manner. "We're not close, uncle, and I know that. But just because I'm asking for help doesn't mean you have the right to disrespect me!"

"Then your own belief must be false," he replied, disgruntled.

A blast of outrage penetrated Hera owing to the fact that her uncle was contrary to her expectation. She thought Charles was kind, just like her father, but now she realized that was wrong. She saw no difference between Cayden and her uncle.

Unhesitantly, Hera swiveled around and was about to go when Charles pulled her arm forcefully, propelling her to spin around.

"Let me go!" she tried hard to be freed from hold, but her uncle was too strong.

"How dare you talk to your uncle like that?!" he pushed her to the ground. "I've been admiring your beauty from afar, my beautiful niece. But this is how you pay me?!"

"I never ask you that. Besides, I don't need your nonsense admiration toward me. That was nonsense!" her eyes flashed anger for a moment. She couldn't control her emotions anymore. All she wanted now was to escape from this place, away from her abusive uncle, but the more she struggled, the stronger her uncle became.

Hera was about to stand up, but then her uncle stopped her immediately, making Hera roll on the floor.

Charles tightened her grip, almost crushing her bones as if they were already shattered, and that scenario made Hera shout words such as 'stop' and 'don't,' which left her with nowhere to run. She felt hopeless this time.

Charles strangled her, almost suffocating Hera in pain as much as his grip.

"I'm sorry, Hera…." Charles apologized while his hand was still firmly clutching hers. "But I've always been interested in your pretty face."

A smile crept on Charles' face when he noticed her languishing body. He was about to drag her inside the room, where his bed was located, but it stopped when a sudden force came crashing into him, which sent him flying backward. He was lying on the floor, feeling dizzy and dazed at first, but soon as he regained his bearings, he turned toward the figure of a man.

"Hey... what the hell did you just do?! Who are you?!" he quickly stood up and was ready to lash back, but the man appeared so fast, like a ghost who swiftly faded away from one direction and reappeared in front of him.

Before Charles could react further, a hand reached out in front of him, grabbed his hand with great strength, and twisted his wrist violently. He groaned out of agony when he heard the loud crack of his elbow.

Hera was looking at them in astonishment, unable to move or think, especially when she recognized the man's identity.

It was Darth.

"Who are you?! Let me go! Screw you!" Charles yelled.

"Who gives you the liberty to treat her like that?" Darth inquired with authority, clearly outraged. "If there are humans on earth who don't give mercy, that's me. I do not tolerate such cruelty, poor man, so do not ever come near her again if you don't want me to finish your existence."

"Don't threaten me! I don't even know you, asshole!" Charles screamed. "Do you think I'm scared of you?!"

With that, Darth became angrier, forcing him to lower his left hand and let the fire engulf it to frighten Charles.

"This is a warning. Do not ever lay your hands on her, or else I'll burn you alive." he glanced directly into his eyes and pushed himself close, making a threatening gesture with his other hand. The fire began to flicker around his hand dangerously, indicating he was ready to strike any minute. "Don't make me do it."

"Forgive me... please... I promise I won't mess with her again!" he said, showing his most genuine and sincere expression. This caught Darth off guard and loosened the pressure on Charles' wrist.

Darth took a step backward and released Charles' arm, which Charles held tightly against his chest. Then, Darth's eyes suddenly met Hera, who was now staring wide-eyed at him with a dumbfounded expression. The misery in her eyes was visible, and he could sense the anguish inside her soul. Nevertheless, he still wasn't able to comprehend the reason why this woman was summoning him.

Darth walked toward her; his eyes remained unmoving on Hera. He knelt and extended his right hand to her.

With reluctance, Hera slowly lifted her gaze and glanced into his eyes, trying to find any trace of regret. But there was none. She tried to search for any anger in Darth's countenance, but she found nothing except a gentle presence that made her tears begin to trickle down uncontrollably.

"W-who are you? Why do you always save me? W-what have I done to deserve your kindness?" her voice wavered, but she continued. "Why do you keep treating me this way?"

Instead of responding directly, Darth stayed hushed, pulling her into a soothing embrace. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, causing her head to rest on his broad shoulders and his chin to rest on her hair. "I want you safe," he murmured, closing his eyes in contentment before adding, "And so, you shall be."

Hera felt completely confused; her mind wasn't functioning properly, and her legs wobbled until her eyes became heavy, and she fainted in his arms.