"Let me go," Emeriel's voice came out weak and small.
"Such beauty. Look at those curves... and her skin, it's practically radiant. Quick let's pin her against the wall, what do you say? I'll go first."
"No, no, leave me a-alone."
Madam Livia quickened her pace. "Oh, this is trouble." Amie promptly followed suit.
As they rounded a corner, the corridor leading to the forbidden chambers loomed before them while two soldiers restrained Emeriel against the wall.
One had lifted her nightdress, exposing her undergarments and creamy thighs, while another had already undone his trousers, his manhood peaking out as they tried to steady a struggling, distraught Emeriel, who had a sweaty, tear-streaked face.
"Release her at once," Madam Livia commanded, her authoritative voice cutting through the tense atmosphere as she marched towards them.
Their heads snapped towards the sound and they slowly released their grip on Emeriel, though they remained close.
"Stay away from this, head maid. This doesn't concern you. This human was trespassing," one of the soldiers stated.
"That is my sister's child, and she works for Grand Lord Vladya. I sent her on an errand, but she must have lost her way. She's new to the fortress, after all," Madam Livia explained.
"A message? In her night garment?" one of the soldiers questioned skeptically.
"Would you like to confirm it with the third ruler? Because I would welcome that." Madam Livia stared them down. "Let us go to Grand Lord Vladya and inform him about how I caught you away from your duty post, on the verge of raping a female he sent on an errand."
The soldiers exchanged glances. Reluctantly, they released Emeriel, grumbling under their breath. "Fine," one of them muttered.
"But why does she smell so..." the other guard began, scrutinizing Emeriel who was sweating profusely, and Amie followed his gaze.
The princess's eyes were glazed over with lust and pain, and she seemed to be suppressing what Amie guessed was another heat contraction, judging from the body tremors.
"Why does she possess such an intoxicating scent? Like a gift from the gods?"
"If I didn't know better, I would think she was a syren in heat," the first guard added, his eyes glazed over in lust.
"That's because she was drugged, you fools," Madam Livia snapped. "One of you soldiers drugged her earlier tonight, which is why she's on this errand—to walk it off."
"Hey, watch your tone," the other guard raged, taking a threatening step forward. "You may be the Head Maid, but you're still human. Your position is beneath us."
"Is that so?” Madam Livia didn't back down. “Try laying a finger on me, then. Come on, I dare you."
The second Urekai whispered something to the angry soldier.
In the end, he took a step back.
Amie suspected the second soldier might have mentioned how Madam Livia held the power to have Urekai soldiers and slavemasters demoted or even lose their jobs.
"Come on, let's return to our posts," the second Urekai said to the angry soldier.
"Actually, there's an issue with that. You have been relieved of your duties for the rest of the night," Madam Livia stated. "Orders from Grand Lord Vladya. That's what I came here to inform you before I caught you attempting to force yourself on a Blackstone slave who happens to be my niece. I still think we should discuss this matter with the grand lord if you're interested."
The two guards simply walked away. They stood there, watching until the guards disappeared from sight.
"You can return at dawn," Madam Livia called after them.
"Wow, those are some serious lies, Madam. Are you sure you won't get in trouble with the grand lord when he finds out you lied in his name?" Amie asked as they approached Princess Emeriel.
"One thing about guilty people is they never want their offenses to be exposed. What happened tonight will surely be buried by those Urekai," Madam Livia said, her gaze softening as she laid eyes upon Emeriel. "You're burning up, Emeriel. What are you doing here?"
"I have no idea, Madam Livia," Emeriel panted, reaching out and grasping Madam Livia's arm desperately.