I will be your demise

Y/N POV

The meeting was scheduled for five o'clock in the afternoon according to Valdemar, though I was summoned an hour earlier. I did not want to raise suspicions on the count; despite his apparent dumbness, he was not. I knew it first hand; he could be naive and sweet until he felt someone was playing a foul game on him. I convinced Valdemar that day I was to show myself up at the indicated hour, behave as submissive and lavishly as ever so he would forget easily the fact I had been evading him for the past week and they would enter the room before anything had actually begun. It was crucial to have Lucio emotionally doped and full of desire by the time of the meeting.I got into one of my most ravenous attires in red velvet and golden details. Was I to overthrow the count, I needed to be stunning; one does not become sovereign every day in their life.When I arrived at the assembly room, Lucio was already waiting for me in there. He jumped off his extravagant chair walking towards me and slapped me across the face with his golden hand. I could feel the skin burning, but paid no attention; today was the last torture."My whore", he whispered into my ear while holding my jaw with his clawed hand."Yes, my count?", I asked in the most innocent and scared tone I could produce."You thought that evading me for an entire week was going to be priceless? What were you after, little bitch?", he squeezed my jaw, forcing a tear to leave my eye. "That is more like it... You deserve to suffer. Nights of loneliness, deprived of your unique presence in my bed. Who else would twist in agony while I insert my claw in their thigh?", he inquired, lifting my skirt and sinking his golden fingers into my skin, making me scream in pain."I am sorry, your Excellency. I was not feeling well, I decided to rest for a while", I bluffed, aiming to create a pitiful aura, longing for Valdemar's intromission."Oh, you are more than fine now, slut". He turned me around and choked me against one of the throne's hard stone, hitting my nape with it. A miracle I was still conscious. "Listen to me, harlot. I am going to let you live for two reasons: one, it was the first time; second, I still find some fun to being with you", he threatened as he released me, oxygen returning to my brain in slow motion."What about Valerius, do you treat him alike?", I inquired, unable to maintain my serenity in my dizziness."Ah, there is my Y/N. Defiant, brave, and what for? Does that save you from me? No. Has that ever saved anyone? No. Are you still going to die in a shameful way on my bed and become a subject to the quaestor in the short term? Mostly positive you will'', he chuckled. "Well, maybe not in my bed... perhaps under the Scourge's axe"."I asked you something, Lucio"."Of course I do not. Valerius is an equal to me. You... on the other hand... Dearest... we both know you are not a noble with a title in your bloodline. In fact, you are no one. You said it. And do you know what happens to no ones?I stared at him."No one mourns them", he laughed. "So, in the end, you do not matter", he said, flinging me over a couch."I have friends", I replied, still lightheaded, repressing my hate."Oh do you? How strange for strumpet like you. And who might they be?""Oh, you will meet them".

In that precise moment, Valdemar sneaked into the room gracefully."How did you...?", he inquired. "Ah, you are the creepy one"."Why, yes, count. Good afternoon. Ah, Y/N, what a pleasure to see you are finally cured"."What are you doing here?" Lucio asked, blushing."I heard noises and got in. What are you discussing?""Y/N here says she has friends", Lucio replied. "She is lying"."Mine, mine. As if I cared. Still, I guess she has my esteem"."See, you scum? They esteem you. They do not like you"."That is enough for me", I said, getting up slowly and walking towards my partner, who embraced me swiftly."I am not done with you", Lucio threatened as he left the room."Oh. But I am so damn done with you. I will be your demise", I subtly whispered to Valdemar, whose eyes shone with excitement."Dear, are you alright? Does anything hurt? Do you have the need of me inspecting those bruises on your neck?", they asked after reassuring the count had abandoned the proximities."I am fine, my darling", I replied snuggling into their neck. "No need to worry. After all, he will not do it again"."I will personally make sure he does not", they said cupping my cheeks.

At the indicated time, the rest of the courtiers entered the room in an awful chattering, Valdemar broke our embrace and we retired to our assigned seats. Valdemar sat across from me, hence, it was easy to engage in a glancing game. Lucio cleared his throat and, taking a deep breath, he commenced:"We are reunited because Y/N had some proposals for each of you. I beg of you to be quick."I stood and faced the Procurator."Procurator Volta, should we change the organization of this court and government, what would you want to do?""Y/N, that's, uh, an off topic query. You should talk about it in the recess", interrupted Lucio nervously."Oh! How considerate! Y/N asked poor Volta what she wanted! I... uh... I would not mind working anywhere, though... uh... somewhere with good food is essential", she replied."Good, how about being a diplomat? Like an ambassador? You would try food all around the world, share banquets with real important people", I suggested eyeing ironically at Lucio."Good loyal Volta would love that!", she said enthusiastically.Valdemar gave me a tranquil look."Vulgora, were you challenged to excel at what you are best at, what would you choose?""WAR", they answered violently excitedly. "I WANT TO LEAD SOLDIERS. HORDES OF BRAVE SOLDIERS.""Would you face enemies of the State?""BETTER THAN THE SCOURGE, I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO KICK SOME ASSES!"."You would do a superb commander"."AT LAST SOMEONE WHO RECOGNIZES MY TALENT, TAKE THAT YOU BORING PEOPLE", they said, punching my shoulder eagerly."Vulgora, we are at peace now. Besides, the Scourge is functional to me... a loyal servant... in exchange for Asra's integrity", Lucio argued. "We had already settled that. Can you accelerate your game, whore?".The courtiers made silence instantly."My count", Valdemar advocated. "None of us cares about your private affairs with Y/N, I would ask you respectfully to apologize for the mistreatment, which, I am mostly certain, was a misunderstanding".Lucio blushed intensely, and apologized, yielding to the courtiers' disapproving gazes, allowing me to continue.I coughed slightly to turn the attention back to me."Preator, ahem, what would you like the most were you to choose?""Worms! I love worms! I would be more than happy were I to dedicate only and solely to my babies"."Then how about you owned the greatest fabric company? Think about silkworms...""Oh mine! I would be more than glad! I need to figure out how to do it without damaging the babies! Nothing daddy cannot fix!""Good, I really hope you succeed with that. I know you and your babies would be so happy and grateful to be doing a good in the community", I smiled genuinely."I would like to have a refined winery and an exquisite menagerie", interrupted the Consul, which, in order for him to fall on his pride trap, I left for last."Just, exotic animals, refined visitors, and the best wines served for the best people", he smirked."Valerius! Are you seriously falling into this stupid nonsense? What is your proposal, Y/N? Spit it out"."Well, well. Now that we are all set clear and neither the count nor the quaestor seem to be in mood to participate... I shall offer you an idea"."I just do not care", replied Valdemar in their monotonous voice. "Let us get over with this"."I shall guarantee your dreams come true. In exchange... I ask for your loyalty. What do you all say? The dreams assured for your word of honour... What do you say? Do we have a deal?"I knew the word "deal" would make it even more alluring for these people, now that I was acquaintanced with their nature."Oh! Oh! Count with good Volta's loyal vote, Y/N! Very good she is, very good".I chuckled and glimpsed at Valdemar; I could tell they were smiling proudly."I AM IN, GIRL. AS LONG AS YOU GIVE ME MY ARMY THE SECOND WE SIGN THE DEAL"."I will, Vulgora"."Oh! Oh! Despite the potential danger it means to the worms... uh... I... I suppose I could give it a try"."Preator, I swear upon the God Worms you will be provided with any help and facility you might need so that we leave no worm behind. I trust your worms are worth it"."Oh! Oh! They are! You will not be disappointed!""Valerius?", I inquired."I would rather await for Valdemar's judgement, it is suspicious they have not intervened"."I do not see why, consul. I have everything I want under Lucio's word. As long as that does not change... I guess I do not care, therefore, I am in. Should that speed up the pace of this nonsense... I have subjects waiting", they answered calmly. "My dreams are already fulfilled"."Thank you, Quaestor", said Lucio blissfully. "I am honoured to hear such a thing from someone like you. Besides, I am sure your subjects are dying to see you"."Why, they are", they replied with extreme quietness."I see...", replied the consul. "Well... if the creepiest one has accepted this arrangement. Then I shall too. Not because I want to, Y/N... but because rejecting is an absolute loss of time. As has been this entire session. So let us get something positive out of it".I grinned placidly."Your Excellency... time for your verdict", I insisted. "5 votes to none. Should you need my vote as well, it is, of course, positive.""We will reconvene after a brief recess. I need to elaborate a thoughtful answer. You must exit the place. All except Y/N"."My count, you must excuse us... Y/N and I have arranged a private meeting during the recess, my not so sincere apologies", suggested Valdemar offering me a hand to go to the garden. Everything was going almost just as planned.