Birth of The Dragon Archon

The Hidden Clause

The wine glass in his hand shattered.

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Crack!

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Everyone at the party turned their attention to him, and red wine dripped slowly between Emrys' fingers like blood.

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The contract in his hand trembled ever so slightly as fragments of another life clawed through his head.

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His father's execution…

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His sister’s eyes as she perished in the burning building.

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The Dragons of House Valin are turning their backs on him.

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His last allies were dying trying to protect him.

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Luther…

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He dropped the contract, rubbing his hand on his forehead as he tried to collect his thoughts.

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“Emrys?”

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A voice cooed through the air, and his mind shot into disarray when he heard that voice.

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For some reason, even after three centuries, the voice that spearheaded the slow and devastating decline of House Valin felt eerily familiar; maybe it was the god’s way of letting him suffer.

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“Emrys, what are you doing?”

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He turned to the side and saw the person who had been the catalyst for everything that had happened.

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Diane Croft…

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Dressed in the ceremonial robe, well decorated with jewelry and fragrances that would make even the common man run mad in lust.

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She stared at Emrys, surprised that he wasn't signing the contract yet.

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“Emrys, please pick up the contract and sign it…” She had a fake smile plastered on her face.

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Everyone else at the venue might be fooled by her well-displayed allure, but Emrys—he could read through it like a fiend.

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Shaking his head, he pushed himself up from the table. And was about to walk out.

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Everyone at the party was confused, and there was something about the way Emrys was acting.

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“Why is he suddenly acting this way?”

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“Wasnt he the one who made the toast? He was happy to announce the alliance of both houses.”

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Emrys was about to walk away when a hand held his robe. He turned back to see Diane holding him like a child who wanted to take something from her mother.

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“Emrys, come on.” Her fake smile covered her real motive, holding Emrys down.

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“You promised to sign this today, dont you want to help our families come together?”

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Emrys looked down on her, seeing her quivering lips and subtle breaths.

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Promised?

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Coming together?

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This was all a ruse; it was the beacon for what was bound to come.

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In the past, he didn't even skim the contract; he just signed it…

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Not knowing that there was a hidden clause, it would become a vassal agreement.

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Turning House Valin into errand boys, for House Croft and Felnior.

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Emrys didn't think about anything else, trying to keep his head in order.

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“I wish not to sign it anymore,” he said, his voice as calm as it can be. “It is not in my interest anymore.”

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Emrys was about to move away, but like an anchor holding down a ship.

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Diane clung to him; there wasn't anything that would have made anyone imagine that Emrys would stand up and leave.

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“You…can't…” she spoke, her words breaking like a child.

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“....you can't do this, you have to sign it, I told you—”

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Diane clung to Emrys, moving close to his shoulder, and Emrys moved his head away.

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“I will be yours, all yours if you sign the contract…my unwavering, undying love will be yours.” Her whispers were calm and alluring enough to make the hearts of great lords melt.

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But it was an irritating cry of desperation to Emrys, staring at Diane. He looked down at her hand holding his robe, and he slowly shook it off.

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“I will not sign it, because I need not your love or the shadow of House Croft or any other hovering over the Valins…”

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He said,  this time, his words were straight to the point.

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Every elder tied to House Croft grasped that they were all in shock, seeing how Emrys was acting.

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They knew he was obsessed with the Heiress of House Croft, and he was ready to bring their families together, even though House Croft was a struggling lesser House that stole crumbs from the Noble and Great houses.

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Emrys turned and was about to walk away from the party. Diane watched him leave.

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“This…this is foolishness!” Diane roared, her voice so pitched it almost shattered the glasses in the hall.

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“...you are going to be the downfall of House Valin, this contract is the best way to hold on to the last bit of hope the Sovereign House had!”

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Emrys paused, his fingers cracked, looking down.

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He could hear the loud muttering of people within the hall.

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‘Is he foolish?’

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‘House Croft is only doing what's best for House Valin, and he doesn't see it.’

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‘He will lead to the fall of his legacy.’

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‘The downfall of my legacy? If I don't sign that trap!?’

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Emrys had wanted to walk out of the banquet; he wanted to be done with House Croft faster than anything.

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But now…

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He was going to make sure they knew their place.

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“You say that contract is in my best interest, am I right?” Emrys walked over to the table where the contract was placed.

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Diane was looking at him, surprised that they were looking at Emrys change his mind.

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“Lord Emrys, I can assure you that House Croft made sure the alliance contract is a pact that both houses will forever be in good partnership with each other.”

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Simon Croft, a viscount in House Croft, was an aristocrat who was fond of weapons, women, and food. The crumbs stuck under his chin showed his shallow mind of etiquette.

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Emrys picked up the contract and skimmed through it. He noticed how it was hidden in plain sight; there was nothing about ties with Felnior or even the way they were going to take all of House Valin's material.

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“You see,” Emrys turned, looking at Simon, a nasty look on his face. Walking over to a burning candle, he placed the contract over it.

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“He's burning the contract…!”

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“He has lost it!”

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Simon got up from his seat, his eyes glaring at Emrys.

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“You know, burning something like that is a crime, and we can have you stripped of your titles!” He barked, looking at Emrys holding the contract over the candle. His hands are not moving.

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“Do you have any idea what this makes House Valin look like?!”

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Emrys chuckled at Simon's retorts, ignoring the words of onlookers and guests, he kept at what he was doing.

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“I might read this and see that you wish me all well and good, but then…”

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The paper on the contract sizzled, the top peeled off like a snake shedding its skin.

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“One would never account for the hidden ember paper hidden under.”

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The crowd gasped. They watched as Emrys lifted the papers into the air.

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“Oh, now you see, I felt that you were crooks and I wanted to believe that maybe I was only being paranoid when I imagined that you stoop so low,” he moved closer to Diane, leaning in as he whispered, his voice rising in volume.

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“Just to help your wretched house siphon riches from House Valin, oh how very daring of you…”

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Diane swallowed, unsure if what was happening was even real.

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“Emrys, I—”

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She looked up, trying to see if she would spot the bright emerald eyes that always adored her.

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But when she looked into his eyes, what she saw were different pairs of emerald eyes…they were dark and void of any emotion…

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They looked like dead eyes.

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“Now, Diane, care to explain why you and your ‘Noble’  house would want to deceive me?

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