Chapter 451 The Husband
She could still remember that day, the day she realized the dreadful price she had paid for her life and power.
She could recall the supreme dominance to which she had been subjected and the manipulation she had endured.
The last time she had been here, Dorian had become aware of her eternal servitude toward a particular someone.
Similar to her previous visit, Dorian found herself in a world of darkness, standing in front of some sort of temple, drawings of people with clasped hands, kneeling to the ground, surrounded her, but there was no indication of the entity they prayed to.
"Does he now think of himself as a god?" Dorian wondered, a hint of worry creasing her face as she gazed up at the dark, sourceless sky.
Dorian took a deep breath and hoping for the best, began to move forward.
"It's hard to believe this is my own mind space. He just comes here and hijacks it like it's some public property of mine, with no regard for my privacy."n/-O//V((e--L).b)/1.)n
"I can hear you," a voice suddenly said, reaching Dorian just as she reached the temple's wide-open doors.
Although she was briefly startled, she snorted and replied as she entered the seemingly dark temple, now relieved.
"I wasn't trying to hide it."
Unafraid, Dorian walked into the temple shrouded in darkness, and while she didn't know it, when she entered, her surroundings were illuminated, providing comfort.
"Scared of the dark, are we?"
"I thought you couldn't read my thoughts," Dorian asked, her brows furrowing, but her reply was met with teasing laughter.
The next moment, Dorian found herself standing and looking up at a man seated on an elevated throne.
"Ancestor," Dorian said, her voice filled with respect, as she bent down to one knee and genuflected.
"Are you trying to earn my favour, or is this some ritual you want to start?" the dark-haired man, who could only be Seth, asked, rubbing his chin as he observed Dorian.
"Both. I'll go with both," Dorian said, maintaining her posture.
"Good, fine answer, Dorian. Your almighty ancestor is truly pleased with you. You may rise," Seth declared.
Hearing Seth's words, Dorian shook her head and got back to her feet.
"As you put it, you're now an ancestor, Seth.
You can't be as careless as you used to be.
You need to portray a firm and serious character, one that demands respect," Dorian said, looking at Seth with seriousness.
Seth listened silently to Dorian as she spoke, and a moment after she finished, his lips twitched, and he chuckled.
"I appreciate the concern, Dorian, but I don't need it.
I don't care much about earning other people's respect, if they are foolish enough to underestimate me, I have no qualms about destroying them.
This is my philosophy, Dorian, and I want you will come to adopt it."
Deciding to go against the one person who had loved and cared for her was not easy for Dorian, but for the sake of her beliefs, she had done it. With the gift Seth had given her and Alice's failing administration, taking over the country had been incredibly easy, however, there was one roadblock, her very own benefactor.
The kind of leader she wanted to be, how she wanted to rule, Dorian had already planned and fantasized about it and now the opportunity was before her.
Miraculously, Seth had sided with her over Alice, his few casual words being more than enough for Alice to relinquish her control over the country and submit to him.
Although Dorian felt no pleasure in making Alice's life miserable, the words that marked the end of Alice's days in power filled her with joy, not even the sight of Alice groveling before Seth could taint her elation.
Now Dorian stood before Seth, watching the man in all his power and glory.
His dominating presence was undeniable, and his most recent words further enhanced it, however, after hearing what he had to say about his philosophy, Dorian's eyes narrowed as she peered at Seth.
"Your philosophy is quite intimidating and brutal, but as the leader of the clan, I consider it unfit. As a newly established clan with peculiar methods of becoming a member, I have a framework of rules that will guide us. I am in the process of developing a philosophy by which we will live."
Seeing Dorian quickly dismiss his words about the clan's direction of growth, Seth's aura emanated from him and put strain on Alice's face, but it lasted only a few seconds.
"A strong character or something like that. It should be a good trait and quality for a leader," Seth said, nodding his head.
Dorian, who had stood up against Seth, blinked her eyes several times, caught off guard by Seth's words.
However, her surprise was short-lived. "This is Seth, nothing about his actions ever makes sense.
The inability to predict his next moves is what made Alice so wary of him.
One moment he's willing to destroy the world over a slight, and the next, he can easily overlook that slight for a new interest."
"Well, I believe we've talked enough about clan politics or whatever.
I made you the leader for a reason," Seth said, looking at Dorian meaningfully and nodding when she did.
"Now, to a matter that really interests me and has been itching my mind for some time," Seth continued, leaning forward.
Although Dorian knew what Seth was referring to, the truly intrigued grin on his face had her gulping.
"So, your husband, you've made him a supreme," Seth began, and when Dorian hesitantly nodded, he went on.
"So, what you're agreeing to right now is that you decided to make the man you claim to love a slave of mine.
Dorian, I highly doubt you trust me that much to offer your loved one to me. So, what exactly is going on?"
Dorian remained silent for a few moments, her lips tight and then, with gritted teeth, she answered,
"It was a necessity, okay? There is nothing more to it."
"Oh really? Just be forthright, Dorian, or do you want me to force it out?" Seth urged.
After Seth spoke, Dorian's expression became even more difficult.
"Seth, please, just this once, let....."
"No, now tell me," Seth insisted. His words were no longer a request but something that Dorian could not refuse and with frustration, she burst out the answer from her lips,
"He couldn't satisfy me."