"No! If I must help them, they have to pay the price. Go and tell it to them," Alex said to her.
"Yes," Emilia replied reluctantly and stood up. She glanced at him for a while, hoping that he would say something but seeing how silent he was, she turned and left.
At the entrance, she was surprised to see Lidia standing there. "Have you changed your mind?" She asked her, hoping that she would say yes.
"I need to speak with the Master," Lidia said to her without replying to the question.
"Wait a minute," Emilia said and went back inside the palace. Seconds later, she returned to her. "He said you should wait for him in the side hall," she told her before leading her to a small hall which was by the side of the main hall, after taking her there, she left her and went back to her own apartment.
Later, Alex came and met Lidia staring into space. "You wanted to see me," he said, drawing her attention to him.
"Yes. I have changed my mind and decided to serve you but you will have to make a promise to me," she replied.
"Which is?" Alex asked her. He knew what she was after but pretended not to have an idea about it, he wanted to here it from her mouth.
"Promise me that you will help my sister," she replied and then suddenly fell to her knees. "That is all I ask from you, please. She is all I have and I don't wish to see her die, please," she began to plead.
Seeing how she was pleading with tears in her eyes, Alex ignored her and wore an expressionless face.
"Do you realize that you are in no position to tell me what to do?" He asked her coldly before continuing. "I can decide to let her die and yet, make you serve me even if it's against your wish. Do you know why? Because I am your lord, I have the power to save and to destroy whoever I wish to, no one can't stop me. Not even the current lord can stop me, so inciting me to make a promise to you is a very wrong idea."
"I am sorry," she said and bowed her head. "You can punish me however you want but please help my sister. If I can't save my sister, then I am not worthy of being the next leader of my clan." she pleaded. It was obvious that she cared more about her sister than her own life but this was not what Alex wanted.
"If this is why you are here, this meeting is over, go back to your apartment!" Alex said to her and was about to leave but then she grabbed him on his leg, stopping him from walking.
"Fine!" She said and let go of his leg. She properly knelt down and also lowered her head, so much that it was touching the floor. "I am willing to pledge my loyalty to you. The Asura clan will be your servants and will serve you throughout all generations," she said.
"Very well then. Rise to your feet," he said to her and when she stood up, he walked closer to her. "What if I could not save her?" He asked her.
"It is your decision to make, I am a mere servant," she replied. Though she didn't look happy, it was true that she had no choice.
"You can leave," Alex said to her.
She wanted to say something to him but seeing that he had already turned his back to her, she sighed and left with her shoulders dropped. After she had gone, Alex turned around again and smirked.
"Master," Chase called as he walked into the hall.
"What is it?" Alex asked him and caught a glimpse of the scroll in his hand. "What is that?" He asked him.
"Master, the current Lord has issued a decree that there would be a fight between you and him in three days," Chase replied and bowed as he handed the scroll to Alex.
Alex took it and went through it, a scowl appeared on his face and he handed the scroll back to him. "Very well then, it will be as planned," he said to him.
But Chase was worried. "Master, the current lord is stronger than you and he has all the demons on his side. Even if—"
"Are you worried that he might have some tricks up his sleeve?" Alex asked him. "Or are you worried that I won't win?" He asked again.
"Master..." Chase began and paused. It was just as Alex said, he was worried that the current lord would do something far more than what they had expected.
"If that is your worry, then worry no more," Alex said to him and patted him on the shoulder. "Tell everyone that I will be taking my leave before nightfall so they should gather at the main hall!" He ordered him before leaving the hall.
Despite him being worried, Chase knew he was in no position to tell his Master what to and what not to do, as such, he raised his head and also left to do what he was ordered to. After informing everyone as he ordered to, they all gathered at the main hall and waited for Alex to come. Later he came, dressed up already and seeing him, everyone knew that he was serious about leaving for the cold mountain.
"My lord, it's a dangerous journey, are you sure about this?" Kia's father asked him with a worried expression. He heard from his son that Alex was going to go in search of the snow-petal flower and this got him and his wife worried because they were aware of the dangers that lie in wait for anyone who trespasses the mountain.
"I know everyone is worried about my safety but if I can't take care of my subjects, then I am not a good leader. I have to lead by example, do you understand?" Alex calmly replied to the worried man.
"But still—" the man said but Alex signaled him to stop.
"I've made myself clear already, no one should try to persuade me anymore," he said to all of them that were gathered before him.
"Forgive me, my lord," the man bowed and apologized then he brought out a necklace from his pocket and showed it to Alex. "My lord, I haven't thanked you yet for how you saved my wife and me and even my entire family. Without you, we would have been dead and for that reason, I am giving you this necklace, it will hide your aura and make it difficult for monsters to notice your presence."
Alex signaled to Emilia and she nodded and collected the necklace from the man, then she handed it to him.
"I appreciate your thoughts for me," Alex said to the man after taking a look at the necklace and then rose to his feet. "When I am gone, Emilia will be in charge so if you need something or if there is a problem, meet her to help you until I am back," he said to them.
"Yes, Master!"
"Yes, my Lord!"
Seeing that everyone was good with his idea, he nodded and left.