EBE Chapter 1319 A good show
Chapter 1319 A good show
Eva was really torn at this moment...
If it's fake... she hopes it's real...
But, if it's true, then her liking is fake...
Soon, they found themselves once again outside the oppressive, enormous hall of the Shah Emperor.
The heavy, carved wooden door was silently pushed open by two guards, revealing flickering candlelight and a figure sitting on the throne, as imposing as a mountain.
Emperor Shah was still wrapped in his heavy bearskin cloak. His hawk-like gaze immediately fell on the three people who entered the room, sharply sweeping over Eva's pale and haggard face and the bruises on her hands, finally settling on Rhys's face, which was slightly flushed with excitement.
Rhys strode forward, his voice booming with eager anticipation: "Father, everything went smoothly! We're back!"
Seeing Rhys's expression, Shahar knew there must be good news, so he asked, "How is it? Is it confirmed?"
"It's confirmed! Absolutely true!"
Rhys nodded vigorously, eager to begin describing: "When Xiao Ce saw Eva in such a miserable state in the ice cellar, his reaction was absolutely incredible! First, he went berserk like a mad beast, his eyes filled with a desire to devour the guards and us alive! His roar shook the ice cellar!"
Then, seeing Eva's injuries, he was heartbroken, his hands trembling, hugging her and making vows like, "It's all my fault for not protecting you," and "I'll definitely take you away..." His genuine emotions were so real, you couldn't fake it! Finally, when the children were mentioned, he became incredibly anxious, almost ready to fight us!
He vividly described every moment Xiao Ce lost control, every painful expression, and every heartfelt promise, his words flowing freely as if he were narrating a magnificent drama.
As he spoke, he burst into laughter: "Hahaha... What a load of rubbish, this Xiao Shen... I'm dying of laughter. Father, you really didn't see him like that... It was absolutely hilarious..."
Rhys concluded, his face full of pride and certainty: "Most importantly, it's his aura! That earth-shattering rage and killing intent that erupts after being provoked, along with that domineering presence, is absolutely genuine!"
"A stand-in? You won't find another person in the world with that kind of aura! Only the real Xiao Ce would react like that if he saw the person he cherishes being 'abused' like that! We've got that weakness firmly in our grasp! For Eva and that little brat, he'll definitely submit obediently!"
"Father, you're right. Everyone has weaknesses... and as long as they have weaknesses, we can control them... You're absolutely right. That Xiao Ce was quite a strongman before... but now it seems... he's nothing special..."
As the Shah listened to Rhys's description, his wrinkled face remained expressionless. He did not immediately comment on Rhys's conclusion, but instead slowly turned his gaze to Eva, who stood silently to the side like a statue.
“Eva,” Shahar’s voice was low and slow, carrying an undeniable pressure, “Is what Ries said all there is to it? What do you think? Xiao Ce…is there anything wrong with him? Not even the slightest hesitation or doubt?”
Eva's body trembled almost imperceptibly.
She raised her head to meet Shahar's gaze, which seemed to see right through her, and then nodded: "Father... what Brother Ries said... is basically true."
“Xiao Ce… his anger and heartache… seemed so real. When he held me… his body was trembling… his worry for Yuanwang… was also very… very urgent.” She chose her words carefully, trying to make her tone sound calm. “He… didn’t show any signs of doubting me… his attention… was entirely on… my safety and the child’s safety.”
She avoided directly answering whether the question was true, only stating the phenomena she observed, and attributing Xiao Ce's reaction to concern for his safety.
The Shah listened quietly, his eyes, which had seen the vicissitudes of life, lingering on Eva's face for a good ten seconds, as if scrutinizing every subtle pause in her words and every flicker in her eyes.
After staring at Eva for a while...
Finally, Shahar slowly withdrew his gaze and leaned back slightly in his chair. A subtle, almost imperceptible relaxation seemed to flash across his dignified face.
"Hmm...it seems my guess was right, he only has one child...that's his weakness...Eva, you did a great job..."
He responded in a low voice, as if he had finally put down the biggest stone in his heart.
"It seems their identity is confirmed. Xiao Ce is in our cell, and he's already bound by the strongest shackles—his woman and his child..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Rhys and Eva, his voice carrying a hint of seriousness and a trace of weariness after a great burden: "In that case, it's time to proceed with the final step."
"Just now, before you came back, I received an urgent report."
Shahar said with a hint of excitement, "The gentleman who wants to help our Slavic Empire regain its glory... the gentleman who specifically asked for Xiao Ce... he has arrived."
Both Reese and Eva were startled!
A surge of fervent excitement and a barely perceptible tension erupted in Rhys's eyes, while Eva froze, her already pale face losing all color. A bone-chilling cold instantly spread from her feet throughout her body, making her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
Her sudden lightness made her even stiffer...
Shahar withdrew his gaze and turned back to his son and daughter, his tone regaining its imperial authority and unquestionable tone: "His troops have already entered the territory of my Slavic Empire. At the latest... they will arrive at the palace before tomorrow dusk!"
He paused, then instructed Rhys, "Pass the word down, make all preparations for the reception. At the ice cellar, triple the manpower! Keep a close watch on it, three layers deep! No mistakes are allowed!"
"Yes, Father! Your Majesty! I will personally make the arrangements! I guarantee everything will go perfectly!"
Rhys immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice booming with excitement at the imminent completion of a momentous mission.
"As for you, Eva!"
Shahar's gaze fell on his daughter again, with an almost cold calm. "Rest well. Tomorrow... you might need to play again. Remember, watching from afar is good. As long as you... and Xiao Ce continue to cooperate, he will only get better."
"Don't worry, once we've achieved great success, as long as he behaves himself, I'll ensure your family lives a happy and harmonious life..."
What sounded like a reward was actually a blatant threat, like the last straw that broke Eva's back.
She swayed, almost losing her balance, only managing to stay upright through sheer willpower. She lowered her head, her thick blonde hair concealing the despair and pain churning in her eyes, managing to squeeze out a broken syllable from her throat: "...Yes."
Shahar waved his hand and yawned: "Go. Rhys, make the arrangements. Eva, return to your chambers and do not leave without my permission."
Reese accepted the order with high spirits, his heavy footsteps echoing down the corridor.
Eva, like a puppet whose soul had been ripped out, staggered out of the suffocating hall, silently "escorted" by two guards.
With each step, she felt closer to hell. But it all seemed to be her own doing...
The heavy, carved wooden door slowly closed again, separating the inside from the outside.
Emperor Shah sat alone on the throne that symbolized supreme power, the candlelight casting his tall figure onto the cold wall, making him appear exceptionally lonely and imposing.
He slowly closed his eyes, a slightly perverted smile appearing on his lips.
"Xiao Ce...it's true..." he murmured to himself, as if confirming something, or as if convincing himself, "That's good...that's good..."
Then a flicker of doubt crossed my mind...
Because they said it the way they did.
Was Xiao Ce's reaction really...too perfect?
So perfect...like a well-rehearsed play?
The thought flashed through his mind, but he forcefully suppressed it. Things had come to this point; the die was cast, and there was no room for hesitation or retreat. Tomorrow would be the moment that would decide everything.
After all, all he needs to do is handle the task at hand well.
He opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and cold once more, staring into the void, and muttered to himself:
"What's meant to happen will happen eventually. Xiao Ce... I'm entrusting him to you. I hope... you can keep your promise and give my Slavs... a future truly free from constraints."