The maid led them toward the massive door and knocked. After a few seconds, it was opened by two enormous men.

Archer had to look up at them, despite his height. They motioned for them to enter and as they did he took in the sights.

His eyes swept across the opulent space with a mixture of awe and curiosity. The room was adorned with intricate tapestries, glistening chandeliers, and polished marble floors.

The air carried an aura of authority, a testament to the power that resided within these walls.

His gaze was inevitably drawn to the majestic thrones at the far end of the room, upon a raised platform.

Archer saw loads of nobles gathered to the sides who were all watching him and speaking quietly.

As he approached, his attention was on the figures seated there. ‘They do look like an emperor and empress.’

The man on the larger throne had a mane of blonde hair that seemed to catch the light, and his piercing green eyes held a glint of intelligence and authority.

He appeared to be in his thirties, giving off an air of regality that matched his position. Archer sensed a weighty presence about him, someone who held the power of an emperor.

Beside him sat a woman who bore a striking resemblance to the girl he had encountered earlier in the hallway.

The same vibrant purple hair cascaded down her back, and the delicate cat ears perched atop her head twitched with curiosity and wariness.

She appeared to be an older version of the girl he saw earlier, her expression carrying a sense of wisdom that only years could bestow as her purple eyes watched him.

His attention then shifted back to the man, the emperor, who regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and caution.

Archer looked at the man and thought to himself. ‘He looks like an emperor and if the girl from earlier grows up to be like her she will be stunning.’

When they got closer to the thrones, Thorin dropped to one knee. Archer looked down at him like he was an idiot.

That was when a guard shouted from behind him. ”Kneel, boy. You stand before the Emperor of the Avalon Empire.”

Archer stared at the guard with narrowed eyes as he spoke defiantly. ”I kneel to no one.”

He looked at the emperor, who was watching him intently. The guard grew angry and began to move closer, clearly provoked.

”If you get any closer, I will kill you and rip out your heart,” Archer spoke in a low tone.

The rest of the guards moved to circle him causing a grin to appear on his face. Thorin looked up at his stupid nephew.

“Archer, what madness is this? Just kneel, it carries no true weight,” Thorin’s plea rang out, a futile attempt to reason with the young dragon.

But he wasn’t listening as he spoke.? “No. I bow to no one. If my stance displeases you, that’s your burden to bear.”

As things were heating up the Emperor finally spoke. ”Because you’re a dragon you think you’re above me and the Avalon Empire?”

Archer’s head snapped toward the man as he answered. ”No. I don’t want to kneel.”

‘Fuck kneeling. I’ll only kneel to get in between the girl’s legs.’ He thought to himself.

The man looked at him but went quiet as the empress leaned over and whispered something in his ear.

But Archer heard what she said thanks to his hearing. ”He is exactly like the rumors say, he didn’t kneel for the other rulers.”

He internally laughed but continued to look a the two before the emperor spoke. ”Why are you causing so much trouble in my empire?”

When Archer heard this he started chuckling causing the guards to get angry again. ”Boy stop being so disrespectful.”

But the emperor waved him off as he continued talking. ”I understand your reason to attack the church as they have been hunting you for years, but you’ve caused me trouble now when the pope comes calling.”

As he heard the man talk he smiled as he replied. ”No, they won’t. They won’t say anything or do anything apart from sending assassins to kill me most likely.”

The emperor’s eyes widened when he realized the boy may be right but replied. ”Interesting, but why did you attack all the churches you found?”

”Well they hurt my girls and they are annoying so why not?” Archer replied as he looked around and found a bench to sit on.

His actions caused shock but the empress giggled at him which attracted his attention. The emperor then introduced the two of them. ”I’m Emperor Osoric Avalon and this is my Empress, Chloe Avalon.”

Archer nodded at the two of them as he spoke. ”Nice to meet you two. I guess you already know my name.”

The emperor nodded while the empress laughed before Osoric commented. ”Why are you acting so casual with us? Most people bow down and kiss up to us but here you are.”

He smiled even more. ”Well, why would I do that? That shows submission and I’d never submit to you.”

He got comfortable on the bench as he pulled out some chocolate and offered some to the two royals. ”Do you two want some chocolate? It tastes nice.”

Archer threw some at them shocking everyone in the room, Emperor Osoric and Chloe caught it.

She was about to eat it when an old man shouted. ”Be careful your majesties, it may be poisoned.”

When he heard this he started laughing again causing Thorin to get even more worried about his crazy nephew.

The captain of the imperial guard rushed up to him and demanded. ”You think this is funny boy?”

Archer looked at the soldier and answered. ”Why would I try to poison them? I have no reason to do so. Plus poisoning isn’t something I like. I prefer a good old fight.”

Emperor Osoric quickly spoke. ”I doubt the boy will do such a thing. He would be hunted if he tried such a thing.”

That’s when he ate it and agreed with the boy, Empress Chloe followed suit and also ate it. The look on her face said it all.

The guards calmed down and backed off, Arhcer kept eating as the emperor continued to speak. ”Well Archer, I’m aware of everything you’ve done in the south and dealt with the troublesome church. Now they are fleeing from my empire which I should thank you for.”

He stood up and approached him. ”I’ve spoken to my councilors and advisors. They told me I should lock you up as you will bring trouble to us but I think differently.”

Archer became wary and was ready to turn into his dragon form but the empress quickly spoke up. ”Don’t worry little dragon. We are not planning to hurt or trap you, if we truly wanted to capture you, we would have sent the Praetorians.”

When he heard the women he calmed down but was still wary. As that happened the emperor spoke. ”What do you want in life, Archer? Gold? Women? Land?”

He started to think. ‘I want all apart from land as I have the domain.’

Archer looked at the emperor who was still sitting there looking at him as he answered. ”I always want gold, I have girls but more are always welcome but I don’t want to be forced to marry anyone and I don’t want any land as I love traveling.”

The emperor nodded and beckoned his servant. Whispering into the man’s ear, he sent him on a swift errand.

Turning back, he addressed him directly. “I have a few proposals for you. Interested?”

Archer nodded and got really curious, Osoric smiled as he continued speaking. ”Well, how about you attend the College of Magic? I and the others think it will be beneficial to you in the long term as you didn’t get any tutors or education while in the Duke’s household.”

Thorin’s and the noble’s eyes widened when they heard the emperor’s offer but before they could interject he continued talking. ”I also wonder if you would be also interested in an engagement with my daughter Leira Avalon the third princess?”

He was interested but knew the emperor wanted to tie him to the family, so he decided to see how it played out as he replied. ”I would like to meet her before answering, I may like women but I won’t just marry anyone.”

The Emperor nodded his head. ”Very well, you shall meet her before you leave the palace. What is your answer to attending the College?”

Archer smiled and asked. ”What do I get for going there? Are you going to give me more gold?”

Osoric rolled his eyes as he replied to the greedy dragon. ”Yes you will get gold, If you do well you will be able to explore the imperial and college dungeons and you will be able to earn even more gold from conquering it.” .𝘤𝘰𝑚

When he heard the man’s offer his violet eyes shone causing the empress to laugh, but he controlled himself as he answered. ”That is a good offer, but not enough. I want my freedom after I graduate. I don’t want to be forced into your army.”

The man nodded his head. ”Done. But I expect you to help the empire if we ever need it?”

A

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