Fiore's Magic Council

10:39 AM

Irene sighed as she walked out of the council room. A group of her fellow council members followed suit behind her. She turned left and walked down the hallway that led to her office. Her boots clicked on the sleek stone floor.

Many workers bowed and greeted her as she strolled past them.

"Good morning Miss Belserion." saluted a young woman.

She smiled and waved at the young woman who in turn blushed. It wasn't every day that someone as powerful and beautiful as Irene Belersion would casually greet you.

Irene made it to the end of the hallway and turned right. Making sure she was out of sight and with no one around, Irene let out a huge groan.

Clutching a folder of papers, she leaned against the wall and rubbed her temples.

Why did she have to attend those stupid meetings?! They were such a waste of time in her opinion. Irene could be spending that time at home with her family. It was also the only reason she ever took a single step into this forsaken boring building.

Those useless meetings usually consisted of nothing but the old bastards arguing about Jewel Tax and Fiore's trade disputes. It couldn't be even more tedious if they tried.

It also didn't help that many of those pathetic rats always tried to butter her up with Jewel and gift offers. Blatantly trying to bribe her to join their little stupid alliances. Irene cared nothing for their politics.

'I think me and you can get a lot of change done around here.'

If one more person tries to bribe her, Irene swears she's going to tear off their fingers one by one and shove them up-

"Well well well! If it isn't the Empress of Ishgar!"

Irene's annoyance suddenly turned into anger and hatred.

Looking up, she saw the eccentric man known as God Serena, doing his dramatic poses. The rumored strongest of the Four Emperors of Ishgar.

Irene couldn't help but mentally scoff. Yeah right. His team is made up of friendly but quite old men. Of course, he'd be the strongest amongst them. His title was nothing but glamor to stroke his own ego.

"What do you want?" asked Irene, her voice dripping with venom.

"I see the ever so beautiful Irene still does not appreciate my graceful presence."

Irene grit her teeth. Goodness, she had to quench the urge to smash his arrogant face in.

"Haha! Not in the chatty mood today? No matter!"

God Serena did some odd dance which led to his hands pointing up. His eyes sparkled with confidence. A couple of workers who walked by exchanged confused glances.

"I'll slay you one day, dragon."

Irene bared her fangs.

"Oh ho ho! Really? Perhaps, today is the day I permanently silence that loose tongue of yours."

God Serena looked at her before bursting out laughing.

"My lady, I'm not here to fight you. I simply wish to share something interesting I learned today."

Irene faints a yawn. "Wow really? Too bad because I don't care." She pushed past him.

"You have such a cute little daughter. Plus she's a dragon slayer! You must be such a proud mom!"

Irene's eyes widened, and she stopped in her steps.

What? What did he just say?

Slowly, she turned around and saw God Serena maliciously smiling.

"Thanks to a little birdy, I know about your other children as well. Truly a unique family you have created."

The man started giggling as he stared Irene straight into her eyes.

"It would truly be a shame if anything were to happen to them."

In a hot flash, Irene slammed him into the marble wall which shattered from such a powerful force.

The impact made God Serena cough up blood. Through his blurry vision, he saw the look of pure dragon fury. He couldn't help but smirk even though deep inside, he was terrified.

God Serena instantly regretted his smile though because Irene choked him. The man gasped and wheezed as he felt her slowly crush his windpipe. With each second the grasp on his throat got tighter. He tried to pry her hands but couldn't.

In his darkening vision, he saw Irene bring him close to her so his ear was next to her mouth.

"If you hurt any of my children, I will kill you. I will kill everyone you hold dear."

She released her chokehold letting the man fall to the ground. God Serena clasped his throat as he violently coughed and gasped for air.

Irene stepped away. Her thoughts were silenced and donned a dangerous glare. The only thing that could be heard as Irene walked down the empty hallway were the echoes of God Serena's desperate gasps for air.

Irene will protect her precious beloved family no matter the cost. Even if it meant dying for them. They are her world and that's worth throwing everything away for them.