Spoiled By My Nine Beast Husbands (Emma Tibarn) novel Chapter 283

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 283: The New Overlord**

“From this moment forward, you will all answer to me,” Theodore announced, his voice ringing with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.

He felt emboldened by the knowledge that Drake was gravely injured, a mere shadow of his former self. Theodore had watched closely, lurking in the shadows as Drake battled two formidable Rank 11 Chitinids. Though Drake had emerged victorious, the cost was steep; he had been so severely wounded that he had fled the scene without even collecting the valuable cores of the defeated insects.

In a twist of fate, Theodore’s recent ascent to Rank 11 was directly linked to those very cores. It was almost comical, he mused, how he owed his newfound power to Drake’s struggle. Perhaps, in some twisted way, he should express gratitude to Drake for facilitating his rise.

“You aspire to take my place as the new overlord of the three domains?”

Drake entered the main hall, his movements deliberate and steady—neither hurried nor sluggish. His voice, though not raised, resonated throughout the chamber, enveloping everyone present in a palpable, suffocating tension.

Drake’s dark eyes, reminiscent of a bottomless well, locked onto Theodore’s with an intensity that felt almost tangible. He raised a finger, pointing into the air with an air of authority.

In an instant, the ground beneath them erupted, a deep fissure splitting the floor like a serpent’s tail, snaking across the hall and halting just shy of Theodore’s boots.

A faint golden glow pulsed within the crack, suggesting the presence of some slumbering beast beneath the surface, poised to awaken at any moment.

“Is it just you? Do you truly believe you are worthy?”

The smug grin that had adorned Theodore’s face froze in place. His pupils dilated in shock as he stared at Drake—unharmed, radiating an aura of strength that could shatter the reinforced black-gold stone floor with a mere flick of his wrist.

How could this be possible?

Drake was supposed to be on the brink of death, languishing in his chambers, a mere ghost of his former self.

No… Theodore’s mind raced, desperately searching for a rational explanation. He must be putting on an act. He’s terrified that I will usurp his throne as overlord, so he’s staging this performance!

With a forced calm settling over him, Theodore attempted to regain his composure. A broad, arrogant smile spread across his face as he met Drake’s unwavering gaze.

“Enough of this charade, Drake,” he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “I know you were gravely injured in battle, and this is nothing more than a desperate act. You wouldn’t dare challenge me.”

Convinced that Drake was merely bluffing, Theodore pressed on.

“Drake, you can end this charade anytime you wish,” he said, his tone haughty. “You’ve shown some decency towards Thunderland in the past, so I’ll make you a generous offer. If you kneel before me, acknowledge me as your lord, and ensure that the Drakonids deliver half of their treasures each year—including ten Level 11 beast or insect cores—I might just consider sparing your life.”

As he concluded his proposal, his gaze shifted past Drake, landing on Kieran, who had just entered the hall alongside Emma.

“The Merfolk King has arrived as well. How convenient. It saves me the trouble of sending someone to pay a visit to the Merfolk.”

Theodore’s grin widened at the sight of Kieran, his confidence swelling even further. “I am the new overlord of the three domains. From this moment on, the Merfolk will be required to pay an annual tribute. Let’s say one million pink pearls, ten million white pearls, a hundred thousand bolts of sea silk, and…”

He launched into a long list of exorbitant demands.

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