The next battle would be with the Duke and Allen and the crowd was shouting with impressive strength. The seats were now left empty as the two mighty warriors were called to the stage and give the final great performance of the night. The rest will be obvious. No one would dare win against whoever finishes this round.
However, as unexpected as this tournament had been, they will see something different at the end. That is how it should be from the beginning. Many will think that it was a cheating move but the ones moving the strings behind the tournament had another message. To beware.
Those who dared to touch the Duchess, to even covet a single strand of her beautiful silver hair, will certainly get to pass first a mighty Dragon first. And even, not only him but two, as Master Jin was also in the line.
The rumors had already started moving around the towns and the other cities even countries. The ones on the top of the tournament, the best fighters, the best wa
The strange battle continued for a few minutes. The movements didn't decrease, and the strength only became more powerful with every hit. Madame Lu had to reinforce the barrier as the cracking was making the island shake every time.Now, not even the ones in the VIP room were enjoying their fun and conversations, all the eyes were focused on the battle below."Their strength is formidable," Madame Lu whispered in the ear of Master Jin. He was looking with intense attention at Liam's moves. "He will surpass you one day, old man.""Yes," Master Lu didn't even desire to negate it. He was sure that the brat was fated to do that from the moment he saw him.Madame Lu was a bit stunned by the response. The old man was always shameless to answer that it will take at least a hundred years for that brat to even grasp a bit of his level. However, this time…"Is this all you can do?"The Duke stopped taking the attacks, they were coming even stro
The final contestants to enter the stage battle will be the Duke, Emma, Elton, and the poor Kal. Even if the power between the rankings was awfully biased towards the Duke and the other powerful competitors, everyone knew that the most terrific opponent of them all was the Duchess.Not only she possessed impressive magic, but she was the wife of the most dangerous man on the continent, the Great Duke of Avalor, and the mightiest dragon of the younger generation. However, even if she was his wife, it didn't mean that he cared for her as much, but the displays of love the past few hours were enough to make everyone realize one thing, the Duke was head over heels for his wife.So who in his right mind would like to land a hand in that beautiful silver-haired woman. Not a reasonable one at least."The first finalist to enter the stage is Her Highness, Duchess Emma," Madame Lu said as they all knew who was the girl behind the golden mask. "And the… pitiful&hel
Before Emma could reach the mighty butt of the Duke, her husband, he turned around so fast that she could only widen her eyes and do nothing."Don't…" she said as the odious Duke was taking her leg and pulling her to him.He smirked when her body was already pasted on his chest. "Darling, are you done playing?"Emma could hardly contain her furious expression with the mask. She pushed again the Duke and decided that the combat face to face was impossible. She would never win him on that, so…"My dear, we can solve this combat if you promise me something…" the shameless Duke said without caring the audience hearing, "a baby as cute as you."Emma blushed and couldn't help but imagine their life together with a baby. 'No… I should focus.'"However, we have to start the making very hard for at least a month, what do you say, my dear?"Emma was about to lose it again. "You are a shameless dragon!"The cro
The festivities because of the end of the tournament lasted a week. It was a time for joining joys and laughs with the other nations and other races. So the friendly people of the Capital welcomed with open arms all the travelers and merchants of the continent.Even the Royal Palace participated in the happiness by sending treasures to the charity auctions. Every year on the day of the tournament, many auctions with rare treasures opened to the common people. It was impressive.However, the ones that should be the focus of the party were nowhere near the Capital. The famous Duchess of Kobach left without a trace the party and the poor hearts of the ones that had the fortune to steal a look at her in the tournament.But they also knew that the Duke was so infatuated with her that it would mean their death if they stared for a second in her direction. So they were not that surprised to hear that the couple was not going to participate in the festivities.Th
Emma's first appearance in the Dukedom was not as remarkable as the one in the Capital. The Duke had made her stay in the worst residence from the first day, and without letting her rest for more days, he had taken her to the Capital without letting her prepare for the travel.Many servants of the Dukedom that hadn't received the news from the Capital yet, thought that the new Duchess was unfavored with a status even less than the lowest servant in the Dukedom.So, even if Emma didn't care about their stupid rumors, she won't tolerate being bullied by a bunch of people that didn't have common sense."Why are they here? How did that happen?""They just appeared like magic.""That… it was the Duchess magic?""She is a luriem, she must know some dirty trick…""Don't say it out loud, she would hear you.""And what if she does?""Didn't you see her magic, idiot?""That…"The crowd was beginn
Silence invaded the hall and all the servants kneeled and bowed to the regal man appearing in the sky. As they all remembered, he was a noble and strong man with the charisma of a King, the leader they would all follow to the end of the world.They didn't expect him to appear right then, but they celebrated it, now a good show will start. Many hoped for him to divorce that woman, as such a lowly luriem should have never stepped inside of the noble land of the Duke of Kobach."Your Highness," Madame Su went to her started exclaiming while she lifted her head, after all, as an old woman that had lived so many years with the Duke, she knew that he will excuse her."What is going on here?" The man passed through the servants as they kept moving back to let him see the one making a ruckus.The old woman stepped forward as she thought the Duke was talking to her, "Your Highness, the Duchess…"She wanted to start rattling about the misconduct of th
Liam then turned around to see the shocked faces of the crowd. Some of them were trembling with paled faces, some others were already kneeling and praying mercy for their lives."Madame Su," Liam looked at the old woman, but this time his voice was nowhere near condescending. "I see that your long time here had made you quite forgetful of who is the Master.""You… Your Highness!" the old woman was tongue-tied, for the first time in many years she was feeling that she had made a terrible mistake."If you can't teach these servants anymore, then it's time for you to retire.""Master…" her voice was going weak into a whisper, she wanted to beg, but she knew that it was useless."Jano!"Liam shouted and a man in blue robes appeared quickly in the sky as if he was summoned."Your Highness, Madame," he bowed at the two beautiful figures."Take her and dismiss her…""Wait!"Emma's voice stopped him f
After a good meal and a comfortable shower, Emma finally recovered enough energy to go around the Duchy. Though, the shameless Duke by her side didn't want to let her go. It took many promises on her side to make the cheeky man stop making her wear a veil.They walked around the beautiful gardens that somehow had bloomed those days. It was said that the land of the Duke followed the heart and energy of its master. If his heart was in peace and happiness, the land would be peaceful and flourishing, however, if his heart was attached to distress and solitude, then the land would suffer dryness and cruel torments.The land, however, never suffered from extreme conditions, instead, it was one of the most beautiful and prosperous Duchys on the continent. Though, right then, the many flowers that had bloomed and the beautiful sky showing the warmest sunrays were a sign of the immense joy the Master was wrapped in."This is beautiful…" Emma smelled the soft arom
The lights in the Hill Mansion summoned the eyes of the entire City. The spectacle, the elegance of the dresses, the makeup at its highest expression and perfection. All the glamour and wealth of the year was invoked in one day.A big event enthralled the Capital City. The expectancy grew more when the guest list was published on the web. The Major and the big shots from the four main families of White country topped the list. However, mixed with the top actresses and all people from the most influential sides of the world, a name was the focus of every pair of eyes.They could not let go of the opportunity to witness what was about to happen. To have a glance to the man who had confirmed to arrive.“When is he coming?”“I don’t
Night and thunder surrounded the castle; the tall towers of stone crumbled with the echoes of the wind hitting the walls and windows. Fear was easy to feel, anxiousness could invade the heart and soul of the weak, but the woman lying in the last room of the tower was still indifferent. The terror of residing on an earth that had been already taken over by murderous creatures didn’t make her succumb to shivers and sorrow.Even when strong golden chains gripped her fair porcelain legs, leaving painful red marks in the soft skin of her ankles, she didn’t care, nor did she make a whimper. The man who trapped her never unlocked them once from the first day he took her a year ago. He only watched as she sat on the floor with her back to the wall, occupying one corner of the room. Lonely and lost.His eyes were filled with more than desire, but a strong lo
"What is the meaning of this symbol?"The man looked confused. The sweet voice of Emma made him lose control of his words and actions. He didn't know why was that, he had never been subjected to hypnosis nor any kind of suggestive game. However, this time, it was as if some drug had entered his body and made him a week to listen to that woman's orders.Emma showed him the ring and waited for his response. The golden symbol engraved in the ring glowed with the two little red gems. It was a magnificent piece, almost as if a genius craft maker had taken inspiration from heaven. The way it was done was marvelous. A masterpiece. Victor's eyes stared at the ring for a few seconds and wondered where did she get that kind of gold. If she had sold it before, then her debt would have disappeared too. It was not as if she didn't try it, but the elders didn't let her do that. They knew it was the clue to find her real identity. However, Emma didn't hesitate to go to the ma
The man let her stay in his lap for the rest of the journey. As they were moving around the roads, she noticed that they were leaving the small town and entering what seemed a base surrounded by tall trees and a metal fence."We will stay here, for the time being, my love," the man whispered and kissed her long hair. Emma didn't care as she was tired. For now, she shall pretend to agree with the man and his needs.She closed her eyes and slept without care. When she felt that he carried her to a room and into a bed, she let him caress her face as she succumbed to her dreams. Again, the man with the red eyes showed up. This time, however, the symbol on her ring appeared in the chest of the man as he was more intense in making love to her. He pulled her to his body and it was as if he was really there sharing his warmth. Emma didn't fight it, she wanted to see him, to touch him and remember when she wakes up in the morning. "Who... who are you?"She whispered as s
Nothing.The eyes and the figure suddenly disappeared without a trace. There was no red glinting and calling her that night, but the feeling remained. She knew it was someone from her memories, that person was looking for her eagerly and she wanted to be found. She returned to the restaurant that night with many thoughts filling her mind. The man's figure, the red eyes, the longing in her heart. She even forgot about the testing of her powers, she had more important things to figure out that night. However, just as she was about to reach the entrance of the street, she heard screams. The voice was from her aunty and many other men. "Trash everything! Don't leave a single piece standing!""No, please," the voice of the old woman came with a painful cry. "Leave him alone, he is already badly injured." "Shut up!"Then more screams and shattering of windows and wood. There were at least a dozen tall and strong men with bats and metal long bars dest
The restaurant, which once was filled with chatters and laughter, was now echoing with silence. The few last days, the old elders kept it closed as it seemed that no one would enter the business for fear of the consequences, they will go to the neighbor town to sell some of their goods, though the journey there was a bit long."I will go out," Emma said after her training in her room. She had been having more progress in controlling her illusions, but it was not enough, she needed to test them. She came down the stairs and the two elders were already finishing preparing for the next day as they will go to a faraway market. "Is there something you need from the shop?""Darling, I thought you were already asleep," the old aunty came forward with a caring look, "you should go and sleep, you must be tired."Emma smiled, she knew that the old woman had seen her training, "I am fine, aunty, but I wish to take some fresh air now. There is something I want to test
I turned around. There was a young boy with a tired face, dark circles underneath his green eyes, disheveled black hair and wearing a long white hoodie with an image of a smiling face. He seemed to have just woken up from the look of the dried saliva in his mouth and cheek. I didn't need to guess who he was. "Jason""Yes, Mr. Hill asked me to fetch you, but...""You fell asleep," I smirked at the cynical face before me. He was not even feeling guilty. "It's okay I arrived fast and well," I said with a smile that was not reaching my eyes. Later I will have a little play with him."Mr. Hill will call you for your first task this evening, *yawn...*"Mr. Hill was one of the top assistants of that old man. I had never met him before, but I heard about him by listening my father's talk over the phone. His tone was always respectful even when he was the son and heir of Peter Lark and Mr. Hill was only a mere assistant. It was evident that Mr. Hill was not a
They lived without worries for that entire week, with no news about the mafia group nor their men. The old madame was still recovering in the hospital and afraid to return to her house though. Her younger daughter came to see her take her away from that town as quickly as she was informed. Her son, on the other hand, never showed up, no one knew where he went. However, it was almost like an illusion of safety. Quiet and calm in the streets, not many passersby, just dust and the clash on the windows. Everyone knew that the thugs will come, they had already waited a lot of time to unleash their attack. The residents and friends who had heard about the situation with the Larks were afraid to go to the restaurant; those days not many customers went to eat or even order some take-away. Only after the harsh efforts of Emma going around the neighborhood town to set a stand in the market, they were able to complete the rest of the money for that month. "Emma, my dear, you
The local police arrived at the small house with a small ambulance to take the old madame to the local clinic. They all knew her, and some of the neighbors had already reported the situation as they heard the scandal from afar, however, all of them were scared to get out of their houses. Even the policemen that arrived."Miss Emma, she will be fine, are you alright?" The old officer kept looking at the man on the ground who was still mumbling incoherent words. His team and he knew very well the identity of the man. In fact, Emma also knew it as there was only one mafia group that controlled the town, and those men were from that group. The same one that had lent money to almost all the little business in the town. However, their shady treats had made the little town fear the consequences of not paying their fees. "Miss Emma, this..." one of the police officers looked at Emma with a bit of worry in his eyes. "You should go to the old Larks, they are waiting for