Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Hollis.
A courtroom session was in full progress and the ministers were in deep discussion. And, the king of the land, Dimitri Vegus looked at everybody with a bored expression. He had no idea why they were even trying to complicate things when he had the easiest solution. His wicked eyes ran around trying to read through the people's minds. After a long time, silence ensued in the hall and Dimitri raised his eyebrows wondering what his genius ministers had come up with.
"My King, after a lot of discussion and suggestions we have decided to attack the kingdom of Volar when they would have lowered their guards against us." One of the men with a small white beard stood up and started to put forth his words before the evil man.
Dimitri smiled suddenly and it was one filled with mystery. Nobody knew what was running in his mind, not that they ever did. The man was the most enigmatic creature anybody had ever seen. His mind functioned in
"I hate it when people betray me," Dimitri bellowed and the next second, the man's head rolled to the floor. There were blotches of blood on Dimitri's face as well as his clothes. But the man did not care. He liked the smell of blood, especially when it belonged to someone who he did not like. It gave him a bestial ecstasy like no other and it made him feel all the more powerful.Dimitri did not even care to wipe the blood off the sword. He dragged his weapon with its tip scratching the floor while blood dripped from it, leaving a trail behind him. Although some of the older men could not tolerate the gruesome scene, they sat still lest they should anger their king. They did not want to be the next in line to get their heads chopped off.Dimitri's back was towards his audience. So, nobody could see him, especially the demonic form that had taken over him. He was nothing less than the devil reincarnated and the men in the hall hoped that he would calm down soon. But who
Dimitri had a doting smile on his face as soon as he reminisced Zaina's face. It was only her who could bring a feeling so foreign to him. Since the first time he had seen her, he had been infatuated by her and as time progressed, his heart had fallen for her completely. The prolonged wait was making him anxious. All he wanted to do was to drag her to his room and fuck her senseless.Her beautiful face was enough to send his heart thundering and his body was already getting warm. He wanted to see her and he wanted to see her now. Without further delay, he decided to give her a surprise and his sudden enthusiasm scared the guards who were guarding the courtroom. But what was more frightening was Dimitri's face that was painted with streaks of blood.The two guards had not ventured inside the room when the session was in progress. So, they had no idea what had transpired. Seeing their King's face now, they were relieved that their job was to guard the courtro
'Lord Eldrick...'Zaina poured out all that she felt for him in her letter, hoping against hope that he would come to save her. The girl could only wish for the man to be considerate enough to help her escape the marriage, even if he did not reciprocate her feelings. She had an inkling that Eldrick might not remember her as it was a long time ago when they had met.Zaina wiped her tears that were now staining the letter and dropped her quill to calm herself down. Her mind went back to the day when she had first met the man she had come to love eventually.It had been the season of the spring and the kingdom of Volar had organized the annual Spring Festival. People from far and wide had traveled over just to see this amazing festival. Moreover, that year's Spring Festival had been quite special as the main event day fell on the day of the lunar eclipse. And according to ancient belief the folks followed, the lunar eclipse was a day of blessings and happiness. So,
Kharal led Zaina around, showing all the different things she was coming across for the first time in her life. Seeing the way the festival was being organized, she realized how thoughtful and smart the Lord of Volar was. The festival marked as an opportunity for many people to showcase their talents to the public. Also, the local merchants and dealers would make a profit from the travelers and guests who came to visit the kingdom during this time.'It is no wonder that the Lord of Volar is considered a smart man. Even I am amazed at his intelligent thinking.' Zaina thought. The couple walked along the streets, with Kharal leading the way as he gently explained the events that would be held in the upcoming days. To his pleasant surprise, the lady beside him was listening to everything he was speaking intently.Kharal stifled a smile as he continued to speak and neither of the duo noticed how swiftly the time had passed. Only when they saw some of the stalls closi
The group went around, visiting all the stalls that caught Zaina's fancy. Some of the things she was seeing were new to her and she could not help but get amazed at everything. Even Miranda was in the same situation as she too was excited to be finding out new things.Zaina wanted Miranda to taste the fairy floss first. So, ignoring all other stalls, the group went towards the stall, and just like her, Miranda too was shocked to see something so weird being eaten by people around her. Zaina bought two fairy flosses and handed one to her maid which Marinda took with a suspicious look."Go on, have it. I am sure you will love it." She urged and handed the other one to Kharal only for the man to shake his head at her."I don't like sweet things, Lady." He rejected her politely and Zaina gave him an understanding smile before she ate it herself."This is sweet," Miranda exclaimed and Zaina smirked at her."I told you you would like it," Zaina sai
On hearing that Lord Dimitri had come to meet her, the box in Zaina's hands fell to the floor with a loud thud. Her face paled and her eyes widened in horror. The one man who she did not want to meet at this time was Dimitri. He had made her life hell, giving her no option to reject his marriage proposal. He was not the man she liked, nor will she ever like him.But she could not say it, not until she heard from Eldrick. She did not want to risk anybody else's life who were dear to her. The man was a monster when provoked and her rejection might just be the reason for him to unleash his demonic side. And Zaina was sure, once that happened, everybody would end up losing their heads.Miranda had noticed the way Zaina's expressions had shifted from longing and sorrow to terrified in a moment and she could not help but worry about her lady. "Are you alright, Milady?" She asked as he tried to hold the girl who seemed to be still in shock.Miranda handed her a g
Dimitri and Zaina continued to walk, with Dimitri holding the girl's hand the entire time. Only Zaina knew how anxious she was to move away from him and keep a mile distance between them. 'I hope Miranda finds a way to send the letter to Eldrick. Please, let me escape this marriage somehow. I don't want to be stuck in this unfortunate relationship.' Zaina wished as she continued to smile sweetly before the cunning man."Do you still need time to give me a reply, Lady?" Dimitri questioned after rejecting all her wishes to get to know him before the weddi
Dimitri spoke to the guard for some time while Zaina waited for him calmly. Although she did not want to know what they were discussing about, her eyes still fell on the man. From his frown and irked face, she could deduce whatever he was listening to was unpleasant and that was all she needed right now. 'If the issue is of high importance, Dimitri will surely leave me alone for the day and I hope that happens.'Zaina focused her eyes on the man trying to grasp the changes in his emotions. However, right at that moment, Dimitri turned to her and raised his eyebrow, teasing her without speaking. Zaina had to avert her gaze away after getting caught by the king. 'Why did he turn? I hope he does not misunderstand and take me to be gawking at him shamelessly.'After the first failed attempt, Zaina did not have the courage to stare at him again. So, she gave up and looked around the garden. This was the place she loved the most in the entire mansion as it held a lot of good
Eldrick sat on the chair, his eyes not leaving the man who was kneeling before him. The two royal guards were standing beside him keeping him in check, while the other two guards stood outside the manor.Eldrick crossed his leg, his imposing aura impossible to ignore. He tilted his head with his lips pursed, and everybody could tell at once glance that he was beyond furious. And why wouldn't he be? Since the time he had set foot outside the castle, he had been uncovering shocking information one after the other. The day had been anything but pleasant, and Oakley wondered how much more would they uncover by the end of the day."Commander Carrier," Eldrick's voice resonated through the room. "Care to explain what we just witnessed." Although the Lord was giving an option for the man, everybody knew that it was not so. He was only ordering the man gently to do as he was told. Or else, the consequences would be dire.However, his threat did not affect the man,
Eldrick rode his carriage, thinking about Curtis's words again. 'Who is the Minister he was talking about?' He pondered over it, his mind unable to move away from the issue. 'Is he saying the truth, or is he just trying to deceive me?' Eldrick closed his eyes, his head throbbing in pain. The recent turn of events was too twisted and complicated, but it was not something Eldrick could not handle."Milord," Oakley had been observing Eldrick since the time they had left the warehouse. The Lord was lost in thoughts, not speaking the entire time. He had not said a word about what he had found out from the three men, and this was making the two ministers curious and anxious. Oakley's voice brought Eldrcik out of his thoughts, and he lifted his head in confusion. "Is everything fine, Milord? You seem lost and troubled.""Minister Oakley, I wonder if we should recruit new ministers and remove the older ones." Eldrick put forth his thoughts before the two ministers he trusted t
"Milord?" Curtis gaped at the Lord in horror, his eyes widening in trepidation. He shuddered at his words, and his palms turned clammy as time ticked by."Tell me, Curtis." Eldrick approached him slowly, his each step pushing the man closer to his doom. "How did you afford such expensive clothes? Where did you get the money from?""Mi-Milord," Curtis breathed, not knowing how to overcome the predicament he was in. It was as though the man had lost all his senses. He had even forgotten to lower his eyes and give Eldrick the respect he demanded. Curtis was frozen in his spot, and Kolan had no idea what was happening in the room.'Why is the Lord enquiring this assistant about his clothes rather than asking him Sir Fergus? What am I missing?' He pondered looking back and forth between the Lord and the assistant whose name he did not know."How many people are there in your family, Curtis?" Eldrick changed his question all of a sudden, and this ti
Ravi left the room and met the two other assistants who were waiting for him in anticipation. His calm gaze did not give anything away and the men could only frown at him. "Ravi, is everything fine? Are you fine?""Yes, I am fine. The Lord wants to meet you, Curtis." Ravi reiterated the Lord's orders, making Curtis's jaw drop."Why me?" He wailed, keeping his voice low so as to not alert the two ministers who were guarding the room."I don't know. It's best that you deal with it soon. The Lord seems vexed." Ravi stated calmly. However, the calmer he was, more the anxious Curtis became. He had just escaped the Lord's wrath, coming out alive from the lion's den. Now he was asked to go again. How could he do it?"Do you know the reason?" Curtis was almost about to cry and Ravi was sure that once the man stepped inside the room, he would be begging for his life given the way the Lord looked.Having no other choice, Curtis knocked at the door and
Hiro's happiness vanished, and his shoulders dropped hearing the Lord's determined words. "You may leave now and send the last man." Eldrick waved his hands and Hiro dejectedly left the room.The moment the two assistants saw him, they rushed him. "What happened? Why was the Lord furious?"Hiro snapped out of his miserable thoughts and shook his head at them. "Ah, that's nothing. Ravi, the Lord wants you to go in."Ravi narrowed his eyes at him, and he observed him closely. There was something strange in Hiro, but he could fathom what. Not wanting to make the Lord wait, Ravi entered the room after knocking at it.Eldrick was beyond infuriated. He was annoyed at Hiro and he still had another assistant to deal with. He could not control his frustration, and his face showed how he felt the moment Ravi entered.Ravi took a glance at the Lord to read his expression before he lowered his gaze. "Milord," He bowed at him politely, and Eldrick let out
"Shall we start from the beginning?" Eldrick stood up from his chair and walked around Hiro who was still slouching on the ground. Not once did he raise his head to meet the Lord in the eye, an action that he had rudely followed when he had entered the room a few minutes ago.Eldrick did not avert his gaze away from him while he continued walking. He only stopped when he was right behind him. Hiro did not dare turn towards his back and face the Lord. He was too petrified to even move. He had already annoyed the Lord by lying to him. He did not want to anger him more.Eldrick picked up the dagger that was lying by the door, and walked back to his chair, an action that did not go unnoticed by Hiro. His body stiffened as Eldrick approached him and he sat frozen in his place.Eldrick dropped the dagger on the table with a thud, the sound loud enough to send Hiro's heart thundering in fright."I expect an answer when I put forth a question." Eldrick gritted hi
After Curtis left the room, Eldrick had taken his eat on the chair, while he waited for the next man to enter. The dagger, he had removed earlier, lay on the table. Eldrick had not taken the effort to put it back to its original place.As soon as the man entered the room, his eyes fell on the Lord's face before they settled on the dagger that greeted him wholeheartedly. His eyes widened in disbelief and apprehension, and he could move his gaze away. Eldrick was amused to see his reaction. While Curtis had been scared to even lift his head and meet him in the eye, the second man was completely opposite to him.He had not only stared at him without showing him any respect, but he was also gaping at the dagger. Eldrick cleared his throat to gain the man's attention. He was younger than Curtis and from what he remembered, Eldrick was certain that he was the youngest among the three assistants."Are you done staring?" Eldrick chided him and the man blinked in c
"Why did you kill Fergus?" Eldrick's question made the man's eyes widen, and he dropped to his knees at once, bowing his head before him."Milord, I did not kill Sir Fergus. I am innocent. I did not kill him." He pleaded, his eyes tearing up in terror. "Milord, I did not kill anyone. Please, believe me."Eldrick narrowed his eyes, and he stared at the man trying to see through him. The man's body language did not seem strange. Although he was appalled and trembling, it was a reaction Eldrcik had already expected from him. "What is your name?" Eldrick did not ask him to get up, and the man had no choice but to stay on his knees."Curtis, Milord." The man replied without lifting his head."Curtis, say how many people are there in your family?" Although Eldrick's question was simple and harmless, Curtis knew that the Lord was threatening him, and he shuddered in fear."Milord," He cried, his mind unable to fathom what he had done wrong. "Please spare
"Call the helpers who were in the record section. I would like to interrogate them." Eldrick ordered Leander. Leander was just about to leave to follow his orders when the Lord stopped him. "Also, I want your workroom to be cleared out of all men. I want to speak to the assistants privately.Eldrick's orders stunned Leander, and he stood frozen in his place for a few moments. He had no idea what the Lord was thinking and why he wanted to interrogate them privately. Being wise he was, he had a hunch that it had to do with the three assistants and one among them knew crucial information that Eldick could use to find the murderer.Seeing Leander not moving from his place, Eldrick raised his eyebrows. "Is there a problem?"His sudden question brought the man out of his stupor and he shook his head immediately in fear. "No, no, Milord. I will leave right away." Leander scurried away like a scared rat, leaving Eldrick with Kolan and Oakley. They were at the main secti