That night, Claude didn’t sleep. He lay on his bed, eyes shut open. And stayed in that position for hours.
At one in the morning, he got up. He stood by the window, looking at the raindrops on the glass. He looked up through the window. It rained dogs and cats outside. The rain sound usually relaxes him. But that night, the rain music made him even more anxious.
What if Flora had no shelter on this rainy, gloomy night? What if she felt cold, hungry, or uncomfortable?
Claude sighed. He knew that Vlad would take good care of her, for sure. But still, he couldn't stop the anxiety. When she used to live in the north, he was comfortable. He knew Jack would never touch her or bother her for he was busy with his wh*res. But, once Claude knew about Jack's madness and new obsession, he rushed to help Flora
The next day, Jimmy came into the dining room where Claude and the two kids were having breakfast. He asked Claude for a moment but the boss denied him:“You want to tell me about last night's intruder don’t you?”Surprised Jimmy exclaimed:“How did you know?!”“It is no big deal. Ask the men to stop the search. Go back to your usual missions.”Jimmy opened his mouth in disbelief. Yesterday, they looked anxious like fools. Today he looks as calm as a saint.After he walked out, Carl asked Claude:“If you want her back, why would you stop the search, Brother Claude?”
One day ago,Flora woke up in Claude's arms. He was asleep, still hugging her tight. The woman looked at his peaceful face. And she felt the urge to sob. What just happened last night?Who did she meet last night?Was it a devil? Was it a monster? Was it Claude?She knew Claude was nothing but a perfect lie.That teen boy's name was not Claude.Flora looked at the man sleeping by her side. And she touched his face gently. It was dawn, and the early sunlight made his face even more handsome. How can a monster be that beautiful? How can she love him that much?At that exact moment, Flora realized she loved this man as she never loved a soul. She could die for him. She could sacrifice anything for him. She could burn all her kingdom for his sake. And she could risk it all without thinking twice.Yesterday, her man almost raped her. Yet, she is not afraid of him. Instead of fear, she felt great pain. What tragedy was he holding inside of him?Yesterday, Flora discovered the silent agony
It was six in the morning. Flora and Vlad were in the middle of their morning training. Vlad kept giving Flora her usual fighting courses. The woman's body was fragile but her spirit was a raging fire. Her body kept improving to not get overpowered by the soul he caged. It was impressive and it made Vlad satisfied.Getting away made her even more energetic. She was no longer the chick under Claude's wing. She became the one in charge. And being the master of his fate makes the person shine."Aren't I improving?""You can't win only by defense, Flora."As he said that, Vlad destroyed the girl's defense and took her to the ground."Your attack is still so weak. You don't have to be afraid of hurting your opponent. You are fighting. You are meant to hurt.""It is just... new to me.""Attacking?""Yes. I spent my life defending. Never did I think about attacking.""Your mind is your first enemy, Flora. You should tame your mind before you train your body."The sun rose after an hour. And
Vlad noticed how relaxed Flora looked the next day. She was calmer and more determined. Everything was going alright till she asked him:"How did Mr. Wolfgang know about me and Claude?"Vlad sighed and kept silent. Flora asked again:"Did Claude talk about me in the past?""A lot.""What did he say?""That you are a friend he has to save from the north one day.""Did he want to fight only to save me from the north?""If that was the case do you think Wolfgang would care about him?"It was Flora's turn to sight this time:"I don't know... I don't know Claude enough to answer such a question.""Yes, you do."Flora kept thinking about this for a whole night. Was he just in love with her? Was it out of loyalty? Then she discovered something: Claude is far away from selfish, so his motives shall be selfless too!"What is your motive, Claude? What was inside that broken boy's head? What is the motive of a traumatized teen? Was it revenge? Hate? Anger?... No this is not you. You are a holy
Flora had a long conversation with Vlad. And she discovered some horrible facts within. "Claude... He can never be! That gentle boy can never be a cold-hearted killer!""The boy you knew was gone, long ago. When I met Claude Knightly for the first time, I only saw an untamed monster."Flora hid her mouth with both her hands and she cried silently as she remembered the broken eyes of the monster in the forbidden department."But he didn't know me," She noticed crying "He remembered me.""He only knew you as a little ten-year-old child. How can that be?""I do not know, Vlad. I do not know. But I am sure I was not afraid of his crazy eyes. I saw my friend. The boy I knew more than I knew Claude. He was waiting for me all of this time to come and save him."Flora broke up in tears as she imagined the pain Claude was holding inside all of those years that he had to kill a whole part of himself just to keep living. She is sure that the little boy was abused. But can it be? Can it be som
Vlad patted Flora to sleep. The poor girl seemed so tired and exhausted. She looked at him and murmured:"What do we know about my uncle?""Not too much. He was always acting in the most discreet ways. But apparently, he was a slave trader.""Slave trader. How hilarious. Do you know Vlad? Uncle was the only family member who ever treated well except mother. He used to bring me sweets, every time he visited us. And he used to give me attention even more than this he gave to Bianca. He used to make me sit on his lap, talk to me sweetly and cuddle me. I now understand what that was. That little dirt." Flora bit her lower lip as Vlad caressed her hair:"Let go of it, Flora. He is dead.""Claude killed him. I hoped it was a painful death.""I guarantee you it was."Flora's Hot tears turned her pillow wet. She hoped her panties would be wet instead. Then she sighed as she got aware of the distraction coming back.That was shameful. How can she think sexually in such a situation?Flora was
Flora ran out of Vlad's grape. She tried to get to the door but he was blocking it. So she pointed her gun toward him only to see his cold smirk. Damn. The gun was empty.Knowing she can't battle him, she tried to negotiate and asked him loud:- What's wrong with you Vlad?! What's that in your hand?!First, he didn't answer. Seeing her grow more panicked he just sighed:- Resisting is useless, princess.- Damn you! What do you want from me?! What's in that injection?!He didn't answer. His eyes grew even more ruthless due to her silly resistance. He walked towards her slowly. Flora had nowhere to run.But as a desperate attempt, she tried to push him and run towards the door. He took her waist from behind and threw her on the bed. She kept resisting: she kicked his knees, punched his chest, and yell out loud. But all her efforts were in vain. He fixed her down with his strong arms and ripped the upper part of her nightgown. Here, Flora almost lost her mind. She kicked his sensitive a
The day has come.Today, Jack Black will be visiting the south for the first time since eternity.And it was the first time, the northern mafia boss gets welcomed by the south leader: the Knightly Master.Since the very early moments of the morning, Charlotte woke up. Martha and the other maids prepared her for the big day. It was chilly and Charlotte didn't resist feeling awkward and painful.Today she has to meet that monster Jack, who was behind her and Carl's tragedy. Plus, she should act like a little cute princess. Yesterday, Claude talked with both of them, her and Carl, alone. He asked for their sincere feelings and ask them not to push themselves too much. If they feel uncomfortable about meeting Jack. They have the choice not to attend the masquerade ball. But since Flora asked them long before to never leave Claude alone, each one of them declined the generous offer.Charlotte sighed. She must stand strong. She knows Jack can do nothing to her with Claude by her side. Stil
Flora woke up the next morning to the sound of knocking on her chamber door.“Yes?!” She asked“Are you decent?”“A moment please.”Flora jumped off the bed and went to the bathroom to wash her face. She knew the voice owner: That was the voice of Mr. Wolfgang! Flora changed her clothes and did her hair then she stood up in the middle of the chamber, head high, straight posture, and severe facial expression:“Please, come in.”Wolfgang came into the room and smirked looking at Flora: She tried to appear solemn and severe but the excitement in her eyes failed her:“How was your night, young lady?”“Cozy, thank you. How have you been, sir?”“You can call me Father. Or don’t. That silly son of mine shall marry you first.”Flora got as red as a cherry and she looked down shyly. He knew she was emotionally entangled with his adopted son! “Calm down Flora. Don’t mess it up this time.” She whispered to herself.“Mr. Wolfgang.” She said to him, “I want to talk with you.”“Here I am.”“First,
“Are you happy?” said Mielle. Cassius barely added a word after Claude left him and Mielle. He asked her to give him her seal and gun if she had any. Mielle took off the necklace she kept under her clothes. That necklace had a seal on it: The seal of a thorny rose. With that seal, Mielle has the access to the Brotherhood’s database and has the right to communicate with other members. Without a seal, she is just a hanged member who has no voice. Cassius was not afraid of her. Even if she asks for help, his position as enforcer will prevent her from getting any. Plus, he knew she didn’t want help. Mielle was far too proud to not accept the consequences of her free actions. But he respected the protocol. From the moment she is considered a sinner, to the moment she accepts redemption, Mielle shall stay isolated from the rest of the brotherhood to not spread her sins among them. It was ridiculous, but it was the law that protected this brotherhood for centuries. Mielle gave him her gu
Mielle, the witty coffee shop owner, is an assassin.Cassius, the kind guy, is an enforcer.The enforcer’s job in the Round Table was not complicated. He has to keep order. Every member of the secret society should respect his place, his mates, and the law. And Mielle just broke all of it. Cassius was an enforcer linked to Claude, and Mielle was the assassin linked to Claude. Claude was a knight. Which is a very advanced position. To each knight, the Round Table attributes a functional unit. In the unit, there is an assassin who shall enforce the knight’s orders outside the brotherhood. The Round Table attributes every knight an enforcer in charge of keeping order and punishing those going berserk, even if they were the knight himself.Mille acted without her master’s consent two times. The first time was on the Orient Express where she killed a mafia man: Mr. Fortnight, to avenge her family. The second was in the peace masquerade where she poisoned a guest: Mrs. Ilnero gives her fri
Roxanna was aware of the situation. The moment Cassius told her Claude was waiting for her. She nodded and spared herself successfully from the police. She walked into the study where Claude was smoking and greeted him:- I pay my respect to the glorious silver knight.- Welcome Miss La Rosa. Do me the honor of sharing a discussion.It was a bit dark inside. The smoke made the air thick and gloomy. Roxanna knew that Claude was angry. With his dominant posture and cruel face, he looked quite the dangerous. Claude sat in front of Roxanna and offered her a cigarette. She accepted it and smoked as well. Claude sighed and asked her, with a dry tone:- Long story short, are you the one who did it?- Would you punish the one who did it?- No. I want a painful death for that witch. Yet, choosing this time is just irrational.- It was not me Mr. Knightly. If it was me, I would admit it with no fear.- In that case, do you know who did it?- No, no one told me about something like that happeni
Flora felt nausea. What has she done?! Claude will kill her for this! He will damn kill her!Once they heard Bianca’s scream, Flora was about to run into the building and head to the ballroom, when Vlad caught her hand:“Stay here, I will go to enquire.”“Yes.”The moment Vlad disappeared, Ludovic appeared as if he was waiting for her to be alone. “So? Shall we go?”“What have you done?!”“Nothing. But it is a good occasion to run without Jack and Claude noticing us.”“No, I can’t! I didn’t tell Claude yet that I am going with you! I can’t just disappear again! That would be cruel and disrespectful!”Ludovic grabbed the woman’s arm and growled: “Do you want to meet Wolfgang or not?”“But…”“Yes or No?! Make a choice!”“Yes.”“Then let’s go. We have no time left. Soon the two men will get aware of your disappearance.”Ludovic took Flora to his car and ordered his men to act as secretly as possible. And so, when everyone was swallowing the shock of the unpredictable incident, Ludovic
Bianca screamed as her mother collapsed in the ballroom: “Mother! Mother! Wake up!!!”A line of black thick blood was coming out of the mouth of the unconscious woman. “Poison!” cried a lady “She is poisoned!”Claude came to the ballroom with Jack as soon as they heard the screaming:“Is that your doing?” Claude asked Jack the moment they got to the door.“No. Yours?”“No.”“Who then?”They didn’t need that answer for the moment. Instead, they approached the victim:“What the f*ck is this?” said Jack as he knelt beside the collapsed woman.“Oh! Mr. Black! Mother! Mother got poisoned!” responded Bianca crying.Claude ordered his men to call the police and an ambulance. But Jack said coldly as he examined the woman: “Order them to hurry and bring a doctor along. I do not think she can make it in more than an hour.”“Alright. Ladies and gentlemen, please do not leave your positions. Stay where you are until the police are here.”Inside, Claude was cursing. That was far away from being a
Flora looked around her all the time. Claude was nowhere to be seen when she needed to talk to him as soon as possible. Staying around Roxana was the best. But Flora was anxious so she excused herself and went into the hallway to look for Claude. The anxiety made Flora not pay attention to Jack who came after her. But suddenly as she walked in the long corridor, she felt a shiver. And she immediately knew what it was. She turned to look solemn and saw Jack behind her, smiling as the devil he is:- Did you miss your Daddy, babydoll?He said with a teasing smile and Flora had the desire to vomit. And she did not answer. She just kept looking at him with pride and confidence.Jack’s smile started to fade as he sensed something was different about Flora’s eyes. He saw her arrogant look thousands of times before, but this… this was something different:- Come back to your house my dear wife. Your husband and family, we are all waiting for you- Does that include your wipes and ropes?- Of
It was the time for a Valse. Cassius asked Flora to be his partner and she didn’t let him down. Cassius, as the sweet guy he is, attracted many of the ladies at the ball. First, they got disappointed seeing he had a partner. Then, they got even more disappointed to see him dancing with the ball’s queen: Flora La Candida.Cassius only smiled at Flora. No word was said for a while. He led her softly and naturally. They looked perfect dancing together. But after some time, Cassius bent on his partner and whispered:- Tell me he didn't hurt you that night Flora. Please, tell me he didn't.- He didn't- Thank goodness. Cassius sighed. Now that you are back things will get better. As his close friend, I am truly happy you are back, Flora. Claude was acting strong but inside he was burning. Can you believe Mielle herself was kind to him?- Gosh... I am sorry - Don't be. Or be. If you want to apologize, apologize to Ciel. The poor man was having a VERY hard mouth.Flora laughed. Her sweet la
Back to the present,----------Flora woke up after some minutes. Claude was still holding her tight and caressing her back. When she opened her eyes she saw him looking at her and she felt like heaven."We must go back to the ballroom, don't we?""I think we should. I'll never get enough of the shocked face of your stepmother."Flora giggled:"Neither I !""Let me help you dress then I will go and ask a maid to help you with your hair and makeup.""Gosh! I have a problem. I didn't bring anything to correct my appearance!""That's alright. In the resting room, they are keeping some brushes and makeup simple.""What a relief to be in a masquerade held by a billionaire."Claude laughed and said:"Are you aware you came to a masquerade without a mask? All of that to disturb those b*tches?""Well, in fact, I was planning on wearing a mask and meeting you privately. Then I thought: Why am I scared? Let them know I am alive. Let them burn for my happiness. I think it was worth it. I am not