The Duke's Passion

"Either way, I am pleased to meet you."

Three figures stood in front of Fabian, sizing him up and his strength. Even when he just stood, they could feel that the aura he exuded was no joke, making their weapons tremble.

"Fabian the Butler," said a woman with short dark brown hair. "We, the Bearers of the Divine Order, asked you to surrender and come with us."

"How formal." Fabian smiled, followed by a low chuckle. "If you are this nice, then I will."

His immediate agreement made their brows furrow as they gazed at him suspiciously. Fabian grinned, raising both his hands as he marched towards them.

"Hmm? Why are you in doubt?" Fabian inquired, tilting his head to the side upon noticing they were not moving. "I like the formality, so I don't see the reason for unnecessary bloodshed."

"Seize him," the woman glanced at the other man and cocked her head. 

"Maxine, do you really believe he will just surrender just like that?" the other man with a large physique asked, glaring at Fabian with doubt in his eye. 

"Choosing a more peaceful resolution is our first choice." Maxine, who had a short brown hair, fixed her sharp eyes towards Fabian. "If he tries something funny, then you know what to do, George."

The three of them exchange gazes and then nodded. "I'll follow the duchess, then." 

"Oh, no." Fabian chimed, shaking his head lightly. "I'll come with you peacefully, however…." he deliberately paused as he opened his usually squinted eyes.

"Following Her Grace is a different case."

"You have no say in this, Fabian the Butler." Maxine's eyes darkened, as her tone was solemn. "The Duke of Grimsbanne had started all this. Hence, everyone who is involved with him must be investigated and receive punishment accordingly; that includes the duchess."

"Benedict, go." She ordered to the other man with a lean and towering figure, without taking her eyes off of Fabian.

Benedict glanced at Maxine and nodded. Just as he crouch and bolted, he stopped before passing through Fabian's standpoint. He froze as he was certain he was fast, but Fabian suddenly appeared in front of him with Fabian's palm on his chest.

"Benedict, is it?" as soon as Fabian's voice caressed his ear, Benedict simply acted on instinct as he hopped several meters back. His eyes dilated, placing his hand over his chest, and noticed that his clothes were ripped slightly. 

'If I didn't act immediately, he would've taken my heart with his bare hand.' Benedict thought as he had felt the killing intent behind Fabian's smirk. "I see that the rumors about you are not just rumors."

"You are quite fast, Benedict." Fabian nodded in satisfaction, not surprised that this member of the Order could react on time. He took a deep breath, rubbing the back of his ring with his thumb, and it immediately shifted to a dark spear.

Using his dark spear, Maleficent, Fabian raised it up and swung it, drawing a line before him. The three bearers who worked under the king gazed down and then raised their eyes back up to him.

"If you ask me to go with you, I will, without a problem. However, if you choose to cross this line, then… that's where we will have a problem."

"Fabian, as we had said, we are here to ensue orders." Maxine's tone dropped. "No matter how strong you are, never underestimate a bearer."

Her last remarks caused Fabian to chortle aloud, hunching in as he held his stomach. There was no sign of him being bothered, even in the slightest.

"Numbers are never a problem, child." Fabian wiped the corner of his eyes, shaking his head. "The new generation of the Divine Order are all foolish. I feel bad to the previous owners of your weapons."

"Even if you stand before us, we will execute what is right and a butler such as yourself can only struggle to the bitter end." George, the man who had a large physique, roared. The vein in his temple and the back of his hand protruded, holding his large ax before bolting towards Fabian.

"George, wait!" Benedict suddenly acted out of instinct to stop his comrade from attacking. Not that he was siding with Fabian, he just knew they couldn't just attack this man thoughtlessly.

"Benedict!" Maxine yelled, taking a step before freezing abruptly. Her eyes slowly went wide as Fabian suddenly appeared behind Benedict.

George, who stopped upon Benedict's sudden appearance, gazed down. His eyes fell into Benedict's eyes and then crept down to the sharp spear that went through from his back to his chest.

"Oops…" the corner of Fabian's lips curled up as he gazed up at George. "… wrong person."

Without the slightest remorse, Fabian pulled Maleficent from Benedict's back and casually hopped back. He gazed at his dark spear, touching the blood, before withdrawing his fingers to his lips, licking it for a taste.

"Bitter." He commented, rubbing his fingers against each other.

"Benedict!" George snapped, holding Benedict's shoulder while blood trickled down from his wound. "Why did you —"

Benedict panted for air, clutching his chest as blood oozed from the gaps of his fingers. The rumors were truly accurate. Fabian… would kill without batting an eye. He would slay anyone in a snap of a finger as if he was more afraid of wasting time than taking a person's life.

"George, take Benedict back. I will handle him." Maxine's eyes glinted with killing intent, her eyes fixed on Fabian's nonchalant expression. 

"No, Maxine. I will —" George abruptly stopped as soon as Maxine cast him a look.

"He purposely missed a vital point by an inch. Take Benedict with you and get him treated before it's too late." This time, Maxine's tone was devoid of emotion as she shifted her eyes back to Fabian. "I will kill this man."

"I will come back." George gritted his teeth, cradling Benedict in his robust arms before hopping away. However, just as he did, Fabian also dashed up, appearing right in front of him in mid-air. 

"And who told you that you can go?" asked Fabian., swinging his spear towards him. 

"Shit!" George's eyes widened, as he could only take this blow with Benedict in his arms.

"I did." Suddenly, Maxine also appeared in front of them, blocking Fabian's attack with her sword. "George, go. I will hold him back."

"Oh… you are quite interesting," Fabian mused as both he and Maxine hopped back and landed on some random roof. "Maxine, is it?"

"Yes. Maxine." She nodded, holding her sword as she bent her knees. "Remember that because…"

Maxine suddenly flashed towards him while he blocked her attack, fighting mid-air and landing on every roof they could land. "That is the name who will take your life."

His grin stretched wider, clashing weapons against her. "Then, be my guest, Maxine."