The Duke's Passion

Meanwhile, somewhere in the heart of the Capital, Kristina looked back upon hearing Ramin's voice.

"Kristina, how is the situation?" asked Ramin as soon as he reached her, gazing at the people they were escorting to one of the Remingtons' estates. 

Right now, this area was being filled with darkness as the turned vampires were wreaking havoc; they're no different from those undeads. They encountered a few; some died while some were just knocked unconscious.

"We had evacuated the people in the area, but we don't know if the situation will escalate to worst," Kristina briefed him, sighing as she gazed around. "The problem is, most of the noble houses won't open their doors to commoners."

"Only the Remington opened their doors?"

Kristina nodded. "The Monroe and the Soulton also opened theirs, but alas…" it wasn't enough. Ramin understood her point, even though she didn't finish her sentence. 

"It was only fortunate that the Remington's are wealthy and their estates are huge." She added, shifting her eyes towards the people heading inside, escorted by the knights so as to keep them all disciplined.

"Kristina, did you know about their plan?" Ramin inquired solemnly, staring at Kristina. "Did you have any idea that it will be this big and chaotic?"

"Ramin." Kristina took a step forward, grabbing his shoulder as she gazed up at him. "Even if I do or don't, we can't stop this from happening."

Ramin's eyes darkened as he balled his hand into a fist. He knew a thing or two about the plan and he had already foreseen something like this. However, he was tired of just reading the situation and wanted a clearer answer.

"The vampires prowling in the streets of the Capital are His Majesty's people. This is bound to happen even if His Grace doesn't do all this." Her eyes remained on him, nodding reassuringly. "It just happened that they pushed their awakening forward, but it is better than getting surprised later."

"Kristina." Ramin's eyes glinted with brows creased. "Vampires are not the only ones who walk the street of the capital."

Her forehead wrinkled. "What do you mean?"

"We encountered a few undeads on the way here." 

"How many?" 

"Four, but I'm certain there are more." Ramin asserted as their journey in here wasn't as smooth as it seemed. If Ramin and Charlotte didn't train like crazy with all Samael's advice, those monsters had held them down.

"What…" Suddenly, Charlotte, who was surveying the area, gazed up. Her hand over her forehead, seeing something fly in their direction. As soon as she recognized it was someone, she turned to Kristina and Ramin's standpoint.

"Watch out!" yelled Charlotte, and by instinct, Ramin and Kristina leaped away.

As soon as they did, something crashed down to the gates of the estate. The impact was so strong that a part of the gate broke. Everyone, even the evacuees, shifted their eyes to it, seeing thick dust and smoke hide whatever flew in that direction.

"What the…" Kristina murmured, narrowing her eyes as she saw a man's figure sat down, arm on his knee.

Ramin snapped his eyes as he turned his head back, sensing another person's presence. At first, he thought they were under attack. But it seemed that wasn't the case. 

"Maxine," He called as soon as he laid his eyes on Maxine's figure. "What are you doing?"

Maxine glanced at him, her eyes cold, and then shifted it to the people. She remained silent as she saw nothing wrong with what these other members of the Order were doing.

"Maxine! What the hell?! Can't you see we're doing all this work?! How dare you break the gates, huh? Will you repair it yourself?" Charlotte, who was too honest for her own good, harrumphed. "Just suck up to His Majesty like you always do, but don't give us —"

Charlotte abruptly paused as Maxine cast her a glare. But, at the same time, Kristina suddenly appeared on Maxine's side, pointing a dagger at her neck.

"We are both bearers of the Order, Max." Kristina seethed, as Maxine almost assaulted Charlotte if she didn't stop her. "I don't care if you are taking orders from His Majesty, but I won't stand still if you hurt other members of the Order just because Charlotte stated a fact."

"Kristina." Maxine shifted her eyes to her as the side of her lips curled upward. "Stay out."

"Maxine…" this time, Ramin grumbled through his gritted teeth as his fingers cracked, clutching it in a fist. "Have you forgotten our oath and duty? While these people are in peril, what were you doing?" 

"Duty."

"Duty?" Ramin sneered. "And your duty is to follow the King's orders?" 

"My duty is to eliminate threats to this kingdom." Maxine cast Ramin a brief look and then looked ahead. "And that person is a threat not just to this kingdom, but its people."

As soon as Maxine dropped those words, Kristina and Maxine leaped away as a sudden spear flew in their direction. Kristina and everyone slowly shifted their gaze, wide-eyed.

"Mister Fabian?" Kristina nearly gasped as Fabian sauntered in their direction. He raised a hand, and his spear that flew towards Maxine returned in his hand.

Fabian quirked a brow, noticing Kristina, and then scanned the area to see more people. "Oh. Did we disturb your evacuation?"

"Mister Fabian, what are you…" Kristina walked towards him as soon as he was out, exiting from the broken gate. "… you and Maxine."

"Don't worry about us." Fabian offered his usual polite smile. "I merely asked her to send me flying for once, and she did!"

His light tone and attitude brought a frown to Kristina's lips. Her eyes scanned the blood dripping from his head, a bit surprised that Maxine could damage him like this.

"Don't worry, Miss Monroe." Fabian placed his hand on her shoulder, patting her lightly. "The more I bleed, the happier I get."

"Then, I'll let you bleed until you can no longer bleed." Maxine's cold voice reached his ear, making him turn his head to her.

"Miss, the third squadron, are quite busy doing their duties. Shall we continue this somewhere else?" Fabian offered politely, facing her. "As you know, my brother is their captain. He will be infuriated if I interfere with their heroic duties, you know."

"Heroic…" Maxine smirked, as she suddenly had an idea in mind. "… that is a good idea."

She held her sword to one side. Fabian narrowed his eyes as ice crawled from her hand up to the tip of her sword. 

"Oh, my…" a low chuckle escaped his lips, and then in a blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Maxine. "Are you planning to frame me by butchering everyone in here? Not a chance, little girl."

Without short notice, Fabian raised his hand, grabbing her face, and bolted forward, slamming her against a random house. His movements were faster than before, taking Maxine off-guard and everyone who had witnessed it.

"I… I guess, he is alright." Kristina stammered, watching how Fabian didn't stop, sending Maxine flying from house to house.

"At this rate, the turned vampires and undeads are the least of our concerns. If they continued fighting like this, the Capital will just be rubbles," Ramin murmured, seeing some houses crumble down as Fabian changed the location of their fight.