The Duke's Passion

It didn't take long for Sam to wipe out every single rebel in the area — or rather, Charlotte did. He went around, telling everyone to show some sort of magic trick with a bright grin on his face. But the faces of the people were a mix of shock and awe. Even I couldn't stop my jaw from falling.

Sam didn't exert much effort. The rebels were wiped out without a speck of blood spilling on Sam's clothes. Aside from the hand, he used to chop off the first undead he came across. 

This was the power of the man who stood at the peak. 

I knew that sentence came clear to everyone who witnessed Sam step into the scene. He could wipe out an entire town if he so pleased by simply lifting a finger. Even Stefan didn't look this powerful or this intimidating back when he was the king. 

"Amazing," I muttered as I clasped my ripped skirt tightly. If Sam didn't arrive, I didn't even know what would happen in here. Although it was too early to celebrate, as anything could happen at any moment, a dominant part of my heart still felt at ease. 

"He should stop boasting, though. That is no magic. It's all thanks to a certain person's skills and hard work." I looked back at the estate and caught Charlotte standing on the roof. Such a small figure and yet so talented. She was still busy backing up everyone as she would shoot powerful arrows constantly. 

'They all planned to end this.' I thought, noticing that Charlotte never even smile once. Even from this distance, I could feel her bloodthirst. 

My eyes then veered in a direction away from the estate. Sam's people managed to drive those two purebloods away. I couldn't see the entirety of the fight, but I could trace their auras. 

'They're really strong,' I thought, noticing that Zero and Stefan were fighting multiple opponents at once on equal grounds. Well, pure-blooded vampires were naturally strong in the race. Hence, it would be a disappointment if Stefan and Zero fell behind.

'How strange,' I thought, knowing that despite what was currently going around me, I felt… peace. I could feel my muscle relaxed for a bit. Just then, I quirked a brow when I sensed that more people joined the battles of the royalties. 

"They're here," I whispered, turning my head toward Sam's people, who were currently battling two troublesome pureblood vampires and some unfamiliar auras I never felt before.

"Hmm. Interesting." I glanced in Sam's direction as he intoned, planting his hand on his hips after chatting with Glory and Omar. Sam wiped the corner of his lips, staring in the same direction I was initially looking at. 

"So, there were more people they managed to get support from the mainland, huh?" he rocked his head, deep in thought, as if this interest him more than it alarmed him. 

After some time, Sam turned his head in my direction and smiled. "My wife, please help your people. I will have to get a closer look at what is going on over there."

My mouth opened and closed, wanting to tell him I wanted to go as well. But considering the situation in this area, it was best to be left behind.

"Alright." I nodded and my husband smiled, winking at me before he sprinted excitedly. A shallow breath slipped past my lips as I watched his figure.

'He's not smiling,' I thought, noticing that his eyes glinted as his smile disappeared the second he dashed away. 'I guess there's more problem that needs his undivided attention. Coming with him would only burden him.' 

I knew Sam. Although there was a part of him that was aggravating, he was someone I could rely on in this kind of thing. Suddenly, I looked up and set my eyes on the horizon. The sun was about to peek. There was this slight sense of warmth that enveloped my heart as I smiled weakly.

"The day will give us a clear view of the state of Minowa, but…" I gazed at Jaime as he spoke, staring at the peeking sun about to rise up above. "… we survived, Your Majesty."

"Mhm…" my eyes softened as I shifted my eyes on these courageous men helping the injured. "We did. His Majesty will take it from here. You all fought well."

I glanced back at Jaime, only to see him look back at me with a gentle smile. I nodded encouragingly before assisting myself up to help the men from helping the injured.

It was a long night that felt endless for a moment. But the second that darkfield shrouding the south disappeared, the seemingly endless darkness that clouded our hearts with fear and uncertainty gradually disappeared. 

We had already done our best, but the battle was still raging on. Even so, with allies like the emperor on our side, we could finally breathe and see the sliver of hope peeking through the thick clouds of yesterday's woes.

*****

Zero and Stefan stood meters away from each other, gazing at the multiple figures standing in front of them. As they observed their opponents, a group of people appeared behind those two. One familiar face was Luther, Stefan's vassal and political advisor, and Tristan, Zero's chief shadow knight. 

"Stefan." Dominique was first to break the silence as he gazed at Stefan coldly. The latter was the person he swore an oath in the past, honing his skills solely for the purpose of being Stefan's sword. But… Stefan betrayed him. Not that he completely swore loyalty to Samael, as he was simply bound by a blood contract.

"Why…?" he asked through his gritted teeth. After exchanging blows with Stefan for quite some time, he finally mustered the courage to ask him. Jayden gripped his sword tightly while staring at his fourth brother. Just like Dominique, Jayden had the same question.

Why did Stefan abandon them?

Was it because he didn't trust them?

Did Stefan deem them useless?

Or… did he foresee their end if they stayed fighting alongside him?

They wanted to know because, to them, they deserve that much. 

Stefan snickered as his eyes gloss over their expression. "Luther, keep them busy. It will be a shame if Hell isn't here to join the party."

Just as Stefan dropped those words, every single one of them froze on instinct at the sudden aura that stepped into the scene. Stefan veered his eyes from the source, catching Samael crouching down with his hands up in the air as if he jumped from high ground.

"Present!" Samael grinned brightly until his eyes squinted, setting his eyes on Stefan automatically. "I wouldn't miss the fun, brother dear. After all, I don't want my people to get hurt!"

"Just admit that you cannot sit still when there is a chance to unleash your brutality," Stefan smirked, gazing at Samael, who stood up while shrugging. 

"Well, what can I say? You know me too well." The side of Samael's lips stretched from ear to ear, disappearing in a blink of an eye only to reappear beside Stefan. He was too fast that no one — not a single soul standing in the area — could react fast enough. 

Samael leaned his face closer while Stefan's eyes dilated ever so slowly. "We had shared quite a strong bond, brother. To the point, we had shared too many likes and dislikes and… obsessions."

CLANG!

Stefan swung his sword at Samael only to get blocked by Ramin's gauntlet, Labyrinth. Samael smiled, unfazed by the deafening sound of metals. He tilted his head, peeking from behind his left-hand man, who was quick to defend him.

"Easy, brother. I just came here to watch. My people love me so much they restrict me from fighting."