Countess Lukan tilted her head to the side as she scrutinized the Empress from her hair, that seemed to have been plucked from the strands of the brilliance of a white star, down to the ivory surface of her foot.
'A small woman? This wench looks so fragile that she might crumble just by being touched. That works well for me then.'
Lauviah smiled in amusement - The corners of her mouth almost reached the corners of her eyes. Also, the set of teeth, showing through her grin, seemed as if they were fangs ready to bite on its prey. The Empress perfectly discerned the aggression that the Countess was blatantly displaying.
'The citizens of the capital will be in danger if we do not deal with the Demon Noble that Viscount Bondre Suma brought with him. The Emperor has probably reached the north by now.' The Empress contemplated on their current situation all the while not breaking her staredown with Lauviah.
"Tara Kishnar, Sura Kishnar, please make your way to the north and inform the Emperor of a Demon Noble's presence in the capital."
Upon hearing her command, the twins immediately shook their heads and declared their disagreements.
"Your highness, I am afraid that we have to decline your order."
"We cannot leave you alone with these knights."
The two maids knew of the unreasonable hatred of Lauviah towards the Empress. Hence, they would not allow for the two to be on their own.
Once she heard their responses, the Empress clutched the sides of her nightgown as she tried to calm her vigorously beating heart.
"The lives of the people take precedence over my well-being. I will confine the Countess in the palace until you come back."
Tara and Sura gazed at the back of the Empress, the perturbation that they were feeling permeated the shield of their emotions. They wanted to refuse her order, but when she had decided to do something, nothing could make her waver.
"From whom are we receiving the order?"
"It will depend on your answer."
With tensed shoulders, Leticia blurted out the words that she vowed to never say again, "I am giving the command as the 17th princess of the Karche Kingdom, Ilyavher la Trushen."
When they harkened her reply, her servants pursed their lips as they bowed their heads towards the Empress.
"You will be in pain."
"We cannot protect you from that torment."
The twins attempted, one last time, to convince the Empress in changing her decision. Withal, they were using the wrong words to persuade the stubborn lady.
"I will be in agony. However, I will try to live. I am used to pain while the citizens are not. Now, please go while there is still time."
"Very well, Your Highness."
"We will be back."
Thereafter announcing their farewells with utter adamancy, the twins walked right past the people crowing the entrance, beginning their long trip towards the north.
Meanwhile, the Empress spoke to entertain the likes of the Countess, who was staring at her with eyes bearing all her intent.
"You let them go easily, Countess."
"That way, no one will disturb me. You are my only business."
"Is that so? Well..." Interrupting her speech, the Empress spread her arms wide open. "Do whatever you want with me to your heart's content."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
In every group, there was always someone who would take the role of the mad-dog. With regards to the armed forces of the Seraphiel Empire, this title was given to the individuals who belonged to the Knights of the Round table and the Axhiven Knight, particularly the Percival brothers.
Although, before the siblings' appearance in the empire, Duke Zelel Claudas held this nickname while touring the battlefield with Atticus during their adolescence.
Zelel's weapon was one of the three cursed holy artefacts, the appetent sword Terre Deserte. Incidentally, Khamael's Graal was also included in the series. The mad-dog, together with his partner, stormed the front-line of every war and could only leave exsiccated carcasses upon his wake. The sword would consume the entirety of the reservoir of blood and water from the body of a being that it was able to touch, much more cut.
Granted that the power was mighty, the users of these artefacts never had a peaceful moment in their lives. In Zelel's case, he was eternally haunted by the voices and the animosity of those who were killed by his sword. Also, similar to the scrolls, the cursed holy artifacts were alive. Once the wielder's control wanes, the relic could take over their minds and bodies.
"Hoh, that sword is interesting."
A plain long sword with a raven-black blade, guard, and hilt. Straying from its darkness, the smoke coming out of it had a currant-red hue. Thorny creepers, that emerged from Zelel's right shoulder, extended and tightened around the sword's hilt for him to be able to keep his grip on the weapon.
"Greet my companion..." Zelel said ahead of raising his sword, pointing the tip of its blade on the enemy's eyes. "Before it meets your neck, asshole."
The man grimaced, wider than what a human's lips were capable of. It flashed its razor-sharp fangs that were dripping with a transparent liquid akin to saliva, except, when its drops touched the ground, they turned to acid capably melting the debris scattered around.
"Is that the only insult you can muster?" Count Lukan's poser uttered, wanting to tease the Prime Minister.
"I need not degrade you for your existence is a shame itself."
"Arrogant words for a mere mortal."
"I agree. You do not even deserve my haughty attitude." Zelel retorted as the glints on his eyes became more spiteful.
His uncanny companion dismissed his statement and just went on to another topic, proceeding to ask, "If I heard it correctly, that sword's name is Terre Deserte."
"Suit yourself."
"Now, now, I am not planning on hurting you any time soon."
"Well, I am."
Fortunately for Zelel, the being he was facing sighed in resignation. Its patience was running out every time Zelel responded with unwarranted answers.
"Our conversation is going nowhere."
"So are you."
"A gentleman such as yourself should know that an introduction is due in the first meeting of two strangers."
No matter how furious he was for the way his opponent acted, Zelel was not the type of person who would recklessly attack head-on. Hence, he lowered down his sword to shift his stance to be on-guard. It was too late to think about the gentleman's code, but knowing your enemy was a must in the arena.
"Now we're talking." The being spoke with delight upon seeing the man dropping his defence, albeit slightly.
"Zelel Claudas, Head of the Claudas Ducal House, Prime Minister of the Seraphiel Empire."
"Aren't you well-known? That is an amazing introduction."
"I did my part. You do yours."
"Alright," The being said, stopping to bow its head prior to continuing. "I am a King of one of the demon realms, Zagan."
Zelel did not mind the demon's title, since he only had one principle in dealing with them. If it was a Demon Noble, then the sole method he could utilize in defeating them was a scroll. Otherwise, he would scrupulously find the winning means, no matter how long it would take.
Concurrently, Tthe demon reached his hand out for a handshake, yet Zelel just looked at its hand like it was the dirtiest thing in the world. Zagan could not be bothered with his cheeky attitude, so it retracted its hand with a shrug.
"Let me break this to you. The scroll that you brought is not for me."
The instant that he harkened Zagan's words, the minister's eyes widened. Nevertheless, he was able to quickly put on a deadpan expression. The demon did not miss a single detail of what came across the man's face. Thus, it had the urge to probe the man.
"I know all in relation it."
"What are you pertaining to?" Zelel queried in an attempt to escape the interrogation.
Withal, Zagan was not forgiving.
"Malphas and Ronove in Ikdes, the scrolls, holy grail, and Solomon's seal."
Uneasiness roamed Zelel's heart and mind. His thoughts suddenly went into disarray. Be that as it may, he was the person who could adapt to the situation the fastest among the Emperor's aides. The Prime minister proceeded to shut his eyes for a second or two, heaving a deep sigh along. If he searched his memories for a bit, the answer would readily present itself. Although, he opted to question Zagan first.
"Who informed you about all of those?"
"I guess there's no harm in telling you since it's already too late."
"La-"
Zagan interposed on Zelel's next query as mirth clouded his countenance, "The Demon Noble who bedevilled Countess Lauviah Lukan, Sitri, was the one who enlightened me on your plans. Sitri basically read through your thoughts. It's easy for royalty like him. Come to think of it, I wonder if the Empress is still alive?"
"What did you do to the Empress?!"
Zagan leaned all of its weight on one leg and inclined its head to the side. It desired to take its time to infuriate the prime minister more. It hit its left palm with its crumpled right fist, mimicking a eureka moment.
"Aha! She's dead by now, I think?"