The Valentino Residence.
"My Lord a report just came in regarding this week's training."
"Bring it here."
Sebastian put down his pen and reached out for the letter placed on his desk. Before he opened it a black hawk flew through the open window and landed on his shoulder.
He put back the letter on the tray the butler brought and untied a knot from its leg and unrolled the small yet long piece of paper.
After reading it he leaned back on the chair as if the burden which was bothering him was lifted from his shoulders.
The hawk cried letting out a high pitch. He slightly curved his lip to a smile.
"Here is a reward for your hard work." He stroked its neck and gave him a fat piece of meat.
Without any hesitation, the hungry falcon grabbed the lump of meat from his hand and flew on the tree tearing it up and scarfing it down.
"Are you sure you are not feeding him too much my lord?" His butler asked him bothered by the odd-looking bird that neither looked completely like a hawk nor an eagle.
-"What a weird bird."
"You must be wondering whether it is a hawk or an eagle." He said as he dipped the ink pen in the inkpot and penned something on a small piece of paper.
"Apologies my lord." I didn't mean to offend you.
"It's a rare species gifted to me when I passed my exam as a knight."
He recalled the vivid memory of Azriel and Estelle when they gifted him a baby bird. He looked at it curiously and it helplessly chirped crying for food.
-"What will you name him your highness?"Estelle asked him with a gentle smile.
-"Umm~He is black as a night. He kind of reminds me of death." young Sebastian replied with twinkling eyes.
"Stygian will be his name."He passed a big smile across his face.
She looked at the young boy disturbed and then looked back at her husband frowning.
Azriel evaded them and slowly turned
away.
"Dear I am sure you have a better explanation for this." She smiled.
"I have been here for too long..." He slowly escaped away.
"You just finished your work! Come back this instant Azriel von Nirvana!"
-"Come to think of it he received a good lesson from the marchioness. She didn't speak with him for almost a week." He grinned and watched his pet hungrily tearing the meat.
"I never believed such a respected figure could give in to a weaker person." He smiled resting his face on his hand.
The bird alighted the tree to catch its target without wasting time.
"He keeps getting better at hunting."
"Yes my Lord."
"I am a bit tired of sitting in this room all day long. I might as well go hunting with Stygian sometime later."
"Then I will make preparations at once."
The butler hurried to the door.
"Calm down old man. I just need to take a ride to the forest." He stopped the old man.
"A-as you wish my lord?"
"You can rest for today." He dismissed the servants as he tied the small note to the bird's leg.
"Go deliver this." He stroked its neck with his forefinger.
"Kyeeee~" The bird turned around spreading its huge wings it ascended to the sky.
The servants nearly choked to death with fright whenever the huge bird wandered around the residence.
Nevertheless, it was extremely loyal to its master.
-------------------
The Royal Palace...
The sky once bright blue was now covered by the winter snow clouds.
"I hate wet winters." Charles sighed in disappointment looking at the dull grey clouds that barely moved forward.
"My Lord, the soldiers of Nirvana are taking their leave to the south."
"Although south is quite tropical. But they must be out of their minds to go there right now...unless they want to be food for leviathan."He grinned.
"What about Valentinos?"
"They are still in the western range your highness."
"What about the stone's whereabouts?"
"...uhh...I am afraid we need more time my lord..."
"More time?" He turned around. The air around him darkened.
"Do you think you can afford such luxury when you can't even grasp it?" He walked to where the hooded man knelt breaking cold sweat.
"I...ap—Kuh!!"
"Tell Me! Do you take me as a fool? Do you know what I have been going through just to obtain these two mere stones?" He continued to kick the messenger's abdomen until he was nearly lost consciousness.
Before he could breathe he grabbed him by the collar glaring at him as if he would devour him without hesitation.
"Carry out plan B. I don't care how you get them. Use every possible way without anyone knowing about it. If word gets out of this operation again. I will sue your life along with the rest."
"U-Understood...my lord..." He barely walked away with all the strength he had.
"It looks like I will have to take action myself before it's too late." He mumbled taking off his bloodstained shoes.
"Sigh*I will bring justice for you. I will meet you again...very soon. I vow to bring you back. " He placed his hand on the portrait of the gorgeous blonde-haired woman with a cheerful yet gentle smile with sparkling eyes like crystal.