"What audacity. Asher or whatever your name is, who gave you the right to speak when I am speaking? Do you think following the prince around like a lost puppy will automatically change your status and where you come from? I'm sorry but once a slum boy, always a slu –" Axel's fist landed heavily on Martin's face, stopping his speech abruptly. The blow dislocated his jaw instantly and his body crashed against the nearby wall, leaving a depression on it.
All the guards and maids around the area scampered away from the area to a safe distance where they could watch everything happening. The only people who remained were Axel's men, Asher and Ronald – the royal adviser who came with Martin. His eyes were round in shock as he watched Martin's body sprawled on the ground in a bloody mess.
"Your highness?" Ronald whispered and when Axel turned to look at him, he staggered backward, away from him.
Axel, however, held a calm expression, almost serene. But his honey eyes burned brightly, making it look more golden than honey. He moved majestically to a groaning Martin, who was still trying to recover from the first blow, and he squatted beside him. No words came out of his mouth as he waited patiently for Martin to sit up.
"You were saying?" Axel asked when Martin finally sat up.
"You Basta –"
Another blow cut him off as his body was sent flying in another direction. This time the blow was aimed directly at his mouth and he broke a few bones when he hit a pillar.
Axel stood up and walked over to where Martin lay on the floor, groaning loudly. He still looked calm and unruffled, the exact opposite of what he should look like.
"I didn't hear you the last time. Can you repeat yourself?" Axel's voice reached Martin's ears, but he couldn't even look up at him nor sit up.
"The next time you utter even as little as his name again, I'll make sure you lose your ability to speak. So weak, yet you claim to be a royal? Pathetic." Axel mocked then turned around and walked away from the scene.
Immediately after Axel left, Ronald and some guards rushed to help Martin. He was already healing, but the process was so slow and damn painful. When he was finally able to sit up he spat out the blood that had pooled inside his mouth.
"Do you now believe what I told you? The bastard is gay and that son of a b**** is his lover." Martin struggled to push the words out of his aching mouth. He had been suspecting the relationship between Axel and Asher for a long time and now it seemed like what he suspected was true.
"I think you are right, if not why would he fight for a mere bodyguard?" Ronald voiced out thoughtfully. if this is true then they would need to do something about it before it gets out of hand.
"Of course I am right. Can't you see how protective he is of him? We should inform the king. The throne is at stake." Martin suggested and Ronald nodded his head in agreement.
The two sat quietly until Martin said, "I think I can walk now." after saying that, Ronald helped him up, and together they walked back to the throne room.
***
"You didn't have to do that," Asher spoke after they have walked for some time in silence.
"Shut up." Axel answered curtly and Asher sighed.
"Thank you." Asher finally said. No one had stood up for him until he met Axel. He had met various types of bullies, people who hit him just because they feel like it and those who talk down on him for no reason at all. He had learned to fight and defend himself because no one ever cared to do it for him. But it all changed when Axel found him.
"Don't thank me, he deserved it and more even." Axel voiced, his brows knitting together imperceptibly.
"I know. I'm thanking you for me, not for him." Asher commented with a chuckle which forced a smile on Axel's face.
"You deserve it too." He commented. One thing he would not tolerate was anyone berating or bullying Asher. He may not mind if they did it to him, but if they decide to shift their target to Asher, he would go mad.
"Two blood wines to my room. Now." He ordered when they got to his quarters and the guard rushed to carry out the order.
"And Fred, gather the others I have a task for you all." Axel ordered before he and Asher disappeared behind the door to his room.
***
Meanwhile, at Green light city, Alita went to school that morning, only to relieve the news from Mr. Silas that he had approved her first topic so she could go ahead and start her research project. She felt elated, but at the same time, she wondered what happened. Just yesterday, he threw her file at her and suddenly today he approved her first topic without giving any reason.
Well, that shouldn't be her headache since she was finally free from the evil monster. Somewhere deep in her mind, she had a feeling that it had something to do with Axel, but what did he do to melt that stone heart inside the vampire's chest? She made a mental note to call him later because now she strongly believed he was behind it. After all, she had only told three people about the problem and she had not involved the school yet. There's no way Kayla or Brian could have done anything since they also advised her to involve the school authorities. That leaves only one person as the prime suspect – Axel.
She walked to the cafeteria where she was supposed to meet with Kayla and Brian. The happiness she felt was radiating brightly on her face. This one time at least, she didn't have to resort to violence to solve her problems. The infectious smile on her face only grew wider when she sighted her friends.