Russell stares at the silver dagger left by Jack. He's words still rang clear in his ears. That man said the words that he wanted to hear the most this entire time.
His greed for power begins to grow within his heart. A feeling that he had long buried and forgotten. He is not afraid of killing but of the consequences to befall him if he fails. When it comes to Riz, Richard will do anything to keep him safe.
He takes a deep breath, trying to calm down his mind. 'I just need to make several stabs at the chest.'
Russell is determined. He is sick of being overshadowed by his little brother. His presence slowly diminished in the noble circle. Who cares if he is inferior to Riz? To begin with, it was his right as an elder brother. Who cares about people's well-being? They are supposed to quietly submit to their lord.
Tonight is the night. He will finish both of them once and for all.
He patiently waits for the sun to set. He is having dinner in his room as usual. Nothing suspicious since he occasionally does that. Everyone will just think he is focusing on his painting.
Soon, the sky became pitch black and the stars adorned it. The time is approximately 9 pm. Everyone has entered their dreamland. There is not much activity to do at night. Russell exits his room, walking lightly to Richard's bedroom.
There's no guard on this floor. Their post is between the third and fourth floors. Forbidding outsiders from entering the fourth floor.
He stands in front of the door motionlessly. In his mind, Russell began imagining the scenario that will unfold.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
There's no answer.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
This time he hears the movement from the other side.
"Who?"
"It's me, father. I have something to give to you but I need you to help me open the door."
"Can't you give it tomorrow? It's already nighttime," asked Richard.
"I'm afraid not, father."
Richard sighs. He lazily gets out of bed and walks to the door. He is clearly not fully awake.
As the door was open, Russell went straight for the throat and violently slit it. Richard receives an instant death from his own son. He's unable to utter a single word. Russell catches the body from falling to the ground and causes a sound. The blood is still flowing out of Richard's body. He drags the body back to the bed and closes the door.
Russell moves to the next target, his little brother. Once he finishes the job, the House of Ryntum and its entirety will belong to him.
He repeats the same trick.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
'Hm?' Riz is still awake at this time. It is too early for him to go to sleep. He is working on his plan to modernize Bideford and the territory.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Russell. Can you open the door for a moment?"
"Wait until tomorrow. I have no interest in letting a man enter my bedroom even if it is my own brother."
"Come on, you're probably the one who can solve this problem. I can't sleep until I get the right answer."
"Fine. Wait for a second." It took Riz several minutes to reach the door. Russell smiled as he could see Riz's shadow through the gap. As the door is half open, the dagger moves toward Riz's throat.
*Clank*
The dagger meets the iron shield. Russell's eyes are wide open.
"What do you think you're doing, big brother?" Riz asks calmly. There's anger in his voice. He slams the shield on Russell's body and pushes him to the dimly lit corridor. Both of them are staring at each other.
"How did you know?"
"I don't but I like to be careful. What I know is there are only two people I permit to enter my bedroom and they're women." Of course, Riz is referring to Theodora and Charlotte.
Russell curses, "You lucky bastard. Here I'm stuck in the room drawing and painting."
Russell attacked first. He needs to end Riz's life before the commotion attracts the guards. He runs toward Riz with his right-hand tightly grasping the dagger. Riz's neck is his target.
Riz widened his leg and bent his knee, seeking some stability to receive the impact. He shifts his body and his right-hand move to protect his vital part with a shield.
*Clank*
The impact makes Riz step back a little. 'Urgh, He's strong.'
"Maybe you're not charming enough." Riz ridicules his brother. He fends off the dagger using his shield, creating an opening for him to attack. Using his left hand, he grasped the dagger behind his back and sliced his abdomen.
Unfortunately, Russell is quick to dodge and Riz's attack merely scratches him. Still, it causes Russell some bleeding.
"Tsk" Riz clicked his tongue.
"Urgh, that's hurt. You really try to kill your own brother."
Ignoring Russell's remark, Riz asks him. "Where do you get the poison dagger?"
"You don't need to know," said Russell before throwing himself forward once again.
*Clank* *Clank* *Clank*
They parry each other's attack for several minutes. Neck, chest, arms, waist, thighs, they attack and defend. His left hand has started to lose its strength despite it being his dominant hand. Fighting while holding the shield drains his energy and slows his movement. Even so, he can't afford to abandon the shield. He is at a disadvantage. One scratch and he's dead.
The clashing sound vibrated through the corridor. It is impossible for the guards to ignore it. Riz is hoping for them to arrive.
"It's no use. Father is already dead and it takes a while for the guard to come," said Russell, realising Riz's intention.
"I see." Riz calmly replied. Inwardly, he is shocked and a bit sad. Although he only knows Richard for a year or so, they still had memories together.
"How cold. Father would be sad if he knew his favourite son doesn't even shed tears for him."
"You have no right to call him father. Did father ever mistreat you?" Riz tried his best to not let anger get into his head.
"Still act innocent, I see. The next marquess should be me! I should be the heir"
"Sorry to say, but you're stupid, brother. You should just focus on art instead." He slashes Russell's tight.
The pain caused Russell to become unstable. Without wasting time, Riz slams the shield on his ribcage.
"Arrghh!"
Then, he kicks Russell's abdomen causing him to kiss the floor. His left foot stomped on his brother's right hand. He keeps doing it while Russell is writhing in pain. Russell let go of that dagger and Riz kicked it away from him.
"Milord, what's going on?" asked Charlotte. She woke up after hearing a ruckus outside. Not only her, Theodora and Josephine as well. Both of them are as shocked as Charlotte.
"Riz, what happened?"
"Shut up. Let me kill this f*cker." He barks at Josephine. "Charlotte, take that dagger away!" said Riz.
She nods and does as he said.
Russell tries to crawl away from Riz as he's losing his weapon. Riz pin him down with one foot and starts smashing his head with another foot. He ignores Josephine's cries. Russell must die.
As he is doing so, he gets goosebumps from behind. He immediately turns around and raises his shield.
*Clank*
'Thank god I didn't unequip the shield.' He sighs. His eyes focus on another presence in front of him, "Who are you? How do you get in here?"
"Oh my, you don't remember me? Well, I'll introduce myself again. My name is Jack Cooper and I can't let you kill that man."
"You are not the one who decides that."
Jack smiled, "Yes, I do."
In an instant, Jack appears in front of Riz and punches him in the stomach. Riz coughs a mouthful of blood and falls to the floor.
'He's freaking one punch me!'
Jack took out his dagger and thrust it straight into Riz's face. Using all his energy, he barely avoids the attack by moving his head to the side. Charlotte comes out of nowhere and swings her sword at Jack's nape. Unfortunately, Jack fends it off.
Jack rushes toward Russell on the floor and runs toward the windows. The more he wastes time here, the harder it gets to escape. Before he jumps, he looks at Riz, "Until we meet again."
Charlotte wanted to chase him but was stopped, "Let him go. If he dares to come, it means he has an escape room prepared. Now, it's time to clean up this mess."