A few moments ago
Inside the room, George de Clare was in the midst of changing his clothes, while Alice de Clare lay peacefully in bed, engrossed in her book. When George turned around, a glimmer of anticipation danced in his eyes as he smiled his way into bed.
Suddenly, George embraced Alice, catching her off guard as she turned to face him. "Oh ho, what has you so worked up?" Alice asked, setting her book aside.
"Alice," George began, planting a kiss on her neck before meeting her gaze. "I want another child." His smile held a hint of worry, uncertain of how his wife would respond to his idea.
Alice tenderly caressed George's hand, closing her eyes briefly. "Is it because of Lucas?" She opened her eyes, her gaze filled with understanding. Over the past few weeks, she had noticed George's growing concern for their son, Lucas, and his future.
"He is growing, and he is growing fast," George's voice swelled with pride, but Alice remained attentive, sensing the underlying worry. "His potential exceeds our territory, and I fear that when the time comes, he won't want to take over after I become old and frail."
"When we heard news from the south about his achievements, his power... we both knew he was already more powerful than a mere count like me, Alice." George sighed, while Alice continued to caress his hand. "I just don't want to hold my boy back."
"Maybe you should talk to him about it?" Alice suggested, turning to look directly at her husband. "He is our son, George, and you are his father. He should confide in you, and I'm certain he'll be willing to address any worries you have." A gentle smile graced her face as she spoke.
A broad smile spread across George's face as he gazed at his wife. She was the only woman in his life who could make his worries dissipate with a simple smile. "You're right," George said, his voice filled with gratitude as he embraced his wife.
"Still..." George looked at her, their embrace unbroken. "Maybe we should have some fun." He awaited her response, but before Alice could answer, screams from the hallway shattered the tranquility of the moment, drawing both their attention.
"What's happening?" Alice asked, her gaze fixated on the doorway.
"Stay here," George commanded, swiftly leaving the bed to retrieve his sword. With caution, he made his way toward the doorway.
Slowly opening the door, George prepared to peek outside, but a sword suddenly pierced through the doorway, narrowly missing him. Reacting swiftly, George retreated and assumed a defensive sword stance. Stepping into the room, he found himself surrounded by three assassins, each armed with a blade.
"Alice, when you get the chance, run away as far as possible," George instructed, his sword igniting into flames. The temperature in the room soared, causing the assassins to perspire.
One of the assassins lunged forward, engaging George in a clash of swords. The other two assailants followed suit, attempting to quickly end the fight. George skillfully evaded their strikes, crouching and dodging with agility. Seizing an opportunity, George took a step, causing a wave of fire to erupt beneath him, rapidly expanding its diameter. However, his efforts were thwarted when one of the assassins employed water to extinguish the flames, shrouding the room in temporary smoke.
Undeterred, an assassin moved forward, poised to strike. With swift reflexes, George evaded the attack and seized the assailant by the head. Sensing an imminent attack from his right, George deftly maneuvered the captured assassin in front of him, using him as a shield. The other assassin halted their strike, but suddenly, a third assassin appeared out of nowhere, striking George's leg with lightning speed. George released his hold on the captive assassin, who promptly kicked him, sending George crashing to the ground. As one of the assassins prepared to deliver a fatal blow, an ice shield materialized in front of George. However, it was quickly sliced through.
Silence enveloped the room as George closed his eyes, bracing for the impending strike. But the blow never came. Opening his eyes slowly, he witnessed a sight he never wished to see—Alice standing in front of him, a sword protruding from her chest. Turning around, Alice locked eyes with George one last time and whispered, "Take care of Lucas."
She collapsed to the ground, and an assassin withdrew the bloodied sword from her body. In that moment, a surge of unfamiliar emotions coursed through George's veins—a seething rage that yearned to be unleashed. His mana core churned, producing mana at an astonishing rate. His heartbeat quickened, his muscles tightened, and he became empowered by this newfound wellspring of mana. In an instant, his injuries began to heal, his pupils dilated, and all pain dissipated.
A colossal aura radiated from George, enveloping the three assassins before him. Fear gripped their hearts as they realized the man standing before them was no longer the same as a few moments ago. This man was far more powerful.
One of the assassins swiftly made a desperate attempt to strike George, but before the blow landed, George vanished and reappeared behind him. With a vice-like grip, George seized the assassin's head, slowly crushing it. The man's eyeballs popped, and his screams for help fell on deaf ears as George relished in his torment, all while his aura prevented the remaining assassins from making any move.
POP
The assassin's head exploded, showering George in a gruesome spray of blood. But he wasn't finished. Turning his attention to the remaining two assassins, George extended his hand, conjuring a blazing beam of fire that consumed one of the assailants, reducing him to ashes. The last assassin's luck had run out. George materialized in front of him, swiftly tearing off his arms before impaling his chest and crushing his heart.
"Alice..." George's voice trembled with grief as he dispatched the final assassin. He immediately spun around and rushed to Alice's lifeless body, cradling her gently in his arms. Tears streamed down his face, more tears than he had shed in his entire life. Though he knew she was gone, he couldn't bear to accept it, his bloodied hands tenderly caressing her pale face.
"Alice, please say something," George pleaded, his voice choked with sorrow. He repeated her name over and over, an incessant whisper that betrayed his desperate longing. He couldn't fathom a world without her, his one and only true love.