"YOUR GRACE," the royal knights' commander called. "My men cannot hold any longer."
Daniel knew it would come down to this, the majority of the royal knights could not use magic and physical strength was weak compared to magic, especially against the Tower of Gods' Mages.
"Where the hell are the knights?" the duke asked his commander. They had sent for them a while ago.
At least more knights from House Van Konigl could use magic, and the rest had magical shields and swords. They could do more damage than the royal knights.
"I will send someone else immediately, Your Grace." Victor hurried away.
"Do you not think that it's time to give up, Duke?" Titus' voice came from a balcony on the third floor. "I have about fifty Mages here, and more spread around the grounds. You should already know how this fight will end."
Daniel looked at the man who only weeks ago was a father figure to him. None of those feelings remained anymore though. He was his enemy now. He even tried to kill him on the Red Hill–they had thought at first that they would control the votes better if he was not in the picture. The mistake that Titus made though was to send Baron Cross.
The situation was bad, but they needed to hold on for just a bit longer. Daniel believed that they would still win. The whole plan had not fallen apart yet.
"Your Grace, our knights were stopped by mages," Victor reported. "They have been fighting a few miles into the forest."
"Damn it," Daniel mumbled. "Where are you?" He looked around with gritted teeth.
"Why don't you show the duke that he has already lost this fight?" Titus told his small army of mages.
They watched as they poured out of the house and lined up in front of them. Daniel's knights stood by the royal knights, side by side.
Fifty mages would need at least four hundred strong warriors to push back, but they were way less than that. Daniel bit his lip and took a few steps to the front.
"Victor," he called his commander who stood to his right. "Let our men stand in front of the royal knights and use their shields whenever the mages attack."
"Yes, Your Grace, even though I don't think that will help."
Daniel already knew that it would not help, but they had to do something. He could probably take down five or six Mages on his own, but it was not enough.
"Attack," Titus ordered from his balcony.
"Shield," Daniel yelled.
The mages unleashed their powers on the knights. It was bright and the buzzing was loud, but right before their bolts reached the men, warm flames enveloped them, blocking the mages' attack.
The duke's eyes widened, he turned around with searching eyes. He finally saw her, Magnolia.
As soon as her eyes met his, a smile pulled on her lips. Daniel sighed in relief.
"You're finally here," he whispered before making his way to his wife.
He pushed through the confused knights until he reached her. Both just stood there, staring at each other. Their chests filled with many emotions that they could not express at the same time.
"I've missed you," Magnolia uttered.
Daniel's smile widened. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. She locked her arms around his neck.
They crashed their lips against each other like they were the only ones on that hill. They felt their bodies rejuvenate, as if they were dormant and they finally awoke.
"I have missed you more, my love," Daniel whispered against her lips.
"How is Geoffrey?"
"He's well, he can't wait to see you." Magnolia's eyes teared.
"I can't wait to see him."
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Laya said. "But what the hell are all the mages from the Tower doing here?"
Magnolia reluctantly stepped away from Daniel who turned to face the Crystal Villa.
"They are fighting for Titus," he said.
"But they are not supposed to. Mages are not supposed to take a political stance." Laya was annoyed and angry.
"Well, we better reteach them that," Killian told her as he approached. "Good to see you again…brother-in-law. Sorry for making you wait," he teased.
"Good to see you too," Daniel said with a chuckle.
"Let me lift this fire, then." Killian waved his hand and made the flames disappear.
As the smoke dispersed, the Phoenix members joined the knights, ready for battle.
"Traitor," Titus screamed when he finally took in the numbers.
"Nonsense," Daniel said with a grin. "These people follow Duke Gottanlich here. As you know, he is also a pureblood."
The king gritted his teeth. "This does not change anything. Do you think you can win against the mages?"
"We can," Killian said with a grin. "We are here to punish you for your sins, and no one can stop us from doing so."
Titus gulped. "What are you waiting for?" he barked.
The mages hesitated, but only for a moment before they started attacking again. The Van Konigl knights, the Phoenix members, and the royal knights all fought together.
Before this battle, they considered each other rivals and enemies, but today, they stood united against the real enemy.
"I will take care of Titus," Magnolia uttered while eyeing the king. "He is mine."
"That is not fair," Killian complained.
"Don't worry, I won't kill him."
Magnolia took a step away before Daniel grabbed her wrist.
"I finally found you and I am not letting you go again. I'm coming with you." He held her gaze for a moment before Magnolia smiled.
"I can live with that." She beamed.
They both sneaked away from the fighting and carefully made their way around the villa. They entered from one of the shattered glass walls, then headed directly to the third floor.
"Hello, Titus," Magnolia uttered, getting everyone's attention.
The king stepped back from the balcony baluster and the queen pushed against the corner of the wall where she was hiding. Thankfully, there were only a handful of mages guarding them.
"Since you already know who I am, you also know why I am here."
"What are you waiting for?" Titus screamed. "Get them. Kill them." He was unsightly, his face was red and sweaty and his body was shaking.
As the mages moved closer to Magnolia and Daniel, the duchess smiled.
"How stupid," Magnolia whispered to her husband.
"Indeed." He agreed with a grin.