After what seemed like an eternity, Vlad finally entered the lord's chamber, followed by two other men that were holding the traitor. Mathias's clothes were torn and he was covered in dried blood. "Kneel before the lord," the men barked, forcing him to kneel down while he was trembling with restrained anger.
"What happened to other scums?" Sirius asked, a sinister smirk playing on his lips.
"They're dead," Vlad replied curtly.
"Nice," the demon lord said, his eyes turning to Mathias . "Well, well, well," he drawled, "The obvious excuse for a prince. So, Mathias, what inspired you to dare defy my rules and cause havoc in my dominion?" he asked menacingly, the blue flames dancing on his gloves, threatening to burn whatever he wanted.
Mathias didn't look up and held his gaze on the floor. But the expression on his face was enough to tell the floor he wasn't going to be so easy, "Nothing," he said through gritted teeth, "I've just had enough of your sick rule."
Sirius's eyes narrowed with a cold glint, "You dare speak to me like that?"
The soldier's grip on Mathias tightened, forcing his head down, "I do," he said, his voice strained, "You're not fit for the crown!"
Sirius's fist clenched, his veins popping with fire, "I don't need a crown to rule," he barked, "But you, you had one and couldn't even keep it. Now tell me, how did you escape?"
He knew very well how he escaped but he wasn't going to lose anything by asked.
"That red haired woman," Mathias spat, his voice filled with spite. "She had a scar. It was her plan all along. She is working against you."
Sirius's expression darkened further and he stood up, grabbing Mathias by the collar, his grip tightening as he leaned in menacingly. "What did you tell her about me?" he hissed, the flames licking Mathias's skin, making him cry out in pain.
"Only....the...the....truth," Mathias gasped, but Sirius's grip only tightened.
"You told her lies about me!" he growled.
"So she-she wasn't a prisoner....right?"
Vlad stepped forward, a cautionary tone in his voice, "My lord, let him speak. We need to understand the extent of the betrayal."
"I swear, she-she was planning against you," Mathias began once more, his voice shaking, "She released me, s-saying she had plans for escape and then overthrow you. And then....then we'd escape together."
Sirius's eyes turned crimson, ablaze with anger. His hand wrapped around Mathias's throat, lifting him off his feet, his grip tightening like a vice, "You dare lie to me, you pathetic wretch!" he snarled, his voice echoing around the gothic chamber. "You think I don't know what you did?"
The general stepped beside them once again, his voice calm but firm. "My lord, we must find out the truth before we make any rash decisions." He glanced at Mathias, who was gasping and struggling for breath.
Sirius's grip didn't loosen for a moment before he threw Mathias aside, the man landing on the ground with a thud, "Execute him," he ordered, his eyes ruthless, no remorse, no mercy.
The general looked taken aback for a moment, but the other men acted quickly, grabbing Mathias, and dragging him away, while he kept calling on his story.
The general closed the doors as soon as they left and turned to Sirius, his expression wary, "My lord, shouldn't we have heard what he had to say?"
"I don't have time for lies," Sirius snapped back, "And he had been feeding her lies about me too. That wasn't her plan. She couldn't. She won't. She wouldn't do that."
Vlad's expression was thoughtful. He didn't want to blame Regan, but he cared about the Order's safety, "We can't be sure. She is so desperate to escape."
"No. I know her well enough. She would never make plans with a stranger, no matter how desperate she is," Sirius retorted, his eyes blazing with fire. He could never see Regan with any other eye. He knew her better than he should.
"Maybe that's more than meets the eye," Vlad suggested.
"Enough," Sirius said, his tone clipped, "This matter is over. Get rid of any remaining bastard who was part of Mathias's band. And bring Artemis here."
Vlad nodded, undeterred, knowing that speaking further about Regan would only enrage him more, "As you wish, my lord. But may I ask, what's the deal with Artemis?"
"It's about Regan, Vlad," Sirius said as he sat on his throne, his expression a mix of irritation and frustration, "She's....she messes with my mind. I can't just look at her anymore. I need to get rid of her before I do something stupid."
Vlad nodded, understanding his lord's frustration, "I'll bring Artemis after I deal with Mathias. We'll need to handle this with care. We can't risk any more unrest in the Order."
The general left the chamber, leaving Sirius to his thoughts. He was glad he was alone, without any presence of the witches. He didn't want to even hear about Vesper anymore. The only reason she was still there, was because of a pact he had done with her family, a pact he regretted. Her sisters were less disturbing for now.
And the one he wanted on his side....well, that was a delusion, buried deep within his soul. He couldn't just force her.
A sudden knock interrupted his thoughts. It was Vesper. She was wearing a red dress with two slits that went all the way up the thigh. Her makeup mirrored her clothes, and there was smile plastered on her face.
Sirius's eyes narrowed with irritation, "What is it?" he asked tersely.
Vesper's smile didn't waver. She stepped closer into the room, her hips swaying seductively.
"I'm here to discuss our plans," she began, her voice smooth as silk. "I know you've been dissatisfied with me. I wasn't right in my senses when I accused you back then. It was ridiculous."
"There are no plans to discuss," the demon lord said coldly, his eyes blank. "Everything is settled. Go back to your chambers."
Vesper's smile still didn't fade. She walked closer, her heels clicking on the wooden floor, and sat on the chair beside, "Why?" she purred, "You're afraid you can't resist me?"
Sirius's smile was as icy as his eyes, but it didn't reach them, "I don't have to resist you, Vesper. You don't mean that much to me," he said, his voice like venom.
Vesper reached to touch his arm but he moved away. "But I want to bring back the exiting times," she said, her voice honeyed with sweetness.
But he didn't care about the exciting times. He never had exciting times. And even if he had, he wouldn't call Vesper part of it. Maybe she was referring to the times where he used to pamper her with powers and gifts. But it wasn't like he did it out of genuine interest. He did it out of manipulation.
"I'm not here to play sex," Sirius said in disdain, standing up and walking towards the window. Vesper followed, her fingers trailing his arm.
She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper, "But you're a man, aren't you? And which man doesn't want a hot witch like me?"
"Then I'm not the 'man' you see me as," Sirius replied, never taking his eyes off the landscape. "I don't need sex for power or whatever else. And I don't need you, Vesper," he said, eyes cold and calculated, words dropping like a poison.
Her hand fell and her smile turned into a scowl, "You're just saying that because she's got you wrapped under her little finger!" she hissed, the sweetness leaving her voice, "If it weren't for Regan, you would've given in already!"
Sirius's eyes darkened, his jaw clenching with fury as he turned at her, "Don't you ever dare to speak of her name again! Don't you dare!" he growled, his voice a cold anger. Vesper realized she broke the line once again, but she couldn't help it.
She pursed her lips, trying to desperately shift the conversation, so she could still get in his preference and favor, "I-I'm sorry," she stuttered, her voice shaking with restrained anger, "I know you're interested in politics and all that," she awkwardly said, thinking of what she could tell him about these matters.
"So, I have found a realm easy to conquer. It also had immense power. It has no strong leader or government."
Sirius's eyes narrowed, hoping this wasn't another scheme to gain his attention, "And what's the realm's name?" he asked.
"Eafimos," Vesper replied, remembering the realm's name from people talking in the city's streets, "It's not far from here, it's a good opportunity."
Sirius's gaze remained distant, not looking at her, "Indeed, a good opportunity," he said nonchalantly, his mind anywhere but in that matter.
A smirk tugged at Vesper's lips again as she leaned closer, "If you go, I want to come as well."
"I'll consider it," he replied, turning away from the window, "but there are some matters I need to pay attention to first," he sternly added, much to Vesper's dislike. Just when she thought she was getting to him, he would always prove wrong.
She left reluctantly, her intentions carrying in the way she walked. After she closed the door, the demon lord sat on the chair and ran a hand through his raven hair. He had to meditate, but his mind was a labyrinth of thoughts, every turn leading to her. He had to get her out of his life once and for all.
There was a barely there knock on the door and he called for them to enter. It was Althea, the maid, her hands trembling slightly.
"I apologize for interrupting, my lord," Althea stammered nervously, her eyes downcast. "B-but I've seen something that requires your attention."
Sirius looked at Althea with a raised eyebrow, intrigued by her urgency. "What is it, Althea? Speak quickly," he commanded, his voice authoritative yet tinged with curiosity.
Althea hesitated for a moment, as if she was going to say something that'd change the course of history, "I-I.... it's about lady Vesper, my lord. I-I.... Yesterday I saw she was fighting with Regan."
Sirius's eyes darkened, the wheels of anger turning in his head, "What the hell is going on?" he growled, his patience wearing thin. "When did you see this?"
Althea flinched slightly at his tone but then replied, "It was before midnight, my lord. In the western corridor, near the south wing. It-it was intense. Lady Vesper had a d-dagger on Regan's throat and then they were g-grabbing each other's hair. It was quite violent."
Sirius's hand clenched the armrest, his knuckles turning white. So it had been before Vesper barged in his chamber, before he threatened her with her life. He was mad at himself for not threatening Vesper earlier and for letting Regan's safety on loose. He had seen Regan that morning, how hadn't he suspected something like that?
But that was it. Vesper needed punishment, one that she wouldn't easily forget. He rose from his throne, his commanding presence draining out the air.
"And you're telling me this now?" he snapped, his voice laced with anger.
Althea trembled, her eyes downcast, "I-I was scared, my lord. I didn't know what to do. I thought lady Vesper was going to be mad-"
"Enough," Sirius interrupted sharply, "you're dismissed."
Althea bowed quickly and scurried out of the chamber.
Sirius cursed under his breath, his hands curling into fists. A part of him thought to go and see Regan again and ask her if she was alright. But then he knew how foolish it would sound, as if he cared about her. Still, he had yelled at her in the morning and the thought that he had been too harsh gnawed at him.
He waited for the news with a racing mind. Regan's matter would be dealt with but it was all what he could focus on.
When the general finally returned,
"Explain, commander," Sirius demanded, his tone dripping with authority.
"I found Artemis, my lord. I made your command clear, but her husband was a nuisance. He insisted she didn't leave her house," Vlad informed, "our men are still there. If you wish, we'll attack."
Sirius's expression turned thoughtful, "Handle it how you wish, Vlad. Just make sure to bring her here. Otherwise, her and these little morons who surround her shall pay dearly," he said darkly.
Vlad nodded in approval and turned around to leave.
"Wait," Sirius called. "There's also something you should do. Vesper. She's been a useless nuisance lately. She needs punishment."
Vlad turned back, his expression betraying confusion, "What has she been doing?"
"Oh, you know. Trying to mess with what's mine. Plotting behind my back. Make sure it is a punishment she won't forget for the rest of her life," Sirius said, his voice low and dangerous.
"It shall be done, my lord," Vlad assured and left.