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(3rd Person POV)
Aston vanished from the place where he had just fought his butler, Edmund.
Well, it looked like he vanished, to anyone who was observing him, however, he had just sprinted in a different direction with incredible speed.
He reached a clearing where he couldn't sense anyone nearby.
Aston dropped Edmund on the ground. The butler was still unconscious and wasn't able to move at all. Though, he was well alive.
Aston bent forward and put his index finger on Edmund's chest where his heart was located. He used his power to speed up the blood flow to the mind and aid Edmund in regaining consciousness.
In a few moments, Edmund's body began moving and he rapidly regained his consciousness.
*Cough*
*Cough*
His eyes blinked several times as he started coughing up the blood. After some minutes, he had woken up properly.
He bowed towards his liege and said with a hoarse voice, "Thank you, your highness. I am honoured to have the 'Sanguis Imperium', the ability that belonged to the first emperor of the Phoenix Empire, being used for helping me."
Sanguis Imperium, an ability that belonged to Edward Phoenix. It essentially meant blood control or hemomancy. Only Aston Phoenix and Edward Phoenix were able to possess this ability. Besides this, two other different abilities were seen in the descendants of Phoenix. They have been recorded in royal records but those royal records have been lost in the flow of time. No one knew how many abilities could be inherited from the Phoenix Bloodline.
The Phoenix Bloodline is exceptionally powerful. Not every descendant of the Phoenix Bloodline can gain the powers that dwell in it.
Only very lucky, talented and determined individuals can receive an ability. That's why William Phoenix, the current emperor of the Empire is weak. He simply didn't possess the qualities to have the Phoenix Bloodline activate for him.
This much knowledge is only known by the heads of five ducal families and the emperor. They know that Aston Phoenix has awakened one of the abilities of the Phoenix Bloodline but they have no idea about what is the ability. Well, they would be much more cautious regarding Aston Phoenix if they knew what kind of ability he possessed.
Aston Phoenix nodded back at Edmund and put his hands on his wounds. In a matter of seconds, the blood stopped flowing out and a few minutes later, the wound started closing up visibly.
Aston's control of his power was incredible. He made up for the blood loss he suffered by pushing his heart to its limit. He could do that to a certain threshold, he had stronger vitality than most people, courtesy of the Phoenix Bloodline and with regular training as well as with proper nutrition.
Well, in a very short matter of time, Aston didn't have any trace of ever having a wound on his chest.
Aston sat on a rock nearby and asked, "How was the spar, Edmund?"
Edmund replied hastily, "It was amazing, your highness. You have improved a lot from the last time we sparred. You can discern the weaknesses in my combo as well. You hadn't used your power, and you didn't have the weapon you had the most expertise in as well. If you had fought me with your full capability, I would have easily lost in a matter of minutes even if I used my family's most powerful swordsmanship stances."
"Hmm... What do you think about the group that was observing our fight? Are they any good to be put to use?"
Edmund pondered over the question for a bit before he replied, "Combat-wise, they weren't very powerful but they had impressive skills regarding the assassination, even rivalling the members of our Tenebres Squad."
"Okay, I want a report about all the details of them. They can be good inductions for our group. Also, make sure that we have ample control over the neighbourhoods where their families reside."
"I will execute your order as soon as possible, but are we doing this because of the recent suspicions you had?"
"Yes..."
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A few days later,
Aston was sitting on a chair in a greenhouse for tea.
Though, he was accompanied by three other people - Roxana Agriche, Maria Agriche and Edmund.
Maria Agriche was one of the wives of Lant Agriche and the mother of Dion Agriche, one of the most powerful among the Agriches. She had brown hair and violet, sparkling eyes. Her eyes had a crazy glint in them and her smile was a facade. Any experienced person would know that.
Dion inherited his craziness from his mother as well as his father. But from the reports received by Aston,
Maria didn't care much about her son, well she detested him for some reason. Never giving him a speck of her attention. And that may have been one of the factors why Dion became so twisted.
Roxana was drinking tea calmly as she was used to the antics of her stepmother. Edmund was standing calmly behind his highness, alert and cautious. Aston was also sitting on a chair near them and sipping on the tea.
However, the host of the tea, Maria Agriche had splashes of blood on her dress. Her visage had a happy-go-lucky expression that wouldn't hint at all that she just killed one of her attendants.
She said to Aston with a crazy smile, "Wow! I heard the rumours but never knew that the very nice and righteous crown prince of our empire wouldn't bat an eye after he just saw an innocent person get killed in front of him."
Aston replied, " Well, you have to get used to it. You can't live in this world while being a soft-hearted fool."
"I agree, Mr. Aston. But Pedelians do exist and they are living in a very nice way."
"Hmm... Maybe, who knows if they truly are righteous. Who is to say that they haven't already stained their hands with blood?"
"Ooh, I never thought about that. You have a very good mindset."
For some time, a hearty conversation happened between Aston and Maria Agriche. Unlike most people, Maria wasn't scared or nervous in front of the prince. She had no bounds that held her from speaking her mind.
She put down her cup and exclaimed, "I like you very much, your Highness. Why don't you join the Agriche Family?"
Edmund nearly stumbled while standing when he saw how blunt and upfront she was. Roxana was taken aback as well. Only Aston had a look of curiosity.
"Why?"
"Well, there are many advantages for you. You will have the support of the Agriche Family by your side when you become the emperor."
Maria continued, "And if you take a woman from our family as your wife, both of the families will have a bond. We have Ana with us!"
She pointed toward Roxana and said, "She is the closest to your age and she is said to be the most beautiful in your generation! She has inherited all the good traits from her mother! We have Griselda and Charlotte as well. But Charlotte is too much of a brat so she is out."
Then she looked at Aston suggestively with a teasing expression and said, "If you prefer older women, then I am also available~♡"
Aston asked in a slightly surprised tone, "But aren't you married?"
She pouted and said in a whining tone, "My husband hasn't cared about me since Dion was born. I don't think he will care much about it, he might even willingly offer me to you~♡."
She winked at Aston and said," Anyway, if you have positive thoughts about my offer, then you are free to talk with me. I will always be available for you!."
"It was my pleasure to meet you as well, Maria."
She put up her hand on her gaping mouth and said, "Oh, how bold of you, Mr. Aston~ Calling me informally when we have just met~ I never thought you were so aggressive."
Aston didn't reply anything but just smiled at her.
Roxana went with him and Edmund to guide them back to their room.
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(End of the Chapter)
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