Romanoff Dukedom: The Valk League (12)

"A traitor should not concern themself with any matter except for their insignificant life. You should be repenting for your sins while drowning in your own pit of spit and guilt." Ius said through his gritted teeth.

Prev lost the mirth on his face. He glared at the young man with all the anger he could muster. The old man proceeded to stand up and slowly began making his way towards Ius.

They both didn't let go of each other's gazes. The glints on their eyes were sharp as if the men intended to use them as weapons.

Once Sir Prev was directly in front of Ius, he grabbed the bar beside the one the young man had in his clutch.

"You say some big words for someone who has petty accomplishments. I've served the clan longer than you have ever lived. I've been loyal to the elders but they were the ones who decided to make a fool out of me. I am no traitor."

Ius just scoffed at the old man's claims. He inched closer to the old man, making sure that their gazes were still connected.

"You've sold information about our clan for several years, yet you dare say you're no traitor. If you're not a traitor, then the Emperor is not a monarch. You didn't even ask for an apology from the elders when you were given the chance. It's fitting that you're inside this prison. It's rotten like your mind."

The young man then stepped away from the barricade, fixing his suit thereafter. He gave Sir Prev one last nod, the only form of felicity he could give to the man.

"You better behave like the dog that you are. Maybe you'll find it worthwhile to finally live according to your status."

Upon uttering his last message for the old man, Ius didn't give the latter any second glances. He began to walk away from the cell with heavy footsteps.

Once he was sure that Prev couldn't see him anymore, Ius stopped in his tracks. He stretched his neck, bending them on both sides, as he stabilized his breathing. His hands began to tremble so he balled them into fists. His clenched tightened as he recalled his exchange with the old man.

'Why is that man still alive?! Why did the elders send him to prison instead of exiling him?! Why didn't they just feed his body to those berserk beasts?!'

It was uncharacteristic of Ius to lose his composure. However, he couldn't help it this time.

Prev Tharus, a man who was once prominent for his substantial contributions to the Romanoff Clan. He had survived six great wars and had served two sets of Elder Councils.

To put it simply, he was the most knowledgeable and experienced out of all existing wolf shifters.

Twelve years ago, he was caught in the act of murdering four other wolf shifters in his residence. After conducting a thorough search, investigators found artifacts and documents that weren't supposed to be in his possession.

They had discovered that he was using those artifacts and documents in his negotiations with an enemy clan. The elders and the other members of the Romanoff Clan voted for his expulsion without hearing any of his excuses.

It was an incident that had happened more than a decade agone. Why was Ius so angered at the old man?

It's because one of the victims was Ius' older brother, Alyanus Versi Romanoff.

Ius bit his lip down as it was quivering. He couldn't bear being reminded of how his brother's body looked upon his death.

Alyanus died because of blood loss, but it was mainly because of his wounds. His guts were spilling out of his stomach, seemingly ravaged by a hungry beast. A section of his skull was forcefully taken out, his brain half-eaten. His limbs were twisted in ways that his joints were completely broken.

But what angered Ius the most was that his brother was found to have been drugged before he was attacked. The drug wasn't to make him sleep. It was to prevent him from transforming into his beast form.

Someone had planned to murder him from the very beginning.

Ius laggardly lifted his head and looked up at the ceiling. He closed his eyes, a tear falling down his cheek.

'I swear, Alyanus, I will avenge your death as soon as I can.'

As he lowered his head back down, he drew a lungful of air. Right after, he opened his eyes. There was no trace of anger, no trace of sadness, no trace of anything.

It was the usual Ius.

The young man began to make his way out of the prison. The air inside was starting to suffocate him. The very thought that he was near the man who murdered his brother sent shivers down his spine. He could smell blood in their hands, hitting his nose in a nauseating way.

Ius didn't pay any more attention to the cries of the prisoners. If anything, he acted as if he didn't hear anything at all.

"Oh, are you done with your inspection, Lord Romanoff?" One of the prison guards greeted Ius as soon as he stepped outside.

"Yes, I appreciate you for allowing me to enter."

"We were told that you're going to help with the search for the Orschettas. The members of the Valk League are allowed entrance to all unrestricted places within the capital."

"Is that so?" Ius replied nonchalantly, contrasting the upbeatness of the guard.

"Yes, if you're done, then we'll close the prison. You can visit anytime."

Ius didn't give the guard any more responses and just moved on with his mission. He halted his steps by the gate of the prison, contemplating on where he should go first. Withal, it didn't take him too long to make a decision.

'I've assigned Herkel the biggest, albeit the easiest area to survey. I'm pretty certain that the others can make do on their own. I better head to where Herkel is so we can conclude the search for the night.'