Chapter 19

Eli frowned, it's been a while since Gil disappeared into the woods. He grabbed another of his men, "Go follow up what that bastard is doing. If I know he's dilly-dallying! I'll snap both of your necks."

The man pulled two men to accompany him. The forest gave off a strange feeling that he will die tonight and if he does, he'll die together with them. Footsteps crunched on the dried leaves and the heavy breaths became the trees' breeze.

"Hey Joe, where do you think Gil went?" A man asked, "We're too deep here now… What if a rogue is really here?"

Joe smacked his head, "Your meds getting on your head, you were dumbass! Rogues are either used by the crazy doctors or killed on the spot. Clean your brains, would you Oli?" He clicked his tongue and waved around his torch.

The light flickered into the darkness. Joe was a few steps ahead of them, he scanned his surroundings as a metallic odor permeated the air. The moonlight barely reached the ground as the trees have still maintained a few of their leaves.

"Joe, you… you." Oli said and stepped back, "You're stepping on Gil!"

Joe looked down and saw a man with two holes in his eyes. His balance faltered as he looked closely at the man. It was Gil, his head almost rolled away from his body when Joe lifted him up. The stench of fresh blood lingered on Joe and the rest's noses.

He tossed the body away from him and fell down. Rogues wouldn't be able to do a clean cut on the neck, only a demon can do such a horrifying thing.

"I came back because I forgot something, and now I see weak humans dirtying my meal?" A young voice rang into their ears. The three grown men turned around and saw a fair boy drenched in crimson liquid. His red eyes stared into their souls.

"Pathetic." He appeared in front of Oli and slashed open his neck, "I'll take your hearts instead."

They have drawn their last breath without a struggle. The darkness embraced the three men as their body lay cold, never to be found. Aris smiled as he happily ate his fill. The sticky fluid oozed out as he sank his teeth into his warm meal.

These humans never compared to the bloodsuckers his father gave him. How would his Lady's heart taste like? Aris shook his head. No, he can't harm his Lady. For now, these distasteful hearts will do.

Cailina was dragged out of the carriage and forced to sit beside Eli. He acted familiar with her since he sent out his men. She remained unmoving, staring at the cold moon. Her attempt to poke out the man's secret failed. Cailina no longer bothered with him, the bonds in her hands and feet were already loosened.

She counted in her head, Eli's life will be spared if he spilled or depending on her mood. She sighed and the man beside her continued blabbering his mouth. The absence of Eli's men made Jim anxious. This was an unused trade road given by their employer, but Jim couldn't help to think that maybe this was all a trap.

He glanced at Cailina, the little lady stared at the direction Gil and the rest went. His eyes narrowed to her bonds. Jim noticed that the ropes were untangled, and reached out. A swift wind sliced his extended arm.

"You dare try to touch my Lady?" A voice sounded beside him.

The familiar voice made Cailina stiffen. A silhouette of a boy met her eyes, her attention landed on the groaning Jim. His muffled screams terrified Eli. He called out but all of his men were all cleanly dismissed. He failed to notice the boy's presence that would mean, he… His heart pounding as his breathing hitched within his throat.

Aris ripped off the ropes that were closer than him from his Lady. He retracted his hand, afraid that Cailina would cast him aside for being a monster. Eli crawled away from the claws of death, a foot blocked his attempt held down his coat as he struggled like a swine to the slaughter.

"Don't kill him." Cailina went over to Eli. She patted his cheek, "Now, tell me who is it? Or do you wish to experience…" She pointed at the bodies drowning in their own blood, "The choice is yours?"

Her eyes glowed; the burning embers that only the duchess have. Cailina stared at the man she wouldn't hesitate to silence.

Eli smiled, "Two words, my Lady. Your Father."

His nails grew longer, and in a second, his neck poured out. Cailina covered the wound, but the cut was deep. She kicked the stiff body, her frustration overcame the questions she had in mind for Aris. The moon gradually peered out of the clouds showing the gruesome scenes caused by the puppy.

Cailina thought again; the flowers, the beast, and the tickets. Everything led to her puppy. The man behind them shouldn't be her father, he wouldn't risk his daughter to be in harm's way. She looked at the puppy soaked in another's life force. His face was in contrast with the dried blood.

She scowled as she wiped away the disgusting liquid. Lowlives must not taint her puppy. Finally, seeing Aris' soft face, Cailina nodded. She inspected Aris if there were any injuries, after confirming she let her heart rest.

"Are you okay?" Cailina asked, "Why did you follow me?"

The silence became his reply. He stared at his Lady as his breath hitched.

She glanced over at a horse, "Answer later. Let's return."

Aris saw as his Lady headed towards the horse, "Lady, I'm much faster than that horse."

The way back went like a breeze, Cailina saw Lai and the others waiting outside the tent. Her terrifying amber eyes made the rest hold their breaths.

"Break his arm." Cailina said.

"Yes, my Lady." Roi dislocated Lai's arm, and the latter tried to inhale his screams but failed.

"This matter will not be discussed unless I said so." Cailina walked away, "The woman, Swan. Where is she?"

"I took the liberty of keeping her alive, my Lady." Lai dragged the woman towards Cailina, "This may be the only lead to the man behind this."

Swan seized the hem of the little lady's dress, "Mercy, my Lady! I know nothing of what has happened."

Cailina flung away the crying woman. She despised this thespian woman, "You will talk after a little pain."

The woman's sobs gave no remorse for Cailina. Her hands trembled as she alighted the carriage.

She watched Aris as the puppy cowered. The silence pierced his ears, he opened his mouth and closed it again. The agony of not knowing what his Lady's emotions made him whimper. Cailina took a deep breath, "Who are you?"

The sun shone brightly at the Grandis' mansion, the unfortunate massacre of last week's circus show drowned the entire fief of Imperial Duke Grandis into grief. The Duke looked at his daughter, Cailina has been visiting him for the past few days.

He sighed, "Dear, I still have no leads other than the Fallen Faes, which can be linked with the Elven Kingdom."

The little girl stepped forward, "Father, the hybrid told me you were somehow connected with the show."

The Duke stopped and frowned, "Are you accusing your father now?" The displeasure showed onto his face while in his heart, he found his daughter acting investigator amusing.

"No, I would never. What if one of your enemies plotted this?" She placed her hand on top of her father's, "Father, I was almost separated from you and mother."

Duke Grandis' expression darkened, "You say something important now?"

"I dare not bring you too much trouble." Cailina looked at her father with misty eyes, "Also, father is acquainted with a few hybrids."

He tapped his finger on the table, his daughter shouldn't have been put in danger. Those rascals...

"Imperial Duke Clerham might have a hand in this. Don't worry my precious, I will bring you the heads of those responsible." He patted his daughter's head, whoever brought harm to his treasure will surely close their eyes for eternity.

"I will visit the woman later, father." Cailina smiled.

"Do what you wish." Duke Grandis nodded, his daughter's sweet smile must always remain.

A groan echoed through the hallway, Lai glared at Roi who was nowhere near careful, "I really didn't understand, our Lady."

Roi sighed and applied ice, "See this, our Lady even sent ice to lessen your arm's swelling."

Lai rolled his eyes, "It's because you're stupid Roi."

A knock interrupted Roi's incoming complaints, "Excuse me, our Lady calls for Lai."

A young woman timidly looked at the floor. Lai will never get used to people in this mansion being outstanding actors, "Alright Maaike, I'll be there in a minute."

Maaike puffed up her cheeks. She never saw a servant act so highly, even disregarding his master's call, "It's best if you hurry. You won't want to have another broken arm, do you?"

Lai looked at the little maid in disbelief. She successfully adapted her Lady's high attitude. He shook his head and patted Roi's shoulder, "Pray for me my friend, I may not return."

Cailina sipped her tea while she enjoyed the trees losing their life. The loneliness hugged her heart as Aris was not there to tattle away. Fione poured another cup. She temporarily replaced Ria as the maid suffered from nightmares and had affected her work.

"Lai, how is your injury?" Cailina asked without looking.

"It's healing faster than usual. Thank you, my Lady, for the concern."

"Sit." She signaled Fione to serve a cup, "Drink, you may use your voice for a while."

He merrily sipped the tea. Excellent tea, he has forgotten what a noble tea tasted like. Indeed, good tea. His satisfaction caused Maaike to roll her eyes, this sly fox. Lai noticed Maaike's charming actions and coughed. Cailina frowned, "Fione, would you fetch me a new batch of snacks and take Maaike with you."

Calmness surrounded the two. Lai cleared his throat, "What does my Lady want to know?"

Cailina smirked, "What is the former Count Bishop's family gamble with?"