Episode 10

Lawrence stepped onto the dance floor, his eyes locked onto Monisha with an air of confidence that commanded attention. The crowd's murmurs and gasps filled the air as they took in his sudden appearance.

"A dance, milady," Lawrence said, his voice low and smooth, with a hint of challenge.

Monisha's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze flicking to Magnus before returning to Lawrence. "I've already picked my partner," she said, her voice even, but with a hint of amusement.

Lawrence's expression turned cold, his eyes boring into Monisha's as he cut her off. "It wasn't a request." The crowd gasped, shocked by his boldness.

Monisha's eyes glowed with a hint of excitement, her lips curving into a subtle smile. "Clear the way," she said, her voice dripping with anticipation.

As the crowd parted, Monisha descended the stairs, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Lawrence's eyes never left hers, his gaze burning with intensity.

When Monisha reached the dance floor, Lawrence took her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers with a gentle yet firm grasp. "Your name?" Monisha asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Lawrence Conrad, from the house of Langton," he replied, his voice low and mysterious.

Albert immediately appeared beside Monisha, his movements caused the crowd to gasp. "Step away from him milady." he whispered to her ears.

"At ease Albert, I have an unfinished business with him." Monisha walked closer to Lawrence, her footsteps echoed in the hall.

The crowd's whispers and gasps filled the air once more, but Lawrence's eyes never left Monisha's, his gaze holding hers with an unspoken challenge.

As the music began, Lawrence's hand guided Monisha into the dance. Their bodies swayed in perfect harmony, their steps gliding across the floor with effortless ease. "There must be a solid reason for pulling such a stunt."

Monisha's eyes sparkled with amusement, her lips curled into a subtle smile. She seemed to be enjoying the dance, her movements fluid and carefree.

Lawrence's expression remained stoic, his eyes fixed intently on Monisha."I believe you're the only one who can help me."

"You don't say!!" Monisha's voice dripped with sarcasm. Her eyes bored into his, the golden hue completely captivated her soul. "There's something you've found, or probably know about."

Lawrence turned to the crowd, his eyes scanned the faces that seemed to blurry in his sight. "Probably I stumbled on something I wasn't meant to. You're the only person who have the power to help me."

"You seem to forget the last time we met we were both trying to kill ourselves." Monisha tilted her head. "Why would I help you?"

"Because we share the same interest, though our goals are different but our interests align at some point." Lawrence retorted coldly and twirled her out of his arms and back into his embrace. His movement in tune to the notes played.

As they twirled across the dance floor, the crowd around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the rhythm and the moment.

"You're an interesting character Captain." Monisha complimented. "But I don't want to help you."

The music swelled, the notes soaring and dipping in a sensual melody. Lawrence's hand tightened around Monisha's, his fingers intertwining with hers as they moved in perfect sync. "It wasn't a request."

Monisha's smile deepened, her eyes shining with a hint of mischief. She seemed to be savoring the moment, her body responding to the music and Lawrence's guidance with abandon. "I'm Monisha Van Del Moralé, I answer to no human."

"Well this human is an exception." Lawrence looked at her intensely, his aura and dominance closing in on her.

Monisha giggled like a child as she pulled her body closer to his till there was no space between them. "We both know Captain that you aren't human."

As the dance reached its climax, Lawrence's eyes locked onto Monisha's, their gazes burning with an unspoken intensity. The air around them seemed to vibrate with tension, the music and their movements blending into a sensual, pulsating rhythm.

The music finally came to a halt and both bowed to each other before Lawrence left the stage and disappeared into the crowd.

Monisha walked back to her throne, the soft rustle of her gown echoing through the hall. Sirius stood aside, his eyes glued to Lawrence's retreating figure. The murmur of the crowd, a gentle hum of curiosity and speculation, provided a subtle background noise.

"Why did you dance with him?" Sirius asked, his voice low and even.

"We had a tussle the last time, I thought we'd end it." Monisha replied shortly, her voice firm but melodious. She took her seat, the creak of the throne echoing through the hall.

Magnus bowed to her and took his seat as well, the scent of old parchment and leather wafting from him. He wasn't quite interested in the first place.

"She becomes more and more of a headache," Leif scoffed bitterly, his voice like a rusty gate. The smell of roses clung to him.

"Let the party continue," Sirius's voice echoed in the hall, and the uproar of cheers and music began. The hall was filled with the sweet scent of roasting meats and the sound of laughter and chatter.

"Milady, why did you dance with him?" Albert appeared in the shadows behind Monisha, his voice angered, his breath smelling of mint and steel.

"Do you realize the Langton family are mercenaries of night creatures?" Albert's voice was low and urgent.

"Is that why you've had a scowl on your face all this while?" Monisha rested her head gently on her arm, her voice lazy and melodious.

"It's new dawn Albert, if anything I need allies and he is more than better fit for the job many men would accomplish." The music swelled, the notes soaring and dipping in a sensual melody.

Albert sighed heavily alongside the music filling the air, his clothes making soft, muffled sounds as he moved. He bowed deeply, the scent of polished leather and wood wafting from him.

"I'll follow you to the ends of the earth and trust your decision, milady. But if he ever becomes a threat to you..." Albert's voice trailed off, the unspoken threat hanging in the air.

"Yes, Albert, yes, you might as well decapitate his body." Monisha waved her hands lazily, the diamonds on her fingers glinting in the candlelight.

The courtroom.

Monisha sat on the head seat of the round table, her slender fingers drumming against the polished wood. Her eyes lazily read the papers on the table, the soft rustle of pages turning the only sound in the room. The faint scent of old parchment and dust wafted through the air.

As she turned to the next page, the light whoosh created a thick air that rose to the ceiling, like a palpable mist. Her aura was like a turbulent sea that wrecks a ship, a complete contrast to her enigmatic smile. Her eyes glowed brightly, and the candles flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The soft crackle of the flames and the creaking of the old wooden table added to the tense atmosphere.

The ministers all sucked in their breaths, their faces pale and sweaty. Leif, on the other hand, was more enraged than scared. He hated the concept of grown men cowering in front of a child as old as their daughters. Magnus wasn't quite in the room, his attention focused on the delicate flower in his hand, its sweet fragrance a stark contrast to the darkness unfolding around them.

"This is more of a joke than a report," Monisha said subtly, her voice dripping with disdain. She picked up a few papers from the stacks and kept them aside, the soft rustle of pages a stark contrast to the tension in the room.

"How interesting, you all want an increase in allowance." Jasper balled his fist till his knuckles turned white, his face red with rage. He stared at the intricate carving on the table, his eyes burning with hatred for the heiress.

"How enlightening to know you can speak your mind for money," Monisha retorted calmly, her voice a gentle breeze on a summer day. "It seems you all are trying to milk out just about enough for yourselves before I complete my experiment."

The air was thick with tension, the scent of sweat and fear hanging heavy over the room. The soft creaking of the wooden table and the flickering candles seemed to echo the turmoil unfolding before them.

"You can't blame us, you're the one who hid the secret away from us," Jasper voiced out angrily, his words hanging in the air like a challenge.

"I don't remember being obligated to report my life to you," Monisha retorted calmly, her voice a soothing balm to the tension in the room.

The digits in the report seemed to dance before her eyes, the soft rustle of pages a reminder of the power she wielded. "The digits in here can build a new kingdom."

"Milady, it's for the best of the kingdom," another minister spoke, his voice trembling slightly as he glanced at Monisha.

"Your responsibility has always been to provide, ours was to effectively cater…" one of the ministers began, but Monisha cut him off coldly.

"But you've failed effectively, haven't you?" Her voice was a slap in the face, leaving the ministers reeling.

She turned to Jasper, her eyes blazing with fury. "You seem to have gathered more pigs for yourself, haven't you?" The air seemed to vibrate with her anger, the scent of smoke and fire hanging heavy over the room.

"Brother, why do you keep being on the leash of this fiend?" Jasper turned to Sirius, his face red with anger.

"Oh, please, greed has a leash on you, fool," Sirius spat out in frustration, his voice a low growl.

"There's only little I can do to keep protecting you, but every time you seem to disappoint more than the last." Sirius's words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the complicated web of relationships in the room.

"Simon should have been king," Jasper growled, his resentment towards his brother palpable.

The entire room fell silent, the tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. A certain unpleasant memory washed over them, leaving a bitter taste in their mouths. Leif and Magnus sat up straight, their eyes locked on Monisha as if mesmerized by a snake.

Monisha chuckled lightly, the sound sending shivers down their spines. She bent closer to Sirius, her voice a gentle whisper. "Have you ever wondered, Jasper, why I chose Sirius?"

The room fell silent, the only sound the soft crackle of the candles. Jasper glared at her intensely, his eyes burning with hatred.

"You witch, you killed him," his voice echoed through the room, the accusation hanging in the air like a challenge.

"You killed the late king and the crown prince, all so you could control Sirius and lead the kingdom from the shadows." The words seemed to echo through the room, leaving a trail of shock and horror in their wake.

Everyone was completely stunned by his words. The silence was palpable, punctuated only by the soft crackling of the candles and the heavy breathing of the ministers. Albert was dazed as well, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at Monisha. He never knew about this, but at some point, he knew the heiress was behind their mysterious deaths.

Monisha was quiet for a while, her skin illuminated by the flickering candles. The shadows danced across her face, making her appear even more menacing. "Is this true, father?" Leif turned to Sirius with shock in his eyes. Sirius couldn't say a word; he bent his head in regret as he recalled his actions. The sound of his heavy breathing filled the air.

"I was the one who requested such; I never knew the heiress would grant the wish of a pained teenager." Sirius confessed sadly, his voice cracked with every word. The sound of his cracking voice echoed through the room, making everyone wince. Magnus stared at his father in shock, for the first time, he saw himself sitting beside the heiress. A pained soul engulfed by rage, sadness, and hatred.

The air in the room grew thick with tension, the scent of sweat and fear hanging heavy over the room. Monisha's voice slowly spilled out, a melodious laughter causing the court to stare at her with fear. Her laughter soon turned maniacal and devilish, sending shivers down their spines. Even Albert was wary about what might happen next.

"I told you I was right to end Jasper, but you never listen, Sirius. You kept protecting your little brother." Everyone felt ice run down their spine as Monisha's voice dripped with venom. Jasper stood in shock, his eyes wide with horror as he stared at Monisha. He never thought of the idea of his brother protecting him.

"The late king was waste wearing a crown, greedy, selfish, cruel, and perverted." Her voice caught the attention of everyone in the room, echoing off the stone walls. "Even as a little girl, then I could smell the murk of his perverted ways. The cries of raped maids, the wails of women and children whose husbands and fathers were killed over plots of lands." The scent of smoke and sweat wafted through the air, mingling with the fear emanating from the ministers.

She turned to Jasper, her eyes brimming with blood. "And then he gave birth to twins, one a stack opposite of the other. Simon was a beast, a much dirtier beast than his father." Jasper balled his fist in rage, the sound of his heavy breathing filling the air.

"I can still remember the day I roasted him alive for trying to molest me. How ecstatic, how relieving. And there at the scene was a boy who wanted to save an innocent girl." Monisha gently stroked Sirius' head, her touch sending shivers down his spine. "He was the first human who touched my soul after I lost my parents. As a kind soul I was, I granted his prayers and burnt the late king to dust." The court fell silent, the only sound the soft crackling of the candles.

Monisha's eyes had blood rolling down as tears, the scent of salt and iron filling the air. "The beauty of being the one inflicting pain." The sound of her voice was like a gentle breeze on a summer day, but it sent shivers down their spines.

"Ahhhhh!!" Jasper pulled a dagger from his pocket, racing towards the heiress with the pure intent of murder. "I'll kill you, bastard." The sound of his heavy breathing and the scraping of the dagger against the table filled the air. In an instant, his hand and the dagger fell on the table, blood splashing on the floor like a waterfall. The scent of blood and sweat filled the air, making everyone's stomach churn.

Jasper stared at his right arm, his wrist and hand completely gone. A gruesome scream filled the room, one that sent shivers down the spines of everyone in the room. The sound of his scream echoed off the stone walls, making everyone wince. Sirius stood abruptly and held the heiress's hand. "I told you not to hurt him." Monisha laughed out loudly, the sound of her laughter sending shivers down their spines.

She turned to Albert, his hand dripped blood. Even though it seemed he hadn't moved an inch from where he stood, he still cut off Jasper's arm swiftly. "Anyone who harms the heiress will die; I didn't kill him because of the respect I have for the king." The room fell silent, tension in the air as Jasper slumped on the floor unconscious, the thud on the ground was like a bell to signal death's arrival.

"You're a monster, Monisha." Leif pulled out his sword and pointed it at her. The sound of steel scraping against leather echoed through the room, a stark reminder of the danger lurking beneath the surface. "I swear by my name I'll slay you even if I have to become a devil." The air was thick with tension, the scent of sweat and fear hanging heavy over the room.

"Leif don't." Magnus pulled Leif's arm in fear. He didn't want his brother to be harmed. The sound of Magnus' voice was laced with concern, his words barely above a whisper. The air in the room shifted from tension to pure death. The candles flickered under them, casting eerie shadows on the walls as the flames danced in the silence. The wind howled against the window, the sound like a mournful cry.

Monisha stared at the blonde prince with a sharp glare. Her eyes seemed to bore into his soul, the intensity of her gaze making him shiver. Pulling her hand from Sirius, she sat on her throne and sighed. The sound of her sigh was like a soft breeze on a winter night. She turned to Johan, who checked Jasper's pulse. "Is he dead?" She asked calmly, her voice dripping with indifference. Johan shook his head, his face stained with beads of sweat. The stench of blood filled the air, mingling with the scent of sweat and fear.

"He's stronger than he looks." She waved to Albert, and he brought out a bottle of blood from his jacket. The sound of the glass bottle clinking against the cup was like a death knell. Pouring it into the cup beside her, the liquid seemed to glow in the flickering candlelight. Monisha's aura was on a whole new level. It was cold enough to seal the throats of everyone and make them shiver, at the same time it was hot enough to make men sweat profusely.

"You're shaking, Leif." Sirius turned to his son warily, his voice laced with concern. The sound of his voice was calm, but it did little to ease the tension.

"Even death has its weak point; I'd rather dine in a pool of blood than cower under my enemies." Leif spat, his eyes filled with resolve and determination to accomplish his goal. His growl was like a challenge, a declaration of war.

Monisha picked up her glass of blood and gulped it down in one go. The sound of her swallowing was like a challenge, a reminder of her power. "I am Monisha Van Del Moralé," her voice echoed in the room like thunder. The sound of her voice was like a crack of lightning, shaking the grounds. "Above me is God's law is definite and true." She turned to the prince, her eyes filled with nothing but rage and murder intent. "Beneath me, all laws are mine to bend and rule. No words of mere men, except that of God, will I bow to."

"You wish to become a devil who will slay one." Her bloodshot eyes trailed over him, and her amethyst lips crept upward. The scent of blood and sweat filled the air, mingling with the fear emanating from the ministers. "Be ready to become something worse than the devil you're looking at."

The ministers were all bathed in their sweat, their faces pale with fear. Leif tightened his grip on his sword, the sound of his breathing heavy in the silence.

Monisha stood slowly, "I'm disgusted, Albert, let's go."

"What makes you think you'll leave her alive?" Leif asked angrily, his voice laced with malice. Sirius stood abruptly and yelled at his son. "Leif, stand down."

"You stand down, father; this woman is nothing but a devil using you like a pawn in some amusing game. I'd end her before she brings destruction." Leif retorted sharply, his voice laced with determination. He took his stance, ready to attack the heiress.

"You're stubborn, definitely nothing like Marisa." Monisha spat with disdain.

Just then, Leif leaped at her swiftly, aiming for her neck. Dust evolved in the room, as well as a strong wind pressure that flung everyone to the wall. The sound of the wind was like a roar, shaking the very foundations of the room.

Leif stood by the wall, dazed and confused, as he was sitting beside his father. Magnus had his sword piercing Albert's body and the second sword by Monisha's neck. "No one touches my brother." The sound of Magnus' voice was firm and commanding.

An amused smile stretched up Monisha's lip. "Unbelievable, looks like the devil slayer have bodyguard like me." The scent of smoke and sweat wafted through the air, mingling with the stench of blood.

"Magnus get away from her!!" Leif yelled, but soon began to cough heavily, blood spilling out of his nose. The sound of his coughing was like a seal of doom. "Monisha stop!!" Sirius held his son, "Don't kill him." Monisha's eyes were void of emotion, she wasn't fazed by the sword grazing her neck.

"I don't want to hurt you." Magnus said as he pushed his sword in by an inch.The sound of the sword scraping against Monisha's skin was like nails on a chalkboard. "Kill her!!" Jasper, who had just regained consciousness, yelled angrily. The sound of his voice was like a crack of thunder.

"Let go of him." Monisha referred to Albert, who stared at the silver sword in his body. He wondered why he wasn't dead, no, why he wasn't drying up. Yet he could feel the excruciating pain. The scent of his sweat and fear filled the air.

"Let go of my brother." Monisha did as Magnus said, and as soon as the sword in Albert's body was pulled out, Albert stumbled backwards, gasping for air.

Leif breathed heavily, gasping for life more than air. The sound of his heavy breathing filled the room. Magnus gently pulled his swords away from her and back down. "What are you doing?" Jasper's patched voice shrieked in rage, the sound echoing off the walls.

"I was right after all." Monisha smiled subtly and bowed to Magnus. "Forgive my manners, your highness." The sound of her voice was innocent and oblivious to her actions. Albert bowed as well, still dazed by what had happened. Monisha walked to the door slowly, ignoring the tension in the room.

Flashback (Lawrence and Monisha dancing in the ballroom.)

The sound of the orchestra filled the air, the melody of the waltz swirling around them like a gentle breeze. The scent of perfume and candle wax wafted through the ballroom, mingling with the sound of laughter and chatter.

Lawrence pulled Monisha in, her eyes fully focused on his lips. "The court will betray you, the only priority for you is Magnus. Abandon all but him." His voice was barely audible, but Monisha's ears picked up every word.

The music swelled, the notes of the violin soaring above the other instruments. Monisha's eyes locked onto Lawrence's.

Flashback ends.

"Oh yes, lest I forget," she turned to Leif and smiled, her eyes gleaming with malevolence. "I should give you a head start as a devil." The sound of her voice was like a death knell.

"Ahhhhhh!!!" Multiple screams filled the room as people engulfed in flames stumbled and fell. The sound of their screams was like a chorus of the damned.

All the soldiers present, as well as the two ministers who backed Jasper up, caught fire and screamed in pain. The scent of burning flesh and smoke filled the air, making everyone's stomach churn. Leif stared at the gruesome scene in front of him, in the center of it all was the heiress smiling like the devil.

"Only fear gives strength, boy." Her voice hummed as she disappeared with Albert in the smoke, leaving behind a trail of destruction and chaos.