The Duke's Passion

We followed Kristina at full discretion. Both Ramin and I kept glancing at each other, understanding that we were sticking our nose to where it shouldn't belong. However, Charlotte was so into it. 

'I didn't want to know what Kristina was up to lately,' I thought as a sigh slipped past my lips. 'And I don't want to know. I'm unsure if she knew something in Sam's plan as she had grown close to Rufus, or she was merely acting because she's a bearer and it was a real mission. Either way, I should distract Charlotte.' 

"Charlie," I whispered and tugged her sleeve, but Charlotte only raised her hand without looking back. 

"Come on." Her voice was muffled as her steps grew lighter.

Another exhale escaped from my mouth as I gazed at Ramin, who did the same. We couldn't do anything but follow her, waiting for our chance to distract this Charlotte. 

"Charlie, can't you —" Ramin halted as we three froze when a blade suddenly appeared on Charlotte's side.

"Why are you… Charlotte?" Kristina's voice came out as low and menacing until it pitched upon recognizing Charlotte. 

"Hehe. You found us... surprise?"

"What…" Kristina slinked out from where she hid and cast us a look of disbelief. "You two as well?"

An awkward chuckle was my mere response and a shrug. Ramin, on the other hand, cleared his throat.

"We tried to stop her. We didn't mean to put our nose in your business." Ramin shot Charlotte a look. "It's all her fault." He unhesitatingly pushed all the blame on Charlotte.

"Hey! How can you betray me so fast?"

"Charlie." Kristina frowned as she cocked her eyes to Charlotte. "How can you?"

"I was just curious, alright? You said you have something important to do that's why you refused to join us today, but then you're here acting all suspicious." Charlotte pouted as she sighed.

"Charlie, I am… hide!" Kristina's eyes suddenly sharpened and as if by instinct, we all disappeared from our standpoint to hide. Ramin and Charlotte got into the rooftop while I hid at the narrow gap between houses — Kristina did the same from across me.

"Man… what are those kids singing?" 

I heard a man's annoyed voice, along with several more footsteps. Since the alley we had taken was quite desolate, their voices were slightly echoing.

"Don't mind those children. If you did, do we need to kill all the children who started singing that strange song?" 

"Did you tell that man about it, though?"

"Agur did."

"Ugh… just when I thought nothing will happen if we sided with that man."

"Those fucking children don't know how dangerous that song they kept singing in the streets."

There were at least six people speaking, and my brows furrowed as I listened to their conversation. I remembered the child I saved and heard the other children singing something as they left, but I couldn't hear the words they sang. Were they talking about the same song? 

  "Let's just wait for, shhh!"

I held my breath when they suddenly went silent. I gazed at their shadows, and they walked cautiously. 

These people were skilled. I'm certain we hid our presence well, but they still noticed our presence. I was uncertain if following Kristina turned out better or it only worsened things. Knowing her character, she wouldn't face them head-on, but if these people found us out, there would be a confrontation. 

My eyes searched for Kristina, who was just across from my spot. 'What was she doing?"

Kristina was fumbling her hand inside her cloak before I heard one of the men speak.

"Show yourself!" 

They actually figured out that they were ears listening. I wanted to come out, but part of me wanted to see everything unfold from the sidelines. 

Kristina cast me a look and shook her head lightly, and then she showed herself. I gazed up to see Ramin and Charlotte not moving a muscle, but I could feel they were prepared if things turned from bad to worse. This was Kristina's mission, after all.

"Oh? A woman?" One man intoned. "A beautiful one at that."

"I don't raise my hand to women. Deal with her."

"Let me do it. You people tend to underestimate women."

'I've never seen Kristina fight alone, I wanted to see it.' I jolted with my own thoughts as I found the thrill of seeing her fight. 'Lilou, she is your friend, remember?' my mind reminded me.

Ever since I recovered my stolen memories, I was always in a constant battle with the old and current me. I knew if I embraced what I was before, all the things I cherished now would all go down the drain. 

I sighed and shook my head, watching Kristina fight a large man head-on! I merely saw a glimpse of him, but he was taller and bulkier than I thought.

'Why is she not using her Mace?' My brows furrowed as Kristina was fighting with her bare hands. Also, she was merely deflecting and dodging without taking offense. 

The man grumbled and spat out curses while his company booed him for being sloppy. The fight didn't last long until the man collapsed face-first as Kristina twisted his arm to his back.

"Ahh!" the man yelled, but no help came from his friends. "You cunt — ah!" 

"Yes, this cunt had fucked you up and you finished too early. What a disappointment." Kristina injected something in his back, but the man struggled so much he didn't notice it. 

I gazed up at the two who were on the rooftop. From there, they couldn't also see what Kristina did, and I bet the people behind her didn't see it as well.

'What is that?' I narrowed my eyes, but I couldn't see it anymore. I was certain she did something there, but it didn't seem it affect the man.

"Come on, Miss. Just kill him already! He's such an embarrassment!" One man snapped me out of my thoughts as he complained. There was not a trace of pity in his voice as he asked her to kill his comrade.

"These people…"

"Apparently, I didn't plan to kill any of you." Kristina did a chopping assault against the man's nape and he instantly fell unconscious. She then slowly stood on her feet, facing the other men. 

A smirk appeared on her lips before she hopped in the opposite direction. The men yelled and followed her, saying they had to kill her. Because of that, the alley soon became empty as they all left the man who was unconscious in the middle. 

"What was that?" I muttered as I went out and the other two also hopped down. We all gazed at the unconscious man before I squatted down to check his pulse.

"What…" To my surprised, the man didn't have a pulse. Can Kristina kill someone with that move?! 

"What is it, Lilou?" asked Ramin, as I froze momentarily. "He won't die by that move."

But he was dead! Was what I wanted to exclaim, but my tongue rolled back. I looked up at him and offered a weak smile.

"I guess Kristina purposely led them somewhere else," I said as I got up. "Let's head back."

"So she's still doing odd missions until now? Sir Knight Rufus is bullying her." Charlotte complained as she dragged her feet away. 

Ramin and Charlotte walked away first. I instinctively studied Ramin. I couldn't tell if his reaction was because he had learned the art of minding his own business, or he had an idea about it beforehand.

'It's possible.' I uttered internally before following the two of them. My head turned back to the dead man for the last time before I heard Ramin and Charlotte call for me. 

"Yes, coming!" I yelled and skipped my steps to catch up to them.

***

"Yes, coming!" 

As Lilou turned around and skipped her steps towards Ramin and Charlotte, the fingertip of the 'dead' man suddenly moved. When they left the alley, that dead man slowly dragged his body up to stand.

"The order... must do it." He muttered lifelessly as he dragged his feet in a certain direction.