The Duke's Passion

With a group this large, sneaking out with no one noticing was impossible. That was why I led them through the hallway we all had taken before. I wasn't familiar with the estate, so it was better to take the path I was familiar with. 

So far, we had encountered no one. But the sound of fighting was growing louder in my ear. 

"Walk faster," I ordered, glancing over my shoulder, and the people behind me picked up their pace. None of them spoke, and aside from their clumsy footsteps, they barely made a sound. 

I stopped suddenly when we're close at the right turn of the hallway and they too. My eyes fixed ahead, narrowing to count how many footsteps were approaching.

"Ma — Madam Roux...?" a shaking voice of a woman behind me called, but I ignored her. "Ma — Madam..."

"Shh." She shut up upon hearing me. "From front and back..."

A deep sigh slipped past my lips. Being cornered wasn't new to me as I went through this type of scenario before, but with a group of people relying on me, it was a bit tricky. I had to consider their safety first, and I had to refrain from playing with risky plans.

"Hey, stand close to each other." I turned around and informed them. "I mean, compress yourself together so I can see everyone. We will be surrounded in about ten seconds. Cover the eyes of the children and just stay put. Don't go out of my line of sight because if you do, I can't save you."

They only looked at me in panic, trembling in fear.

"Understood?" My brows raised and saw them nod. Just as instructed, they compressed together, and our group looked like it shrunk. The only one who didn't join them was Glory. 

"Glory, can you fight?" I asked. "If you can, fight those on the back and I will handle those." I pointed my thumb over my shoulder, sensing that a few people already stepped foot in our vicinity just at the same time the people on the other end of the hallway appeared. 

"Yes, Madam." Glory nodded in determination. I rocked my head as I trust Glory. Those other people were just humans, so I knew he could handle them, but on the front were vampires — noble vampires. 

"Good." I glanced at the ladies and children as they all stay seated. "Don't cry. I won't let them get any of you." 

I offered them a stiff smile as I nodded, turning my back against them as I faced the group of three noble vampires. If I remembered correctly, these people had been opposed to the person in power ever since. Not just against Jaime, but even opposed the previous Earl. 

If not Jaime, these people would also try to take control of Adam. That was what Sam meant when he said that killing Jaime would only give a path for more Jaime's to take control of the young Earl. Although it was hard to admit this, Jaime may be cruel and greedy, but he was a little wise and valued his life more than anything. Therefore, he wouldn't scheme on Sam's back by trying to find an ally that would challenge the emperor. If anything, he would rather do everything to be out of the emperor's line of sight.

"If this isn't Madam Roux..." the man in the middle commented, glancing at the ladies behind me before setting his eyes back to me. "Madam Roux, step aside. We will let you go if you give us Lady Hazel."

"No." My answer was quick and cold.

"Tch. Then, we won't apologize if you get hurt," he snickered, sucking air through his gritted teeth. The three of them let their fangs known, swinging their swords leisurely.

I glanced over my shoulder, sensing their fear while looking up at me. A shallow breath slipped past my lips, reminding me I had lives to protect. 

"I won't apologize if you get hurt too," I replied as I set my eyes back to the three noble vampires. I took steps forward, wanting to meet them halfway so their blood wouldn't splatter on the ladies.

"Hah! You are one fierce lady! Commendable for a commoner like you," someone within the group commented in glee, but my countenance remained cold. As they held their swords down, underestimating their enemy, I spread my fingers.

"Lakresha," I whispered, feeling this surge of power wrapping around my shoulder and arm. The three stopped momentarily as they gazed at the shroud around my hand until it formed into a gigantic scythe. I played it with my fingers, spinning it thrice before gripping it.

PANG!

A loud noise resonated across the hallway as Lakresha's end hit the marbled floor, producing a gust of wind. 

"It's nice to see you too, Lakresha," I greeted without taking my eyes off of the three noblemen. "I always hoped I will never wield you again, but... we're already here."

I could sense the vigilance from the three noblemen as they finally raised their swords. I purposely concealed my aura, but Lakresha was different. Hence, they knew this scythe would slice them apart in a single try. 

"So, shall we begin?" my eyes darkened, but my expression remained cold. I wasn't looking forward to seeing them dismembered, nor I was excited about the fight. If anything, it felt like a chore. 

The floor I was stepping on cracked at the pressure while I bent my knees slightly. The three also beckoned a fighting stance, putting all their attention on me. They were quick to realize that taking their eyes off of me even for a split second would cost them their life. 

"Don't look, son," I whispered, sensing that particular gaze as I had been aware of my son's gaze. 

After a beat, I disappeared from my vantage point, and the three as well. The next second, all that was heard was the clashing of metals.

******

"Don't look, son."

Law stiffened, staring at his mother's back before she disappeared in a blink of an eye. All they saw next was Lilou assaulting the three, all at the same time, while three swords blocked her attack. Even though Law wanted to close his eyes like his mother's wishes, he couldn't. 

"Mother..." he whispered, clutching Bey's shoulder.

Not just him, but every single one of them could only watch this Madam blankly. Unlike what Lilou believed, the people she was protecting felt... secure. Her back, although small, felt bigger than a man's. And when she held that scythe, both fear and awe swelled in their hearts.

"Madam Roux..." Lady Hazel whispered, rooting for Lilou, although she could barely see her movements. In silence, they rooted for Lilou and saw her as... their knight in a ripped dress.

It didn't take long when blood splattered on the wall and floor as the sound of metal clashing receded. They held their breath, fixing their eyes on Lilou, who stood above the three noblemen now six on the floor. 

Blood dripped from the tip of her scythe, and her dress tainted with red. She slowly turned around, revealing the speck of red liquid on her face. The sight of her as she wiped the blood on her cheek with the back of her fist looked terrifying, but none of them felt so. 

What swelled in their hearts was… relief and awe. No one questioned if the Madam Roux they all knew was just a false persona because they were aware of what was Lilou was doing.. She was tainting her hands for them, and they would be forever grateful to her.