The Villain's Redemption

"You— "

"I will count to three. You can beg, or you can die."

"Lucinia!" Prince Kuzma gritted his teeth. "You will regret this!"

"If I regret something… it was letting you and your entourage bully me," she snorted. This man was not only a bully to his sister. He also likes to torture humans and witches for his entertainment. In short, he deserved to die a miserable death.

"Alright, my dearest. I think we should stop this."

For a few seconds, Lucinia thought that she was hallucinating when she heard the Duke's voice behind her. She froze and blinked only to feel the man touched her arms. Shivers immediately ran down her spine.

"Let them go." The Duke uttered in a low, almost breathy voice. "You don't want to kill anyone of them… at least not now."

However, before she could answer, Lucinia heard the system called out.

[Quest: Embarrass Prince Kuzma. Reward: Five coins. No option to decline.]

'So stingy.' She uttered inwardly. Five coins? Really?

"Lucinia…." A warning laced the Duke's voice. "Calm down and let them go." She immediately noticed the change in the Duke's voice. The realization hit her. The Duke was not immune to her blood field. However, because he was more powerful than the prince, he could resist her field. But, it seems that the man was also feeling the pain from her ability.

"Or what?" she asked, her eyes were glued at the Prince, and Zacharia's pitiful state. "Will you kill me?"

"That would never happen."

"Hmph!" She turned towards the Duke. "Who are you to order me around?" She didn't miss the amusement flashed in the Duke's eyes. Irritation boiled inside her. Was she joking? Why was he smiling at her?

"Did you forget?" he asked but chose not to elaborate. A trace of confusion flashed inside her eyes. "They still have their purpose. I suggest you let them go, for now." He leaned closer as he whispered. "Don't worry… you will have your chance to kill them later." His rough voice sent goosebumps all over her body. She remembered this voice.

Frowning, Lucinia lowered her head and broke the blood field surrounding them. This sudden change immediately made Prince Kuzma, and Zach fell on the floor, helpless as they try to catch their breaths. Who would have thought that Lucinia would be this decisive in hurting them?

"I will let you leave this place alive if… you give me your clothes," Lucinia said, her head was still lowered. She wouldn't let the confusion overpower her desire to finish her tasks.

"…" The two men on the floor didn't have the energy to rebut her anymore. They glared at her, wondering if she was serious.

"What are you talking about?" Duke Mo frowned. "You— "

"Clothes! Or die!"

"Lucinia de Carinus!" Duke Mo hissed as he held her arm. "What do you think you're doing?" For a few seconds, she thought she saw fear in his eyes. She frowned. What was he afraid of?

"Clothes!" she said, ignoring the Duke's words. Who cares about this man? She needed to embarrass this Prince no matter what. "Ah… so you want to die?"

"I will take it off." Zacharia was the first one to answer her as he struggled to stand. Knights have a strong body constitution that would also enable them to heal faster than normal humans. "I will— "

"Good." Disinterest flashed in her eyes as she ignored the tight grip from the Duke. "How about you?" She looked at the Prince. "I know you can stand… you heal faster than him. Don't you dare make me look like a fool!"

"You— " Prince Kuzma gritted his teeth. "How dare you!?"

"I would dare kill you, your highness. Just say the word."

"I— " After experiencing the pain that Lucinia subjected him a few minutes ago, the Prince could only stop himself from saying the rest of his anger towards the woman. He looked at the Duke who was not showing any interest in stopping her this time. "Alright." Even if he had the strength to approached Lucinia, he wasn't confident that the Duke wouldn't help her and save her from Prince Kuzma's clutches. And honestly, he doesn't have enough strength to test his thoughts.

Lucinia smiled. "Good…. Then let me see it."

"…."

"…."

"…." This time, Duke Mo had become so speechless. His mouth dropped to the floor as he looked at the smile on Lucinia's face. This woman….

He turned his attention towards the two men in front of them. Frowning, he suddenly pulled Lucinia into his arms, hugging her, preventing her from turning her head to watch them. The comforting smell of wood and lime assaulted her senses.

"What are you— What are you doing?" she tried to struggle and pushed him away. But how could her strength even compare to the Duke? When it comes to strength, Lucinia was just hopelessly useless. She could, of course, try to use her ability again, but using her blood field would include the Prince and Zacharia. And if she wanted to defeat the Duke, she needed to use her full ability— which would be enough to kill her brother and the knight. "Let me go! I said… let me go!" What the hell is wrong with this man?

"Stop struggling." She heard him say. "Since you are done taking off your clothes… then you can leave now." The Duke added, making Lucinia struggle even more.

"Let me go! Or I will kill you too! Hey! I said— "

[Quest: Embarrass Prince Kuzma. Reward: Five coins. Completed.]

Just as the system's words echoed inside her head, the Duke finally loosen his embrace. She immediately took a step back and turned towards the now empty space in front of them. She eyed the two items of clothing on the floor. "What do you think you're doing?" she hissed at the Duke.

"I should ask you the same. Why would you want to see them naked?" His face was so dark it reminded her of an upcoming storm.

"It is none of your business!"

"You are my business!" he hissed and took a step towards her. "Everything about you is my business!"

"Stay back. Don't you dare approach me!" the Duke's eyes bore into her, making her feel the intensity of the anger inside him. Seeing him take another step, Lucinia instinctively took a step back.