EPISODE THIRTY ONE
TITLE: A NEW FEELING.
Just like Onida predicted, Margaret started treating her and the other slaves like trash as if she wasn’t like them once.
Rita could not involve herself as she’s still trying to gain her happy self back.
They’d work endlessly in the mines after their normal chores.
Onida was so stressed as she barely eats now. She could hardly eat any food without throwing it out.
It got so bad that Rita had to prepare herbs for her but they didn’t help.
Onida stopped complaining about the weakness. She had to join her work with Yuna’s own since she’s not used to the mines yet.
It was very tiring.
Margaret diverted some of the money made from Azazel’s businesses to the best care-house in the town. She treated her body every day even though there was no progress.
Azazel will not touch her if she’s like this, He hated women with scars.
“If he chose Onida because of her flawless body, Then, I will make sure I ruin her skin before he come back”
Then, the torture continued, The guards beat her on daily basis.
Blood had seeped out of her wounds every night before she slept.
Yuna will cry profusely while treating her wounds, Onida wished he followed Azazel.
Even though he might not allow her, he wished he didn’t leave her with Margaret in the castle.
•
“The carts are to arrive at midnight. Would you like to check them yourself or we bring them to you here?”Adriel asked politely behind him and he only shook his head.
He didn’t reply immediately, He watched the blooming stars carefully and his eyes blinked at intervals.
“Master…”Adriel called again and he jerked a little.
“I’m joining the men, It could get bloody, I will handle it myself”He warned, turning to him and Adriel sighed.
He will never listen. He knows Azazel will heal within seconds when he gets slashed but he can’t bear the little discomfort on his face before the cut disappears.
He’d rather bear all the pains for him.
“But…, That’s why we have the trained warriors with us”
“You protect them, Adriel, You’d prefer getting hurt than watching them suffer in pain. What are you trying to prove? This time around, I’m not letting you get hurt”He yelled, almost frustrated and Adriel only nodded before walking away.
“That son of a bi*tch”He cursed inwardly as he watched him leave.
•
“He doesn’t want to see anyone at the moment”Dakota, the slave Master and Calian personal guard delivered the message to Zoe and tried walking away but she dragged him back angrily.
“That trashy bastard!, He’s not the only one affected by this for Pete’s sake!, I… He confiscated all I had, The Duke’s properties was my only hope, I got betrayed the same way Azazel’s betrayed you too, He’s not the only one affected”She yelled and pushed him out of his way.
Zoe banged the door in anger, She banged it so hard that her hand started bleeding in no time.
“You must attend to me you devil!”She cried at the top of her voice and continued crying until Calian opened the door himself.
“You rotten woman! Can’t you let me have some peace!”He yelled at her face and she scoffed in anger.
She cleaned her tears before pushing him out of the way and entered his room.
“He collected everything, He distributed them to the slaves, I couldn’t find them anywhere, No one knew the slaves whereabouts, He collected the remaining portion of lands from me to seal the deal, I barely have anything now!”She ranted on and on and Calian watched her.
He was bittered, angry and raged.
How could Azazel play them like this? None of them could get anything from the Duke’s proceeds, They were at the receiving end.
“Shut it, Let me think straight!”He yelled at her and the latter shut her mouth immediately.
“Did you sign the scrolls he sent? The agreement and everything?”He asked and she got confused for a while but her face lit up again.
“No, I did not, But I kept them with me”
“Bring them to me tomorrow, I have a plan”He said immediately before walking to his inner chambers.
Zoe got pissed that he dismissed him immediately but felt fulfilled because he had a plan.
And it will work out, It always works out.
Calian sent for one of his men after Zoe left and he reported moments later, panting as if he was running a marathon.
“You sent for me, Master”He bowed and he only hummed.
“Did you send him the letter?”
“Who?”He asked in confusion and Calian sucked on his teeth angrily.
“I’m talking about Adriel you bastard!”He yelled and the guard nodded immediately.
“Yes, he sent a reply this morning, The cart will arrive later in the night, And he will be the one to lead the men”
“Azazel?”He asked to be sure and he nodded.
A smile crept on his lips and the guard dropped the letter on the table before leaving.
“For taking Onida from me and betraying, I will make sure you never get out of this, I can’t wait to see that look on your face after you realized your most trusted man betray you”He grinned before pouring himself a full cup of gin and gulped it down at once.
Feeling refreshed and energetic.
•
Azazel prepared his ceremonial dress for the outing and joined the men outside.
Adriel was busy showing the men the map and explaining the routes they were to take.
He watched them from behind and cracked a little.
The map seems too detailed for a sketch he guessed. He knew immediately that Adriel pulled a smart one on Calian without informing him.
“I will go first, To meet the Qing men”He announced immediately and the men turned to him in shock.
Adriel walked closer to him but Azazel stopped him from getting closer.
“You will take the second route, And take the carts from behind, I will take them myself and any other possible attack”
“You can’t do it yourself”Adriel yelled in frustration and Azazel only twitched his jaw.
He threw his sword at him and walked closer to him.
“This time around, I’m fighting them only, You’re not facing them with me, I will never let you”He poked his chest before walking away.
“Why?, Why are you treating me as if I’m an outcast?!”He shouted at him. The men left them already as they dared not watch them argue.
“Because I can’t afford any loss again, You’re not dying on me, Adriel, My rules, You will follow them, My life is messy enough to let you in again, Let me deal with my struggles myself you idiot!”He roared at the top of his voice.
Adriel wasn’t scared, He fell to his knees and watched him leave.
Why’s he pushing everyone away again? Why?
•
Adriel dispersed with the guards by taking the second route and didn’t take his eyes on Azazel until he was out of his sight.
His powers had never failed him, but he can’t help but be worried.
This will only hurt him more but he can’t help it, He needs to abide by the rules.
•
Azazel walked alone on the lonely path to the agreed route they are to meet.
As he got closer, he heard the wheels of the cart and he took a deep breath before walking further towards the sound.
He knew they would be prepared for any attack. Their weapons are so deadly and poisonous that a normal human can’t take a shot or a small injury caused by them.
Adriel was aware of this too, He struck a deal with Calian so they could be on the safer side.
The men appeared in sight and he walked closer to them.
He counted the carts and they were up to fifty, filled with gold and money.
They won’t let it go easily, but he’s ready for them.
“Where are your men?”They asked looking around and he scoffed.
“I sent them elsewhere, I will take it by myself”
They turned to themselves and smiled wickedly.
“Ready to play a game? The winner takes everything, including the lives.”The chubby one among them came out and wielded his sword at him.
Azazel moved closer to him and pulled his sword out of his bag.
He unsheathed it revealing the ancient sword.
“You make the bid, you abide by it, Else, I will slash you myself”He threatened and he only laughed.
“I.. I will break the promise myself, Because you’re not leaving this place alive”
Azazel moved back a little bit and watched the sword in his hands.
He didn’t understand the thrill the sword gave him. For no reason, he felt energetic and stronger.
He felt as if he was going to explode at any moment from now.
“What is this?”