Allies.

After my little game of testing the assassins' attack quality, I discovered Alexia was done, looking at me with a strange expression on her face.

"What?!" I questioned with raised arms, slightly above my shoulder.

"Maybe you didn't lie." She commented, scrutinizing my entire being.

"About what?"

"Being a demon and a cannibal," She replied, looking unperturbed by my act.

Ohhh! Now I remember saying that to Veronica's group. Seems they revealed our talks to them.

"Are there no testing facilities for demonic bloodline?" I inquired curiously.

"There is… you wish to get tested?"

"Yes."

"Then we shall visit a testing ground," Alexia nodded gently.

I felt like dancing now. Who would have thought I'll be granted my wish so easily?

"Before that, we must clean this place and visit the study." She commented.

Urggh! Just when I felt happy. "When would this barrier go down?"

"There must be a switch somewhere… search for them thoroughly."

I doubt if she is truly my attendant; how can she command her master in such a rude manner?

"Be careful not to activate any catastrophe." She stated, examining the leader of the assassin.

"Catastrophe?!"

"Assassins always have a contingency plan. Specifically, a death trap for their target if they should fail." She shrugged.

Seems they prepare for death before any job. What a fascinating group of individuals; ready to risk their lives to end another's life.

"I found it," Alexia said, showcasing a remote-like object to me.

"You don't want to shut down this thing?"

It is clear from her actions that she had no plan on deactivating the barrier… Why? I don't know and I don't care.

"No one should know you did that to them." She said, pointing at the disemboweled bodies littered through the room.

"I don't care what story you tell." I shrugged. "Just get me a new outfit."

The smile Alexia showcased proved she did not have any problems with the way I did things, something I appreciated.

"Your wish is my command, Your Highness."

***

In a room filled with flowers, Leopold gazed at the distance, fiddling with the key in his hand.

"They failed." He iterated for the fifth time, his senses unfocused on the happenings in the room.

"We have confirmed their death, My Lord," Karan said, not daring to look at his Lord.

He knew in anger, Leopold could do something he might regret. So avoiding his wrath was the best action to take.

"I can't believe one of the best assassins in our arsenal died without even putting a scratch on their target," Leopold stated in disbelief.

The assassin chosen for the task was no small fry. He knew how to prepare. So, how come it ended in total failure?

"There is a chance they are masking his injuries to avoid an uprising," Karan stated, trying to ease his Lord's pain with those words.

"How funny, Karan. We don't deal with chances, we deal with facts." Leopold said, focusing his gaze on the manservant.

He knew Karan was not at fault, but he needed to release his anger. Who else than a loyal dog to help him with this task?

Leopold stretched his legs out, placing them on Karan's bowed head.

Karan, who felt his Lord's discomfort in the current position, bent his head further downward, so Leopold's leg could rest gracefully on his bowed head.

'What a dog; he can't even bark out his opinion.' Leopold thought, feeling a sense of comfort as he humiliated Karan.

Leopold is ranked fifth-in-line to the throne, excluding females who had no chance unless they gained worthy spouses. Even with that condition fulfilled, it was rare for a female to take the throne.

"Tell me, Karan? What is your job?" Leopold asked with a silly grin.

"To ensure everything under your rule runs smoothly," Karan replied.

"Then why the failure?"

"..."

This was not the first time Leopold had asked him this question. Every time something went wrong, Leopold made sure to inquire about this. A question he couldn't answer, no matter the cost.

"As always; you become dumb at this moment," Leopold stated, forcing Karan's forehead to touch the ground.

"What's the need for a subordinate if he can't answer my questions?"

Leopold stretched his hand forward, pressing his fingers against Karan's neck. "I have to stress myself, lecturing you on what to do and how to do it."

Leopold's voice sounded demonic as he revealed a crazed smile. "Here is your punishment, my dear servant."

Leopold's fingers dug into Karan's skin, twisting and poking whatever muscle he could find.

With gritted teeth, Karan bore the pain, not daring to utter a word of rebellion to his master.

'Ohhh! How rare it is to find such a nice piece; they will move and stop at your will… even death can't take control from you.' Leopold thought, deriving a sickening pleasure from tormenting Karan.

'That is what I'm going to make of this fortress; I'll make everyone my puppet.'

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha." His loud laughter echoed through the garden, the barrier around blocking the sound from reaching outside.

***

"He was attacked?" Rebecca asked in a not-too-surprised manner.

"Yes, mistress." The maidservant replied with a bowed head.

"Not unexpected." She commented, taking a sip of the tea in her hand. "You may leave."

The maidservant offered a deeper bow before exiting the room.

Immediately after the maidservant exited the room, a male dressed in a double-breasted coat walked in. He had black hair and eyes to match.

"Alexander!" Rebecca called out, observing the male that just walked in with a smile.

"I heard he was attacked, how is he doing?" The male called Alexander inquired.

"As the news circulating says, he was unscathed," Rebecca replied, her subtle smile widening.

"Come on, Rebecca! There is no way he'll escape such an attack unscathed, right?"

"That's what I thought until I examined him." Rebecca continued. "Surprisingly, Alexia is a competent caretaker."

Alexander felt like rebutting her words, but he knew Rebecca had no reason to lie; they were partners after all.

"Seems I'll have to reconsider my former statement about him not surviving this."

Alexander was the male who had told Rebecca to not get carried away by lores. His only goal was to make sure the fortress had a good and competent leader. None of the current next-in-line seemed up to the task, so he decided to join fanatics like Rebecca, searching for a true ruler; one with the Crown.

Though he did not believe anyone with a glowing crown would appear, he had hoped that they would search for a competent leader… and here he was.

"I'll be glad to side with Stiles, the next ruler of Kynburgh."

To his words, Rebecca could only showcase a coy smile.

"For a greater Kynburgh."

"For a greater Kynburgh."