As ordered, Yul prepared my steed for while I changed into a more comfortable outfit. I would leave Zero behind, but that didn't worry in the slightest. He wouldn't recklessly touch my people while I was away.
"Stay safe, Your Grace." Yul bowed, his palm across his chest as I mounted Bella,
I smiled at him, holding the reins. "Don't stay up late, Yul."
"You're telling a vampire that?"
"Oh, please, when do you resign to bed?" I humored as Yul seed he doesn't sleep at all. He was up in the morning, and even late at night.
"I should be the one asking you that, sis." Yul clicked his tongue, making realize I had the sa hectic schedule. "Anyway, even though Grimsbanne is your territory, it won't bring you harm if you act more cautious."
"Yes." I maneuvered my steed as it gaited toward the gates. "I am always cautious, Yul."
"Please, don't lie," was what I heard from him, making chuckle before I left, galloping away from the mansion to the town.
******
Seven months ago, the people of Grimsbanne had wept for the loss of its Duke. However, since Sam had been sleeping for a long ti, no one truly took it to the heart. What the people worried about wasn't the death of the Duke, but rather, what would happen that the lord of the land would be his wife. It was a rough first four months with all the other nobles ddling with , trying to get wrapped around their fingers and make their puppet.
That was to be expected and not a surprise, though. It was a good thing that Sam had already cleaned up those corrupted nobles when he woke up. So, the nobles that were left in Grimsbanne weren't annoying to deal with. When they realized that they couldn't use , their attitude towards had changed drastically.
It took four months to unify Grimsbanne and get all the nobles to acknowledge . Be it by ans or foul, I made it clear to them that being on my good side was the best option than being on my bad side.
Now, seven months later, Grimsbanne was my playground.
Of course, behind the peacefulness in Grimsbanne, there was this lingering fear behind. But everyone knew that they only need to embrace that fear if they had done sothing wrong.
If one's conscience was clean, they were no need to live in fear. That was my golden rule.
"Duchess!" I heard so townfolk called as I galloped through the street of Banse. My eyes glanced at the people who were still outside, offering them a smile, but didn't stop at my pace.
Yes, this was the new Grimsbanne.
My people loved and fear , and I've given them the privilege not to fear the dark… because I had consud the darkness in this land and beca one with it.
"Duchess! Take care!" I heard so yelling from the background and that made smile, as this had beco a norm in here now.
My people seeing galloping through the street alone, and yelling things people wouldn't dare do in the past. Funny, though. Everyone who would see wouldn't also speak a word of seeing if soone was searching for . That was why Klaus learned not to bother with the townsfolk whenever I disappear.
Soon, I reached a deserted area not far away from Banse. There was this small forest in the area and I entered it without a second hesitation. After getting deeper, my steed finally ca to a halt.
"Thanks, Bella." I bent over, petting its neck, before dismounting. I tied its strap to the closest tree before walking in a direction alone, stopping in front of the small house after a long walk.
"You ca?" soone from my side suddenly appeared, making turn my head to him.
"Of course," I replied with a smile until the person who approached stopped several steps away from . "Are you waiting for , Ramin?"
His nose scrunched up, casting an eye full of dismay. "Why would I wait for you? I was busy training with my Labyrinth."
I chuckled, and we headed inside the house. As the light from the house hit his bare top, I noticed the scars and fresh wounds on his body — mostly around his shoulder, down to his sleeve.
"You can't still control Labyrinth?" I asked, casting him a look.
Ramin gazed down at his palms, slowing down at his pace. "I can control it now, but not that long. It's still hard since it seed so power restrained my weapon." He clenched his hand into a fist.
"How long?" I questioned, knowing that it was huge progress that Ramin could control the power of Labyrinth.
"An hour maximum." Ramin and I stopped at the doorstep, facing . "If I used it more than that, I'll be crippled."
"I see..."
"You look disappointed?"
"Haha. I'm not. I expected it to be ten minutes at max." I chuckled, patting his shoulder lightly. "Just be patient. I'll increase your intake."
"Save your blood. I don't need it." He frowned as he had been disliking my thods of helping them get stronger.
"But I need you." My eyes sharpened as I stared at him dead in the eye. "If I want to win against Stefan, I need more power, Ramin. Sacrificing a drop of my blood is just a small sacrifice. In five months, I will have to fulfill my promise to Stefan. Until then, I need to prepare."
"Damn it." Ramin clicked his tongue in irritation, ruffling his hair, and placed his hand on the door.? "The taste of your blood is annoying, do you know that?"
"You an, it's addictive?" I raised a brow, and he only cast a look before pushing the door.
As soon as he did, an arrow ca flying towards Ramin. Thanks to his fast reflexes and the power of Labyrinth, Ramin was able to stop the arrow by grabbing it.
"How shaless to present yourself to the Duchess half-naked! Get dressed, you disgusting pervert!" Charlotte's loud complaints imdiately rang in our ears, making Ramin grind his teeth.
"Is that the only reason you're shooting , huh!? What can I do when Labyrinth just tears my clothes apart whenever I train with it?!"
"Kyahh! Get out!" Charlotte pulled three arrows, shutting her eyes as soon as she saw Ramin's bare top. She didn't even hesitate to release those three arrows at the sa ti with her eyes closed.
Despite that, her arrows only aid at Ramin, and it never went in my direction. Ramin grumbled as he grabbed all the arrows, but one arrow grazed his shoulder.
"Charlie, stop that." Suddenly, a voice from the side reached my ear. I turned my head to see Kristina walking out of the room. "Ra, go and wash up."
"Yes, Ramin. You should wash up before dinner." Another voice of a man ca in and I shifted my eyes to him. "Will you dine in here again, Your Grace?"
"I would love to eat your cooking again, Lord Noah." I smiled back and gazed at everyone who was in here.
The forr mbers of the third squadron and Lord Noah, who was on the run… were now my hidden shadow guards that only I knew about.
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