Chapter 134 - If Not For Her...

CLANG!

A strong gust of wind blew past Aries, making her breath hitch, wide-eyed. Everything happened so fast her body couldn't keep up, but at the same time, slow enough for her eyes to see everything unfold. Her eyes watched the tip of a broken lance somersault in the air and penetrated the dry ground. 

She thought if she was prepared for Isaiah's attack, she could at least dodge him. But alas, he was faster than his first attempt. She barely flung her sword, which broke upon having contact with Isaiah's sword. 

Amazing.

Although Aries wasn't new to fighting, before Isaiah, she was akin to an infant. She wouldn't stand a chance if this was an actual fight with their life at stake. And yet, she couldn't stop the excitement bubbling in her heart. 

"You were watching." Isaiah's voice snapped her out of her trance, removing his cufflink to fold his sleeves up, revealing the burnt and deep scars on his arm. He gazed at her, who was looking back at him with a sparkling eye. 

"If I was an actual enemy, your head would've left your neck," he added in the same toneless remark. "Do the offense this time."

"Uh… alright." Aries pursed her lips and cleared her throat, shifting her attention to Gustav, who handed her a new thin sword to replace the broken one in her possession. 

"Thank you, Gustav." She smiled, while the latter also smiled politely. Meanwhile, as the head butler helped her, Isaiah kept his eyes on Aries and sized her up discreetly.

Physically, Aries wasn't weak—not as delicate as most noble ladies. He could tell she had a fair amount of share in the battlefield, which gave her some experience. She might not realize it, but Aries took Isaiah by surprise when she met his eyes.

Her body wasn't able to keep up with his speed, but if her eyes could, it wouldn't take long before her body get used to it. The corner of his eyes squinted as they wrinkled.

Abel was right. Aries would surprise him in a way. Why? Because… only a few met Isaiah's eyes while holding his sword and were still alive. 

"Alright! Lord Darkmore, I'm ready!" he snapped his eyes when she exclaimed excitedly, holding her sword with one hand and an air of confidence. 

'Not only did she meet my eye, but she is even excited after that.' He mentally smirked while staring at her. "Make your move once you…"

His eyes glinted when she lurched forward before he could even finish his sentence. Without blinking, he blocked her attack, which was followed by another one and many more. Soon, the continuous sound of metal clashing resonated in the air as Aries attacked him from all sides while he blocked them all calmly. 

"Hah…" Dexter let out a dry laugh while shaking his head.

"Are you leaving now, my lord?" asked Gustav when the marquess pivoted on his heel. "Shall I stay in here and look after Lady Daniella?"

"No, it's fine, Gustav." He waved as he strutted away. "She'll be fine."

Gustav's brows rose as he glanced at Aries and Isaiah engaged in a one-sided clash. The side of his lips curled up, along with a faint exhale. 

'She will probably do just fine, indeed,' he thought, seeing the excited grin cemented on Aries's face. With that thought in mind, Gustav peeled his eyes away from the two figures in the middle of the training grounds before following Dexter's tracks. 

********

"I'm so tired…!" 

"My lady, that is because you were training so intensely." Minerva chuckled while massaging Aries's back right after she washed up from the latter's training. 

Aries glanced back, lying on her tummy on the bed. Thanks to Minerva, Aries's muscles didn't feel beat because of the hot bath and the incensed she lit up to soothe her mood. She and Gertrude, who was currently cleaning up the mess in Aries' room, truly pampered her. 

"Minerva." Minerva paused when Aries called her, moving her eyes to the latter, only to see her shifting her eyes in Gertrude's direction. "Gertrude."

"Yes, my lady?" A few fabrics draped over Gertrude's arms as she faced Aries. 

"I'm glad to meet you," Aries expressed from the bottom of her heart. "Thank you for taking care of me."

"It is my honor, my lady." Gertrude smiled warmly and bowed slightly. 

"My lady…" Minerva, in contrast, was a little emotional as her eyes softened. 

"Haha. Minerva, don't let your tears fall or I'll be very angry." Aries laughed, seeing that just another word and Minerva would bawl her eyes. "I don't want to see tears, I want to see smiles."

"*hic* my lady, how can I smile when you're thanking us like that?"

"Not my problem, Minerva."

"My lady…!" Aries and Gertrude laughed while Minerva tried to hold her tears. The latter chewed her bottom lips as she continued on massaging Aries mildly.

**********

Meanwhile...

"An empire of gold…" Abel smirked, staring at the shining capital of gold of the Great Maganti Empire from the top of the distant mountain. "It's beautiful, I must admit."

He rocked his head, stretching his stiff neck while licking his fangs. He then ran his hands through his hair while laughing dryly with his lips closed. It took him three full days and nights to reach this place from Haimirich.

"Three days, huh? Well, that's not bad if I want to see her once she returns to this place." Abel smirked, narrowing his eyes as he set them at the towering castle situated at the top of the mountain. "Oh, he's living the dream."

A delighted laugh slipped past his lips, watching someone from that distance. But the next second, the delight in his eyes slowly peeled off and showed the deep contempt hidden within. 

"That… I've seen him many times…" came out a dark voice as the sound of bone cracking caressed his ears. Abel stretched his neck, producing a distinct crack, keeping his eyes on that man committing debauchery with at least three women.

"The first time you meet me…" Abel pricked the tip of his forefinger, letting blood drip as he waved it up. That thin blood gushing out from his fingertip stretched until it looked like a bow made of literally hardened blood. He delicately pulled the red string without an arrow.

"... will be your last."

He released the string without an arrow, but countless needle-like blood sped through the air. Abel smirked as the hardened bow evaporated into a thin, red mist. When he turned around to leave, a loud explosion happened on the east side of the capital. 

Abel halted and smirked, glancing over his shoulder. "If not for her, Maganti had become a land of the dead already." He chuckled dangerously as he resumed his steps. 

"You better prepare a grand reception for my Aries' return.. Anything less… I'll introduce you to the real face of hell."