Chapter 32 - Derek, the priest that lacks love and forgiveness

"...You're not hurt." 

The normally cold feminime voice said just as Jian Yu shut the door gently behind him, however, right this moment, it was filled with a hint of relief and tiny bits of puzzlement as the Alpha in the room dragged her words. 

"It's a pŀėȧsurė that My Lady is worried about my wellbeing, but rest ȧssured, nothing happen--"

"Did you hit your head on something?" 

The beta coughed and cleared his throat. 

"Talk to me like that more often and you will find yourself going back with a ripped mouth." 

Jian Yu felt a tick in his head. 'Proper Lady, my ȧss. What kind of diction is that?' 

"What's the plan for today?" 

Lady Clement questioned without even glancing at Jian Yu. Her hands were busy moving, scribbling something on the paper. 

"In the noon, right after class, you will have to see the authority on Ethics study, Madame--" 

"Cancel all of the plans for the rest of the day." 

Jian Yu blinked. "Eh?" 

"I have to be somewhere at noon, don't bother to follow me," Lady Clement pointed in the beta's direction with her pen. 

"My Lady, you know I can't do that." 

"You are my butler, whose order are you taking?" Lady Clement clicked her tongue. 

Sapphire eyes glared daggers at him and he shivered. She emitted strong Alpha pheromones and Jian Yu snapped his mouth shut, trying not to inhale the surrounding air as he held his breath. 

Well, It wasn't like there was anything serious or threatening towards the Lady's life. He wasn't the one at losing end and he would never say no to another free day. That day, in the bar was kind of unexpected. 

Ah, he wondered how Sir Roderick was doing. That wound was quite deep. Jian Yu winced just as he thought about it. 

"Let's go." 

Lady Clement ordered. She had packed her stuff while the beta was avoiding the Alpha pheromones like a deadly plague. 

"Yes, My Lady." 

Jian Yu bowed and went to open the door for Lady Clement. 

"Oh, this," Lady Clement handed Jian Yu an envelope as she passed by him. "Send it over." 

"Right away, My Lady." 

Those sapphire eyes flickered up and down as they scanned Jian Yu while he shifted his weight from side to side before finally clearing his throat. 

"You are going to be late, My Lady." 

Her eyes finally landed on his face and narrowed dangerously. "And whose fault is that?" 

She flicked her hair and walked out with her head held high. 

XXX

"You've got to be kidding me, Derek." 

Derek gnawed his bottom lips as Lynn was holding his laughter on the side. 

"You barged into my office early in the morning under these heavenly weather where I could snuggle into the warm comforter--" 

"He outsmarted me." 

"What?" Han glared from his spot, bundled up in a thick scarf and long coat. 

"Look, I didn't tell him anything," Derek waved his hands dismissively, as if trying not to anger his korean fellow. 

"What?" Han demanded hotly. 

Derek gulped. For a second, the inspector could do nothing but stare unbelievingly, "You told him?" 

He repeated, disappointment stretching generously over every word. 

Lynn cringed at the tone. It couldn't be helped. Zeke sniffed them out first, armed with the one of the evidence they had searched for years. 

"I know, I know," Derek murmured and sighed heavily. 

"What do you know?" Han rebuked, quick as ever. "This is the Queen's Order, it's conspiratorial! Are you trying to break the vow we made to the Queen?"

Lynn shifted nervously from side to side, the tension was getting thicker and thicker as both Alpha pheromones fought over dominance in the air. Having two full-grown Alphas fighting in the office could only end up a disaster. 

"You think I don't try?" Derek said, suddenly enraged. "There, lay a hint so obvious, served on a silver platter in front of our eyes to feast on. How could I not grab it? Why go for the hard way when the route is laid out for you to take?" 

"Okay, okay," Han raised his hand. "I misspoke," He placated. "Since we don't want our heads unattached, let's think logically about this. What should we do?" 

"We need you to have a talk with Zeke." Lynn said dryly. "Please take him under your care, I insist."

"What for?" 

"Right now, he was in this too deep," Derek explained. "Yesterday, he was stabbed. Zero's men recognized him immediately and reacted aggressively." 

Alarmed, Han straightened himself. "Where was that?" 

"It is a bar across the main bridge." 

"In the red light district?" Han rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Those places were Zero's territory. What was your son doing there?" 

"That's all I got before he fainted from blood loss." 

Which brought them here, standing in front of Zeke's room. 

"So, this is the rumoured son? The one that managed to outsmart you?" 

As if he hadn't heard anything that came out of Han's mouth, Derek stepped forward. "Wait, back off, Han." 

Derek pushed Han away, making him stumble a few steps back and stand directly in front of Zeke's bed. He whipped out his precious small and tiny spray bottle filled with Holy Water. 

"What are you trying to do, old man?" Zeke frowned at his father who was shaking the small spray bottle aggressively. 

"Cover your eyes." 

Someone whispered softly beside him. 

"Huh?" 

"Close your eyes," Lynn hissed. 

Derek had sprayed the bottle just in time as Zeke snapped his eyes shut. "St. Michael the archangel, illustrious leader of the heavenly army--"

"You are Saint Michael?" Han asked in bewilderment, blinking. 

"He was Saint Raphael before," Lynn whispered helpfully and Han made an 'oh' face. 

"--defend us in the battle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of darkness!" 

"Gah! What the hell?!" Zeke shielded himself with his arms. 

"Evil spirit, begone!" Spray. 

Zeke shrieked as he dodged the incoming attacks from his own father. 

"Entreat the Lord of peace to cast Satan down under our feet, as so to keep him from further holding my son captive and doing harm to innocent lambs!"

"Innocent lambs…?" Han spluttered. "Where did he learn that?" Han asked Lynn. 

Lynn crossed his arms and pouted his lips, thinking deeply. "Maybe he spends too much time in the Cathedral." 

The two of them had stepped back and let the wannabe priest in front of them perform a fake exorcism. 

"He could never do it," Han shook his head. "He lacks something, you get it right? He lacks…" 

Han gestured with his hands as he tried to think of the right words to describe Derek. 

"Love and forgiveness?" Lynn provided. 

"Yes! That's what needed to be a priest--" 

"Stop what you're doing, you sinners! How dare you slander this astounding priest!"

They jumped as Derek suddenly rounded on them, spraying furiously. 

"...Uh, Uncle Lynn… I think the wound reopened…?" 

Feeling the motherly instinct flooding inside him, Lynn smacked Derek out of the way, sending him flying and rushed to Zeke as he had fainted again. 

Han could only shake his head as he observed the tragedy in the Roderick's household.