Everyone was in turmoil with the sudden betrayal of the two and with Xieaniel and Leon’s condition. For safety precautions, Lady Beatrice and some Elders were sent back to Thrascias despite their protest.
Ashriel remained silent outside the operating room, silently praying for the two’s safety. She never thought this would happen.
“Lady Kitori, make sure the air and land security were doubled. Do the same with Thrascias.” Ashriel said without looking at her.
Worry was clearly visible with Lady Kitori’s eyes but she managed to remain calm.
“I will, Your High-” She stopped and so did everyone when Venice, Tory, and Spencer stepped out with repressed looks.
“How are they?”
The three sighed. “They’re stable now. Xieaniel’s wound was deep but thank God the dagger didn’t damage his spine nor reach his heart or lungs. Else, it’ll be a great danger. Leon broke his left arm but it was not as critical as we thought. He can recover soon.” Spencer explained.
With that, everyone’s body slumped in relief. Despite the damage, what’s important is that none of the two died.
“Thank God.” Raith exhaled, followed by Kate.
Ashriel’s ringtone took everyone by surprise and by the way, Nathan gave it back to her.
“It’s me.” Ashriel greeted as soon as she answered the call.
“Young Master- hey!” Ashriel frowned when Siel exclaimed. “Your Highness, it’s me Elias. My brother was planning on ambushing heaven knows what city. He was planning on taking down the nobles.” Elias reported with a little hint of panic. Ashriel hissed.
“That dog. Keep yourself safe then.”
“We will.”
Ashriel’s eyes dimmed. “Who was that?” Nathan asked.
“My informant.” She answered swiftly. “Brother, prepare our men from all cities. Do the same, Carsillion. That bastard Luis was planning on ambushing heaven knows what city. He was planning on taking down nobles.”
“What?!”
Ashriel nodded. “Make sure the whole Empires are safe. Call Sir James and tell him to send some Thrascias troops from his men as well.”
“Noted.” They replied.
“How about Amber and Chaster? I think they are in danger now.” Venice asked, removing her masks and cap.
“I’ll meet with them personally and transfer them here.”
“No. Olive was your secretary so for sure, she knew all of our plans. Remember she’s clever so stay here and talk with the Elders regarding our plans. I’ll fetch the two.” Venice said.
“Bring John with you.”
Venice shook her head and glanced at John who was about to protest.
“Take care of Bri and besides, Leon will be needing his brother when he wakes up since…” She gulped. “He lost his sister and… lover.” She smiled sadly. “You understand me, dear, right?”
John sighed in defeat. “I do.”
“Okay then. Take many guards with you and take care.” Ashriel said, hugging her sister before Venice left.
It was already dusk and the security really tightened, especially when the betrayal of the two were announced. Venice sighed deeply while waiting for the two to arrive.
“What happened to the two of you? Ha… I never imagined this.”
“Even I never did.”
Venice’s soul almost jumped out of her body when two heads popped in front of her. It was Amber and Chaster. She held her chest.
“Seriously? Don’t scare me like that.”
“Ha-ha. Sorry sis.” Amber chuckled, rubbing her tummy that looks like a normal tummy if it wasn’t touched.
Venice flinched again when her phone rang. It was Ashriel. She put it on speaker.
“I met them just now, Zi. They’re here with me.” Venice said as soon as she answered the phone. “You’re on speaker, by the way.”
“Ha-ha. I just want to congratulate you two, Amber and Chaster. By the way, I was greatly surprised with the news.”
The couple laughed. “Thanks, Zi. Congratulations on your wedding as well. Though I already congratulated you during the actual wedding.”
“Yeah. Let’s talk here later. Take care.” With that, the call ended.
“Come now, we’ll travel for an hour and it’s getting late.”
The two nodded. “Seat with me.” Venice opened her door for the two to come in but Chaster remained outside.
“I’ll drive our car and will lead the way.” He said.
“You sure?” Amber asked. He smiled and kissed her dearly.
“Yes. Stay safe.” He kissed her again and reached for her tummy, rubbing it gently.
“Behave, my dear Jasper, okay? Daddy and mommy love you.” He leaned closer and kissed Amber’s tummy, making her heart flutter.
“Jasper? He’s only two months old. How come you know he’s a boy?”
“I just felt he is.” Chaster laughed and closed the limo’s door. “I’ll get going now. Stay safe.” He was about to turn away when Amber grabbed his hand. “Hmm? What’s wrong, baby?”
“Give me one more.” She smiled and pulled Chaster towards her. Chaster smiled unknowingly and kissed her more deeper than the previous one.
“Seriously? It’s not as if Zillian will pull you apart, eh? You’ll meet at Austere after an hour” Venice murmured with a laugh. “I didn’t know you two are like this.”
“Sorry, sis. Pregnancy craves more than I thought.” Amber laughed, pinching Chaster’s cheeks. “Take care as well. I-no, we love you.” She smiled, rubbing her tummy. Chaster smiled like a madman before finally entering his car and driving in front of them.
“I didn’t know you crave crazily.” Venice chuckled. “Oh well, your brother-in-law turns wax during my pregnancy with Bri as well. I understand you now.”
The two chuckled, filling the atmosphere with their laughter. Reaching the first border, Venice glanced at her wristwatch. It was time for the patrols to swap. She sighed. The night was pitch black.
Suddenly, a helicopter hovered around them. Venice became alarmed.
“Contact Chaster.” She commanded, reaching for her machine gun. She opened the window to instruct the driver. “Drive fastly.”
Her bodyguards also prepared their guns. Suddenly, her heart beats faster. She hated it. She reached for her phone and contacted Natsuki.
“Chas, don’t stop and drive faste-”
BANG! BUGSSH!
Amber and Venice gasped when their limo suddenly swung on the other side, hitting the huge tree. Venice even bumped her head on the window but managed to hold Amber’s shoulder, protecting her baby.
“What the-” Her eyes widened upon looking outside and suddenly, everything became silent until,
“CHAS!”
Venice flinched and came back to her senses.
“NO!”
Chaster’s car exploded. Venice gasped and followed Amber who got out of the car. Her bodyguards did the same but unfortunately, her driver died on the spot.

“NO! NO! PLEASE! AAHH!” Amber shouted in agony, seeing Chaster’s car turning to ashes. Venice covered her mouth as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“N-No… Chaster.” She whispered, followed by another tear. Amber was about to run to his car but Venice pulled her and wrapped her arms around her.

“Call Natsuki!” She commanded and one of his guards called Natsuki panickly.

Venice was alarmed when two cars suddenly roared beside them. Her bodyguards were about to shoot them when they pointed their guns at Venice and Amber. Venice grinned her teeth and cursed under her tongue.

“Are you Quislings?” She asked sharply and suddenly, a mocking laugh was heard. She looked at the man who went out of the pitch black car and her blood boiled. It was Luis.

“Long time no see, my baby girl.” Luis sniggered. Seeing him, Amber’s eyes turned darker.

“You asshole! You’ll pay for this!”

“Oh shut up, you bitch. I’m not scared with your puppy wails and your father doesn’t even care about you.” He spat, causing Venice’s blood to boil more.

“How dare you do this. You’ll pay for this.” The anger in Venice's voice was cruel. She wanted to destroy Luis to pieces but she knew she stood no chance in the situation she was in.

“What the hell was wrong with you?” She asked sharply, wanting to buy more time for Natsuki’s men to arrive. But Luis was clever. He smirked.

“Apparently, your trick of buying time won’t work this time, baby girl. Come with me now or that woman will die.” Luis pointed Amber his gun and grinned. Venice clenched her jaw in anger.

“N-No, sis. No. Don’t listen to-”

“Or do you want your precious child or husband to die?”

Hearing his words, Venice’s anger burst.

“Dare to touch anyone from my family and I swear I’ll destroy you to pieces, asshole.”

Luis’ lips quivered. “That’s why I’m still obsessed with you.”

Venice’s nails dug her palm, causing a few blood to drip. Amber tried to convince her not to go but she hesitated. She completely knew Luis can never touch Bri nor John, especially if they’re in the Palace but Amber was now vulnerable. She’s her sister and as the eldest, she must not let any of her family suffer.

“You will let Amber and the rest go freely.” Venice commanded. Amber’s eyes widened. No, she couldn’t take it anymore if two precious people to her sacrificed their lives for her sake. She was about to protest but Venice squeezed her shoulder.

“Trust me.” She whispered. “Report everything to Zillian. Everything. And take care of Jasper.”

Amber’s tears betrayed her again so she bit her lower lip. She hates it when she’s weak. But for the sake of Jasper, she will be strong.

Venice didn’t wait for her to respond and pushed her to her bodyguard before walking towards Luis with dagger eyes. Luis leaned closer and smelled her like a dog before pulling her inside the car and drifting faster than the wind.

As Luis promised, they let Amber and the bodyguards live.

Venice remained silent throughout the entire ride. Luis tried to touch her from time to time but she either turned her head or body away, or pushed Luis away from her. Despite everything, Luis continued to enjoy her unwilling company.

Venice silently prayed for everyone’s safety and for her risky plan to be successful. Luis put her in the same dungeon he used to torture Oriana and after a few minutes, he came back.

“I know you missed me.” Luis said, closing the gate. Venice remained silent, cursing him silently. “Com’on. Don’t treat me like we never had any relationship in the past.”

Venice didn’t reply nor glanced at him. She just bit her lower lip and Luis grinned, stepping closer to her.

“You didn’t even change your mannerism, eh? Still biting those sexy lips of yours whenever you’re nervous.” He cupped her cheeks and squeezed them with one hand.

“Don’t worry, my love. I’ll be gentle as I shred you to pieces before presenting your beautiful face to John and that bitch.”

Only then did Venice meet his dark brown eyes. Her cold eyes sent shivers down his spines.

Venice gently touched his face and traced his lips with her finger. Luis smiled as his body started to heat up.

“I knew you misse-mph.”

Venice wasted no time and kissed him roughly - which Luis quickly responded. He then broke the kiss and licked her ear then bit it. Venice flinched. Seeing her reaction, Luis pinned her to the nearest wall.

He brushed his hand inside her cloth and felt her warm, soft skin. He rubbed her back slowly and pulled her closer. His hand traveled down her waist then he lifted her up, pushed her against the wall, and wrapped her legs around his waist. Venice flinched again when Luis squeezed it.

She dug her nails at his back angrily but it only caused Luis to push his chest to her more.
“Com’on, baby girl. Hurt me more.”

Venice never talked and only scratched her nails to his back.

“So, you really want to taste me after all this time huh?” Luis grinned like a madman and kissed Venice’s collarbone down to her chest as his finger slowly unlocking the lock. But before he could do it, Venice pulled his hair and kissed him dearly on the lips again.

Venice heaved when Luis pulled away, making her fall on the floor, and Luis quickly dropped himself above her, pinning her to the floor. Venice grinned and wrestled with him until she was finally the one on top of Luis.

He smiled. “I can always make you superio-omph.” He stopped when Venice traced his teeth with her finger and slid her finger inside, playing with his tongue. Luis found pleasure until Venice kissed him again but this time he felt something warm flowed down his throat. Venice quickly got up when he started to cough.

“What the hell was that?!” He shouted between his coughs. So that’s why Venice never spoke.

“You’re still using your old methods so I thought you’ll like it when I use the same. Don’t worry. I chose to show you a little mercy in hope that you’ll change, so I used my favorite one. It’s painless.” She explained and wiped her lips roughly. Only John can do that to her. No more, no less.

“Poison?!”

Venice smiled. She always carries small bottles of poisons and antidotes with her wherever she goes.

“First and foremost, I never missed you and our relationship was purely friendship. Secondly, I never wanted to taste you since I know you tasted like shit and lastly, you’re twenty minutes started.”

“You wench!” He stood up and quickly grabbed Venice but stopped when a firm hand grabbed him from behind, slamming him on the nearest wall.

It was Elias. “Brother stop this.” He said, grabbing Venice behind him. “This is not the brother we used to have.”

Seeing Elias, Luis fumed. “You bastard! The hell I care about you!” He quickly took his gun but stopped when Elias pointed him his gun.

“You know I don’t want to do this, Brother. So please, sto-”

“Damn you! I don’t care about weak people like you and that bitch!” Luis didn’t hesitate and clicked the trigger but Elias grabbed Venice down and the bullet hit his shoulder. Elias’ finger clicked the trigger. His eyes widened when Luis flinched and his eyes widened as well, followed by blood from his mouth.

“N-No!”

Luis fell flat on the ground with wide eyes and a pool of blood spreaded in no time. Elias trembled and ran towards his twin with tears streaming down his face.

He knelt. “N-No.. Brother… I-I’m sorry…” His tears burst and his eyes caught the hole in his heart up to his back.

“El…ias.” With that, Luis released his last breath.

Elias shed another tear before closing Luis’ eyes. Venice walked slowly towards him and slowly rubbed his back.

“I’m… sorry…” She whispered before drinking the antidote she took from her inside pocket.

Elias slowly shook his head and washed his face with his palm.

“It’s my fault since… I’m my brother’s keeper.”