"Mister Fabian, please help Yul…" I trailed off as a wave of laughter came out of my mouth as if this entire ordeal was utterly hilarious.

"My lady, let go of Lakresha now," Fabian instructed, but his tone sounded as if he didn't expect me to listen.

​​

Ah, Lakresha, I thought, gazing down at my grip around it. I think I'm losing my mind as this cruelty I've never known I had felt just so natural. The corner of my lips curled up into a smirk as I raised my gaze and met Fabian's gaze.

"Maleficent?" I tilted my head to the side, grinning as Fabian shoved me back and hopped a meter away. "It wants Lakresha."

"My Lady, please forgive me." A sigh slipped past his lips as he chanted, "I will have to fight you."

Fight me? I would've cowered in fear in the past. No, it wouldn't even cross my mind. However, there was this manic excitement bubbling inside me, making my entire body tremble with the sheer thought of it.

I watched how Fabian's dark spear transformed into a sword. My head bobbed as I gazed at it in awe.

From a spear to a sword… "Lakresha, can you do that too?"

Fabian narrowed his eyes as he frowned upon seeing Lakresha copying Maleficent. I felt like a child, excited at this discovery.

"Your highness, the ninth prince," Fabian seethed without taking his eyes off of me. "What the hell did you... do?"

He barely finished his remark as he blocked my attack while keeping his eyes on me. Those dangerous eyes of him… we were restraining his desire for a good fight. I could understand what those eyes spoke, as I felt the same.

"Mister Fabian, I want to see it," I whispered as I leaned closer, as our blades rattled against each other.

"My lady, this brings excitement to me, but have you forgotten it's your wedding night?"

"Sam," I murmured and took a few steps back. Just the thought of Sam snapped my senses awake.

"That's right. I'm on my way to Sam." I nodded as I recalled the reason Yul and I fought. How could I forget?

Sam was in danger, was what my heart knew about. I had to…

"My lady, drop Lakresha now!" Fabian yelled, catching my attention as I gaze at him who stood across from me.

I nodded. "I wil…" My grip trembled as a voice whispered in my ear.

"He's dead." It was Lakresha. I didn't know how I could tell who it was, but I just knew it was my weapon.

"Dead… that's impossible," I mumbled as I shook my head, unaware I was talking aloud.

"Why did you think the ninth prince stopped you? Why is Fabian here? Did you think His Majesty will let go of such a golden opportunity? Did you think Hanz will just let things go? How about Dominique, he seemed capable, I'm sure he'll join too! The bearers of the Divine Order also want his life, did they not?"

I covered my ears, desperate to shut Lakresha's voice despite knowing its voice was in my head. Don't listen to her, Lilou.

"Stop…" I pleaded through my gritted teeth as tears pooled in the corner of my eyes. "... no more… please."

My knees felt weak as I pitifully collapsed on the floor, covering my ears, screaming at the top of my lungs. I knew Lakresha was trying to manipulate me, but a part of me agreed with her.

Even with the truce, there was no telling they wouldn't kill Sam if he ever lowered his guard. What if Sam lowered his guard because we finally got married? Did they take the opportunity? In this place, there were always multiple truths. What if the other truth about this marriage was for him to lower his guard so they could slay him?

Was this the plan? That's why the king agreed to it so easily? I couldn't think straight as Lakresha's voice along with the unanswered questions hovered over my head.

It was as if my thoughts were tangled hairs that couldn't be straightened that easily. No, I think even with my jumbled thoughts, I already knew what to do. Follow my instincts.

"That's right, Owner, let's kill them all. The La Crox and take back what's rightfully yours." Lakresha voiced excitedly as I stopped whimpering.

I nodded ever so slowly as I gazed up at Fabian whose face was as pale as a sheet.

"You're right, Lakresha," I muttered lifelessly. "Let's just take out the roots, shall we?"

"Yes, master."

And all I could remember was Fabian dashing towards me, yelling, "My lady!"

****

Fabian froze before he could come close to her as the shroud around her felt suffocating.

"My lady, what the…" He murmured as he gulped, watching Lilou back on her feet, smirking straight at him.

It was no secret that a bearer of a divine weapon held extraordinary traits. However, the bearers of the Divine Order's absolute will were to protect this kingdom from ruins.

'So, why did it feel she wants destruction, instead?' Fabian wondered as he blocked an attack out of instinct. 'I know, my Lady. I know this aura because I was like you before.'

Fabian gritted his teeth as Lilou's incoming attack never gave him the opportunity to rest. She's faster. Every attack felt heavy, and the desire for bloodshed exuding from both her and Lakresha crept up on his spine.

"Get out of my way, Fabian!" Lilou seethed as she clashes her sword with him. "I'll kill them all."

Her eyes glinted with nothing but killing intent as if that's all she wanted right now: death. The more reason Fabian couldn't let her have her way.

"My lady, please punish me accordingly once you're back on your senses," Fabian requested as he finally realized he needed to see Lilou as an enemy if he needed to get her under control.

But, it was a bitter pill to swallow, and he hesitated for a second. In a battle of life and death, Fabian hesitated for once, which gave her the upper hand. That's why before Fabian could unleash everything, Lilou suddenly grabbed Maleficent's blade.

She stood on her tiptoe, gazing at him closely before a smile resurfaced on her face.

"Let's spar again some time~!" She said before landing a knee strike on his gut before she fled at the speed of light.