28: The true feelings never fade!

"Does it matter, Miss Zoe? I'm Void Middletown! Maria Middletown's son! That's who I am! And that's who I was! Even if Winter Frost is my father according to you, but according to me, he's a bastard who took me away from my mother and sister, never cared about anyone! And right now he's trying to take away my people from me!" Void snaps, a tightening grip on his katana, trying to stop the tears which can burst anytime.

"I can't lose, not in this life, my people." Saying that, Void starts walking towards Aoi, while Zoe looks at him with an admiring gaze. That's right! Your people... I don't know if you'll consider me with them someday or not. No! I'll become the one for him! Yes! I'm his soulmate after all, Zoe thought to herself, making an oath.

Zoe calls out to her women, "Alright, my mind's changed. Stop fighting Takahashi's people. We are their allies! And they're important to my man! Did you get it?" Zoe says. The people, who were having bloodlust to kill each other, stopped. One of them asked, "But ma'am, aren't we here…"

Zoe stops her in the middle. "Yeah! But I've changed my mind! And anyone defying me will face heavy consequences!" Zoe says while licking her sword. "Am I clear?" Seeing their boss suddenly change, many of them said "Yes, ma'am!" in chorus and started helping the injured while supporting Takahashi's people.

Cassey and Arcane rush towards Zoe. "You! What negotiations are done? Are you an ally or enemy?" Cassey asks on her way.

"Is master alright? He seemed weak though!" Arcane asks Zoe, coming close to her.

"Arcane! Do you believe this woman is our ally? I think Void just spared her life!" Cassey says, pointing her sword at Zoe's neck.

"No, wait Miss Cassey, she did help master buttoning him, and master healed her! We must trust her!" Arcane says, trying to stop Cassey.

Zoe touches Arcane. "You're an arcane, and your name is Arcane too? Who named you that?" Zoe asks, while Cassey loses her balance.

"How can one think about these things during such an intense time! Mom! I want to go home already! Milady!" Cassey yells at Zoe, while Arcane, who seems flustered at this, says, fidgeting, her hands on her own cheek, her eyes filled in heart shape. "Who will give me such a beautiful name other than Master?" she says, while playing with her torn and rusty maid skirt. "He named me!"

Cassey, who was losing her mind, thinks, Why me? Why am I the only one who seems in the right mind here? Father! Mother Nature, save me! She says in her mind, while Zoe, who gives Arcane a pat on her head, "I see, you're a rival in my way! I don't mind even if he marries you haha!" Zoe says, while turning around and walking to where Void is. Arcane is lost in her fantasies with her Master Void in a prohibited act.

"Wait, what did she say? Marrying Void? Mind? Rival?" Cassey's face darkens. That's right! We are grown up now. Void will choose someone for him, without looking at me? He never cared about me...since the beginning, he tried to maintain a specific distance. Tears start forming in Cassey's deep blue eyes. Why am I crying? It's not like he ever saw me as a person...then why? Cassey wipes her tears.

"Miss Cassey? Are you alright? Are you hurt somewhere?" Arcane asks, snapping out of her fantasies and looking at Cassey out of concern.

"Say, Arcane, what if Void chooses someone else over you, what will you do?" Cassey asks, her face still darkened, her voice giving out a crack, her heart shattering in pieces.

"This is not my master's thing!" Arcane says, cupping her face in her both hands.

"What..what do you mean by that?" Cassey asks, her deep blue eyes glittering, asking for hope, searching for the warmth she once felt.

"He's not like the man of this world, not like anyone else in this world! He will destroy everything to protect what's his. He's not a prince of tales; he's the villain fighting to protect, to achieve his love, and I believe in him. We believe in him. That's why we are still smiling, discussing these problems in the middle of a deadly and intense battle like this, right?" Arcane says, wiping Cassey's tears, holding her hands, and giving her an assuring squeeze.

"Don't lose hope in master, Miss Cassey!" Arcane says, turning into her arcane form, half spider and half human. "Now I'll be leaving, I've to help the injured ones!" Arcane leaves, saying that.

Cassey, who was left alone, lets out a relief-filled chuckle and then tightens the grip on her sword. "I'm sorry, Void!" She wipes the blood coming from the cut on her cheek, with a smile spread on her face.

"I guess, I got scared of tough competition for you! But don't worry, dear! This won't happen again. I'll never let this happen!" She mutters to herself, her gaze locked on Void. "I'll make you mine! Yes, mine, mine, mine only mine!!" Cassey says, her hand tightening on her sword.

While Arcane, who was tending the injured ones, thinks, There are many people trying to take me away from Master, and I know this is another difficulty brought by the goddess of darkness. She wants to see whether my love is true or not!

Miss Cassey, Miss Zoe, Miss Aoi, you may have a higher chance and you may think Master's is yours but, you won't be able to as I've the mark, the pact we forged! Fufufu! Arcane giggles, placing her hand on her chest where the slave mark was made. I'm already his! Ahh! Arcane gets between tending injured ones unconscious, because her wild fantasies left limits.

Meanwhile, during the crisis, where the whole northern empire of the country is under attack, and Void's life is in danger, let's go take a look at the Middletown family….

"Do we have any news! Marcus!" Maria yells, while throwing the paper on the face of two people, maybe her workers. "Take this trash out! I don't have time to manage this bullshit, my heart, my precious one's life is in danger here and you want me to manage these deals!" Maria says, while turning to Vivienne.

"What's the update? Did you find the route?" Maria asks Vivienne. She's already worn out, her face looks tired, sleepless, frustrated.

"Mother, don't worry. The help has already gone, and I can't say everything will turn out well or not but voi…" She stops in the middle, realizing that he's no longer her fiancé but her brother.

"I mean brother is safe, that's what Arcane said, and I'll be leaving with the force sent from the capital. Don't worry, Mother, everything will be fine," Vivienne says, while turning back to leave.

As Vivienne leaves, Marcus enters. "Milady, our ride is ready. Everything is set, just your word and we can leave!" Marcus says, while his head bowed down.

As Marcus finishes, Maria rises from her seat, grabbing her coat, lighting her cigar. "Alright! Let's leave!" Maria says. Marcus quickly straightens and starts following Maria from behind. If anything happens to Void, Maria clenches her fist, I swear I'll kill you even if you try hiding in hell! Maria thinks in her mind.