26 The Morning After The Attack [Part 2]

Alfred did try to search the leftover memory fragments of him predecessor but came up empty. He had no idea who the two in front of him were and how were they important. Still he did not want to ask anyone and embarrass himself, so he decided to keep his mouth shut and pretend to not care.

But this was not the case for everyone. In fact, it was quite opposite in case of both Graham and Newt. The moods of the two brothers which was downcast and gloomy just until a moment ago, took a huge turn in opposite direction, as both of them flared up rage, which could be evidently seen in their faces.

After looking at the expression in there faces, it was suffice to say for everyone, that both Graham and Newt, hated the presence of the captured noble scions from the dept of there heart. Luckily, both of them were took Alfred into consideration and did not make a scene out right. But still both of them did not shy away shy away continued to clearly show hostility in their faces.

Although, Alfred could not understand the extent of hearted that the two were feeling, he was well aware that the two brothers after being held captives did not have much positive feelings about them.

But at the same time, he was satisfied how Graham and Newt controlled their rage and did not flare up just on the account on him. He decided to settle this matter thoroughly, just so that he could provide some closure to Graham and Newt on this matter.

"My lord, these are the two 'big fish' we caught during our ambush last night. We caught them yesterday during the ambush, when they were trying to flee the forest with their fifty or so subordinates to save their skin like cowards." Nathen introduced.

Nathen's remarks stung Kyle and Albert like a hornet's sting the skin. Not only it stung, it was a grate humiliation to their pride. This was too much for someone like Albert.

"How dare you?" Albert roared all of a sudden. "How dare you to call us coward, you lowly piece of shit. Don't forget who we are and what our status is. How dare a lowly knight like you, even think about insulting someone like me? I order you to undo my restraints so that I could teach a thing or two about respect, so that in future you would not dare to speak to me like that."

Albert outburt did not sit well with Alfred. Not only Albert humiliated Nathen, he was also humiliated Alfred and questioning his dignity. Alfred's face which was indifferent a moment ago, now turned frosty.

"Kneel." Alfred said in a flat voice.

"You. What big galls you have that you are asking me to kneel." After listening to Alfred's orders, Albert become furious. "Do you still remember who I am? Don't you know who my father is? And you ask me to keel? Alfred, did you loose your mind or something? Not only you captured us but also treat us such rough manner and now you ask me to kneel? Not a fat chance in this life."

"I say it one last time, kneel." Alfred said ones again. This tme his voice was not just falt, but was cold as ice.

"Not a Fat Chan…" Just as Albert was about to finish the sentence, the guard that was standing next to Albert, used the blunt end of his weanon to hit Albert in his stomach, forcing him to drop directly on his knees while holding his stomach.

"Now, speak what you want." Alfred said to kneeling Albert.

"You. How dare you to hit me. Don't even think for a second, just because you are now count, you have become mighty figure. Don't forget, you are nothing but food for those beasts without our two families' support. Wait until I return home and meet my father. Not only you will kneel down yourself like a dog, but will also wag you tail on my order. Just like your father." Albert said while he spit a mouthful of blood to the ground in disgust.

Albert's words and action not only offend everyone present but upset Alfred himself. Alfred's eyes furrowed, as he tried to control himself from doing something excessive. Although he had no good feeling people like Albert, this did not mean that he could ignore his identity. Before doing anything, he had to take in account the like him Albert was also considered a nobleman, he may be a proper noble, he is at least the son of one. He has to very careful how he treats him.

"What, too afraid to refute me? Haha. you should be. Now uncuff me like a good little patsy and beg me for forgiveness. May be then, I might be generous enough to be ask my father to let you off lightly without punishing you too much." Albert threatened with ought most confidence as if he was calling the shots now.

"You really think we are afraid you? Your threats? Your family? What makes you so sure that I would bend to your demands, when I already rejected your father's 'goodwill' towards the Autarch family ones already? What is stopping from rejecting it again and making you face consequence of your actions today?" Alfred asked.

"You won't dare." Albert replied as he thought Alfred was bluffing. "No matter how idiot you are, you know that the only way you will be able to keep your sorry life and what little land you have, is by solely relaying on our two family's support and troops. Without our help you are nothing but sheep waiting to be slaughtered by the beasts. No matter how much you deny it, you need our help.

So yes. You should be afraid of me. Afraid of my family. Afraid of my threats. And most importantly, afraid of my father. As the moment he learns about my capture, not only he would be pissed, he will send our strongest knights to slaughter your serfs and strip this land bare to last grass.

"Silence your wretched tongue, you gutless fool." Nathen suddenly said. "Threatening us in name your father, while you crawl in the coward in ground. You are nothing but a shame on your ancestor's name and honour. I don't see a reason for your father to send man to rescue a bastard like you from our hands."

Listening to Nathen's words, Alberts anger which was starting to cool down, rose up ones again to is peak.

��How dare you? How dare you call me a gutless fool. How dare you call me a coward. Uncuff me and see how cut your tongue out for daring to utter such words to me." Albert roared ones again, as he tried to stand up and attack Nathen like a rabid dog.

But his efforts were futile, the guard which previously punched him in stomach, hit him ones again to subdue him. This time the guard landed the strike not on Albert's stomach but to his face, which made him fall to the ground, face first while blood started to flow from his mouth.

At this point, Alfred was starting to get bored of the drama that was enfolding infront of him. To think how he was going to solve the mess, he closed his eyes and started to ponder what to do next. After thinking hard for a moment and going through all the possible sinarios in his head, he made a decision.

"Nathen, I think that's enough. You have made your point, now stand back. I will handle the matter from here."

Nathen listening to Alfred's words, hesitated for a moment but looking at Alfred's face, he relented and stepped back.

"As you wish, my lord."

Albert, looking at Nathan backing down, grinned.

"What. Stepping back like a good little dog. You are nothing but your masters' dog. If you have guts come and face me like a man." He mocked Nathan, even if he was being pinned tightly to the ground.

Albert's provocations were fierce but did little to angering Nathen. As Nathen hand stood to the side, he ignored the Albert words as if it was passing wind.

"Shut up." Alfred said with an annoyed voice. "Young master Albert, you have spoken enough already. Not only I have tolerated enough of your nonsense already, I have had enough of your threats. Not only me, everyone here present hard enough threats and insults, not only to me, but also to my father and m family. Under normal circumstances, I am entitled to execute you and feed you body to wild animals, under the grand duke's laws."

"You wouldn't dare." Albert said, as the previous grin stated to dissipate.

"I could. And if needed I would. And no one would stop me." Alfred said to Albert. "After all, not only I am a seated noble under grand duke's banner, but also according to rank, your father' equal in status. In theory you have no right to criticise me nor have the right threaten me any way. As long as I have a few witnesses of your wrong doings, I am sure the Marquis Goldhorn will also find you guilty and your punishment appropriate."

Albert at this point was starting realise his mistake and became pale in fere. He finally understood, what that two faced Kyle had not said a word and kept his mouth south this whole time.