Tournament Day 2 Part 3

"How's she doing?" asked Amelia with a look of concern.

A female servant lay on Amelia's bed. She was covered almost entirely with bandages. The damage done to her was so significant that a hit with enough power at certain places could have ended her life.

Alexander watched over the young woman. Even while unconscious the pain she felt could be clearly seen on her face.

"... She seems much better now," replied Alexander.

Amelia traced the back of her hand against the female servant's cheek. "It's a good thing the doctor looked at her when he did, otherwise… *Sigh* . This poor thing, what could she have possibly done to deserve this?"

Amelia wore a bitter expression. The young lady seemed to be around Alexander's age. For her to be in such a condition, how did she endure it?

"Heh, that woman doesn't need a reason… Hasn't she always been like this? Treating people like their worth less than the dirt beneath her shoes. She… she could've killed her and I bet she wouldn't have cared! If I was just a minute late, maybe a second, who knows what would've happened?!"

Amelia put her arm around Alexander and tried to console him. She of course understood the pain he felt. Being helpless, feeling powerless, having to suffer at the hands of others. If not for him, there were many times when Amelia felt that she would've already left this world to accompany her parents. Even if the young woman in front of them was not directly related to them, it wouldn't have been that difficult for them to be in a similar situation as her. If not for the Blossom, if not for Viola who was now on their side, how wretched would their lives have been?

Alexander held his mother's arm firmly. As the scenes kept flashing in his mind, he could feel his heart palpitate.

Earlier, he had rushed off to Lady Baulm's room after hearing what the other servants said. As he got closer to her room, the number of guards that were there seemed to be more than usual. Once they saw him, they tried to stop him and persuade him to come to see Lady Baulm at another time. His treatment had improved since Viola arrived but they still didn't seem to care much for his authority as a prince. This angered him and he no longer cared about bearing with it. He felt like he would explode at that moment. What has bearing with it ever got him? He had gotten stronger and he wanted to save this girl, he felt he needed to.

He attacked the guards. First delivering a strong right hook to the one that seemed to be the leader then using his earth magic to push the others against the walls. The man he punched fell to the ground and the Second Prince lunged at him. He punched the man until the skin on his knuckles started to wear down. Blood covered the man's face and a viscous liquid covered the Second Prince's hand as well. The man let out muffled cries. He couldn't even defend himself.

"Keep it down! What the fuck are you doing right now?"

The voice of a female rang in the Second Prince's ears and brought him back to reality. It reminded him of his purpose right away. He released the man and got to his feet. He left the other guards pinned in place then advanced to Lady Baulm's room. The door flung open. It banged as it hit the wall. At that point Lady Baulm was holding a whip, she stood over the female servant, seemingly berating her. The moment she saw the Second Prince, her first thought was to scold him. She wore an ugly expression, completely annoyed by his appearance.

The Second Prince felt the anger within him bubbling, boiling, ready to erupt at any moment. He couldn't help but think to himself that this fucking bitch must have lost her mind!

As they stared daggers at each other, the Second Prince noticed that Lady Baulm's expression gradually changed. It gradually morphed into a terrified expression. She became as pale as a ghost. The figure that scared her however, wasn't the Second Prince but the one who stood behind him. At this point the Second Prince didn't notice because he was consumed by his anger. Once he turned around, he saw something that even made him feel a sense of danger.

Viola wore a chilling expression, her eyes were cold and her presence was intimidating. As her hair blew in the mind, and the shadows of the night covered her face, it gave her the appearance of a demon. Her appearance made one's hair stand. It really made one's heart beat as though they were thrown over a cliff. Soon however, the Second Prince felt a kind of connection. It was as though the anger and hatred he felt was being displayed by Viola. He calmed himself and looked towards Lady Baulm. The Second Prince wasted no words on her. He pushed her out the way and brought the female servant into his arms. Her body was cold, as if she was already close to death. The Second Prince's expression softened as he looked at the young woman.

Lady Baulm, who was still terrified by Viola, sat on the ground, shaking. She held her head down and didn't dare to make a move. Never had she felt such a suffocating presence. She was covered in cold sweat.

"What should be done with her?" asked Viola in a chilling tone as her eyes focused on Lady Baulm.

Hearing this, Lady Baulm immediately wanted to beg for her life but before she could the Second Prince spoke.

"Leave her… Her day will come."

With that, the Second Prince walked past Lady Baulm and left the room. Viola remained for a moment then left. As she did, she released the guards that were pinned against the walls. In the blink of an eye, she was gone.

Back in Amelia's room, Viola stood behind them watching. There were no words that she could think of to help sooth them. After all, she has never been in such a position. Would she be qualified to speak? She soon realized that the only thing she could do was offer her protection so she stood silently like a sturdy tree.

Outside the castle, at an unguarded location, a shadow moved cautiously. The shadow finally stopped when it was before two hooded figures.

The shadow knelt before the hooded figures. "Master."

"It's been hard on you my dear," said one of the hooded figures as they approached the shadow.

The shadow reached out and a hand could be seen emerging from the darkness. It held the hand of the one who spoke and brought it closer. Soon a face also emerged from the darkness. The young woman kissed her master's hand.

"Did you handle the task I assigned to you?" the hooded figure asked with a smile.

A smile appeared on the woman's face.

"Yes Master! I made sure to convey your greetings to Lady Bodum," said the woman.

Her voice was pleasant but her words carried a whimsical chill to them.

Upon hearing the woman's words, her master gently pinched her chin and lifted her head. The shadow no longer covered the woman. It was Judeen, one of Viola's maids, who knelt obediently.

Her master smiled. "Good girl."

The break of day could soon be seen as the many small birds and other creatures awoke from their slumber. On one side of the castle, Princess Cecilia had gotten up to prepare for the final day of events while on another side, desperate screams could be heard coming from Lady Bodum's room.