Chapter 226

"I was beginning to wonder if I was going to rot in this place forever.." King Luke said as he stared into Ashley's cold gaze without much reaction.

"Were you expecting me to come?" Ashley asked almost reflexively at the sight of how calm the previous king was acting.

"No," King Luke responded. "Not you specifically. I felt it was a matter of time before someone showed up to finish me off."

"..." Ashley had nothing to say in return to Luke's words. It was true that it was a matter of time before someone showed up to take care of him. However the longer things lingered as they were the more he feared his master would continue to find excuses to keep the man alive. He couldn't allow a threat to his master to linger around.

"Considering how late it is and the fact that you're here alone," King Luke muttered quietly while watching Ashley open the cell he was inside. Every step that Ashley took was he entered the cell and stepped towards King Luke was imprinted deep into Luke's sight. It was like he was watching a reaper come for his soul. There was no sign of his usual kind smile that he portrayed for his master as he had no reason to placate King Luke with acts of kindness. "should I take that as a sign you're here acting on your own?"

Swish~! Clang! Clang!

The chains that bound King Luke to his cell clanged against the cold stone floor as he flinched and stepped backwards. His back slamming flat against the wall behind. Luke's eyes were filled with the sight of the sharp blade of Ashley's Scythe in front of his eyes. The scythe's blade was pressed close to King Luke's throat so that he could not move himself away from the wall.

"Does that matter to you?" Ashley asked him with a calm expression on his face.

"No," King Luke smiled weakly. "there is no reason it should matter who kills me when the end will still be the same."

In the end it would be death for me. King Luke thought to himself as he knew from the start what it would come to for him.

He did not care who took his life as long as his daughter was safe after his death. King Luke regretted nothing he'd done. He felt sorry for a lot of things he had done as a King but he would still choose the same path if he was to relive his life over. It was because he would gladly play the villain for the sake of his daughter's life being spared from Chynir.

Ashley slowly pulled his scythe away from Luke's throat as he saw the lack of resistance.

"Your truly a loyal servant." King Luke chuckled as if he found something funny. No perhaps his rationality was wavering as he no longer cared about upholding the look of a royal in front of the vampire that would take his life. He was amazed at how loyal this servant was to his master. It was rare to find someone who would go beyond expectations to protect their master. That was a terrifying level of loyalty. It was a heavy loyalty that could risk becoming a dual blade.

That beast has a terrifying servant.. No, everyone around that beast is terrifying in their own ways. King Luke thought over those he'd seen around Vorbuk. Every single person that was close to the wolf could be considered terrifying beings.

When they were alone one of them would not seem so dangerous. It was when they paired together that it was possible to realize just how strong each of them were. If it was with Vorbuk's group the princess would be safe. After his death he felt he would not need to worry about his daughter's safety with them around to help watch over her. He trusted the beast would look out for her as if she was a part of his own family. That was the only thing he could hope for.

"May your soul find peace in your next life." Ashley said as he raised his scythe and swung.

Meanwhile...

Aoki walked around the palace grounds outside. The cold night breeze blowing a chill in the air that had no effect on Aoki. As a vampire he was born and raised in cold climate because vampires could not be harmed by the cold. No matter how long he waited for someone to run across him there would be no problem with him waiting outside.

"Aoki?" Daryl's voice could be heard from behind as Aoki swung his body around in surprise to find someone so soon after leaving the prison.

Does this man train this late at night with the knights?! Aoki was surprised that a human could have such persistence.

Ah, right, what was this ones name? Aoki tried to recall Daryl's name. He always struggled to remember Daryl's name because he had little interest in those of the human race. Vampires were similar to werewolves and dragons as their species held strength in high regard. It was rare for someone of the human race to pull their interest because humans could rarely produce a person worthy in their eyes to be acknowledged.

"Why aren't you watching over the prison?" Daryl questioned while wondering who was watching over King Luke.

"Ashley stopped by and demanded to meet with the previous king," Aoki sighed heavily as he tried to make his words express the pressure he had been under because of Ashley. "I tried to stop him but what was I suppose to do?"

Ashley? You couldn't stop Ashley? Daryl couldn't believe it would be impossible for Aoki to hold Ashley back from meeting the previous king if he had really tried to stop him. No, more importantly..

"Ashley wanted to see the previous king? What for?" Daryl questioned him.

Aoki shrugged without a word glancing at the boy, Chase, who was listening to them from beside Daryl. Daryl had been teaching Chase swordsmanship since they entered the palace. As a prince of Theapan the young tiger would need to learn the skills necessary for him. Since Vorbuk would not have the time to do it personally nor had the talent himself the only person who could take up the position to ask help train Chase was Daryl.

"Chase," Daryl had a bad feeling while watching Aoki remain silent so he turned to Chase. He would need to act quickly if his feeling was correct. "You do and wake his majesty, Vorbuk."

"Yes." Chase gave a single word response.

Daryl watched Chase turn into a tiger and dash off across the palace grounds towards the King's chambers. Once he left there was a heavy silence between Aoki and Daryl as they stood there.

"Tell me everything that happened. Now." Daryl ordered Aoki causing the vampire to flinch.

Aoki was not scared of humans but for some reason the way Daryl looked at him made his heart race. The man was not playing around with him and wanted answers. He was being ordered around by a human! Aoki hated being ordered around by others because of how others controlled him during his time growing up. It felt disgusting but he bit back his frustration as he knew there was nothing he could do against Daryl without upsetting his new master.

Aoki's body winced as he felt a sharp pain from his mark. He felt thankful that Daryl was oblivious to the pains he felt from the mark. It was not something Daryl was able to notice outwardly as Aoki was talented in hiding pain.