The price for arrogance

"Your Highness, you didn't die. What a happy, but, unexpected surprise," said Lucio while looking at Alfonso.

"Mr. Pentagate, indeed, I was fortunate enough and didn't die like everyone expects me to. I will have to thank you for saving my life," said Alfonso with modesty.

He knew that he wasn't a match for Lucio, however, the fact that he saved him give him a little bit of hope, at least, he wanted him alive.

"Oh, that? Don't worry Your Highness, you aren't of worth dead. However, alive, you have a high value, you know? It seems that the Lockheart family is trying to pull the Underheavens under their wings, for that, they have arranged a marriage," said Lucio.

"The Underheavens?" asked Alfonso.

The Underheavens family were the leaders of the west and the head of the family, Invincible Underheavens, was known for being one of the fiercest warriors in all of Leitol, as well as the porter of one of the Seven Swords, Coiling Dragon.

"That's right. The daughter of Invincible, Unbeatable Underheavens is currently twenty years old and the old man and His Majesty Willian are old friends so His Majesty proposed to unite the families by marriage. However, the old man loves her daughter the most, even his son Insuperable Underheavens doesn't receive that much of love from him. So, for the family to unite, the old man made a harsh condition: whether it is Prince Fernando or Prince Raul, they had to change their surname to Underheavens!" Lucio chuckled.

"What?!" Alfonso was stunned.

To change the surname Lockheart… it was a disgrace!

"The Lockheart family members are prideful people. I don't see my brother Raul making a move, much less Fernando. What's more, if one gives up the Lockheart surname they will lose their rights to fight for the throne! After all, only the royal family, the 'Lockhearts' are capable of that!" thought Alfonso.

Lucio saw the sudden change of expression on Alfonso's face and knew that Alfonso comprehended the situation.

"As you imagined, your brothers refused in one go. His Majesty William of course wanted Prince Raul to be the 'sacrificed' lamb, because he already sees his son inheriting the throne. However, Prince Raul was quick-witted. Before the notice came in, he escaped to the border so he could avoid the marriage. Well, that is for the time being. This left His Majesty in quite a predicament, however…." said Lucio while looking at Alfonso.

"Now that you are here." He chuckled. "This can be easy: once I take you back to the Lockheart's, I will be promoted and compensated. I will show that bitch of your sister that even if she makes things hard for me, I can accomplish things on my own. Hehe, Your Highness, you are really my lucky star," said Lucio with a grin.

Alfonso chuckled inwards. He obviously knew the consequences if he goes back to the Lockheart family and became the groom of Unbeatable Underheavens.

"I will basically become a slave. Unbeatable Underheavens has a famous reputation of being… quite the savage!" thought Alfonso.

"Mr. Pentagate, you must be kidding. How can I, a fallen prince, be accepted as the groom of the Underheavens family. Even ten of me wouldn't be worth a single finger of my brothers," said Alfonso.

"Well, that may not be true. I saw everything that happened here. You aren't that bad- at least, in ten or something years of hard practice, with your abilities you could barely pass to be my trainee," said Lucio.

He wasn't being arrogant nor did he look like he was joking. He was saying this as if it was the most normal thing in the world!

"Mr. Pentagate, you must understand that I don't want to return to the Lockheart family," replied Alfonso.

He didn't mind the words of Lucio.

"Hehe. Well, I wouldn't want to return to the family that threw me up either, however…" Lucio grabbed Alfonso's hair and pulled, lifting him until they were on eye level.

"I didn't ask you what you wanted to do, Alfonso. I told you what is going to happen, got it?" asked Lucio with a hostile voice.

Then he threw Alfonso back to the ground.

"But first, we've got to clean this," said Lucio while looking at the direction of Artemis and Demeter.

"Wha- what are you going to do?" asked Alfonso.

"What I am going to do? Well, I saw the fights before. That guy and that old woman aren't bad. With some time they may get stronger. I don't like to leave loose ends so I will kill them before they became a problem. Don't worry it will be quick. As they were your allies I will make sure that they don't feel any pain. Don't thank me, I am a caring man.".

Alfonso looked at this man and he stood up, taking a dagger from his waist.

He put it at his neck and shouted. "If you touch them, then I will commit suicide here and now!"

Alfonso's hand was trembling however, he didn't retrieve the dagger. He knew that he wasn't a match for Lucio.

"But- at least, I have to made a path for them!" thought Alfonso.

Lucio looked at him. He saw that his hands were shivering, however, his eyes were resolute.

"You know why I hate your sister, Alfonso?" asked Lucio with a cold voice.

Lucio took small steps while walking towards Alfonso and his eyes became colder the closer he drew. His pace and carefree smile which made it seem like he had all the time in the world was gone.

"Because she always had that look on her face- the same look that you have right now," said Lucio while standing in front of Alfonso.

"The look that says 'I have everything under control'. You think that you are somewhat special? You think that just because you survived all this time, you are someone special'? You look calm and resolute when you do things, but resolution without power isn't resolution, you know what that is called?

"That is called arrogance.

"The sight of you, as well as the sight of all of the Lockheart family, is filled with arrogance. Arrogance under any circumstance, to be frank, it makes me sick."

Lucio grabbed his sword.

"And for that arrogance, you will have to pay a price."

Lucio lifted his sword.

"I really hate those eyes."

Lucio swung the sword!

*SWOCH!*

Alfonso right eye suddenly turned red-blood.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"