Chapter 104

Chapter 104: Chapter 104

Valrena beamed at the introduction, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you for saving my son."

Dulce glanced at Kath’tan, "It’s no problem." He replied self-consciously, already taking a step back to give them some privacy.

"Will you come to Ashford?" Valrena turned to her son, still standing in the doorway.

Kath’tan glanced to the side to see Dulce slinking off into his bathroom, turning back to his mother. "Yes, but I can’t stay."

Valrena wore a look of concern, lowering her voice. "Do you have to repay a debt to your summoner?" She asked quietly.

He pulled his mother into the room by their joined hands, "No, I want to stay by his side for a while longer."

Valrena looked around the room, an inscrutable look in her eyes. She had only gotten a glimpse of the mage but he had seemed harmless and regardless, he had also saved her son. "V-Very well, but if you need anything, just ask."

"Can we leave for Ashford now?" Kath’tan took her at her word. There was nothing left for him in Threnval, just this old room that would be torn down as soon as he left for good.

"Yes, we can." Valrena pulled away to drift around his room, "We will have to warp back to Ashford because I left my delegation in the Red Plains," She admitted sheepishly. "But first, I need to have a word with Zazrel."

"Can I come with you?" He made another request.

Valrena’s lips stretched in a devious smile, "Let’s go, to his throne room."

Kath’tan glanced at the bathroom one last time before leaving after she did. The throne room was surprisingly lively, armed guards lining the walkway. Tarraz stood by his father’s side as always, but this time, his greatsword was strapped across his back.

Valrena was standing right in front of him, close to the double doors. She glanced over her shoulder when she heard him arrive, turning to Zazrel with her arms crossed. "You seem prepared for something." She said lightly, making jest.

Zazrel could almost be heard grinding his teeth, "You’ve found your bastard. Take him and begone."

"Not yet," She said quietly, taking a step forward.

The first row of guards stepped forward and crossed their spears to prevent her from going any further. Behind them, Tarraz did the same, drawing his sword.

Valrena just glanced at them, dismissing them with her gaze.

Behind her, Kath’tan tensed up, instinctively taking a step forward, his claws unsheathing.

"I heard you arranged to have my son killed..." Valrena said coldly, reaching out to hold the metal heads of the spears in both hands, crushing them.

Before either guard could get over their shock, they were sent sprawling to the ground, knocked out cold. Valrena took another step forward. "...By a Shadow Assassin, no less." She went on, warping past the crowd of guards coming for her with their weapons drawn.

Zazrel was forced out of his throne, taking his son’s greatsword to block off the oncoming attack, forced back a few inches although it was an unarmed attack.

"Yet, there he is, unharmed and alive." He gritted out, powerful muscles straining.

Tarraz didn’t interfere, his cold gaze fixed on the troublesome Chaos faction Demon. With a quiet wave of his hand, the armed guards quickly made themselves scarce, emptying out the room.

Kath’tan stood at the doorway, purple eyes rounded in wonder as he saw caution and traces of fear on his father’s face for the first time.

Valrena jumped back, landing on the balls of her feet, her dress billowing around her legs. She stretched out her arms, "I can’t say the same about you. It’s been over a hundred years, Zazrel." She spoke with measured calm, "And I spent it all in a dungeon, you have no reason to fear this weak woman."

Her last words were said in a mocking tone, right before she warped around and punched down on the Grand Duke again.

He easily blocked off her attack with the length and the width of the greatsword, saying nothing more. Valrena had always been a wildcard, he couldn’t predict what she would and wouldn’t do.

Valrena didn’t jump back again, raining down a barrage of punches which were easily parried. Her attacks started to seem redundant, simply punching down only to have her attacks blocked.

Tarraz could barely be contained in his own skin, but he knew better than to interfere and wound his father’s pride further. "Your actions are unseemly for someone of your standing, High Lady Valrena." He bit out.

Valrena outrightly ignored him, she was no longer imprisoned, Zazrel was welcome to bring a war to her city gates. Her grudges ran deep. She punched down one more time, the greatsword shattering under the consistent force.

"Tch. I’ve grown rusty," She murmured to herself, shaking out her fingers. With the greatsword out of the way, there was no barrier between her fists and Grand Duke Zazrel.

Still standing at the door, Kath’tan watched Zazrel get beaten down to his knees by his mother, more blows raining down than the Grand Duke could block. When she said she needed to have a word with him, he had expected formalities regarding his leaving Threnval, not this.

Tarraz was blazing next to them but he couldn’t interfere, and even if he did, he would only become collateral damage, well aware of the strength of the forgotten Pride of Ashford. He was old enough to have seen her in battle and despite his rage, he knew she didn’t have murderous intent.

She was still the only child of the Grand Duke, which made her the Archduke of Ashford. So killing a Grand Duke would directly mean war.

Valrena kicked Zazrel in his side and stomped his gut in, "The next time we meet in battle, I won’t leave you unharmed or alive." She promised, turning away in a sway of silver skirts and purple-black hair.

Zazrel spat out blood as he slowly sat up, a dark scowl on his bruised face. Wooing the mad minx was a grievance that only brought him repercussions, if only her bastard had died on the battlefield.

"Come, Kath’tan," Valrena held out her hand to her son, "Let’s go home."