Meanwhile, Hugo's neck cracked as he stretched it from one side to the other. Ahead of him was Ashton, massaging his nape with his other hand on his hip.
"She smells like a dog and it was already annoying, but now my nose hurts more," Ashton commented while he wiped his cheek with his palm. "I can already imagine the smell when you shift. How troublesome."
The corner of Hugo's lips stretched broader until his eyes squinted. "Don't worry. Yours truly doesn't need to shift, for I will give you the greatest honor of being shredded with my bare hands like a mosquito you are!"
"Haha! That's great then! In this case, I don't need to deal with your barking." Ashton also sported a bright smile. Just by the look on their faces, a bystander who would see it would wonder who was the real lunatic. For them to utter such vicious with sinister aura and a bright smile, surely, both were equally evil.
Their friendly smile remained, but both reeked of bloodlust. The ground slightly shook as shallow pits have appeared underneath their feet. In a blink of an eye, both of them vanished from their spot only to reappear halfway.
Fist against fist, creating an explosive gust of wind.
The two of them were equally strong as they exchanged explosive blows. After several exchanges, Ashton clawed Hugo's chest, but in turn, the latter's knee landed on his abdomen. The former coughed out blood before he was thrown once again into the woods as his back crashed into a tree.
The impact was so strong the tree broke as it fell to the side. Both Hugo and Ashton winced at their injury. Hugo gazed down at his bleeding chest. Ashton's nails dug deep enough that his regeneration would take longer. Hence, the wound was a bit painful. But his attack towards Ashton was strong enough to crush his internals.
"So, this Ashton guy, she cares a lot, turns out to be a vampire with noble blood, huh?" Hugo planted his palm on his bleeding chest, but his evil grin remained. "Good... now I have a reason to kill him."
He withdrew his hand away and sauntered into the woods where he would murder the person who broke her heart and trust. As he did, Hugo could not help but wonder what schemes were behind Everfell. After all, the only reason the Ronmin Empire proposed marriage to the king of Everfell was because of Hugo's words.
Back in Ronmin, Hugo threw a huge fit during the meeting of the council when the talk of his marriage was opened up. He upset a lot of elders, including the king, by telling them he wanted to abduct Rinnie. Knowing this troublesome beast, the helpless king, who wanted to avoid a problem with a human kingdom, proposed marriage.
Hugo was obviously pleased about it, as that was his plan all along. That was to make everything legal... legally abduct her through marriage. Obviously, with their reputation, the king of Everfell had second thoughts, and before the king could decide, the Henrik Empire also proposed marriage.
His eyes narrowed as he stopped several meters from Ashton, who was standing up to his feet. It was strange, he thought, as marriage was the last thing the Hendrik Empire would propose for a peaceful resolution. Unless they had another plan other than conquering the small kingdom.
"Hey, you," Hugo called calmly as he jerked his chin up. "You were her knight for a long time, right? I'm intrigued. Why would a noble vampire endure such humiliation as to guard a human for a long time?"
Ashton simpered as he chuckled, staring at the curious alpha. "Why?"
"Yes, why?"
"Haha! Do you think information is that easy to obtain --"
Ashton couldn't finish his sentence as Hugo suddenly appeared before him and grabbed him by the neck. This time, Hugo was much faster that Ashton couldn't even react. He dug his claws into Hugos's stout arm, but the latter was unfazed.
"Of course, I know information isn't easily obtained. However, I was hoping you will be useful for once in your pathetic life before your death." Hugo's voice was cold as his eyelashes fluttered leisurely. "If you don't answer, that's fine, too. But I'm curious. What is it that you want in my chosen mate?"
"For you to pretend as a knight and endure babysitting someone as precious as her for years; of course, I know a mosquito such as yourself will not appreciate that liberty since your head is only filled with blood and schemes. Still, I'm intrigued about your plans," he continued while tightening his grip around Ashton's neck. "Why did you create a relationship with her instead of outright conquering Everfell?"
Ashton coughed, realizing that this man was just toying with him earlier. This person was stronger and faster. Did he just exchange blows with him to size up his strength?
"Ugh… damn dogs," he spat out in great difficulty. How was he supposed to answer him if he was choking him? But then again, Ashton didn't plan on answering all these questions.
Hugo's eyes drooped until they were partially closed, humming a low tune. "Of course you will not answer that. But maybe you will answer this. Why did they keep her lock within the castle walls? Is it just because her parents were overprotective? Or is there another reason?"
This time, Ashton snickered in between his panting. "Why? Hah..!" he gnashed his teeth as Hugo's grip tightened even more.
"I believe that won't harm your fellow bats if you answer it." Hugo quirked a brow when he sensed someone else's presence. Ashton also noticed this, making the corner of his lips stretch into a large, devious grin.
"Why?" the latter channeled his remaining strength to speak his last words as blood dripped from the corner of his lips. "They kept her locked in because a sacrifice should be pure! If we didn't attack Everfell, they will butcher her to — "
SNAP!
Ashton's voice faded as his neck snapped.. He died, but his words would always remain in Rinnie's shattered heart as she heard everything with Winter, who piggybacked her to see Hugo.