87. Invasion

**Andrew**

Just like what Alfred told them, Andrew and his squad found a group of people in a clearing not far from Standrick. There were broken down remnants of what they presumed used to be a house. In the midst of the rubble, several people in cloaks formed a circle. It was the afternoon. Shadows stretched from the rubbles and extended over the grass. Andrew nodded to his second in command. He nodded back to him and left with some of his men.

For the ones that remained with him, he motioned to a direction and they followed him. Andrew hid behind a tree. There, that noble daughter who they were looking for was dancing with the other cloaked figures, who Andrew presumed to be vampires.

"Once again," he heard her say. "I'll be heading into a new age! All hail the new age!"

"Now!" Andrew shouted. He and other enforcers Warped to the gathering and grabbed by their arms. Other members panicked and attempted to run away, yet they were all caught by his men.

Andrew spotted the noble's daughter darting into the forest and gave chase. "Bring them in for interrogation! He yelled over his shoulder at his seconds in command, then continued the chase.

It wasn't long before her tripped her and they landed on the forest floor. Her hood fell off and exposed her fuzzy hair. She rose her hands in the air. "Wait, wait! I'm--"

"I know who you are," Andrew said, glaring. "Just tell me everything you can. If not, I have no problem torturing you, even if you are a noble."

She stared at him, then laughed. "So you don't know?" Her laughter rang out like a wounded hyena.

He gripped her chin. "What is going on? I asked you a question!"

The laughing stopped.

"The battle has already begun. Thank you for coming here, Andrew Lyon. May you go home to find a blood bath."

_______

Cassandra heard rustling outside. "What's going on?" She said.

Serene looked up with a deck of cards in hand. "What?"

She didn't get a reply. Instead, Serene watched as Cassandra walked over to the window. She peeked through the curtains, then her eyes widened.

"Get down!"

Before Serene could react, Cassandra pushed her to the floor, falling along with her.

The upper torso of a statue smashed the window and flew directly to the other end of the room. The girls looked up in horror. As scary as it was, they didn't have time to process it. There, on the broken window sill, was a rogue with glowing red eyes.

"Why?" Cassandra got up. "They weren't supposed to be here so soon!"

She withdrew a knife from her boot and rushed forward, prepared to take it out even if it meant risking terrible injuries.. Luckily, someone shot it in the head. It was Alfred, who also managed to somehow come through the same window. "Thanks," she said.

"Hurry, go!"

Cassandra and Serene nodded and ran off. It was dark outside from what they could see. In the courtyard, rogues and vampires fought against each other, neither of them unwilling to draw blood. The moon came out early, light illuminating the fight.

The two girls ran down the halls which were mostly empty, save for some other servants running for cover. Up ahead, at the top of the stairs leading to a upper level, Serene spotted a figure she recognised. Dyed red hair. Tall, slim build.

"Jenifer," Serene muttered. They stepped running just before they could reach her.

Cassandra held up her dagger. Jenifer eyed it with humor in her eyes and smirked. "Well, look who it is!"

Before Serene could throw an insult, a vase was thrust into Jenifer's head, bringing the woman to the carpet. The queen herself stepped out. In her hand was a piece of the vase. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size? Girls, get out of here. I will deal with this."

Not daring to argue, they sneaked past Jenifer and sprinted up the stairs to the third floor.

**Judar**

Judar checked his watch, then the watch on the table that was set on a different time zone. He smiled. The attack must have begun by now. He could imagine the look of the King family's face when they get overwhelmed by those rotten creatures.

He whirled a glass of red wine in his right hand, seated in a red cushioned chair.

Especially that so-called prince. Those naive eyes of his, the way he acts. If Leonard is allowed to live his future queen might give birth to children with the same defects. His death would harm nothing. Even if Elaine and Hendrick survived, they're still young enough to have a second child.

And that pretty little maid. He hoped she ended up captured. If not and she died, then too bad. It's a pity since he had yet to taste her fully. Shame she didn't give in after all this time of chasing her.

Others fell victim to his sweet side, but she didn't. Oddly enough, Judar did like her quite a bit, but not enough to grieve her death the same way Leo did for Caramel. Somewhere out there, there would always be another girl to tickle his fancy.

Now, all he needed to do was wait for the news of their demise.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Ju-Ju, sweetie? Open the door, hon." His mother said.

Judar sighed, passing a hand through his dark hair. Can't he have a few moments of peace? He clearly remembered telling his parents that he didn't want to be disturbed.

He placed his glass on the table and walked across the dimly lit room until he got to the door. Judar drew in a breath, not bothering to put on a smile when he turned the knob and swung the door open. They certainly knew how to be annoying.

"I thought I told you I wanted to be alon-" Judar began. His sentence was quickly cut short when he picked up five pairs of shoes in front of him. And he wasn't expecting relatives.

Someone cleared their throat. No. Judar recognized the man that stood in front of the others. Black suit. A triangular emblem on his shoulder. He was the head of palace security, Adam.

"Sorry for coming unannounced, Mr. Smoke," Adam said. He had to tilt his head lower to stare into Judar's face. "But you are under arrest under suspicion of conspiring with rebels to assassinate members of one of the Three Scared Royal families."

**AN: Wow, I can't believe this is almost over. Only two-three chapters to go.**