25. WAR TO DECLARE

The sky thundered. The solid ground covered with green grass was wet with rain. The shady tall trees also swayed in the strong wind. Titan's roar became one with the sounds of nature. It made the opposing troops take a few steps back.

The atmosphere was extremely tense.

Even though Crysta was successfully regained by him, it still did not stop Pascal's temper, which was still at the top level. He saw Crysta's hand turning red due to Leonard's forceful actions. Luckily Pascal showed up just in time.

Jumping off Pascal's back in a rush. Which actually looked like flying.

''I'm okay. Really.'' Crysta assured. But Pascal who insisted on looking at her closely must have known that Crysta was a bit in pain.

The snapping jaw already explained everything. Pascal didn't listen to what Crysta said.

''She hurt you,'' he growled. Along with an angry look at Leonard.

''Really. I'm perfectly fine.'' Crysta is still insistent.

''Bold.''

''Yes, Your Higness.''

''Take my beloved back to the palace.''

Bold nodded. Approaching Crysta to get back on her horse. But Crysta insisted on pulling Pascal to not face Leonard.

''Your Higness, I beg you. We must return to the palace right now.''

''No. I will not leave Pascal,'' she replied without turning her head. Her hands were still on both of Pascal's shoulders. Her face was upturned. Begging to be heard. ''Come on, Sweetheart. Let's go back. I already told Leonard not to come with him. Our business is done.''

The look of fear in Crysta's eyes made Pascal feel sorry for her. His heart was touched. His fingers grazed Crysta's beautiful innocent face. Then a few moments later nodded, agreeing.

Just as Pascal turned to leave them, Klein opened his poisonous mouth like he always could.

''Yes go, Coward. Go to your cozy palace. The weak prince of Valliant, taking away someone's future wife with his tiger. A very good way to escape under these circumstances,'' Klein laughed. ''Did King Lumiere teach you that, you bastard?''

''Ah, it turns out you're not as great as rumored. Because in reality, you're just a dishonorable prince who only takes refuge behind your big tiger.''

RROOOAAR!

Titan roared. Growling to attack Klein. The bastard almost fell off his horse. But Pascal shook his head. Stopping the golden-haired tiger from doing so.

''Look,'' Klein was still giggling. Proving that his accusation was very accurate. ''He can't attack with his own hands. He only relies on his mount because he doesn't know how to fight.''

''I will kill him.'' Bold charged forward.

But that movement was cut short, just as Pascal raised his hand into the air. He smiled at Crysta for a moment, clasped the girl's hands together, and kissed her wet forehead. It made Leonard and all the princes burn with emotion.

In fact, there was not a single prince in the East who was not enchanted with Crysta. They all loved the same person.

''Wait for me over there,'' pointing at a roofed post. Then looked at Monic, moving his head to accompany Crysta. Which was immediately understood by the servant. ''We'll return to the palace together.''

''I beg you not to make a commotion. And also don't get hurt,'' she pleaded sadly.

''No one will be able to hurt me, Honey. Believe me." He chuckled in the midst of Crysta's flowing tears.

''Pascal...''

The man nodded. Ordering Monic to take Crysta away from him. Actually, there were two things that made Pascal hurt. One, when Crysta agreed to marry Logan. Two, when Leonard took Crysta's hand earlier.

''Well, well, well... you really control the princess very well. Tell me, did you succeed in fucking her before my brother, Prince?''

''I'll cut out your tongue-''

''Let him speak, Bold.'' Pascal's body had perfectly turned around. Hatred, that was the only word he saw in the figures of the two brothers.

''I want to see how ethical the sons of King Arthur and Queen Seraphina are. I heard they missed the royal manners class because they always shooed away the maesters who wanted to teach them. And prefer the servants to do so. I was wondering, what kind of teaching could a maid do for the princes?''

''Bastard. Leave Crysta right now.'' Leonard screeched. Removing the sword from its sheath and pointing it at Pascal.

''Tell me, Prince Leonard. What will happen if I don't let Crysta go?" Pascal asked snidely. ''For her... I'll risk everything.'' Pascal turned his face to the side. Smiling sarcastically. His tail sought Crysta, who looked proud and touched by Pascal's words.

''I told you that he's not somebody who can be underestimated.'' Tiago whispered.

''Father is right. The son of King Lumiere cannot be dismissed. Mother is also right. We're choosing the weak side,'' Alexander retorted, which was overheard by Klein back there. Making the big-mouthed prince feel betrayed.

''I didn't know that Prince Pascal was so romantic,'' Monic praised. Making Crysta smile incessantly.

"She's mine. Barred by blessing or fate, I will still try to get her. So, if you want to fight, even head-to-head with me, or have a bloodbath right now, I still won't refuse.''

Leonard's assumption was correct. Crysta had fallen into Pascal's arms. Klein also realized that they should carry out the plan that the two of them had devised.

''Please leave with honor, Your Highness. Go back to your whores. I hear you are very good at pleasuring women. Do not ever fight with someone like me. You will never return to Lucard alive,'' he said arrogantly.

"Soldiers! Attack him,'' Klein shouted. He couldn't accept his brother being insulted like that. He also intervened to attack Pascal.

Five burly soldiers plus one prince surrounded Pascal. It wasn't the prince's loyal troops if they didn't reflexively help. But unfortunately, the man forbade Bold and Andromeda from intervening.

Pascal didn't remove the sword from the scabbard at his waist. Instead, he simply set up a stance. Watch out. At the same time, two soldiers attacked simultaneously. Thrusting their swords forward. Right at the chest.

Pascal deftly twisted his body, allowing him to grab the wrists of both soldiers. Twisting them until they both screamed in pain. At that moment, Pascal kicked the soldiers in the solar plexus and stomach. They fell to the ground. Collapsing while whimpering.

''You three. Immobilize him,'' Klein ordered.

Pascal jumped up, aiming both feet at a soldier's chest. He then elbowed the soldier on his side in the face and broke the soldier's neck on his right side. One of them could still survive. The other two had already fallen.

Seeing his friends lying on the ground, the soldier groaned. Attacking Pascal blindly. The sword flashes towards the face. Pascal dodged. Now it turned to the chest. Pascal pushed his body aside to avoid it. And just as he was about to strike the stomach, Pascal caught the soldier off guard. Pascal bent the hand with the sword to the soldier's chest.

Leaving Klein who was now staring ferociously at Pascal. Groaning in disapproval.

''One by one,'' Pascal chanted.

Klein rushed forward. Attacking left and right, the slow movement was read quickly by Pascal. He managed to dodge. The sword swing was now aimed at Pascal's head. The man immediately lowered his body, kicking Klein's leg until the target fell.

Klein took a breath, panting from exhaustion. Seeing that Pascal was still fine, he quickly stood up. Swung the sword, again and again. But none of the swings managed to hit Pascal. At the point where the Lucard prince was tired, Pascal grabbed Klein's sword and kicked him to the grass.

''I never let my opponent survive in a single combat, Klein.'' The tip of the sword lodged in Klein's neck as he tried to get up.

''Pascal, release my brother.'' Leonard stood behind Klein. It was more like begging to be forgiven judging by the way he stared.

''I am not someone who is generous to my opponents. Nor am I as kind as you think. In this world, there are only a few people who can command me. And that person is not you. Then how can you ask me to let go of your little brother who has insulted me and my father as well, hm?'' Seriously. Pascal did intend to finish Klein right then and there. Basically, no child would be okay if their parents were insulted.

Pascal's eyes were red with anger, while Klein's eyes were red with fear. Pascal never played around with his words.

''I know. But you are a royal family. You honored the treaty. And now, I'm offering a fair exchange.''

''Say it.'' With the tip of the sword pressed against Klein's neck. A little blood could be seen coming out of it.

"Leave my brother alone. I will leave Valliant peacefully and let Crysta have her way.''

Crysta exhaled happily at that.

''Very well.'' Pascal withdrew the sword, throwing it beside Leonard. At the same time, from behind, came the sound of someone running. It turned out to be Crysta. Who immediately rushed into Pascal's arms with a happy expression.

''Now go away. You are not welcome in Valliant,'' Pascal said hatefully. Embracing Crysta and taking her away.

Unfortunately, Klein still did not accept his defeat. He used the sword lying on the ground to attack Pascal. Crysta cried out in fear. But before Klein could fulfill his vengeance...

RROOAARR!

Titan had already advanced, attacking and tearing Klein's body mercilessly.

Klein's blood was washed away by the rain on the ground and grass. A fishy smell emanated. Flakes of flesh were scattered about. Leonard was hysterical. His brother died in front of his eyes with no way to prevent it.

Even Crysta and Pascal didn't care about the broken corpse. They even rode away on the animal that had killed Klein.

The humiliation, defeat and also disappointment in Leonard's heart at this moment, made his breathing rise and fall. He sat limply beside Klein's lifeless body. Crying for his brother and hugging him sadly.

''Remember, Pascal. All the kingdoms in the East will revolt against you. Valliant will be attacked. I will fight you. We will fight,'' Leonard shouted.

''I knew you would say that,'' Pascal replied.

However, it wasn't just those words that made the flakes of resentment grow. Pascal who kissed Crysta's lips after saying that was truly a great insult to him.

And that was the beginning of the Eastern region losing the peace which had been maintained for decades.