The golden yellow carriage stopped right infront the fountain. A Knight from the visitors opened the door for the new arrived Duke and his son.
The Knights and servants in line bowed their heads 90 degrees when the two passengers went out of the carriage.
Grenchant's eyes twinkled after seeing the Ducal Estate of Zachronos. Their own Estate was not that far from the latter but he could tell that the Zachronos was more properous and grandiose than them.
Duke Zachrono was really wealthy and his wealth only grew after the war, living up his title as one of the battlefield's heroes.
The Zachronos were also aristocrats for having too many properties, real states and big businesses.
The young man was sad to hear the news of Maxine but truly excited to visit their house after hearing from his father that they would visit the Zachronos.
He had been imagining what would the Estate look like and after seeing the wonderful sight, he was more than satisfied because it was far more great from his expectations.
"Welcome to the Zachrono Estate, Your Grace, Young Lord." Heinrich greeted.
"We greet you, one of the swords of Empire." the servants and Knights followed.
"I am truly grateful that you welcomed us despite the lacking of our announcement." Duke Gabriela said in a friendly voice.
Those who heard him were lifted from their nervous, thinking, 'Ah. The Duke of Gabriela' s really kind just like the rumors.'
'Actually,the letter you sent was only crumpled, if you just know. And you did not said at all that you would be arriving today!' the Butler was panicking inside of him, nervous from what the Duke would react if the news reached him by now.
"Oh no. That does not bothered us at all." Heinrich said the opposite of what in his mind.
'It really does! Of all times, why did you come now?! Do you not know that the whole Estate was now in turmoil because of your sudden arrival?!' Heinrich wanted to nag but all he could do was to complain internally.
Just by reading Duke Gabriela's letter, the men of House Zachono were already fuming mad, what more that Duke Gabriela and his son were here flesh and blood?
Maximus punched the armrest after hearing the arrival of Duke Gabriela.
"Says who?" he asked in gritted teeth. His sons immediately sprung up and raced to go out with their grim face. They seem more agitated than their father.
The six of them went straight to the waiting room. They want to slam the door open but that would be too rude so they stopped their selves from doing so that made the Butler waiting outside the room, glad.
"Please enter, Duke Gabriela and his son were already inside, Milords." Heinrich informed before the Knights guarding on the both side of the room opened the door for them.
Duke Gabriela and Grenchant turned their heads after hearing the door.
"Franzus." Maximus called informally to his co-Duke with a cold voice and expression. Franzus, who was smiling shivered and Grenchant jolted.
'How cold!' Grenchant thought and instead of fearing his father's friend, his eyes twinkled while looking at his idol, stanning everything he sees from the Duke, from the top to the bottom.
"Ma-Maximus, my friend!" Duke Gabriela greeted nervously after seeing the family's complexion. He hesitantly stood up and greeted his old friend.
He approached him and wanted to hug him but Duke Maximus immediately pushed his face away harshly.
"You gross man." Duke Maximus said bitterly and even wiped his hand with a handkerchief. Franzus reached for his chest as if he was hurt.
"That hurts buddy. I know you miss me and-"
"Cut to the chase, Franz." Duke Maximus blatantly said as he sat on the chair infront. Maximillian and his siblings stood behind him in order while their eyes were shooting Grenchant with fierce glares.
Grenchant shivered and diverted his eyes from them. He did not know that this was just like what the rumors says. They were not exaggerating at all, these siblings were far more too much than the rumors!
Now, he wondered how did he managed to survived from the two of them in the last banquet after Maxine left.
Franzus' face became serious and glanced at his friend's sons as if giving a message. Maximus understood what he meant and ordered his sons to 'play' with Grenchant.
Grenchant was stupefied. He shivered and gulped when he saw them warming up, cracking their bones while smiling evily at him. They looked like devils in his eyes when they did that.
Franzus dismissed his son, feeling pity for him. They might be psychos but he know that they could not touch his son unless he do something that could piss them off.
"Why are you suddenly here? It is not about Maxine, I bet." Maximus crossed his arms infront of his chest as he showed superiority.
"Yes. It is about Belmonth." Maximus' complexion hardened upon hearing the country's forsaken name.
The two grown ups talked about something that should not escape the room.
After an hour of talking. Maximus saw the Butler still standing patiently outside the room. If the Butler was here, who was guarding Maxine right now? It could not be Kathelina nor Sir Halnois because they were both deployed to search for the ingredients for the antidote.
Duke Zachrono became quesy and faced the Butler of the House asking,
"How is Maxine?"
The Butler froze instantly after hearing that and just remembered the Young Lady alone in her room. He forgot to entrust her to the maids!
When Maximus saw his reaction, without a second thought, he dashed towards the second floor, to his daughter's room.
He bursted in in the room and found his daughter going bersek with different auras surrounding her. She was panting heavily than her normal before he left while ago.
He was startled at first but when he realized what was about to happen, he dashed towards his daughter and held her in his arms.
Maxineirah's body felt hard and stiff as if paralyzed. He could feel her emitting different attributes as if it was being sucked out of her body.
"Maxine!" he called out but she seems not to hear him.
(Maxineirah's PoV)
I woke up feeling as if my strength was sucked up. I could not open my eyes nor move properly and I felt like my throat had dried up.
What... happened to me?
I could not think straight because my mind was still clouded by something.
I tried to force myself to sit up but I could not lift a single limb.
After several times of forcing myself to move, my chest clenched and breathing seems to be so hard. Suddenly, I saw someone's figure on top of me despite my eyes were closed.
What...
My nerves instantly panicked instinctively when I saw who it was. It was the detestable face of a child. The face of the young and cruel Crown Prince who was currently grinning evily at me.
I started to call for help by groaning but no one came to my aid.
'No! Stay away from me!' I prayed so hard despite my numbing mind.
His hands reached for my neck and started to choke me. I could not do anything to shove his hands because of lassitude. I felt helpless at that moment. I felt like crying, not because I was afraid to die but I was afraid that my family might fall to his hands again.
I was panting so hard and all I could do was to grasp the bedsheet helplessly. My tears welled up and I felt something warm ran down from my eyes.
His grip on my neck were tightening as seconds passed by. I groaned and groaned and groaned until I found my voice.
"D-Dad!" I was able to call the first person that came to my mind. It was not too loud to be heard but after seconds, the door bursted out open and I heard a rushed footsteps approaching me.
The Crown Prince moved his lips to a smirk before vanishing from my sight.
I felt someone held me and was saying something I could not understand. I was still panting due to lack of air but I at least managed to open my eyes a little.
I found Dad's worried face, panicked and nervous expression that I have never seen him wearing before.
"Baby! Can you hear me?!" he cupped my face using his left hand while I assume he was using his other hand to hold me in his arms.
"I-I ca-an not b-b-bre-athe, P-pa-pa." I told him panting, trying to catch my breath. My crying did not do anything good because it only constrained my chest more.
"Give me water!" he looked behind him with an angry expression and after that, a shivering someone gave him a glass.