Lovesick

Lovesick 10

Jaime Belford, Valentine thought.

The tied up man to the chair called him out absentmindedly but cried out in relief when he realized that it was truly the son of the former Duke Darius Arslan.

"Young Master! How did you know I was here?! It's not safe here!" Jaime, with his bloody face and purpled naked body full of bruises exclaimed in panic. "T-the Fasci clan has wreck havoc in the Arslan household, and even Lord Daniel has turned to them! Where have you been Young Master?"

Jaime genuinely didn't know where Valentine was for the past four years. When he left the dukedom before the former Duke Darius was still alive, he left the capital and retired from his knighthood. He cannot bear the sin that he committed that night. And he's been wallowing in guilt for years now.

But then he heard all kinds of rumors circulating the very village that he was in. The Duke and Duchess of the Arslan both died and the only heir was sent abroad to further his study before his succession. The following events occurred exactly against the Arslan Household and in that moment, his gut felt the imminent danger.

And now just a few weeks ago, he's been abducted and tortured. Even if he didn't know who were those men who captured him, he knew whom the mark of their sword belong.

Three eyed silver serpent, the crest of Fasci.

He hasn't done anything deserving to be abducted. So he can only conclude that the Fasci must have known the truth now....

Valentine didn't react ecstatically nor sadly at the sight of his former instructor and loyal knight. Although he had to admit that he's a tad bit surprised to see him here.

But with such obvious occurence simultaneous to the test today. It can only mean one thing.....

"Young Master we have to leave now! They would torture you too if they caught you here!" Jaime frantically tugged at the ropes, his sweaty hair sticked close to the skin on his forehead. He glanced at the grown up white haired man in pure panic. Not noticing the fact that he's not reacting as one would in a precarious situation.

Valentine took a step towards him, then lowered his head as a light bow before saying, "Sir Jamie Belford, live with honor......."

He lifted the sword on his hip then struck, "And die with honor."

"My Lo-" Jamie didn't finish his statement when Valentine made a clean cut on his neck. Efficiently beheading him. The entire action didn't even took a minute as Valentine's movements were swift and unhesitant. The eyes on the head did not even manage to close it's eyes from utter shock.

Valentine crouched down and grasped the charcoal hair on Jaime's head. He lifted it up and level it in front of his face.

He stared for a few seconds and finally stood up with a blank gaze. Just as he was about to pass the door on his way out, Valentine stilled for a second.

He gazed back on the headless man on the chair and stared at his chest.

~

"Hah you're telling me that he'd bail? Krueger asked Zen sarcastically. Glancing towards the abandoned house where Valentine entered not long ago.

"No, that is not what I just said." Zen rolled his eyes dramatically at Krueger's direction. "I said that it's possible he would be hesitant or even let him go." Simon as well as the eight knights with them also listened to the two bicker but didn't halt nor join them. They just secretly agreed and disagreed in Krueger and Zen's arguments.

The two knights still sitting at the top of  the mighty mares not far away from the house argued as soon as Valentine left. The other knights were just patiently waiting. The Marquis stood a little farther away from them that's why they can bicker like children.

"I think that's baloney. Did you not see how obedient he is to His Grace? I'm sure too he wouldn't want to disappoint Lady Selene, yes he might consider it but nah he wouldn't do that." Krueger sat leisurely and stated with confidence.

"Yes I am aware, but I heard that's he's the personal knight and instructor of him for seven years. I'm just saying that I wouldn't be surprise if he let him go." Zen countered while shrugging.

"You're all really naive, aren't you?" Simon couldn't help but pipe up at last. These knights were all from the Marquis's men that's why they didn't know anything. He was the only one here that directly served Lady Selene.

"What are you talking about?" Rainer stared at Simon confusedly.

He was not close to him but that doesn't mean that he doesn't know him, as they are the knights from Fasci. But the difference is that, he protects the Marquis while Simon protects the mistress and it was a given that they wouldn't meet every single time. Which means that Rainer would be a little clueless about the Arslan's heir, Valentine. Since Valentine was under Lady Selene's wing and not the Marquis's.

"He wouldn't let him go," Simon deeply stared at Zen then moved his gaze towards Kreuger's inquiring face. "Nor consider letting him go."

"Even if that's his father inside. Valentine wouldn't bat an eye." Simon let out a scornful smile at their dumbfounded faces. Then lightly kicked the horse to move away from their group.

He was sure that Valentine would rather kill himself first than embarrass Lady Selene. A mere test like this isn't even a test. The Marquis truly underestimated Lady Selene's capabilities. He didn't know the extent of Valentine's loyalty for the Fasci.

Valentine was a like shadow. He's always looming to their mistress's side whenever he'd got a chance. Like a sticky pest that wouldn't leave you alone.

Simon even often wonder how Valentine can be so attached to Lady Selene that much. He can see the depths of trust and respect in Valetine's eyes whenever he would stare at Lady Selene.

And he felt skeptical of it. It was sick.

Lady Selene undoubtedly hurt him in the worst possible ways.

And yet like a dog, Valentine would lick the very hands that made him bleed.

Simon would choose death, would love death, rather than to live as a mere tool like Valentine.