A fight for dominance and nobility

chapter seveteen : "strike them with the truth "

" strike them with the truth, it is an effective way of invading one's mind."

I stared at my plate, not having the urge to tale a bite of the food presented to me. I grabbed my tail coat and walked out of my estate. The thought of leaving Zadie chained up in the cellar bothers me but she deserves it. How can she drown pure gold down in river Thames like is it nothing ? I can already picture her throwing it all down the drain. Women and their irrational thoughts. She is quite brave for a young lady who have not experienced the wrath of this world.

'Lord Alexander , someone is here to meet you.'

Jeremy Atkinson, my secretely informed. I stared at my pocket watch and realized I have to peruse my files for work. I only have one enemy here which is more embarrassing than my usual nemesis.  Zadie is a woman , a stubborn one at that and I so not think I will be able to carry out the same punishment I do when people cross me. She is female and she deserves something l3ss painful. She clearly does not have the will to fight nor the power.

'I see you managed to capture her.' A make voice echoed in my office , and I instantly looked up. Ludwig. His face was different , scarred from my assault and i am glad I was able to leave a few marks as a reminder.

I smirked.' You really like underestimating people.'

He chuckled. ' I do not think m your mother would approve.'

'Approve of what?!' I shouted.

He sauntered towards me. His steps were slow , and he leisurely dragged a chair from the table and stared at it instead of sitting down. He has sinister intentions , but I am ready for anything dark and gore. 'The man you have become. The monstrosity living within you.'  He narrowed his eyes at me. ' I bet mummy dearest would be choked to see you act like your father.'

'I will never be like my father !' I spat. 'Why do you always love painting me as the bad guy of the story?' I flexed my arm , gripping tightly at the edge of the table while trying to calm myself down. He is no threat. I convinced myself.

'You already are , Alexander!' He shouted. 'Look at yourself in the mirror. You are no man , inhumane. You are the aftermath of a deadly curse !'

I flipped the table which resulted in a loud bang and a few pieces chopped off the design. I took out my gun and pointed it at him. ' Leave this building or I won't hesitate to kill you.'

Ludwig glared at me.'Leave the girl alone!' He broke off the table legs and pointed them at me. I chuckled while he glared harder.

'-or what Ludwig? You are a frilly being. Look at yourself.' I mocked.' Go to,  strike.' I taunted.

'At least I do not have a hand on my wife's death!' He spat. I retreated. I could feel my heart racing. The fear of judgement. Fear of being held responsible.

I lowered my guna nd gazed at him. For a moment , he seems to understand my pain , but his face immediately transitioned from compassionate to rage.' You must let her go!'

I lowered my gaze down at the table.'I will not do such a thing.' I said lowly. 'She knows something. '

Ludwig sighed harshly. 'You are ridiculous. Utter ridiculous.  She knows nothing of this world , and it is such a shame that you are dragging her down the dirt with you!'

I gritted my teeth.' Her father started this and you know it.'

'Alexander , there is supposed to be peace between me and you , but you broke it.'

I chuckled darkly as I felt the glow of my golden eyes taking over my usual dull brown eyes. ' I broke ir ?' I questioned rhetorically.'I never broke any peace treaty you coward. You do not see it do you? Why would miss Zadue throw pure gold down the Thames?'

Ludwig rubbed his nose and shook his head. 'Utter bollocks.'

'Do you not see the imperatives of this matter?' I asked.

Ludwig only sat down at the chair he pulled and glanced down the fallen table.' Miss Zadie is no threat to anyone. She does not have any idea what she got herself into.'

'Really?' I cocked my brow.' Why did you want her to go to port?' Ludwig kept quiet. I let the silence drag on for a minute and a half. He is hiding something , and I want to discover it. Why would he send Zadue to port if she does not know a thing?

I began brushing my gun in hopes of instilling fear in him. I am not the one yo say something without meaning it. I always mean my words and I never second guess it.

'You are wasting my time Ludwig.' I stated.

'If you really wanted to shoot me you would have done so.' He dared.

I cocked the gun and pointed it at him. 'Correct. If I wanted I would do it without hesitation but remember I master this kind of sport very well.'

'You are a sick bastard.'

I just stared at him as he continued ranting. Cussing as if I would be merciful. I asked him only one question , but he failed to answer it. He seems to forget that silence can serve as an answer , especially to men like me. 'Are you done ranting Ludwig ? I just want to finish my task.'

'I would rather die than let you find out anything about that poor girl.' I could see any and determination in his eyes. I do not understand why he is determined to protect her. No sane person would help a criminal unless they knew them.

'Determination.' I sauntered towards him. 'It seems like you forget that I held her captive and soon she will be dancing to my tune.'

He glanced sideways , staring at the dull walls around him befote scoffing.' You do not know kiss Zadie like I do. To everyone else she might seem like a criminal but to me she is more than that.'

I grabbed his chin , but he never protested which was odd. 'So , you admit that miss Zadie is much more.' I traced my pistol on his face , but he never flinched. 'Fascinating.'

Hus breath shuddered snd I realized he was already intimidated but he fears to show it. 'I would never let anyone hurt Zadie.'

'But you let them hurt your daughter.'

He inhaled sharply. I could sense his rage returning but this time it was different. It was no longer dominating him but made him become frail like he lost the will to get angry upon the realization and memories of his daughters death. Strike them with the truth , it is a clever way of invading one's mind and emotion.

'What was her name again? Oh , miss Amber.' I paused for a split second.'Do forgive me I meant to say , the late miss Amber.'

I can already see him fight his emotions. Internal struggle , something many are used to but have the inability to control it.

'It was not entired my fault.' He whispered.'i-' he stopped midway , realizing that he was about to spill his dirty secret.

Weakness.

His daughter is his weakness.' I can help you. What happened?' Faking concern is something I can master.

'The attack- my visions were wild. I saw-' He raked his fingers through his hair.' I do not want to remember.'

'You must. Relive your past. Conquer it.' I stood behind him , smiling devilishly Luke a predator that had caught its prey.' It was only a mere mistake.' I patted his back.

He fished out a piece of paper in his pocket.'every little detail is in that piece of paper.'