Angel Of Venom

Venom LXIII

Chapter 63: Ashvellian's Arrest

Four months after the incident, an Imperial Order was taken effect. The Claymours and Hamptons shall be put to house confinement with the protection of the Imperial Knights due to a threat of coup d'etat against the two pillar households of the empire.

Or so the emperor said...

Everyone was unaware that the house confinement of the two families was an ultimatum given to Lavinia. A secured promised of the Emperor and Lavinia's deal. They are the hostages.

"Your engagement will be announced after the capture of Valse and his group. I cannot afford to celebrate an important occasion like this while notorious criminals are still on the loose," ani Emperor.

Kumuyom ang kamao ni Ghastan habang hawak ang cutlery. Sandali siyang napasulyap sa katabing si Lavinia na tahimik lamang habang sinusubo ang karne. They're in the dining hall with the Imperial Family.

"Engagement...? Who..." the 2nd Prince Cairo asked, confused.

Inangat ng emperor ang kaniyang tingin at nginitian ang anak.

"Ah, I guess, I haven't told you all yet," the emperor paused before wiping his lips with the table napkin, "The Crown Prince and Lady Lavinia are to be engaged and marry. Maghanda na kayo ng ireregalo sa inyong kapatid at magiging sister-in-law."

Malaki ang ngiti ng emperor habang inaanunsyo iyon, kabaliktaran sa mukha ng kaniyang First Imperial Consort at Cairo.

"Speaking of, Lady Lavinia, you haven't forgotten, right? That you must live in the Crown Prince's palace from now on?" harap ng emperor kay Lavinia.

"Father..." usal ni Ghastan sa isang matigas na tono.

Ngunit tinaasan lamang siya ng kilay ng emperor. No one can ruin his mood, now that everything is going according to his plans.

"My things are already being moved in His Highness' palace as we speak, your majesty," kalmadong sagot ni Lavinia.

Agad na dumapo ang nag-aalalang reaksyon ni Ghastan kay Lavinia. Tinignan naman siya sandali ng dalaga bago magpatuloy sa kinakain. The second prince witnessed that, his anger became visible because of his popping veins and loathsome reaction.

The suffocating luncheon finished with Ghastan, unable to chew his food properly. Sabay na naglalakad sa hallway sina Lavinia at Ghastan pabalik sa palasyo ng Crown Prince. Ngunit natigil sila nang makita si Count Benson na nakangising naglalakad sa direksyon kung saan sila naglalakad. Maya-maya ay tumigil siya at yumuko sa dalawa na natigil din sa paglalakad.

"Greetings to the Imperial Crown Prince and his future... Crown Princess, Lady Lavinia..." may halong pang-aasar ang tinig ni Count Benson.

Agad siyang nakatanggap ng masamang tingin galing kay Ghastan. Samantalang si Lavinia naman ay walang emosyong tinitigan ang dating ka-alyado. Ngunit makikinita ang panga niyang gumagalaw, tila nagpipigil sa pagsasalita ng hindi maganda sa taong kaharap.

"May kapal ka pa ng mukha na magpakita kay Lavinia matapos ng pangtatraydor mo? You really have the guts, huh?" galit na usal ni Ghastan.

Tumayo nang maayos si Count Benson, naroon pa rin ang ngisi, "I must say, I am thankful towards Lady Lavinia. Nang dahil sa kaniya ay nagkaroon ako ng mataas na katungkulan. It made me closer to the emperor, I was able to let him know of my existence. Ngunit hanggang doon na lamang iyon, Your Highness. I did whatever she asked me for the past 10 years. Naging sunod-sunuran ako, hindi ba't karapatan ko naman ang maging malaya ngayon?"