The Devil's Temptation!

“You’re back, did you see who it was? I don’t feel the energy.” He indicated. The once dark energy he sensed could no longer be felt.

“That’s because he left.” Azazel said through gritted teeth, but it left the nonplussed Levi pulling his brows together into a questionable frown.

“Who?”

“Luderick.”

“Uncle???” That wasn’t the response he expected, “why is he here??”

“That I don’t know, let’s leave.”

“Already? But what about Anna’s life story that you came here for?”

Azazel paused and stared at the house, “I’m not the one destined to see it, the one destined will come when the timing is right, for now let’s leave. We need to get Gemma back and I don’t like the feeling of this place.”

.....

Levi nodded in understanding and they left the place. He had many questions to ask about what happened inside the house but will save it for when they return to Viscarrian.

Returning to the village, they ended up witnessing a sight that left them puzzled. Euphrasia’s high-level soldiers were busy taking the crops of innocent farmers who constantly begged on their knees, only to end up being rudely kicked away by them.

“please! Don’t take them! The farm is all we have to keep ourselves from starving and enable us pay the tax. How do we feed our children?? Have mercy.” A man knelt before Arlow, clutching to his leg for mercy, only to be ruthlessly kicked off as a look of disgust played on his face.

“Keep your distance, you peasants!”

“Please sir!!”

Levi’s expression dissipated at the sight and he couldn’t help but cover the eyes of his little sister who was also witnessing the horrible scene, “what’s this?”

Azazel only tsked in pity, “They’re using their status to reap from the struggling ones.”

“And I thought Viscarrian had bigger trouble, isn’t there anyone who can stop this?”

“I don’t know, I’m wondering if there’s actually anyone sensible in the whole Euphrasia family cause...”

“Stop!” Came the feminine voice that interrupted both Azazel and silenced everyone at the farmland.

Everyone’s gaze landed on the beautiful young woman who walked in their direction. She was dressed in an elegant sky blue floral gown that fluttered with the breeze, but her blue eyes held a look of contempt as she stood before Arlow, her guards defensively standing right behind her.

“Princess.” Arlow’s expression slowly faded at the presence of the king’s daughter. Out of everyone who could have interrupted him it had to be the princess.

A detestable scoff left her lips and she couldn’t help but find his fake display of respect any scornful.

“You know, I’ve been monitoring your movements quite lately and the heavens decided to bless me with an opportunity when I recieved a note of complaints that was meant for father.”

His eyes alarmingly widened at her words but she just smiled, “at first I wondered who could be so cruel to take away the resources that mattered to Draekharm village, but after showing up here, I’m not too surprised at what I’m witnessing.”

“Princess_”

“My father is currently sick and lying on his sick bed,” her voice amplified when she couldn’t handle such betrayal, “he trusted you to handle the affairs of Draekharm and I’m very sure he’s unaware of all this barbaric acts of yours.”

She sighed as though she pitied him. He’s the reason why Anna is nowhere near Euphrasia but she chose to let it be, but now, she wasn’t going to take this lightly when it concerned Anna’s people and her own clan.

Unable to waste her time on a worthless scoundrel like Arlow, she turned to face the villagers who were currently bruised from all the hitting. The women were silently sobbing while attending to their husbands and children that got hurt in the process and Calista had to keep her keep her composure intact, no matter how much she felt sorry for all of them.

Back then they blamed Annalise for every little thing that happened and now that she left, who else is left to blame?

“No one shall take your crops.” She firmly clarified, “it’s your sweat, you worked hard on it and so it shall rightfully remain yours. If someone tries to act against my orders z be it my father’s men, don’t hesitate to inform me about any of this.”

A grateful look washed down the faces of the people of Draekharm and they all bowed their heads in respect and great acknowledgement.

“Thank you so much princess.”

She smiled before turning to look at Arlow. She brushed past him but suddenly stopped and turned to look at him.

“This is just the beginning, all your evil deeds will be exposed and I’ll watch with a triumph gaze when the post you so cherish get’s stripped from you. In the meantime, get out.”

Her retort was like a knife-cut against Arlow’s intention and he couldn’t stop himself from glaring.

‘I guess the princess has gotten bolder.’ he inwardly said to himself and as much as he wanted to tear her in pieces for speaking to him in such manner, regardless of his age, it’d be more wiser to remain quiet.

“Yes, your highness.”

He held himself back and left the place. Everyone returned to their usual daily activities as the matter was settled.

Levi, who stood behind the crowd watched with a smile, “I guess there is someone sensible, right brother?”

Azazel just stared at the woman who was brave enough to speak, he recalled seeing her somewhere before but he had too much on his mind to be bothered about that now.

“Shall we leave?”

“Hmmn” he nodded, but before he left, he accidentally locked gaze with the princess who equally stared back and he watched as her eyes slightly widened.

“Excuse me, Mr.” She called out to him, but instead of waiting, Azazel walked into the crowds and that kept him out of sight, along with Levi and Gemma.

“Wait!”

Calista knew she wasn’t imagining it, that person had the same coal blue eyes like the one who saved her from the demon. She couldn’t have mistaken it but why was he leaving?? Is it possible he didn’t hear her.

“Princess, are you searching for someone? Do you need us to fetch him?” Asked a guard who remained by her side and she raised a finger, wanting to respond but then stopped.

If she sent her guards to go fetch him, he might take her for one of those desperate women and that wasn’t the mentality she wanted him to have of her while thanking him.

“No, let him go.”

Levi who witnessed the beautiful princess of Euphrasia calling out of Azazel earlier made him look at the man beside him with a suspicious stare.

Azazel who naturally strode with an expressionless face finally turned his head to meet the questioning stare of Levi.

“What?”

“The princess kept calling out to you.”

“It wasn’t me.”

“I know what I saw.” He pushed on, despite the fact Azazel barely paid him any attention and stopped at a stall to buy fresh buns for Gemma.

“Do you know her by any chance? Have you met her before?” Levi stood in front of him, wanting to gain his attention and he finally got it.

“Hmm? Answer me.”

“I don’t know people who hold no importance to me.” Came his emotionless response as he pulled Levi to the side and collected the bag of buns.

“Thank you.” He paid for the buns, dropping more than a half a crown on the table which was a payment more than what he bought and he walked out.