Chapter 20: The set up for chaos
Mimi prepared the carriage, her every movement precise and calculated. She was well aware that this mission could go terribly wrong, but her loyalty to Theodore outweighed her fear. As the sun began its descent, painting the Donovan skies a mix of orange and crimson, she climbed aboard and set off toward the Marquess's manor.
Meanwhile, Theodore and Belial had already teleported to the outskirts of the castle grounds. Hidden within the shadows of a tall oak tree, they could see everything beyond the walls. Guards patrolled lazily, and the grandiose gardens surrounded the lavish estate where the Queen resided.
Theodore chuckled, his eyes gleaming with malice. "She's about to receive a gift she'll never forget."
Belial smirked beside him. "My lord, this will be delightful to watch."
In side the castle grounds, Mimi entered with her head bowed. The gardens were immaculate, with roses blooming under the fading sunlight. At the center, the Queen sat on an ornate chair surrounded by her maids. She sipped tea delicately, her every movement exuding an air of authority and cruelty.
Mimi approached, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty."
The Queen's cold eyes flicked toward her. Without a word, she picked up her teacup and hurled it at Mimi's head. The porcelain shattered, cutting into her scalp as blood trickled down her forehead. Mimi dropped to her knees, trembling.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty!" she pleaded.
The Queen rose from her seat, her voice laced with fury. "Why should I? You failed me, Mimi! You allowed that cursed boy, Theodore, to thrive. I've learned he's a mana and aura user now—and that he dared strike my child! Why didn't you kill him when you had the chance?"
Mimi bowed lower, her voice cracking. "Your Majesty, he's grown far stronger... stronger than me."
The Queen's face twisted with rage. "Excuses!" she barked. "Hold her down."
The maids obeyed without hesitation, grabbing Mimi's arms and forcing her to the ground. The Queen retrieved a cane and struck Mimi with ferocity, each blow accompanied by the sickening crack of wood against flesh. Blood splattered across the pristine garden as Mimi cried out, her body convulsing under the assault.
Even as Mimi's breathing grew shallow, the Queen's anger did not wane. "You worthless wretch!" she screamed, stomping on Mimi's trembling body. With one final, merciless blow, Mimi's head lolled to the side, her body limp. The Queen froze, her chest heaving, as she realized Mimi was no longer moving.
The maids recoiled in shock. "Your Majesty... she's dead," one whispered.
Panic seized the Queen. "Impossible! It was just a small punishment!" Her voice trembled as the weight of her actions sunk in. She glanced at the lifeless body before her and cursed under her breath. "She was the daughter of the Mercenary King... this will ruin me."
Desperate, she ordered her men to dispose of the body. "Wrap her in a blanket and throw her in the nearest river. Make sure no one finds out!"
"Yes my queen"
The men obeyed, loading Mimi's body into a carriage. As they traveled through the darkening forest, they spoke in hushed tones, nervous about the task they'd been given.
But their journey was cut short. Theodore dropped from above, landing silently in the center of the carriage. The men barely had time to react before his blade flashed. Blood sprayed across the walls as he dispatched them with ease, their bodies crumpling one by one.
Theodore knelt beside Mimi's body, his smirk returning. "You did well, Mimi. I couldn't have planned this better."
As if in response, a dark mist escaped from Mimi's mouth, coalescing into her true shadow form. The entity stood beside Theodore, her face calm yet vengeful. "I'm glad I could serve you, my lord," she said, her voice echoing with both sadness and pride.
Little Luna appeared beside Belial, unbothered by Mimi's transformation. She ran forward and hugged the shadow tightly, much to Mimi's surprise. "I'm glad you're okay, Mimi," Luna whispered.
Mimi smiled faintly, placing a hand on the child's head. "Thank you."
Theodore, still in disguise, lifted Mimi's lifeless body and teleported to the Mercenary Guild. The rowdy interior, filled with men drinking and laughing, fell silent as Theodore entered. He dropped the body onto the wooden floor with a loud thud.
Gasps rippled through the room as the mercenaries recognized the bloodied corpse. Several men reached for their weapons, glaring at Theodore. "You dare bring her here?" one bellowed.
The Mercenary King, a towering man with fiery red hair and eyes filled with fury, burst through the crowd. "Who did this?" he roared, his voice shaking the walls. He knelt beside his daughter, cradling her broken body. Tears streamed down his face as he howled in anguish.
Theodore remained calm, tossing a bloodied badge onto the ground. "I saved her from two men wearing this. They were disposing of her body on the Queen's orders."
The room erupted in chaos. The badge clearly bore the insignia of the Donovan family.
The Mercenary King's fists trembled. "The Queen..." he growled, his voice dripping with hatred. He slammed his fist into the wall, shattering it with a single blow. Turning to Theodore, he demanded, "Why would she do this?"
Feigning hesitation, Theodore said, "She didn't like how Mimi failed to kill a prince named Theodore. She considered her useless and disposed of her."
The King's grief turned into rage. "I was a fool to follow that witch's orders. Men! Arm yourselves! We march on the Donovan estate tonight!"
A deafening roar erupted from the guild as hundreds of mercenaries rose, their bloodlust ignited. Swords, axes, and bows were drawn as they prepared for battle.
The mercenaries stormed the castle under cover of night, scaling the walls and cutting down guards. The courtyard became a battlefield, filled with the screams of dying soldiers and the clash of steel.
Theodore watched from a nearby tree, smirking as he absorbed the souls of the fallen into his underworld. "What a beautiful harvest," he mused, his eyes glowing with dark power.
Belial laughed beside him. "Your plan is flawless, my lord."
As the chaos unfolded, Marquess Donovan emerged, wielding an aura-infused blade. He cut down several mercenaries with ease, his power intimidating even the fiercest warriors.
The Mercenary King approached, his own aura blazing. "Donovan! We've been friends for years, but tonight, you die."
Donovan's face twisted in confusion. "Why are you attacking me?"
"Because of your Queen!" the King roared. "She killed my daughter!"
Donovan's shock turned to fury as he realized the Queen's actions had dragged him into war. He shouted orders to his guards, but the Queen was nowhere to be found.