Ensnaring his Dark Moon-Chapter 297: An order

’’You...’’ Cardan wanted to strangle the woman or himself at times when she did not seem to realize how precious she was to him, ’’From now on, don’t ever cut yourself again.’’

’’You have internal injuries. I believe it can help you.’’

’’Help or not, Lucy, don’t do it again. Not even for me.’’

Luciana looked at him quietly, ’’Did you not tell me that this spell was harmless to you?" He had the audacity to be angry at her despite doing such things. Liar.

Cardan held her hand and gently stroked her fingers, ’’Don’t blame yourself. This is what I owe Maverick.’’

Killing Maverick would have been less ruthless than what he did to him.

Back then, he never thought it was a big deal to play with his emotions with the remaining part of Flora’s soul.

At that time, Cardan had no fears and nothing to lose. He did what he wanted without restraints.

As he looked at the woman sitting in front of him, things he never understood before started making sense to him.

Losing a loved one... was no less than a nightmare.

Cardan smiled as he glanced at Luciana’s worried face, ’’I do not care about Maverick’s life and death. But I do not want to owe anything to anyone.’’

’’If I had not rushed you...’’

’’Lucy, helping you is my choice. And my pleasure,’’ he held the back of her neck and reached out to kiss her forehead.

Cardan felt a cooling sensation spreading in his body. Her blood was taking effect. No wonder they called it miraculous, ’’Who did you send there?"

’’Aleister’s guards.’’

’’Don’t worry. They are capable of going under the sea to find the Duke,’’ Cardan leaned back on the tree, ’’And I have passed half of my powers to him,’’ he gazed at the flower which was glowing, ’’Until this flower withers, Maverick will have my powers. The people Jeremiah kept around him won’t be his match.’’

Luciana nodded, ’’I trust you. I am not worried.’’

Cardan’s lips tugged up.

She cleared her throat, ’’I am worried about something else.’’

’’Hmm?"

’’I am afraid that even if we find Duke Maverick, we won’t be able to go back to Defire in time no matter how fast we travel. And we do not know if Duke Maverick is in the condition for long journeys,’’ Luciana frowned, ’’What if Es ends up marrying my Uncle?"

’’Then, I will buy some good wine for my lonesome brother on our way back,’’ Cardan nodded thoughtfully.

"_"

Luciana was speechless. Should Aleister feel thankful for having such a brother?

She shook her head, ’’I just hope that Es can find a way to delay the marriage.’’

’’She will do something about it,’’ Cardan stroked her hair, ’’Esme is not a gullible woman. Your uncle won’t even know how he died.’’

’’You...’’ Luciana glared at him. He took every opportunity to badmouth Esme.

He pulled her into his arms, ’’I need to be here around the flower.’’

’’I will stay here with you.’’

Cardan smiled. What was this warmth spreading inside his heart? It was so comforting that he could relish in the feeling forever.

Cardan commanded his guards to follow Aleister’s men and help them out if needed, ’’Keep reporting to me.’’

’’Yes, your highness,’’ the men bowed and left.

...

In the sea dungeon.

"Your Grace," Rowan knelt in front of the wheelchair with the plate of food in his hand, "You haven’t had a drop of water in the past two days."

The man lying in the wheelchair opened his eyes slowly and glanced at Rowan who was kneeling in front of him, "Get up," Duke Maverick’s voice sounded unusually weak.

"Forgive me but I won’t be able to do that until you eat something. You can punish me for my impudence," Rowan lowered his head.

Duke Maverick smiled weakly, "Punish you? Do you think I am capable? The title I hold... is it any more than an empty title? Am I worthy of it?"

"Your Grace!"

The man tilted his head to the side, looking at the wall, "Has it been a year? More?"

Rowan sat on the floor, placing the plate aside.

"If Al was alive, would this have happened? Even Esme’s life is endangered and I am being held hostage to threaten her. That poor girl... Had we not insisted that she marry my nephew, would things have come to this? If Al was sent far away from Visteria, would he have been breathing now?"

Rowan knelt in front of the man, "Princess is a capable person. The guards here threatened us with her life but who knows if it is the truth or not?"

Duke Maverick smiled wryly, "None of this would have happened if I was capable as an elder. My children... my poor children," A drop of tear escaped from the corner of his eyes.

"Your Grace!" Rowan looked at the man helplessly.

At this moment, a few guards passed by while speaking to each other, "It has been months since we are here, keeping an eye on these worthless people. When will we be able to go to Defire?"

"Soon. Did you not know about the new orders we have received?"

"What orders? I was drunk yesterday so I slept in today. I don’t have a clue what you are talking about."

"The heir apparent is getting married to Lady Esmeray. He has asked us to kill these people the day after tomorrow. After that, we will be getting our rewards."

"Is that true?"

"Ask our other brothers if you don’t trust me..."

Rowan’s eyes widened, "Your Grace."

Duke Maverick did not say anything.

"Thankfully, we haven’t been idle here. We have made preparations for the escape routes. Since we were unconscious when we were brought here, we don’t know where this dungeon is situated but every time I sneaked out, I looked throughout the place. I believe I will be able to take you out this time..." he whispered.

Duke Maverick spoke up after a moment of silence, "Look for the route and leave this place."

"L-Leave? Are you not coming with me?"

"No."

"Your Grace!" Rowan was in disbelief.

Duke Maverick sighed softly. After a moment, he raised his hand and placed it on Rowan’s shoulders, patting him twice, ’’If you insist on taking me with you, you will drag yourself down,’’ he glanced at his wheelchair.

’’We will make it out of here no matter what happens...’’

’’Why do you insist on saving someone who does not want to live?" Duke Maverick closed his eyes, ’’The woman I love has long left this world. I had always known there was something amiss with the impostor living in the Castle but I was living in denial, refusing to see the truth. I never once pondered over it and it cost my brother his life. My nephew is gone. My sister has been dead for years. In this world, I have no one to live for.’’

’’Your Grace...’’

’’If my demise can keep that little girl safe, I have no regrets. I will stay back here. You are leaving,’’ When Rowan opened his mouth to speak, Duke Maverick interrupted him, ’’That is an order.’’

’Crash’

Rowan pushed away the plate of food away, fury apparent in his eyes, ’’If I go against your order?"

’’You...’’