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~ Chapter 16 Saving My Wife ~

Livi stood alone at the summit of the hill, the chilly winds whipping his clothes and nipping into his exposed skin. Far away, the ringing bell of a nearby clocktower striking midnight resonated across the lands.

He came here without his butler or guards, bearing nothing but the payment in exchange for the life of his beloved wife.

How audacious of them to kidnap her right in front of his eyes. They must truly not treasure their own lives. When given a chance, he would make sure they would never be able to live through another day.

But he couldn't deny that a part of him was chiding himself too - for letting them have the opportunity to take her away. He swore on his own life that he would make things right again.

The sound of footsteps from behind him made him stiffen. Livi turned around slowly to face the source. A shadow emerged from between the trees and stepped into the light, illuminating the sharp, cold features on the person's face. Closing the distance between them, she stared at him indifferently, before her face flickered into a look of surprise.

"You," she said sharply. Her brows creased into an angry frown. "You aren't the king. Where is he? Is he afraid? Did he tuck his tail between his legs and ran away?"

Snorting at her reaction, he held his head high and stood tall and regal. "You must be incredibly damfool to not realise who you're speaking to all this while," he said. "I'm the Sun King."

"You?" She threw her head back and barked out a laugh. "There's no way that you're the Sun King. For what everybody says, he is nothing but a short pipsqueak."

"A - short - pip - squeak." Livi repeated her choice of words angrily and his eyebrow twitched in annoyance. She has just mocked him in the worst possible way that he decided that she should be thrown into the depths of hell instead.

"That is all gibberish. Neither am I short or a pipsqueak." He gritted his teeth and threw out his right hand, flashing the gleaming ring on his finger that beared the crest of the royal family. Cathay's hideous smile faded once she recognised the crest.

"Impossible. You're just wearing a fake ring," she argued. Livi raised one brow as he stared at her in irritation. "Fine, then let's have Nike here to confirm on my identity. I've brought what you want. Now, where is she?" he demanded.

"Don't be impatient, she'll be here. Ah, speak of the devil." She glanced at the other side of the hill, where two dark figures were slowly making their way over to them. As they approached and the light from the moon revealed their faces, Livi recognised the man from earlier that kidnapped Nike.

And Nike - she was blindfolded, bound by ropes and gagged. The man was guiding her to the agreed location.

That bastard… Seeing his hands on her, he leapt forward in rage and nearly pounced on them, but not before Cathy blocked his way with a swing of her sword. At the last second, he took a step backwards, narrowly missing getting cut at his forearm.

"Easy now, flower boy. You're really overprotective of the princess, aren't you?" She clucked her tongue at him, before her lips formed a sly smile. "Would be nice if a man looks at me like how you look at her," she sighed dreamily.

She craned her neck slightly to the side to look at them. "Hey, Leo nii-san. Mind if you remove the blindfold off the princess? There's something I need to confirm."

Leo raised his eyebrows questioningly at them, his eyes flickering from his sister to Livi, before he did what she asked and removed the blindfold off Nike. Once it was off, Nike squinted her eyes to let her vision focused on the scene before her and she finally noticed Livi's presence.

"Livi! You dummy, why are you here? They're going to kill you!" she shouted. Her reaction was so pure and innocent that it would be impossible for people to think that she was pretending.

Ignoring her warning, Livi aimed his stare back at Cathy with a I-told-you-so face. "Hmm," she cocked her head thoughtfully. "So, it's true. I guess you probably had a growth spurt then."

The man that has been quietly observing their exchange for the past few minutes spoke suddenly. "I'm surprised to see that you've kept your promise. A king who cold-heartedly conquered other nations has risked his life coming here alone for a woman. Interesting..." he mused.

Livi's eyes bore into Leo's in boredom. He was getting tired of them talking and delaying every minute that could have been spent with Nike back at their warm, cozy castle instead. "I've brought what you guys want. Give me Nike and you'll have what you want. Wasn't that the deal in the first place?"

"Indeed." He took a step closer to Livi, pushing Niki in front of him. "Show me the item."

Livi tucked his hand into the pocket of his overcoat, pulling out a bowie knife that was fitted in a sheath. It was an elegant and intricate design, clearly made from a reputable and well-skilled blacksmith. Recognition lit up in Leo's eyes when he saw the blade and a yearning look appeared on his face. He wanted his family's heirloom back so much - it was the only thing left from his family. Their pride and prove of their existence.

"Hand it over," he demanded.

"Hand me back my woman." Despite the situation they were in, Livi's words made Nike blushed red. If only her hands weren't tied up, she would slap herself so hard.

They closed their distance slowly - Leo keeping one hand on Nike and Livi holding out the sheathed knife. Once they were within reach, they both placed one hand on each of their loot.

"One… Two… Three!" They released their hold. Leo finally had his hands on the knife and Livi pulled Nike back safely into his arms. Both parties leapt backwards, distancing themselves from each other. Nike felt the immediate relief, the heat coming from his hands was truly a pleasure considering they were being whipped by the freezing cold winds.

Leo was awestruck by the beauty of the heirloom, it was something that his father let him touch once as it always kept safely in a glass case. "I believe you do know what this is, Your Majesty?"

"That was an heirloom belonging to the Strauss's family and was retrieved as part of the loan payment," Livi stated in a matter-of-factly. "You and your sister are part of the Strauss family?"

"Yes." Leo gazed impassively at him, his eyes hardening. "Then you must know what have happened to my family afterwards?"

Livi sighed loudly. "Yes... I do know. My condolences for the loss of your family." For once, the dignified king showed an inkling of remorse in his eyes.

However, his words angered Leo instead. "Then you know that you must pay for what you have done," he said.

"Leo-san!" This time, it was Nike who spoke up. "You already have gotten what you wanted. Now, let us go."

"Indeed," he answered. "I have gotten back my possession. And now I have to kill him with my own hands, otherwise there will be no end to my wrath."

"Very well." Livi placed a hand over the hilt of his sword that was tucked into his belt. "I shall take up on your challenge, but I will be the winner instead." He was sooo ready to fight and punish Leo for putting Nike through such an ordeal.

"Livi! Please-" Nike begged.

"Nike, stand behind me." He pushed her behind him protectively.

"If you both could just stop and listen-"

Leo gave a sideway glance at his sister, who nodded her head at him in agreement. He drew out his sword slowly. "Prepare yourself, Your Majesty!" With utmost determination, he shouted at the top of his voice. Livi, too, drew out his sword swiftly and readied himself. He was dead-on prepared to win this fight no matter what happened.

"ENOUGH!" A booming, female voice commanded.

A sudden powerful gust of wind blew everyone off balance and they struggled not to be swept away. Using the distraction, Nike grabbed Livi by the arm and, with monstrous strength, pulled him away from the rest quickly before any catastrophe happened. He found himself unable to fight back against her outburst of energy.

What - Nike - What just happened?

In the midst of running, he called out her name, "Nike! What are you doing?"

"JUST RUN, LIVI," she swore loudly. "UGH, WHAT'S WITH BOYS AND THEIR STUPID BRAINS?"

"Stupid? Hey, I came out here to save you-"

"SHUT UP AND RUN, LIVI. They're coming to kill us."

And it was true. When Nike turned back, there were two figures chasing after them with murderous glint in their eyes.

And they were very, very angry indeed.

Nike couldn't help but gulped worriedly. She wasn't sure which would be an easier death - getting killed by the siblings or butchered by Neil?