Valentine laid on the tiger as it ran at top speed. Elsbeth and Vincent were running after them from behind with panting breathes.
"Why....why...." Vincent panted
Valentine smiled "Why not? Train in all situations."
Elsbeth was silent and sometimes had to help drag along Vincent.
Valentine sighed, "It's been so many year why is your stamina only getting worse!"
The teen ran and made a turn to arrive to the far side behind the Family's City. He thought it was absurd to be breaking into his own house.
"Knowing Vlad, he block the gates and if I'm unlucky when I jump over a landmine would greet me." He thought as he cautiously climbed the wall
He closed his eyes and let tiny roots spread gently through the soil and felt the numerous traps hidden within. For a moment his brain was stunned and he questioned if perhaps he was actually adopted?
Valentine shook his head thinking, "I remember we did a DNA test because we lost a dare. Hundred percent related."
He soundlessly walked through the city while his mind was active with thought. Elsbeth was astonished at the feat and was thankful he never took on assassination as a profession.
A bitter smile spread over Valentine face as a memory flashed in his mind of why he learnt how to walk this way. Before it could form he crushed it mercilessly and met Vincent's concerned gaze.
"Stop staring at me." he whispered shaking his body dramatically
The group hid away from any winged or water animal and crawled through the doggy door to enter the Family villa.
"I...I need to see my husband. Today has been too rough even for me." Elsbeth thought as though her soul was leaving her body.
Vladimir began cooking with ease and quiet motion that it blending in with the noise in the house. Vincent brought servant clothes for them and they join the bustle of the house.
Elsbeth found it fascinating watching Valentine from a different angle. He had swallowed up his natural dominant aura and behaved in such a banner taking orders from others even though she saw they way he hated it to the bone.
"He's like a chameleon." she thought
Valentine kicked Vladimir's door open when the arrived. His elder brother looked up at him, then at his watch and clicked his tongue.
"21:50....should have been more generous with the landmines." he frowned
Valentine shrieked, "WHAT TYPE OF LUNATIC SPRINKLES EXPLOSIVES EVERYWHERE FOR HIS BROTHER!!!???!"
"Look into my eyes and swear you wouldn't have done equal or worse?" Vladimir scoffed
He answered, "Touché."
Valentine suddenly knelt down with a wronged expression and held out the dish he made for his forgiveness.
"Will you accept this lowly one's apology?" Valentine said stressing every word with eyes telling him to get it over with
Vladimir raised an eyebrow as though saying 'you want to play?'
"Bring a silver needle." Vladimir requested "I understand the concubine's feelings after the royal tester takes it I may pardon you."
Valentine literally choked on the air and looked at his elder brother with a mixture of surprise and anger. The other family members at the door were asking themselves if they need to visit a doctor since they didn't understand what they were watching.
He spat, "Just eat it!"
"I don't get you dress you. Isn't this the least you can do?" Vladimir said with a small smile as he ate the food
Valentine chuckled dryly as he sat on the sofa, "My pride is too high, brother. I nearly snapped being ordered around like a servant, I given you enough."
"True. I have a picture of you in a servant outfit...." Vladimir told as he looked at his document
Valentine smiled, "Burn it."
Everyone looked at the surreal scene similar to a legend that couldn't exist.
"You gazes are very offensive. We do unwind sometimes, I'm only two years older than the idiot over there." Vladimir spoke
Valentine sighed, "I'm too beaten up to react to the insult."
"So what's next on your plan." Killian asked finding a seat for himself
The brothers looked at each other for a long moment in a silent strange communication that only siblings could do.
"Nothing." they told
Humphrey coughed, "Aren't you always breathing down our necks that there's no time?"
"That hurtful, Humphrey. But it he truth but we need to lay low for a moment. We're not the only ones running around." Valentine told
Vladimir added, "Our actions have rattled up the others so they're starting to make big moves. Let me gather a little more intel and we need to move a bit more subtly from now on since the time line seems to have advanced."
"I always knew she was a thorn in my flesh." Valentine spat out "No morals on contract terms."
Humphrey nodded, "I'll tell the others to keep their heads down."
"Don't overthink it, it's about time for that villain to move around." Vladimir sighed "Getting involved with him is annoying since he's like a leech."
The television came alive with various attack from villains in the southern area. Several explosions roared through the screen and the brothers faces frowned.
Meanwhile
Lesia looked out into the night of the city as the villains ran around and her guild members fought the enemies forcing them to retreat. Her mind was filled up with the conversation with the Nox Family Heads.
She had agonized on what to ask at that time and he mouthed moved before her cold-blooded thoughts could organized.
"Am I and my children also a part of your twisted games? Does he even love us?"
The stoic faced Vladimir's lips rose slightly, "Gabriel...I never had experience with couple counseling."
"Strange question. Your involvement in his plans is about less than ten percent. He does love you, I know it contradictory. Do you love him less now that you have the answer?" Valentine asked with genuine interest
She spat out, "But Blake-"
"I answered both because it was interesting. No more answers from me." he interrupted
Lesia pushed away the memory, she couldn't find the answer to Valentine question whether she still loved him and turned her gaze to Gabriel who was behind her as she hid the complex emotions. She raised her sword on his chest.
"Tell me the truth, Gabriel...what plans do you have coming to the south?" she demanded with a cold expression
Gabriel spoke, "You don't need to know, dear. Just know that it's for the family so we can live longer."
"Don't test Gabriel. I will pry the answers out of you and protect my children." she snarled pressing the blade into him
Gabriel gave her that small smile she loved, "You won't Lesia. It's true what he said, I love you."
EXPLOSIONS