The steel bars of the jail gate slid shut to contain the accused, and to wait for sound judgment to be passed on once the investigation for the food poisoning had been finished.

It was bothering to see that one of the people who we had fought with was behind that gate and was being scrutizined thoroughly. This didn't feel right. My instincts told me that Garrison was innocent.

"Droog, did the pale woman really do it?" he asked me.

"I'm not sure breux and the woman is a man," I clarified.

Fenris gasped. "Droog why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think it was relevant information breux."

"I'm sorry Garrison, but Ikesha left you the responsibility to monitor the food preparations. There is no other person we could think of as of now who could do this," Lucius spoke with an apologetic tone but bearing a firm stance.

Garrison kept a small smile on his lips and relinquished a sigh. "I understand your doubts and it is partly my fault for not performing my duties accurately. This is the consequence for my laxness; I should have been more pernickety."

"Are you certain that you have not seen anyone suspicious in the kitchen? Name someone and it might save you from this judgement," Laeroth stated.

"Enginn (None), just please start to investigate everyone. I do not want to recklessly throw out names and put innocent lives behind these bars with me. I do appreciate you setting up my room as the cell area for I find the dungeon here very distatesteful," Garrison chuckled before heading to the round table and pouring himself a glass of wine.

The figureheads of the boonies exited the room one-by-one and Crowley who had a scorned expression finally verbalized his feelings.

"Never have I imagined that I would see you in this situation."

Garrison swirled the ruby red drink and crossed his legs. "I am touched to see you bothered by my predicament hanuman," he replied amusingly before looking at Lucian who was blankly staring at him. Garrison placed his wine glass down and rose up before bowing.

"My Lord, I am sure you are disappointed in me. I can understand if you would not grace me with your beauty after exiting this vile stockade."

Lucian maintained an expressionless composure and shut his eyes. "I will come and visit every now and then," he responded causing Garrison to raise his head and blink in shock.

"My Lord?" he questioned.

"If you really are guilty then you wouldn't have fought number XII like you did; you could have just handed me over and be done with it already," Lucian reasoned out.

Garrison became teary-eyed and knelt on one of his knees. "My heart is floating with the clouds as it sunbathes underneath the sun's unscathing warmth. Thank you for believing in me."

"We'll come and visit too! I'm sure we'll catch the real person behind this," Ziru positively assured.

Kox remained silent and we were requested to exit the room by the guards assigned to watch over Garrison.

Once we were out of their range of hearing, Ziru twirled around and jumped up and down. "Let's investigate!"

Crowley gave him a rude "huh" and Ziru pouted.

"We have to do something about this. I don't believe Mister had anything to do with this at all! Don't you agree onii-chan?" Ziru questioned Lucian which made Crowley pinch his ear up.

"Don't make Lord Lucian agree with your crap. We can't have him doing something so dangerous. Let the figureheads solve this."

"But what if one of the figureheads is behind this?" Kox asked, silencing Crowley and Ziru who were only beginning to argue.

"So you're agreeing with Ziru?" I asked Kox.

"The faster we can hunt down the culprit the earlier we can leave this temporary bolthole for a new one," he told us before a purple flower appeared above the turning pages of his book.

The flower had round and elongated white petals with purple corona filaments growing adaxial to the corolla. Green carpels stood out in the middle of the petals and Kox grasped the green stem before tossing the flower at me.

"This is the flower that was added to the pastries. Ultimately, you might just sniff out the scent in the kitchen but let's see if you can sniff out its odor from any other room," Kox said.

"Alright let's do this~!" Ziru cheered.

"Ugh kids..." Crowley groaned.

No other protests were heard from Crowley, Ziru, and certainly not from Lucian. I let Fenris take over the physical form and we began our investigation. The scent led us to the kitchen which was now empty and disheveled. Pots and saddles were everywhere and unfinished porridge was covered. Lucius and the others were probably interrogating the ones given the task to cook.

Scums who had the misfortune to consume the poisoned pastries were given an antidote by Ikesha. They were currently recovering on the third floor.

"The scent is strong here droog!" Fenris told me and bumped his nose against the huge copper cyclindrical barrel.

"Aha! The object of the crime is here!" Ziru announced.

Crowley lifted the lid and showed the confiscated pastries inside. "So what now?" Crowley drawled before putting back the lid. "If you ask me it's obvious that Garrison was framed. But to come up with a plan like that right after being assigned to their specific task... "

"The culprit must have planned it from the start regardless of the meeting we held earlier," Lucian stated. So our mate really was listening?

"The carrot thief must be discovered..." he sternly murmured.

What was I expecting? Of course he was asleep the entire time.

"I see that you're investigating," a calm voice rose from the quite area. All of us turned to look at Aramastus who was leaning against the wall with his eyes trained on us.

I have never seen this guy without his mask on.

"What are you doing here?" Ziru asked.

"Master Lucius told me to come to the kitchen and see if I can find something out. To my surprise I find four people trying to put Master Lucius' beloved brother into serious danger," he chirped.

"This stronzo might report this to Lucius. Fuck, he's going to pluck my wolf's whiskers for this."

"Are you going to stop us?" Kox asked. "I know you won't."

Aramastus shrugged his shoulders. "There's no need to. Anyway, I know that Lord Lucian isn't someone who can be taken without a fight," he replied before turning around.

"Who do you think it is?" Crowley asked. "Any luck with the interrogations?"

Aramastus turned his head slightly to the side. "I can pinpoint a lot of people who want Lord Lucian gone. It's not actually that difficult to name them," he spoke.

Crowley and Ziru were taken aback for a moment before the both of them took a step forward.

"Seriously?" they asked in unison.

The vampire-scented leech nodded with his eyes smiling. "Sure, there are many people who have a grudge on him."

"What?"

What was this leech reincarnation saying? Why would anyone be having vengeful thoughts on this bland yet doll-looking ancient? I admit that Lucian was guileless in the most unnerving events but I didn't believe that he would hurt anyone to the point of cold agony.

"Who?" Ziru asked with worry. "My big brother is nice and kind; why would anyone want to hurt him?"

I agree with this statement one hundred and one percent. I will claw out their livers and dry them under the sun for even thinking of hurting our mate.

"It would be better if we ask that person directly," Kox butted in. "I have a plan."

"Here we go again."

"Oh by the way," Aramastus trailed before fishing something from his pocket. "This petal was found on the third floor. Is it yours?" he asked.

Kox tilted his head and squinted his eyes. "I summoned this sample of flower on the first floor. That's not mine."

Aramastus hummed and let his arms fall to his sides. "Better investigate on the 3rd floor then. I'll dispose the pastries so that it won't hinder the werewolf from sniffing out smaller evidences that could be substantial."

"Ah thank you," Crowley replied. "You're not gonna come with us?"

"No, I'll do a seperate investigation. You guys go ahead and make sure you protect the Lord with your lives," he advised us.

He didn't need to state the obvious. We'll protect Lucian with or without Lucius telling us.

The five of us headed to the 3rd floor where Aramastus found the petal. There was a vivid scent of the flower here that was stronger in one specific room.

"Found anything?" Kox asked.

Fenris gruffed before he scampered and busted inside the area where he picked up the scent the strongest.

"There's nothing here," Ziru said with disappointment.

"Don't underestimate a werewolf's nose kid," Crowley snorted.

This room's scent was familiar. There seemed to be two people resting in this bedroom judging from the mixed of scents. The room would be pretty innocent for anyone without a sharp nose but for us werewolves, it was overspilling with proof.

Fenris bit the pillow from the mattress and tossed it at Crowley who instantly caught it with one hand. Realizing that Fenris had sniffed out the scent from the pillow, the hanuman held the pillow with both hands and ripped it into two.

Petals cascaded down to the floor with our eyes bearing witness to the evidence that could possibly free Garrison from the accusation.

Now, the problem lied with the actual people behind this.

This got even more complicated.

"Whose room is this?" Crowley questioned with a wicked grin on his face.

"Droog, this room belongs to—"

"Why are you all here?" Ikesha asked from behind us.

Once she saw the pool of flower petals on the ground, her eyes widened in shock before she let a knowing smile on her lips.

"This...First Garrison and now us," she murmured.

"Are you saying that you don't have anything to do with this?" Crowley questioned with suspicion lacing his voice.

"You, it's you isn't it Madame?" Ziru indicted with slight hesitation and confusion.

"If I said no you'll just think I'm lying with the evidence pushed against your faces," Ikesha chuckled. "Report this to Lucius and don't remove those petals from the ground."

There was no trace of guilt found on her features. This could have been much easier if she would become defensive and attack us, but she continued to become calm and composed while instructing us on the proper way to handle this mess.

The hanuman dropped the torn pillow to the ground and glared at Ikesha. "You're not going to report this yourself?"

The blue-haired woman swayed her head as an initial response. "No, you found the evidence that places me in the position of the perpetrator. It's only right that you report this yourself."

"Something smells fishy about this," Crowley groaned.

"It must be your armpits," Ziru giggled and dodged Crowley's incoming fist.

We reported what we found to Lucius who was forbidding the entire conversation. Crowley was the main person to explain the situation with Ziru backing him up.

Once we were done, we visited Ikesha's and Laeroth's room and there we found steel bars keeping them inside and with guards already keeping watch.

"It looks like they already organized everything for their imprisonment," Lucius laughed.

"You didn't wait for me to interrogate you. Are you telling me that you admit to your crimes?" he teased.

Laeroth scoffed and plopped down on the mattress. "That pest wants this to happen. This will make the investigation go easier for you."

Lucius placed his weight on his left leg and crossed his arms in thought. "But to plant some lame evidence in your room— that person is a new kind of stupid."

"I'm starting to think that you're responsible for all of this," Ikesha chuckled.

"I'm offended that you think I have such a low intelligence."

"Just hurry up and deal with this stupidity," Laeroth grunted.

"I'll gather everyone and announce your imprisonment. Be ready," Lucius told them.

"Good luck," Ikesha bid.

"So what now?" Crowley asked right after being dismissed by Lucius who suddenly possessed a good mood that was oddly frightening.

"My plan..." Kox pushed on.

"Maybe we should let onii-chan rest," Ziru spoke which blocked everyone's attention from being focused on Kox.

"Listen to me," Kox deadpanned.

"How about a little nap?" Crowley yawned.

"Hey..."

"Wowieee I'm bummed out!" the hanuman exclaimed as he stretched up.

I guess they weren't excited to hear Kox's strategy. His first strategy wasn't bad; it actually saved us. But he was really extreme and was willing to sacrifice anything which was scary.

With the constant hindering and disrespect that Kox received, the child evidently sulked and floated away from us.

"Hey we're just joking! What were you saying again?" Crowley cackled.

"Nevermind, I'll handle it myself..." Kox brooded.

"No we're serious! Let us in with your strategy," Ziru sheepishly encouraged.

Kox slightly turned with his face bearing a dead expression that made the Hanuman and the Sky hood regret their meddling.

I didn't know which world this child was from or how he can come up with such ridiculous strategies but Goddess forbid, he can really get Lucius to squeeze lemon on my dick.

It was already nightfall and Kox told us to stay hidden until he signaled us the cue.

But he didn't specify what his cue will be or why Lucian had to be excluded from the hiding part.

What the heck was Koxteus planning?

"That warugaki (brat) is taking too long..." Crowley whispered. We were on a tree watching from above with Lucian standing coolly. At this rate he was going to fall asleep while standing.

My heart thumped wildly on my chest when Kox appeared with someone I didn't expect to be coming.

"I told you, he's here," Kox murmured.

"You didn't betray me. Thank you for making this job easier," Aramastus responded.

So it was the blood-sucking leech all along?!

Crowley instantly placed his hand on my chest when he noticed how riled up I was from what I was hearing.

"When do you depart for Cludea? The Higher Order must be tired of waiting," Kox said.

This was making me believe that Kox was a part of this scheming. Was this all part of his plan? I had the sudden urge to strangle him.

A flash of steel blade was drawn in a blink of an eye and I could visibly see Crowley holding his breath from the scene.

"It's too bad that they have to keep waiting..." Aramastus coldly seethed with his slim blade dangerously pressing against Kox's cheek.

The child hummed. "So it wasn't you."

"You were testing me?" Aramastus laughed before twirling his sword back to its sheath.

"Yes and I brought you here for another purpose," Kox murmured just before Aramatus vanished and reappeared right in front of Lucian to destroy incoming needles thrown towards the blonde.

Masked individuals leaped out from the bushes with clothes and odors familiar to my senses.

They were...scums?

"I wanted to make use of a high-quality assassin against a large quantity of assassins," Kox explained.

"Good choice, I am flattered. Now return back and report this to Master Lucius," Aramastus ordered before lashing out and knocking down his enemies in a second.

"Kox will you tell ne what's going on?!" Crowley questioned once he soared down.

"Now is not the time to explain. Keep running," Kox deadpanned.

I jumped out from the tree branch and carried Lucian into my arms.

A loud explosion was heard from the mansion and the area mainly affected was the third floor.

"What's happening? Why are the scums after Lord Lucian?" Crowley questioned in frustration.

"There might be someone who needs our help inside!" Ziru exclaimed and ran off inside the burning mansion.

Crowley groaned. "Wait, we can't go—"

"Let's go," Lucian spoke out. "I'll lead the way," he monotonously volunteered.

I let the blonde slip out of my arms and my chest grew heavy for not knowing how he was feeling.

Lucian had treated the boonies as a place where he belonged to. I knew that he wanted to protect it and the people who were a part of it.

But how can he protect the people who wanted him gone?

A swirl of water which resembled a flying monster twirled inside the manor and killed off some of the fire. More of the ancients who got out helped in killing the blaze and once we got inside and ascended to the third floor; we heard a plea of help.

"Are you alright?!" Crowley asked and helped Lettice stand.

"Ye-yeah, the kid...the kid you're with went inside the room where the bomber is. You have to hurry," Lettice wheezed out and held her side which was bleeding.

"Damn it!" Crowley snarled. I took Lettice off his hands so he can pick up Ziru who was engaging with the bomber.

"Do you know who it was?" I asked the weakened ancient as we walked. The fire was already extinguished and we were careful not to step on any craters on the floor.

"Yes I know her well...That bastard!" Lettice cussed.

Was it Ikesha?

I was acting out of instinct but I didn't want to believe that it was really her.

"It was...me!" Lettice giggled and pierced her steeled hand through my side.

Lettice tried to shove me away but I kept my feet anchored to the floor before punching her straight to the face which sent her body crashing inside the wall.

"Lucian, get out of here!" I barked out. Steeled leaves were shot towards my direction and I held my arm up and shielded my face.

"So the papercut was her," Kox mumbled.

A loud and hysterical giggle pierced through the air and Lettice sauntered out of the wall.

I froze in place when the scent of rot spread out and with Crowley scampering out of the room bearing a terrified expression on his face. It felt like my body was splashed with very cold water. I couldn't move. I felt like every breath I take was restricted to a minimum.

"All of the ancients here are dead!" he growled with Ziru tossed over his shoulder.

"It's only a matter of time before they completely wreck havoc. We must escape and warn the others," Kox told us.

"And who told you that I'll let you escape alive?" Lettice snorted. "Oh wait; the dead can't escape so nevermind!"

"Why did you do it?" Lucian asked. His head was bowed down and his eyes were those similar to when he had flashbacks of his past.

Lettice grinned and tilted her hip to one side. "Why not? It's tiring to fight for a noble cause. I just wanted to be part of the baddies now."

The ground where Lettice was standing on crumbled but she was able to leap away before she could fall. Hundreds of leaves gathered outside of the windows and threatened our current position but Lucian paid no importance on them.

"Why did you do it?" he asked again.

"Why should I reply to a man who's going to die anyway?" she spat before giggling out.

"Duck!" Crowley barked and threw his body on top of mine when the leaves bulleted inside.

"Lucian!" my wolf whimpered.

My eyes snapped open once the sound of the leaves halted. My vision perceived an unscathed Lucian and an unharmed Kox looking at Lettice with no sense of danger in their appearance. The scent of decay became stronger and fear stabbed my whole body.

The leaves that were stuck against the wall retracted from their staking and a glimmer of red flashed in Lucian's blue eyes.

"You're good for a royal swine," Lettice bitterly snickered.

"Why," Lucian trailed and the leaves that Lettice sent now pointed at Lettice herself. "Did you do it?" he questioned again but this time with another voice mixing with his own.

The leaves shot mercilessly at their previous manipulator but their speed was much faster and more ruthless than before. The woman fell on her knees and she released shaky pants which trembled even further when she laughed. Her clothes were torn apart with her own blades pierced through her flesh.

"Yo-you...You shouldn't be here. She should have been here and not you," she spoke and rose. Leaves gathered behind her and aimed back at Lucian.

"Is she the reason why you did it?" Lucian asked.

"Yes, she was the only one...who made me feel complete..." she stuttered.

Tears trailed down her cheeks and leaves pierced through the air only to arrive as withered dried ones when they hit Lucian.

But still...one managed to slit Lucian's cheek and draw blood from it.

Lettice broke down from laughing and then shifted into a pool of agonized tears. Lucian sauntered towards her and bent down before pulling her into an unexpected embrace.

"I have managed to finally create memories that I never thought I could have. If you were to take my life now, I would not mind," he murmured.

"Lucian!" I snarled and scrambled to my feet. I stayed still when Lettice brought out a knife and held it against his nape.

No...

No...

No!

"Don't take him away from me! Please! I beg of you!" I screamed.

"You should suffer. You deserve to suffer. Your life costs a thousand and yet why is it that you are still loved? You deserve nothing but death! How does it feel to live a luxurious life in that castle while the rest of us struggle like worms?" Lettice cried as the hand holding the knife trembled. Her other hand held Lucian close with her fist twisting his shirt.

"What I felt at that time..." Lucian murmured. "I cannot explain it. I do not think I can. Perhaps it's because numbness ruled me for a long time."

Lettice raised her knife with eyes decisive on what to do next and my feet moved and I grabbed her wrist before yanking Lucian out of her grasp. I turned around and heard her scream before feeling something sharp pierce through my back.

"Why won't you stay dead you damn monster?!"

Anger pulsed through me and I pivoted and elbowed her stomach before spinning around and kicking her head. Crowley pummeled a wall for us to jump out from and I carried Lucian and leaped out before Lettice could gain her balance.

At this point it was hard to distinguish ally from foe because everyone was from the boonies.

"Watch out!" Crowley warned and pushed me aside before the leaves could hit me.

Lettice jumped down with a grin on her face and she licked her busted lip before winking.

"I like you werewolf. Why don't you become mine instead?"

I heard my wolf gag and whimper. "Look away droog! Fenris does not want to see that woman!"

"I'll save the puking later breux. I never thought someone can be worse than Ulmer."

Before I deal with her, I should put Lucian into a safe place.

"Crowley, get Lucian out—"

"I'll handle her," Lucian cut me off.

Great hesitance grew in my chest when Lucian slipped out of my arms once again.

"Oho? Did you get mad when I tried to flirt with the werewolf?" Lettice teased.

The branches of trees agitated and leaves began to fall off from them.
Lucian steadily raised his arm side ways and the fallen petioles unhurriedly ascended before abruptly aiming their sharpness to everyone.

The fighting stopped and the scums were petrified from their position.

"I simply want to have a harmless conversation with the people who wants me gone and you seem to be their representative."

----------------------------------------------

A/n: Haluuuuuuuuu