"........," 

Penelope reacted with lightning speed, stepping forward like a shield to protect Eckles from the sudden hostility brewing in this unexpected confrontation.

"I don't think so,"

She countered with quiet confidence, her composure unshakeable despite the man's advances.

It was clear she recognized him for who he truly was – an old fool. 

A perverted one at that.

His laughter, once booming, now rang hollow and false in the tense atmosphere.

"You dare scorn me?"

He bellowed, indignation coloring his voice.

"Ha! I am the esteemed Kluy…!"

I gritted my teeth at the revelation. 

Von Kri, the name he gave away, was just a façade.

This was Kluy, a man with a far more dangerous reputation. 

Regret gnawed at me for carelessly revealing my real identity earlier.

'Why did I have to go and announce myself?'

I berated myself silently.

I hated liars, and in front of me, was one.

Before the confrontation could escalate further, one of Kluy's henchmen interjected, his voice an attempt at reason. 

"Master," he pleaded, "perhaps a public display of aggression isn't the most…  fitting course of action?"

Kluy, however, dismissed his concerns with a dismissive wave of his hand. 

His eyes, now narrowed and cold, locked onto our small group, settling on Eckles who stood protectively behind Penelope.

"The thing is,"

He began, his voice dripping with false authority,

"I believe you have something that belongs to me. That slave, to be detailed."

"Eckles, step back,"

Penelope commanded sharply, her gaze unwavering as she met Kluy's.

Her voice, though quiet, resonated with a steely resolve in the confined alleyway. 

Without hesitation, Eckles obeyed, retreating to the safety of the shadows behind her.

The air crackled with tension as Penelope challenged Kluy directly. 

"Did you forget that I paid 100 million gold for him?" 

She held his gaze, unflinching.

Standing beside her, I felt a surge of determination despite the odds stacked against us.

Kluy spluttered in outrage, his offer of concession laced with mockery. 

"A-about that! I simply…  neglected to bring such a sum today. Consider it an…  investment. Ten million gold for now, the rest later!"

A scoff escaped my lips, drawing Kluy's attention momentarily. 

But before I could retort, Penelope cut in, her voice ringing with finality.

"990 million."

Kluy's jaw slackened in disbelief. "What…?" He sputtered, utterly bewildered.

"From the very beginning,"

She declared emphatically,

"my intention was to pay ten times the auction price, no questions asked. Just like this man here."

She gestured towards me, her statement leaving Kluy speechless. 

His face contorted in a mask of confusion, his carefully constructed facade crumbling around him.

But Penelope wasn't finished. 

A dangerous glint flickered in her eyes.

"If you had called 100 million…"

She began, her voice a silky threat.

A dramatic pause hung in the air before she delivered the final blow. 

"I would have offered a billion."

"A billion?!"

Kluy sputtered, his face paling. 

"-Wh-What kind of contriving is this! DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO I AM?!"

Penelope's expression was a chilling mix of intimidation and mockery. 

"...'Contriving', you say? Perhaps you should ask yourself the same question. Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"

Her words hung heavy in the air, a testament to a power that went far beyond mere wealth or influence. 

Kluy's bluster faltered, the fear beneath his anger flickering like a dying flame.

"You insolent b***-!"

He roared, his voice cracking with a mixture of outrage and, perhaps, a hint of terror. 

He lunged towards Penelope, arm extended in a violent gesture.

But before his hand could connect with her delicate skin, a figure erupted from the shadows. 

To everyone's astonishment, it was Eckles. 

Despite the handcuffs, he had managed an impossible feat, twisting Kluy's arm with a sickening snap that sent a howl of pain through the air.

Surprise washed over us all. 

The supposedly unbreakable restraints lay useless on the ground, discarded like yesterday's news.

"You …  You broke free…"

I stammered, my mind struggling to catch up.

Kluy's rage morphed into a desperate scramble for survival. 

"Ugh... K-KILL THEM ALL! LEAVE ONLY THE LITTLE GIRL …!"

A primal growl erupted from my throat. 

The threat to Alissa, the child I now fiercely considered my own, ignited a protective fire within me. 

"You dare even look at my child the wrong way!"

I bellowed, my voice deepening with each word.

"You dare lie to me, disrupt my plans…!" 

Anger, raw and untamed, threatened to consume me. 

"And you tried harming a lady in my presence?! You're dead, Kluy. Dead!"

The words vibrated through the alleyway, a chilling promise. 

With a growl, I reached for Penelope, gently transferring Alissa and the reassuring weight of my coin purse into her care. 

"Take her somewhere safe,"

I instructed urgently, the safety of my newfound family burning brightest in my mind. 

"Find a carriage, wait for us. I don't want either of you witnessing what comes next."

Her eyes widened in shock, but understanding flickered quickly behind them. 

With a brisk nod, she melted into the shadows, Alissa's muffled cries of "Papa!" was the last sound before they disappeared.

"........," 

✦ Content Warning: The upcoming section contains violence and gore. Reader discretion is advised ✦

"........,"  

"Eckles…"

I turned to him, my voice calmer now, but no less determined. 

Our gazes met, a silent conversation passing between us. 

Understanding flickered in his storm-grey eyes. 

"Do you want to go with them?"

The question hung heavy in the charged air. 

Penelope had vanished, taking Alissa with her, leaving me alone with the man who held the key to so much. 

The air crackled with anticipation as I awaited his answer. 

His choice mattered now more than ever – a decision critical for our collective survival.

"Or do you stay?"

I added softly, allowing him time to weigh the options laid bare. 

However, a warning accompanied the proposition, my voice hardening. 

"But remember, Eckles, if you dare stand in my way now, I won't hesitate striking you down as well."

Eckles stared back, his grey eyes reflecting indecision. 

The truth in my words hung heavy in the air. 

But ultimately…

"I'll stick by you, my lord."

'Eh?-... my lord...? Man, whatever.'

Despite the dire circumstances humor struck me momentarily chuckling darkly at 'my lord'.

Truly a fitting nickname considering recent developments - one day maybe I would grow accustomed to hearing myself addressed thusly.

A slight nod acknowledged Eckles' decision, steeling my resolve for the impending fight.

Pointing towards Kluy, who now glowered from a distance, surrounded by his henchmen who attempted to fortify his protection despite the fear creeping into their features.

"Stay away from him," I snapped angrily, addressing Eckles. "I plan on making him pay myself."

Eckles met my gaze with a single, curt nod. 

"If you try anything funny…" I began, my voice low and dangerous, "…I won't hesitate to kill even you."

Finally recognizing the imminent danger, Kluy gulped nervously, his eyes widening in terror. 

He sputtered, a feeble attempt at regaining the upper hand.

"Ha! Two against all of my men… Ha… Not bad!"

His hollow laughter rang out in the alleyway, punctuating his last, defiant words.

The alleyway transformed into a battleground within seconds.

Kluy wisely retreated behind his men, using them as shields while barking orders.

The henchmen surrounding Kluy took guard positions, their swords and a few axes brandished before them as well as some broken furniture pieces.

I leaped into action, surprising my enemies with my speed and agility.

Even I, myself, was surprised with how fluid the movement of this body was.

I lunged at the nearest henchman, snatching the man's arm just as he aimed a thrust.

The dagger in my hand flickered, making quick work of the man's throat.

Blood sprayed as the henchman crumpled.

'Good thing I kept this on me,'

Bun-Bun emerged from my pocket, his eyes glowing.

He bound over to another of Kluy's men, sinking his teeth into the man's leg, paralyzing him instantly.

The paralysis spread fast, making the man's body tremble as he fell speechless to the ground.

A work of magic, I presume.

୨⎯ " 3яɒ ρҽɾʂσɳ POV " ⎯୧

Eckles, true to his word, stayed to his 'Lord's side, his movements a blur of trained efficiency.

His bare hands were weapons in themselves, each blow sending a man sprawling to the cobblestones with a sickening thud. 

One unfortunate soul caught a knee to the chest, the sickening crack of bone echoing before he crumpled, coughing up a crimson spray.

A henchman managed to slip past (Y/N), aiming for a stab in the Grand Duke's back.

Without hesitation, Eckles sprang forward, blocking the blade with his forearm.

The force of the impact sent a jolt up his arm, but he had bought his 'Lord' the time he needed.

(Y/N)'s eyes found Eckles, gratitude splashing across his face, before he spun around and slammed his elbow into Kluy's jaw, sending the PIG stumbling backward, causing the henchmen around him to falter, unsure of what to do.

However, what (Y/N) had failed to notice, was much... horrifying.

Eckles' eyes, usually filled with a stoic indifference, were now wild, pupils blown wide with a terrifying fury.

In a maniacal rage, Eckles launched himself at the would-be stabber of the Grand Duke, tackling them both to the ground.

He unleashed a torrent of blows, each punch fueled by a white-hot rage that seemed to come from nowhere. 

"Don't you touch him!" he groaned, his voice almost unrecognizable. "You filthy scum – you DARE try laying a hand on MY LORD?!"

The attacker, a hulking brute twice Eckles' size, crumpled under the onslaught. 

Blood streamed down his face, mixing with the sweat flying from Eckles' features. 

A deep tremor shook Eckles' body, his face twisting in a horrifying grimace. 

He ripped his hand from the attacker's face and with a guttural growl, scratched furiously at his own neck.

He clawed at his own flesh, tearing at the collar with a desperate frenzy.

"Y-You almost touched him...!" he rasped, his voice raw. "You... Don't deserve to touch his body... Don't deserve..." His words trailed off into a choked sob.

The fight around them came to a standstill. 

Everyone watched, mesmerized by this display of raw, animalistic rage.

Then, with a final curse, Eckles slammed his fist into the attacker's face one last time. 

Silence descended on the alleyway, broken only by the ragged gasps of the remaining goons that now lay injured. 

Eckles slumped over the man's lifeless form, his body trembling like a leaf in a storm.

"I have to... To do... What was asked of me... "

(Y/N), his eyes now wide and fixed on Eckles' display of fury, knew instinctively that he should leave the current situation as it was for the moment.

The threat to his life had been dealt with... brutally, and now was not the time to bring attention to him.

Just then, a whimper reached his ears. 

Kluy, cowering in the corner, his face pale with terror, clutched his head as blood oozed from a gaping wound. 

Bun-Bun, perched proudly on the FATTY's chest, had delivered a well-timed nip to the PEDO's ear in the midst of the chaos.

Turning his full focus back to Kluy, (Y/N) let out a cold cheerful laugh.

"I see you met my little bunny-bun, huh?"

It echoed in the alley, chilling the air.

"So, Kluy dear, ready to have your skull smashed against this wall?"

He raised his foot, readying himself for the stomping blow that would mark the end of Kluy's reign.

Kluy flinched back, raising his hands in a futile gesture of surrender. 

"No, please! I'll give you anything you desire! J-Just let me go, I won't tell anyone!"

He shrieked, his voice high-pitched and pathetic.

"What I desire is nothing you can offer,"

His pleas, fortunately, fell on deaf ears.

With a swift, powerful step, His Grace brought down his boot onto Kluy's temple, the crunch of bone ringing through the air as it was crushed against the wall.

Kluy, even with the will to live, couldn't withstand the force.

His body went limp, the life leaving him as the Grand Duke stood over him, victorious.

୨⎯ "  (Ყ/ɳ)'ʂ ΡσƲ  " ⎯୧

The stench of blood clung to the humid night air, a sickeningly sweet perfume to the massacre that surrounded me.

Kluy lay unmoving, a shattered skull the gruesome price of his actions tonight.

"Ha... HA! HA HA HA HA...! HA—... Haha..."

My own laughter, a chilling cascade of sound, echoed in my ears.

'Wait...'

Had I become some manic cheap Disney villain, relishing in violence?

The question hung heavy, unanswered, as silence descended upon the alleyway.

The stars, once twinkling companions, seemed to recoil in horror from the scene below.

Eckles knelt at my feet, a stark contrast to the brutal painting we were the artists of.

His hands, usually steady and sure, trembled slightly as he reached out towards me. 

He brushed his face against my hand in a gesture of complete submission, a stark contrast to the ruthless show he'd displayed moments ago.

"M-My Lord," he stammered, a tremor running through his voice. "I… I obeyed every command.  I protected you from harm. Please, please, praise me, My Lord…" 

His voice trailed off, a desperate plea hanging in the air.

'Is this what I wanted?' 

A thought wormed its way into my mind. 

'A broken, obedient puppet?' 

The initial thrill of absolute control over the love interest began to sour, replaced by a creeping unease.

Eckles, sensing the shift in my mood, pressed further.

His voice, raw with desperation, scraped against my resolve. 

"I… I crave your approval, My Lord. A word of praise… anything! Don't… don't cast me aside! I am yours to command!"

The raw need in his eyes was a punch to the gut. 

This wasn't the stoic, unwavering Eckles I'd come to rely on. 

This was a man stripped bare, his loyalty twisted into a desperate plea for validation. 

A pang of sympathy, unwelcome and unexpected, flickered within me.

Yet something caught my eye distracting from his plea temporarily.

Above him, floating ethereally above his messy greyish-brown hair hung the interest bar glowing faintly indicating a negative marking.

The number displayed a sickening truth:

[Interest -%70].

My stomach lurched. 

His blind obedience, his pathetic pleading… it was the result of the fear of being pushed further away, not closer.

'Your Grace,... what have you done to the kid?'
.
.
.
╰┈➤ ❝ [Ɒσи'τ fσяɢєτ τσ vστє αиɒ cσммєиτ!]

₊❏❜ ⋮ ⌒(A/N): Sure, Eckles' loyalty is great, but when it gets this twisted... well, let's just say it's not healthy. 

Seems Eckles' brain isn't quite wired right. The original Grand Duke, the one Eckles knows, wasn't exactly a sunshine and rainbows kind of guy. 

More like a dark cloud with a lightning bolt temper. 

What exactly His Grace did for the Eckles, and how it messed him up so bad, is a whole different story. 

A mystery.

For now, at least.

But one thing's for sure: the past left a nasty scar on Eckles' mind. 

His meltdown tonight showed a loyalty so messed up it craved approval more than anything else. 

Scary stuff. 

Can Eckles fix his head, or will his past drag him under? 

Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Happy reading! >ᴗ<

ִֶָ๋𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🐇་༘࿐