A/N: Above is the photo of Arlette Eigenhart :D  

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"You don't understand," Darcy said, forcing out each word. The sound of his shaking swords resonated inside the room, laced with the soft murmurs of the servants.

Finally understanding the situation, Zoe dragged herself away from the two, finding refuge beside Arlette who reflected the same fear and bewilderment in her face. Even though she wanted to wrestle the other girl in her weak state, she set that thought aside and refocused her attention on the guest.

Did she hear him right?

Was she called a spawn of darkness?

But why?

Before she could come up with an answer, the man raised his huge weapon and struck from the side, sending the young Prince bouncing off the book shelf. A grunt escaped his mouth as books rained down on him, but that didn't prevent him from standing. He readied his weapons and sprang to attack, sparks flew as metals clashed.

Watching a man much older than her father, swing a weapon bigger than himself made her speechless. It was both terrifying and amazing, that she started to worry for her and Darcy's life. Yet she couldn't tone down the alarming questions.

Did her parents know about this world?

About who she really was?

Could they also wield weapons?

It felt silly, knowing that her parents were business tycoons.

CLANG!

Her mind was back on the fight. The fragrance of lavender poured from the corridor, mixing with the scent of old papers every time the man swung his weapon, bringing forth a gust of wind.

Books were sliced, one after another, creating a shower of paper. Zoe turned to the servants as the two continued to wreck the room, however, none of them seemed to have the guts to intervene. It was simply hopeless, for her bodyguard kept flying in a different direction, like a newbie being toyed by a veteran.

What if one of them die?

What if Darcy die?

CLANG!

The man struck again, scattering the papers on the floor like huge confetti. Panic fueled her adrenaline and she searched around her for anything that could save them both.

Suddenly, the crowd gasped and Zoe turned to their direction, dropping her jaw at the sight of her only ally, being pinned by the man. He was pushed back on the shelf, now only holding one of his swords, a small scar visible on the side of his lips.

However, that didn't worry her. Or the fact that his father was trying to strangle him with his muscular hand. It was the blood dripping on the floor, coming from the huge sword that cut through his side, pinning him on the shelf.

Zoe rushed to his aid, grabbing the first thing on her way and threw it at the former King. The pastry bounced off harmlessly on the man, leaving a little smudge on his olive green robe.

His grip on his son's neck loosened, but he didn't spun like Zoe anticipated. Her body began to shake from the rush of energy and being an idiot, yet she stood her ground, brandishing a bread knife.

"Let him go!" she shouted with all her courage, which didn't come out like she hoped. "A ruler who relies on his sword to solve problems isn't a ruler at all, but a savage beast who doesn't know the value of life."

The man freed Darcy from his clutch, allowing audible ragged breaths to leave the young Prince. He reached for his throat as he coughed and although he was breathless, he managed to look up at her and smirked.

"Idiot," he blurted. "What do you think you're doing?"

She rolled her eyes on him and turned to her nails, brushing them on her sleeve before blowing them. "I don't know, practicing my lines maybe?" she shrugged and paused, seeing his brow perked up. 

She returned it with a glare. "You slug! Isn't it obvious? I'm trying to save a damsel in distress!"

His father pulled the sword and a loud groan escaped from his gritted teeth. Before he even hit the floor, the man sliced through the shelves, going straight for his son's neck.

Zoe's heart skipped a beat.

The young Prince raised his sword just in time to block the attack, but the force crashed him to the nearest couch. He grunted as he rolled on the ground, his sword slid away from his hand.

"You dared to clash swords with me and that's what you get," the man said, his eyes colder than winter.

Darcy tried to get up while leaning on the couch, only to slip back on his knees. His face flashed red as he struggled for air, in contrast of the wrath in his eyes.

Forcing her wobbling legs, Zoe started to walk towards him.

"I won't do that if I were you," the man said, making her froze.

The room turned silent as she faced the King. Her heart instantly raced when their contradicting auras began to battle. He may have the same golden eyes as Darcy, yet there was no warmth in them. Just an empty space of raw hostility, which caused cold beads of sweat to dribble down the nape of her neck. She tightened her hold on the bread knife while trying to look as fierce as she could, even though she was paler than the moon.

"You called me a savage beast and unworthy ruler," he started, resting the tip of his sword on the ground. "Yet you stopped when I told you so. What a pathetic trash. A spawn of darkness such as yourself doesn't even deserve to converse with me."

"Blah! Blah! Blah! I don't know what you're talking about," she spat, anger and irritation built her backbone. "So don't lump me with them, because I am my own person!"

"Wise words for a trash." He paused, regarding her trembling hands with a chuckle. "Still, a trash is a trash. Nothing more."

"At least they can be recycled into something useful," she answered. "Unlike a savage beast who is only good at wearing fancy clothes and swinging his toy."

He laughed so loud that Zoe stepped back, mistaking it for a thunderstorm. The crowd on the background joined him, only to receive his scowl.

"You have unusual words for someone about to die," he continued, resting his weapon beside him. "You may have a powerful and special soul, but it is of no value, because of that taint of darkness."

"About that father," King Spero finally spoke. "She's--"

"I'm not talking to you!" the man silenced him. His attention shifted back at the red haired girl. "I don't know how did that deceive you," he pointed at Darcy, "but--"

She snorted, cutting him off. "You're not only unworthy as a ruler, but also as a father."

His expression hardened by a deep frown. "I don't consider a murderer as my son," he uttered with pure bitterness and held his sword. "Enough with this nonsense!"

Then he charged towards her direction.

Zoe heard a deep sigh from her back and before she knew it, strong hands grabbed her by the arms.

"Darcy!" King Spero shouted.

The next thing Zoe saw was the zooming out view of the whole library and only then she realized that King Spero just tossed her towards the window. 

For a split second, she gazed as the young King summoned his own sword, a huge crimson blade outlined with gold. He struck and she thought he was going to chop Darcy's head. Instead, the young Prince ducked and the King's weapon clashed with their father's.

The glass behind her shattered with a deafening scream and she was quickly engulfed by the calming scent of lavender carried by the late morning breeze. Shards of glass sparkled around her as though she was one of the stars across the pure blue sky. 

Stars and blue sky, she thought. What a beautiful sight. 

The bread knife left Zoe's grasp as she extended her hand, trying to reach Darcy's outstretched hand as they fall.

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Dedicated to Tug1998

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XOXO