Victor's POV
I shook my head and threw that thought away as he might have replenished himself between the fights when he was not targeted by anyone unlike me who was targeted by the old countess from the very start of the ambush.
Feeling my strength fully return, I pushed myself to my feet and walked toward the shattered remains of the battlefield. My gaze swept over the destruction and my eyes narrowed as I took in the extent of the devastation.
The deranged old countess had been obliterated beyond recognition with her body reduced to shards and splinters.
A buried thought forced its way to the surface as I surveyed the carnage, How did he get so strong at such a young age? My mind wandered, conjuring dangerous possibilities. Could he truly be a distant branch descendant of the Sangrials, or...?
I forced the thought away and a shiver ran through me. To even entertain such speculation was folly. The might of the Scarlet Edge Duchess was unparalleled, her legacy beyond reproach. To doubt her purity was to court death.
Eryndor's voice pulled me back to the present. "Brother Victor, are you alright? You seemed surprised when the monster's hood was torn off. Do you recognize her?"
His sharp crimson eyes bore into mine, his tone serious and unyielding. I met his gaze, feeling the weight of his question.
With a grim expression, I replied, "Yes. She was a blood countess of Scarlet Hollow City. I don't know her name as she was ancient and forgotten by many but I remember her face. I saw her once, long ago, when I was just a child."
I paused, glancing at the grotesque remains of her form. "She must have been nearing the end of her lifespan. Her sanity and control were gone. That much is clear from the chaos she brought upon us."
I exhaled deeply, the gravity of the situation settling over me like a shroud. As much as her death answered some questions, it raised even more questions I wasn't certain I wanted to explore.
Ethan's POV
I wore a wry smile as I observed Victor's serious yet doubtful expression as though he couldn't quite piece together how it had all happened.
"Elder brother," Virelle's cool and steady voice broke the silence, "I don't think it's as simple as it seems. We were attacked by a crazed old countess just after you obtained something so precious from the underground auction at the Crimson Cellar and now even that prize has vanished into the night as if it were all perfectly natural."
I turned to see her walking toward us her trademark indifferent expression firmly in place. No trace of embarrassment or discomfort lingered as her eyes briefly met mine before shifting instantly to her brother.
She is very strong mentally, I mused, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Her mental fortitude was remarkable, especially given the events we had just experienced including the fight and the other moment.
She joined us, standing poised as always while I let her words sink in. They hinted at a deeper and more sinister layer beneath this deadly encounter.
"Hmm, What do you mean Virelle? Do you think this ambush was an elaborate scheme?", Victor asked with a frown on his face as he noticed that the moon elf girl was nowhere to be seen with Virelle.
"Yes, elder brother. If anyone were in your and mine place we would most likely think that the culprit behind this attack was the creepy old woman in the auction who competed with you for the Moon Elf girl.
It would also look perfectly natural if the deranged old lady who seemed to be in dire need of extending her life would desperately attack you despite knowing your status as the ducal prince.
But I am still confused as to who was able to plan such an elaborate scheme in such a time and even tracked us in this dark."
Now even Virelle had a small frown on her face as she scrunched her eyebrows a little and I could see that she was thinking hard about this. Victor had turned silent and I could see a perplexed expression on his face.
I was curious to hear her detailed analysis of the incident and I agreed with her that this was some scheme. I held my chin in one hand and wondered how was the perpetrator able to find our identities which were disguised by that beguiling fog in the underground auction.
While thinking this a possibility arose in my mind and my eyes widened instantly. I looked up and my eyes happened to meet Virelle's and suddenly we could understand the guess we were making in our minds.
"That Lucien guy.."
"Prince Lucien.."
We both spoke simultaneously. Victor's astonished expression flitted between us his curiosity piqued. I cleared my throat and gestured for Virelle to continue.
"Go on, Lady Virelle," I said, my tone even.
She inclined her head slightly, resuming her explanation. "As I was saying, there's a dark hand behind all of this. The orchestrator must possess significant resources, connections and prior knowledge of both our movements and intentions at the auction.
"Given these factors, the name that fits best is Prince Lucien Vael. He's been your childhood friend and claims to be your closest brother but his actions at the auction were... telling."
Virelle's voice sharpened, her words precise. "I observed him closely during the bidding for the Moon Elf girl. His interest was apparent and his envy even more so. Yet, to avoid drawing suspicion, he withdrew early from the bidding and deliberately feigned disinterest. It was calculated."
Victor's frown deepened, and I could see the flicker of disbelief and dawning comprehension in his eyes.
"It's plausible," I interjected, my tone measured, "Prince Lucien's presence at the auction wasn't coincidental. He was likely monitoring your actions, waiting for the opportune moment to strike or to ensure someone else did."