The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 18: Ruthless Yet Possessive

Chapter 18: Ruthless Yet Possessive

The Rose

My eyes flicker over Lush’s perfect body. He has just the right amount of muscles in his body. Not exaggerated nor too plain. It’s just the way it should be. A small spark flares in my chest, burning with unknown intensity when I feel other people also admiring Lush’s body. I have this sudden urge to set my own establishment on fire but I can’t fathom why. I don’t know the fire that has been ignited within me. It’s new and destructive. I should put out the fire before it consumes me.

Lush is looking a bit troubled now, his brows are knitted together as he contemplates how to beat Seraphina. Fire magic is compared nothing to light magic but Lush can’t use his magic here. No this makes things even more interesting. I want to see who wins the fight; my servant or my sister. Lush clearly had the upper hand in the close combat but he can’t use his magic now. So the only way for him to get out of here is to kill Seraphina before she can strike. I know he is also well aware of this intel.

Lush takes in a deep breath and Seraphina swings her sword, flames shoot out from the edge of the sword and come crashing at Lush. Lush eyes sharpen and with swift motion, he sidesteps and dozes the attack but Seraphina’s fire is waiting for him wherever he goes. Seraphina launches attacks relentlessly and Lush is having difficulty evading all of them as the fire closes in toward him from everywhere.

One side of Lush’s body is scorched. His fair smooth skin is raw and bright red and sweat is trickling down his forehead, his eyes are never leaving Seraphina. Lush’s face is contoured with seriousness and his muscles are flexing around his sword. A few strands of his now-golden hair have dangled free. Edward, meanwhile is standing on the sidelines and he is looking like he might faint any moment now. His prince is in trouble. The fight is getting even more intense at this point.

I cross my arms across my chest and observe every move, every reaction on Lush’s face. This man is fighting for his life but still...he looks so alluring...

"My lord," Phillip whispers to me, "Don’t you think the situation is getting out of hand?"

"Why do you think so, Phillip?" I ask him not taking my eyes off Lush, or... can’t take my eyes off him.

"If it goes on, Seraphina will kill His Highness." Phillip’s hand fists are fisting and releasing themselves, and his eyes are unfocused because of the worry that is evident in his face just as much as Edward’s.

I give him a brief sidelong glance before turning my attention back to Lush on the mat. "If Lush loses then it will prove just how unworthy he is," I state coldly and I think Lush has heard this too.

His head darts in my direction, there is a silent plea in his marveling blue eyes. But the plea fades as soon as they are met with my cold unwavering gaze. He knows too well that I meant every word I said. If he can’t beat Seraphina, he is no use to me. Lush’s reddish lip disappears behind his teeth and he returns his focus to the life-threatening danger dangling over his head.

"So what are you going to do now, Collins?" Seraphina smirks as she taunts her opponent.

"You will see." Lush seems calm all of a sudden again. He suddenly then bolts toward Seraphina.

Seraphina’s eyes widen but her smile doesn’t flatter, she holds her free hand before them, and another storm of blazing flame rushes out from her palm. Lush is at point blank in front of her fire.

Seraphina as mentioned is a phoenix, so her fire is hot which is very rare among the demons but not in our bloodline. Seraphina has perfected her fire.

A handful of mud appears in Lush’s hand and he hauls it at her. Seraphina invades the puddle with a swift swing of her sword and continues the flow of her fire. However, the moment Seraphina’s focus flatters while cutting through the puddle, Lush dips low enough to avoid the hellfire and knocks Seraphina out of her feet. She yelps and loses her leverage. Lush sieges the chance and launches forward. He pins her down on the ground, his foot pinning each wrist to the ground as he points his blade at her throat, pressing so slightly that the tip grazes her flesh and bead of hot blood trickling down.

"Yield!" he barks, "If you try to move I will slit your throat."

"I will not yield!" She bites out through her gritted teeth, "Kill me!"

The environment is heavy with tension and thrill and Lush appears to be contemplating the choice very gravely. He looks almost determined to take her out as Seraphina will cause nothing but problems to him. He better take her out now or regret it later. But then Lush looks at Edward as if to ask him what should he do. My heart picks up a pace as anticipation rises.

I am feeling the thrill coursing through my veins as Lush’s killing intent doesn’t subside instead rises. I am not feeling anything at the thought of my sister dying but I am very exhilarated at the thought that Lush will be the one to take her out.

But to crush all my dreams Edward shakes his head, his lips quivering and his rims red. He doesn’t want Lush to kill. Lush lets Edward’s reaction settle in before moving away from Seraphina reluctantly.

"I yield." He says, his tone is frustrated but there is no remorse in there. He then shoots me a glance and then walks to the side of the room with Edward.

I can’t decipher the meaning behind his look. His eyes aren’t blazing with fire when he challenges me nor they are trembling with fear. They seem...disappointed. And somehow it pisses me off too.

"Pathetic." I spit bitterly and then spin on my heels to leave the classroom, Phillip in my tow. He seems to be relieved now that the fight has ended.

"My lord, will you be leaving now?" The professor in charge of this class asks with deepest respect. I have long since forgotten his name. I don’t have business remembering every little being’s name.

"Yes. You continue the class and arrange to treat the injured." I coldly pass out my orders before leaving the classroom.

"M-My lord..." Seraphina rushes out, she is struggling to catch her breath.

"You are so pathetic, Seraphina." I don’t bother to look back at him, "You were completely defenseless to him. If he hadn’t shown mercy then you’d be dead by this time."

"B-Brother... please listen to me," She pleads, I can tell even looking at her that she is trembling with despise, frustration, and rage, "H-He is just too skilled."

"There is a reason why he is a crown prince of an Empire." I say pointedly, "You have underestimated your opponent and this is what makes you pathetic. I expected you to do better than this. You have failed me Seraphina."

"B-Brother..." Seraphina doesn’t have any words to defend herself anymore because she knows that every single word I say is true. He can’t deny it even if she wants to.

I take another step away from her and turn my head slightly so that my side profile is exposed to her, "I will give Lush a badge after the day ends."

Seraphina’s face is ashen, "W-What?" Her eyes are wide and blank, her mind can’t keep up to my revelation.

"I am giving Lush a badge." I repeat myself, clear and loud, "He has defeated you the best fighter we had in the Syx. Shame churns in me at the thought that someone as pathetic as you were the best fighter in this prestigious academy. And again, after Lush gains five badges, I will make him the new president of the student council."

This is a thing that has a fifty-fifty chance because it can happen that he has found the culprit and I take him back to the palace with me. I am just saying this because I actually plan to do this.

Seraphina’s face pales even further. Her eyes have that desperate glint in them that they never had before. She doesn’t want to lose what is hers. "B-Brother, you can’t do that! You can’t offer the position to someone as lowly as him!"

"I do not recall asking you for any kind of opinion." I say and start to walk again, "I am just letting you know."

Seraphina frustratedly punches the wall behind us and growls. Phillip doesn’t stand there for too long and soon follows me.

"My lord, are you sure about this?" Phillip asks a hint of worry in his voice.

"Do you doubt?" I narrow my eyes.

"No." He shakes his head.

"Then just heed me."

Little does he know that I just lit another fire within Seraphina. Lush is not completing the assignment this easily.