1644: Courting Death

Courting Death

Little Emma was afraid of the dark. She barely squeezed her face out of her papa's hardened chest, looking at her surroundings in confusion. 

"Papa... Didn't you warn me that this is a secret place I shouldn't go to unless I want to hide?"

Emma pouted her delicate pink lips, feeling her father had turned into a big liar. 

Through a secret passage in her bedroom, a tunnel connected to another secret tunnel in Papa's chambers. 

Growing up, she loved going back and forth between these places. But papa warned her that for the love of Yangbo, she shouldn't use the tunnels unless she was in trouble. 

She also swore an oath not to let anyone know of its existence.

Hy, even the most loyal servants had no clue of the passageway built between the bedroom chambers.

Emma felt her father had stopped her from playing here because he too liked playing with her in secret.

It was just that now, he might be feeling very guilty of his actions and should have brought her along this time.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 

She, Emma, was very smart! 

As mama always said: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

(^_^)

Emma yourned, feeling very sleepy. After supper, she took a bath and fell asleep thanks to the heavy but soothing rain. 

She slept with a worry-free smile on her face. But suddenly, her papa woke her when he ran into the chambers with Mathias, her 1-year-old brother. 

Her papa had never dressed her before, which made her frown with worry.

"Did grandma go to Yangbo again, Papa?"

"For the love of... no, Emma." He resigned in helplessness. 

"Then, has she returned?"

"Alas... My little beauty. We've been over this again, Emma. Your grandma is never coming back. The dead can't come back. She is with our God, Yangbo. Try to understand, okay my little beauty."

"Right!" Emma nodded sleepily. "I get it, Papa. She's playing with Yangbo in the heavens."

"More or less, little one."

"Ah! In that case, after Yangbo is done playing with grandmama, when will he send her back home?"

"_"

Peetage felt he shouldn't have pampered the little girl to the point of stupidity. At her age, almost everyone, including himself, knew death's true nature. 

But because he overprotected his little girl, she was like a princess living in a bubble, a safe tower he created. She was very simple and naive, and hardly stepped out for social gatherings. 

The few times they went out, he found that his little Emma preferred to be indoors than out. She said it was boring outside. In the massive estate grounds, she had little hideouts and adventures on her own, especially with some of the young servants around her too. 

Emma's estate was her world. But this raised another issue for Peetage. 

Alas... 

He swore to tackle the matter once the storm was over. He would also toughen his son up, not wanting to make the same mistake he did with his daughter. 

Naivety and innocence are both commendable traits. But in this world, the ignorant are the first to fall. 

If he overlooked this matter, one day, his children might fall underneath another's sword.

Peetage helplessly rubbed his hand against his daughter's back, leading the few men behind him forward.

When he reached a fork on the road, Peetage handed the now-sleeping Emma to one of the men. His son was in another's arms. 

"Take them to Bluedale Villa. Keep them safe and await further instructions. The madam should also be there... Give her this letter."

"Yes, master." The men accepted their mission. The children were dressed as ordinary peasants. All that was left was to have them 'dirtied-up' a bit once they left the tunnels. 

Peetage kissed the sleeping children on their foreheads. "Papa will see you soon."

As Peetage watched his subordinates carry them away, his warm smile quickly vanished.

After making a U-turn, he returned to his bedroom chambers, left his wing, and headed down to ground floor.

There were 2 others awaiting his arrival. They were some of his most trusted men. One had a large scar on his lips, and another had a burnt mark above his left eyebrow.

"Are the men ready?"

"My Lord, I've just received the word. All 2000 men are in position. They await our arrival." Eric, the one with a mark above his left brow, stated. 

"My Lord, all 2000 of my men are also awaiting our arrival." Nicko, the other man, confirmed. 

On Peetage's side, he had 3000 men already awaiting their arrival at the rendezvous site. Of course, he led the estate guards behind because with the trouble they were about to raise, his absence might make other enemies feel tempted to raid his home.

He wore the gloves slowly, leaving the building alongside the duo quickly.

"Watson."

"Yes, master," the butler at the door responded. 

"You know what to do." 

The butler bowed tactfully, flashing the danger hidden at his side.

For him to follow the Empire's Blade as the head butler of one of his public estates, his skills were also extraordinary. 

The butler knew what to do with trespassers. 

Hyah!!

Peetage stormed off on his horse alongside the others. 

Like a ghost, his control over this city allowed him to come and go as he pleased. 

He had eyes and ears everywhere in this city. So if he wished to be hidden, he could. 

The path they rode was the most desolate, with undercover guards on night duty along the path.

It took 2 hours to leave the city from his home. Soon, he and his subordinates created enough space between themselves and the city walls.

Now, it was time to focus on the matter at hand -- WITCHES.

Peetage's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. 

It won't be long before he slices those devilish women to pieces.

Since they dared to attack his beloved wife after she refused to join their hellish crusade, they have no other choice than to face death!0

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