Free and Unfettered 78 Prince Jasper Lacroix

Nocturne and Seyton stared at the destruction with wide eyes. Even they weren't sure they could do that now. Though they were only one tier lower than Nine, the might of Nine's magic left them speechless.

Nine's fine control caused the gates to implode on itself, before the magic came back for another round and knocked down the castle's doors. Other than that, there was nothing that was touched by the magic.

The two Ninth Tier mages' eyes lit up at the awe-inspiring display of Tenth Tier magic. This was what they would be able to look forward to should they ever step into the realms of the highest tier.

Though Nine made it look easy, the amount of control and power needed was anything but.

Nine stepped in past the obliterated gates, causing a number of Vampires who had been watching afar to gape at the show of power. The shock soon turned to amusement and disbelief. They couldn't believe that someone actually had the guts to challenge the Prince!

That was the Prince! Whoever tried to go against him never ended up having a good time. The only one who ever got away scot-free was Duke Seyton.

"Wait, isn't that Duke Seyton?" someone asked.

"Huh. You're right. I guess there isn't going to be a show, then. Too bad. I was getting pretty bored the last couple of years."

One of the Vampires were confused. "Why? I've seen what the Prince does to those who dare intrude into his domain. Why is Duke Seyton any different?"

As one, they rolled their eyes. "Please. Everyone knows that Prince Jasper is kind of crazy over Duke Seyton, okay? Where have you been living the past few centuries? Under a rock? Don't even think about saying anything bad about the Duke if you don't want your head to go flying."

"What??"

"Who was the person who went in just then, though?

Nine's shoes deliberately walked loudly in the echo of the castle. If the Prince was worth anything at all, he would take this provocation lying down. With his hearing, he should be able to hear her even if he hadn't been informed of their trespass already.

Seyton and Nocturne could only think that Nine was just so domineering right now. The way Nine carried herself was just so unspeakably attractive.

Nocturne's eyes could have burned a hole through Nine, with how intense they were.

Nine sensed the incoming Prince, feeling the way his magical energy rapidly moved towards them. He made no move to hide his presence nor his magic, appearing before them faster than a human needed to blink.

Prince Jasper looked stunningly handsome, in a masculine way that Vampires usually weren't. He looked like he belonged more to the Werepeople race, rather than the Vampires. Blonde hair, blue eyes, he looked like he could have been Seyton's older brother if you compared them side to side. Their colouring was similar, though their features varied vastly.

Nine paused, a strange look appearing on her face. it was so shocking that her usual indifferent expression faded away. She blinked, clearing away the daze she had fallen into.

Nine stared at Jasper Lacroix, studying his features. She then compared it to Seyton's image in her mind.

The more she looked, the more she felt like something was off. Compared to the rumours and intelligence that she obtained from Mephisto, it felt more like…this man couldn't be seen through at a single glance.

Interested, she studied him more intently.

Jasper shifted ever so slightly under her scrutiny, only visible to those who had been looking for it. He hid his discomfort beautifully, causing Nine to marvel. If she hadn't become a Vampire, there was no way she would have caught that, given how slight the move was.

The more she looked, the more she felt like this was more interesting than she gave credit for.

Jasper locked eyes with Seyton, his eyes staying there. Even though he wasn't comfortable with the scrutiny they were putting him under, the moment his eyes landed on Seyton, all signs of that faded from his body language.

'Interesting,' Nine thought. Her eyes were gleaming as she studied him, causing Nocturne to scowl at the interest he was taking in another man. Though he knew that Nine wasn't interested in Prince Jasper that way, he couldn't stop his feelings from running hot at the sight, feeling jealous, though he made no moves on his part to take any action.

"Jasper," Seyton said, polite smile on his face.

The smile was so polite that it hurt like a solid punch to the gut. Jasper flinched inwardly at the distant look in Seyton's eyes. Though he was already long prepared for this, he couldn't help but feel that he had taken on a thankless job. Though he wouldn't complain about it, it didn't feel good for all the affectionate feelings they had before to fade away so abruptly.

All because of a single woman!

Jasper's blue eyes turned red from repressed feelings, hunger creeping up on him. He bared his fangs at them, showing no courtesy.

"And what do I owe the pleasure of you lot barging into my castle this fine day?" he said sarcastically. His eyes never moved from Seyton's form.

Seyton's smile cracked slightly, but he maintained his mask with much effort.

Nine let the situation play out, wondering where this was all going to go.

"What other than me coming to inquire about Helena, Prince Jasper?" Seyton said, his voice polite and courteous.

Nine looked at the twitch Jasper held back with fascination. Watching such a play…it really cured her boredom.

"Ah, Helena…" Jasper said, tilting his head. "Who was that again?"

Jasper seemed almost to be fishing from a reaction from Seyton.

He got the reaction he was fishing for when Seyton's eyes chilled, his polite demeanour nowhere to be found.

Nocturne eyed Seyton, realizing that his friend was angry. He was so angry that his anger ran cold instead of hot.

"I'd like for you to cut out the games, please," Seyton said, words polite, though his tone was anything but.

"Really?" Jasper laughed sarcastically, his voice echoing around the hall. "Then, let's fight!" he said, launching himself at Seyton with blinding speed.

Nine and Nocturne stepped out of the way. In a fight like this, they wouldn't help unless Seyton himself requested for it. The personal stakes in this ran high, no matter what the real situation was.

Nine thought to herself that Jasper's reactions like this was quite typical of the way he looked…like a muscle brained idiot. Skipping straight to the fighting instead of the talking.

She could see that though the years had curbed Prince Jasper's temper somewhat, his original personality was one that was rash and reckless, akin to a warrior charging into the frontlines without fear for death or injury.

Nine's eyes gleamed. To be honest, she quite liked people like this. These were the kind of people who were loyal to the end, so she really wondered. Why did Jasper 'steal' Helena away?

The sounds of clashing swords, magic spells being thrown, and the sound of flesh striking flesh were heard. The high-speed battles that Vampires were so proud and fond of was being carried out right in front of their eyes.

The battle continued on without a winner for some time. They seemed to be evenly matched, like they could read each other's every move and come out with a counter.

"You've improved, Seyton!" Jasper laughed, throwing his sword like a dagger towards Seyton at blinding speeds.

Seyton casually dodged the sword, more than used to doing so after all his spars with Nine and everyone else. They were all inordinately fond of throwing knives or daggers. Seyton once wondered whether they all had an infinite number of daggers on them that they launched around.

Seyton made no reply to the jab at his earlier prowess, focusing on the fight.

It was at this moment when the doors to were flung open in a dramatic manner.

In ran a young lady with light brown hair and eyes. Though she wasn't a beauty by any stretch, she was cute and looked friendly, like the girl from next door.

"Wait!" she cried.

It was Helena, Seyton's lover.

Chapter end