Richard arrived at Ciscera in the morning, the town market was already lively and most people had opened their shops. He was still thinking about Isabella. She was the first woman that was a witch that he didn't have to kill, he wasn't sure how to speak of this to her and he didn't want to lie to her. He entered the tavern and sat at one of the tables, his hood still on his head.

  " What can I get for you mister? "

  A young brown haired woman with red highlights was standing right next to him." The color red seems to be following me everywhere " he thought.

  " I'll take a glass of water and some grilled pork. "

  " Coming right away mister. "

  The owner noticed the man and approached him.

  " Something wrong buddy? "

  " I'm just wondering if I'm making a mistake with my life right now, I met this girl ... "

  " There is always a girl buddy. "

  He sat down, putting his only arm on the table and pouring both of them some wine.

  " How about talking about it with a friend? "

  Richard lifted his hood up and looked straight forward.

  " I don't know Malik, maybe i'm just not cut for it, she is different from the rest."

  " I know that lil bro, but I will bet the arm I still have and say that you more than anyone deserve someone for yourself too. And you aren't like the rest either. "

  Richard took a sip of wine.

  " I started to tell her my story, but I don't know how to speak about the time in the special division ... she will despise me if she ever learns I hunted and killed more witches than anyone. "

  " You had no choice, we were in a war and I know you didn't do it because you hated them. You aren't a bad man, you just did bad things. "

  " Malik, I really REALLY like her and I don't want to mess this up .. "

  Malik scratched his head and drank his wine.

  " Well I know you will find a way to get closer to her and now that i think about it, where did you sleep? "

  " In her home ... "

  " Ahhh so you piped her! "

  " No! Malik for fuck sake it's not like this! "

  " You don't wanna pipe her then? Because if she looks very good, I'll do it in a heartbeat! "

  " Fuck off! I do but don't say 'pipe' her. You one armed fuck couldn't manage to fuck anything anyway ! "

  " Awnnn lil Richie wanna make looooooooooove ahahah! "

  " Making fun of one of your most loyal customer is very bad service. "

  " And by the way the young one with red shade in her hair over there, her name is Jessamine, she is the new girl and she is such a pure soul." .

  Back in the kitchen the girl saw Malik looking at her and waved at him while smiling, he returned her smile. Richard looked at his friend with disgust.

  " Oh god, that's what I look like when I look at her? That's a scary face man."

  " Fuck off Richie, I actually like her. She aint like the other ones, she has this glow to her, when I look at her I get a weird sensation in my belly. I feel it right now! "

  " Yeah yeah the last one wasnt like the other ones either Malik! And you probably should check if you didn't just eat rotten chicken."

  The two friends laughed and kept talking for a while. Then a man in a shining armor entered the tavern, he seemed young yet capable.

  " I am looking for a man called Richard, I was told he had a room here."

  Richard looked at Malik and simply nodded. He stood up, ready for a potential confrontation.

  " It's me, who is asking? "

  " You are summoned by Olivia the Duchess of Ellpa, a cab is waiting for you right outside."

  Malik let out a whistle of surprise.

  " Aren't you a lucky one? "

  A few hours before this. The duchess was sitting on her bed still thinking about this man, she managed to find his name through her informants that looked around the city for his description. " Richard, yes this is the man, this is the man I want inside of me! " She focused on the sensation of pleasure rising from within her, the feeling of the cold winter air on her naked breast was such a powerful sensation, she was getting close to climax. She kept on repeating his name, she was breathing faster and faster. She then felt an explosion in her lower belly, her legs went numb and she fell on her back moaning like she never did before.

  " Are you satisfied mylady or do you want more? "

  " It will be all Felix, you may rise. "

  " If I may, you have been more demanding of my 'services' recently, may I ask what sparked so much passion from you? "

  " You sure do know how to work that tongue of yours in many ways my dear Felix, I recently found a fuel to my fire."

  Felix stood up and wiped his mouth. A maid knocked at the door.

  " Come in. "

  The maid entered.

  " Miss Olivia, the guards found the place where he was staying. "

  " Send the guard and have him come here! "

  " Yes my lady. "

  She was so close to this man, she would soon be able to lay her eyes on him again, her heart was on fire and it wasn't the only part of her in this state. Felix started to walk away, she grabbed his cape and looked at him.

  " I may want more my dear Felix. "

  He kneeled back down.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  " At your service my lady. "

  As he started to satisfy her again, she was imagining this powerful man pleasing her for the rest of her life.

  The young man in the carriage with Richard seemed nervous. From his point of view, the man standing him was radiating an ominous aura. Each time his eyes would meet those of Richard he would feel a chill down his spine as if an eye contact longer than a second would make his heart stop. Why would the duchess have anything to do with such a dangerous person? She wasn't known to be employing anyone as mercenaries. And why was this man so important that she was actively looking for him and had a cab ready for him?

  " Something wrong young man? You seem nervous."

  The boy realised that while thinking he stared at Richard longer than he wanted, he started nervously looking outside, he wanted to fade away.

  " No sir. "

  " How old are you boy? "

  " I'm seventeen sir. "

  Richard looked at him more intensely, the young man was tall and seemed strong, even though the youthful features of his face were betraying him, he looked like a twenty year old man with his helmet on.

  " So, why does the duchess want to see me? "

  " I don't know sir, I just know she sent me on an errand looking for a man named Richard, that's all I know. "

  Richard repositioned himself in his seat, he looked out of the window and observed the castle he was going to. The fortress was on top of the mountain and when he looked in detail he realised that it was facing Bella's mountain, he just never really paid any attention to it.

  The silence was heavy and the road was still long to the top.

  " What's your name young man? "

  " Eixien sir. "

  " Tell me Eixien, since when have you been working for the duchess? "

  " For as long as I remember. I started by working at the stables when I was five, lady Olivia was always so nice to me. When my mom fell sick and eventually died from her illness, may her soul rest in peace, lady Olivia insisted that I stayed at her service. Some would see it as a way to gain a new servant but I see it as a gift and an opportunity to be useful to someone I admire. "

  " And since when have you been in love with her? "

  Eixien choked on his own saliva.

  " What are you saying?! "

  " I know this look young man, I saw it a few hours ago and I think I have it too so rest assured I know how you feel. "

  At first the young man was feeling uneasy to speak on this matter to this stranger but he was also the only person he could speak to about it.

  " I just ... I just want to let her know how much she means to me. But I want her to see me as a man and not a little boy! "

  " But you do realise she is old enough to be your own mother? "

  " Yes I know that but I want her to acknowledge me as more than just the little boy she took in years ago.. "

  " Plus she is married to a very important man, that is quite the detail don't you think? "

  " Yeah for what he is worth ... "

  Richard was interested, he needed informations and this boy might give him what he needed, he leaned forward.

  " What do you mean by that? How is the duke exactly? "

  " You don't seem to be from around here if you don't know. The Duke has wine instead of blood in his veins. The man never goes anywhere without a glass full of it. He enjoys organising orgies and banquet but he never truly listens to the town folks. The duchess actually handles all the diplomatic affairs and such. "

  " So the Duchess is the real leader, not the Duke? "

  " You could say that, he could have at least graced her with children, she has been talking about having children for so long and yet still nothing. "

  " You are young, why don't you give her the children she wants? Clearly you are interested. "

  Richard laughed at the young man's embarrassment. He was turning as red as the cushions they were sitting on.

  " Don't worry young man I'm just messing with you, I'm glad that at your age something like this is your main worry and not something more grimm."

  " When you were my age mister, what was your main worry? "

  Richard marked a slight pause as he thought about his life ten years ago.

  " I guess, in a way, just like you I wanted someone to acknowledge me and recognize my worth. "

  " And ... did it work? "

  " It wasn't as rewarding as I thought it would be, I spent so many years of my life trying to be different from everybody else for the sake of someone else that I didn't even stop to look at who I truly wanted to be. And honestly, I'm still wondering who I am some days. But I'm grateful because this path I took led me to develop skills that are valuable and help me to survive. "

  " You seem to have led an interesting life sir, I never truly lived outside of Ciscera, I wish I could travel the world."

  " But you don't want to leave lady Olivia right? "

  The boy just shook his head to say no.

  "Can you maybe tell me about the world sir? "

  " Of course, but please stop calling me Sir, just call me Richard "

  They spent the rest of the trip speaking of Richard's travels.

  They arrived at the castle around noon. Richard was carefully taking notes of the structure and where every guard was posted. Just a habit from all his infiltration missions during the war. The cab was slowly advancing into the courtyard and maids were already outside ready to escort Richard inside. Richard got out of the cab and looked around. The courtyard wasn't that big but the rest of the property seemed to extend beyond what one could see from here. One of the maids walked up to him and slightly bowed.

  " The lady will see you in the garden, please follow me. "

  Richard followed the maid, they went through a few long and richly decorated corridors. There didn't seem to have been that many guards inside but probably more in the gardens. As he was walking by the different rooms, he took notice of the number of maids and butlers. " So far I counted twenty guards for thirty servants, that is quite the staff but they probably have twice as many guards in total. "

  Richard arrived in the gardens, a few gardeners were busy watering the exotic plants. At the center of it all was a huge fountain representing a woman biting into an apple. Past the fountain was a path leading to a small patio under which was standing a woman in a green dress. She was facing away from where Richard was coming from. Before entering the patio two men stepped in front of Richard, a large one and a small slim one. The smaller one advanced, hand on the handle of his sword. He put his hand on Richard's chest to stop him.

  " Not one more step stranger, before talking to the lady I'm gonna have to ask you to drop all your weapons."

  " I'm not dropping anything and you don't look impressive enough for me to take orders from you. " said Richard as he smacked his hand away from his chest.

  Felix felt the blood rising to his head. This man that his lady was so interested in was dispecting him. He walked closer to Richard, his face a few centimeters away from his. He looked at him in the eyes for a long time.

  " I asked you once nicely, I won't do it again."

  Richard smirked at him.

  " You seem like too much of a wimp to make threats."

  Markok couldn't help but have a little chuckle at their confrontation.

  " You are a funny one stranger, Felix don't threaten our guest. My good sir, would you please remove anything susceptible of hurting milady? "

  "See? " said Richard, looking at Felix. " Your friend here gets it, don't put your hands on me, ask nicely and also have the build to back a threat. "

  Felix had enough, he wasnt going to let this man spit insults at his face without doing anything. He tried to hit Richard with a wide right swing, Richard simply ducked under it and elbowed Felix in the neck making him fall on his knees. Not paying any more attention to him he started to advance towards the lady waiting for him but Felix wasn't done. He started charging him while his back was turned. Lady Olivia hearing the previous hit had turned around and was mesmerised by Richards presence.

  " Before we talk milady, I have something to handle ". Richard dodged another hit as he said this.

  " Félix stop! "

  He wasn't listening to his lady, he just wanted to teach a lesson to this rude stranger. Once again he tried swinging at the man but this time Richard stopped the hit with his elbow. He then grabbed Felix by the arm and flipped him over. Felix was now on the ground. Richard placed his right foot on Felix's shoulder while still holding his arm and started applying pressure. Ready to dislocate his shoulder Richard looked at him with a malicious smile.

  " I hope for you that you can use your left hand too."

  " RICHARD STOP!! "

  The duchess stopped him in his tracks, not only because she didn't want Felix to be hurt but also because she didn't want to see Richard hurt by all the guards now surrounding the patio with their swords out.

  " Everyone calm down and put away your swords. Mister Richard would you PLEASE let my personal guard go unharmed? I will make sure he is severely disciplined. "

  Richard let go of Felix's arm and backed away from him. Felix got up and glared at Richard.

  " Felix! Go wait inside! ". The duchess was furious but she then turned to Richard. " I'm terribly sorry for this behaviour, he is my most efficient fighter and just wanted to protect me. "

  " Well if he is the best I fear for your safety. "

  Once again Markok had a chuckle, it was good to see the high and mighty Felix get his ass handed to him from time to time. Felix was still glaring at Richard with rage in the eyes while holding his right shoulder. Richard noticed his gaze and felt the need to push the issue again.

  " You want another round pretty boy? But I'm warning you. " Richard grabbed the handle of his curved dagger. " I sent you on the ground nice and unscatted the first time, I won't do it twice. "

  Felix decided to back off for now, he would teach this peasant some manners later.The duchess gave a hand sign to everyone around.

  " The rest of you leave us."

  All the servants bowed and stepped away. The duchess invited Richard to sit down.

  " Well mister, I had heard that you were efficient at fighting, thus I have a request. I need you to hunt and kill for me. "

  Richard appreciated that she went straight to business.

  " Alright, what creature do I need to kill? "

  " Not something, but someone, a witch."