窃情谋欲

As the tension between Calen and Derick lingered in the air, Danielle couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Lumiere's presence alone was enough to command attention but coupled with the looming figure of Derick, it became apparent that their encounter held more profound implications.

"Heard you are powerful?" Derick asked, still his voice was stoic and condensed.

"I am," Calen replied. "Heard you're a werewolf?"

"That is true."

Their eyes never leave them. Both of them were in an understanding that this would be the inevitable future of the tournament. Where one of them would stand on the high podium while the other growl on the ground. Where one of them will be hailed as the most powerful young prodigy while the other lay down and should be content with being the second strongest.

Both of them never even thought about being second let alone being bested by any of the opponents.

On the side, Danielle was also fuming not because she met the strongest contenders but for another reason. She had heard about him, the young hero, from her brother. The tales were not inspiring to her as it is to the others, it was rather a blood curling one where she wanted to bash this stupid piece of shit to death just for threatening her delicate brother's life.

She took a deep breath and calmed herself, knowing well enough that she will eventually face him in the tournament and she will exact her revenge on that grand stage, in front of millions of audience.

Aurelia had also observed this sudden change in the demeanor of her friend, she noted to ask her a while later. "How about we all take a tour together? It will be an opportunity to learn more about each other and the kingdoms while also enjoying the art."

"That'll be most lovely," Princess Lumiere said, jovially clasping her hands. "What do you say, Derick?"

He took his time to just utter the words. "Sure."

So the group of nobles, royals, and a commoner started. They admired the beauty of nature, the strange plants that grew on the glass dome, the trees with rarest of the fruits, the animals, the likes of never seen, the aquatic organisms, and many more.

Throughout the journey, Calen effortlessly and accurately answered every question asked of him by Lumiere, Aurelia, and even the occasional questions from Derick. He made sure to maintain his distance from the werewolf, though he couldn't help but steal glances at him.

The girls, except for Danielle, smiled and giggled especially since he was with Lumiere all the time. Her knowledge and passion for the arts made the others jealous, they have never met someone who was knowledgeable about the same things as them.

Danielle, though still walking with the group, didn't mingle with them too much. Her whole mood was pretty much ruined by the guy who now stands beside the ice princess.

The group went around the whole island until they reached the end of the island where a large glass rectangle dom, larger than any other glass case in the art gallery, stood. Though one might think this was just a cute animal after all the exotic ones, it was not true at all. They were wrong, dead wrong.

·ƈθm "Devil bunnies?" These cute creatures?" Aurelia read the name board, furrowing her brows. "Why are these fluffy and cute creatures called 'Devil bunnies?'" 

"That is so true," chimed in Lumiere, peering at the cute little creatures, pressing her hands at the glass case to get a better view.

On the glass, more than one hundred bunnies peacefully and happily grazed around. Hopping from one place to another, digging the ground to find carrots and other leaves.

There was a small hole in the rectangle glass case, where the visitors can offer carrots and other treats to the bunnies. It was small, small enough that only carrots and small treats can pass through. Not large enough for even a hand to pass through them.

Danielle couldn't help but find their name contradictory to their adorable appearance. She observed the bunnies hopping around, their fluffy tails bouncing with each movement, and wondered what led to such an intriguing name.

Aurelia, always curious, approached one of the zookeepers who was tending to the enclosure. "Excuse me, sir. Why are these cute creatures called 'Devil bunnies'? They seem so harmless and gentle."

The zookeeper smiled kindly and began to explain. "Ah, the name 'Devil bunnies' is a bit of a misnomer. These bunnies earned that nickname due to their mischievous nature and extraordinary jumping abilities. They can leap to impressive heights and have a knack for getting into places they shouldn't be. Their curious behavior sometimes leads to them causing minor chaos, hence the name. But in reality, they are harmless and delightful creatures."

Aurelia nodded, understanding the reason behind the name. "Thank you for the explanation. They are indeed fascinating to watch."

Lumiere, her interest piqued, pressed against the glass enclosure and observed the devil bunnies with a thoughtful expression. "I find their agility and inquisitiveness quite intriguing. They possess a certain grace in their movements."

"True indeed," Calen agreed. "Whoever named them must have been drunken or they might have jumped on him with their cute little feet."

All of them laughed at that comment. Even Derick who had kept his silence this whole time, chuckled.

"I would have loved to see that," Lumiere said. "Though I doubt anyone could ever touch a devil bunny without their consent."

"That is not the true reason they are called the Devil bunnies, though. There is another real reason." A lazy sound came from behind the group. It was like someone had just woken up from a slumber.

Danielle's heart beat wildly against her rib cage. The sound was familiar, a sound she longed for the past one and a half years. The sound of her love. The sound of her brother.

She was frozen in place as a hand slowly swung around her neck pulling her close to him, his warmth, and he came to display. "Hello sister, how have you been?"

It was really him, her brother, the weakest of the Zadkiels, Damien Von Zadkiel.