To His Hell and Back-Chapter 212: Two Unhappy Hearts

Arabella had tried to be nice. She always did. Tried to bite her tongue, to let things slide. But how could she hold back now, when it was painfully clear that Malvo didn’t want her there?

"Yes," she said coolly, eyes flaring as they met his. "I was going to see if my new mistress would like me better if I barked for her."

Malvo blinked, clearly startled. For a second, guilt flickered across his face, like he had only just realized how far his words had gone.

He frowned, voice lowering. "You really are as sharp tongued as they say."

"Who cares," Arabella replied, turning away, her voice laced with quiet anger. "I used to think Cassius was lonely because no one truly cared about him. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe he’s surrounded by people who care- people like you, who want to make sure his pet doesn’t get too close. Lest she hurt him... or drag him to an early grave. Isn’t that what you said?"

Her words hung in the air like a blade, and for once, Malvo had no clever retort.

Clenching her fists, she smiled, "Don’t worry I know my place. Perhaps I know it better than your beloved brother himself. I will make sure that he doesn’t step too close to the grave as that would also put me six feet underneath."

"That wasn’t what I-"

Arabella’s attention was taken away the moment she heard the door that creaked open. Her eyes quickly shifted away from Malvo and to the door only to find Cassius who was dressed in the white shirt with the few buttons from his neck left open. Meanwhile the Princess herself was slightly flushed, her neck bandaged with a white gauze as though Cassius had bitten her neck.

Then the Princess bowed to him, her voice so melodious as it rang throughout the hallway, "I hope that what I have done last night pleases you, Your Highness. I shall be waiting for the next time you call me."

Cassius didn’t answered her words but he nodded, a positive attitude of him that didn’t seem as cold as the first time he had met with Princess Isabelle back in the garden yesterday. novelbuddy.cσ๓

Seeing how the Princess had left with a wide smile, Arabella felt as though the distance between her and Cassius grew even wider.

She had always wondered what would happen if one day Cassius had lost his interest to her. Her imagination would run wild but in the end she would ask herself: Shouldn’t I be happy?

After all his boredom means that he would also let her leave the castle.

Yes. She should be happy.

She should.

Arabella clutched to the fabric on top of her chest and turned away. She didn’t want to see Cassius anymore even though she was so curious earlier. She didn’t want to... she just didn’t want to be there anymore.

Malvo who saw her turning away felt a momentary startle, "Hey, wait, let me apologize-" but Arabella was much faster than he thought, disappearing from the hallway so quickly as though she had never been there at all.

Sighing, Malvo rubbed his head.

"What are you doing here?" Cassius’s red eyes spotted him at once and Malvo flinched backward, hitting his back on the wall hard for him to yelp.

"Brother!"

"Was Arabella here?" Cassius stared at the wall and then his eyes moved coldly at Malvo, "I’m asking you a question, Malvo."

Cassius had always been a frightening person. He wasn’t one who you would easily make a joke with, someone who would smile while killing you, and he didn’t tolerate anyone underneath his feet trying to disobey to his words.

Malvo had long forgotten how it feels to be at the other end of Cassius’s authority and once again he could feel the cold chill sipping to his bone marrow, making him to turn stiff.

"S- She was," he answered in a stammer, "But she left..."

"Did you talk to her?" Cassius inquired again and his head tilted to show his unamused expression.

He didn’t seem happy. Hell, he looked like he was going to murder someone!

What happened? Why was he so enraged? Wasn’t he supposed to be in a good mood after spending a night with Princess Isabelle? The princess was still alive which meant that she hadn’t done something to offend him. Yet why was it that Cassius looked so angry?

Wait.. is it because he had talked to Arabella without his presence?

"I did," Malvo said, his eyes lowering to hide his curious glance. As if grasping something, he smiled, "She’s a fun person to talk to. A little sarcastic and too guarded but she feels like a cat, making you feel rewarded once she warms up to you-"

"Malvo," Cassius leaned his head to the wall beside him. His strong arms were crossed but his knuckles had turned white as if he had clutched to his forearms too tightly enough for it to crush a bone.

"Y- yes brother?" Malvo looked up to his brother who was much taller than him, trying to hide his fear.

"I don’t think I have to tell you how much I despise someone trying to pour their interest to someone who has clearly became mine," Cassius’s red eyes turned fierce as he seized his brother’s entire frame, "The next time you see her make sure that you don’t overstep your boundaries again. Else." he hung his words, leaving it incomplete so Malvo himself could fill in the blanks. "And you better make certain whatever words spilled from your mouth isn’t one that’s going to turn into a sword that would kill you. Understand?"

A brief pause appeared from Malvo as he nodded his head, "Yes, brother."

Cassius didn’t continue his words as he had turned away, his frame looking much fiercer than the rest of the day as though something had royally pissed him off enough for him to look like he was going to find someone to murder, regardless who it was.

Malvo paused, wondering what it could be as it seems connected to Princess Isabelle. Could it be... could it be instead of a peaceful conversation, Princess Isabella had somehow struck a deal that had pissed Cassius?