Evolution of the Ruined Heir-Chapter 140: Control

'The Iron Saint…'

Malakai was surprised.

'What's he doing here?' He wondered. The iron saint served the sovereign directly. He answered to no one else in the clan.

Because of this, he was almost always close to the Sovereign, except when sent out on missions by the Sovereign himself.

This was what shocked Malakai. They were currently far from the main building, deep within a sprawling forest. Just what was he doing here?

"That's enough."

Caelum's voice was thick and heavy. His cold gaze fell on the two Blooms, Nyx and Julius's guard, who had been moments from a full-blown clash.

"Iron Saint." The guard bowed his head in respect.

Caelum's status as the Blade of the Sovereign made his standing in the clan higher than most. Beyond that, he was only a few ranks away from stepping into the Scarlet Ten.

Caelum gave a curt nod, then turned to Nyx, who still hadn't taken her gaze off Julius' guard. She didn't even seem to acknowledge Caelum's presence.

Caelum sighed inwardly. 'Still as stubborn as ever.'

He glanced over at Julius, who was still slumped on the floor, struggling to process what had happened. Then he turned to Malakai, who stood calmly watching him.

"Blood flows where you walk. May your blood burn brighter than the sun." Caelum struck his fist against his chest in salute.

"As it should be," Malakai replied, and Caelum had to suppress the smile tugging at his lips. Even in this situation, the boy remained maddeningly calm.

Caelum raised his head, sparing Julius a final glance. The boy hadn't even snapped out of it. A warrior should never lose himself in battle. Ever. That alone earned Malakai more points in his mind.

"What happened here… does not concern me." Caelum finally spoke, "I do not involve myself in Vein matters unless commanded by the Sovereign."

The guard's gaze narrowed, but Caelum didn't stop.

"However, a battle between Blooms will level this fortress, and such destruction will come with consequences."

'So that's it,' Malakai realized. If Nyx and the guard clashed, much of the Crimson Hold would be destroyed.

A place where the Sovereign resided. Depending on his mood, that could very well be grounds for instant execution.

'There's no choice. I'll get another chance later.'

Malakai nodded once at Caelum, then turned. "We're leaving, Nyx."

In an instant, Nyx's bloodlust dissipated. She turned without a word and followed Malakai and the trembling Renlo.

As they departed, Caelum shot a glance at Julius' guard, who flinched and nodded. He understood the message. He quickly gathered the still-dazed Julius and carried him away.

Caelum turned toward the direction Malakai had left.

'At least she looked… happy.' ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

…

"HOW DID HE LOSE?!"

The silence shattered as Khana hurled the nearest object at the guard.

Wham.

The vase shattered against his face. He didn't move. As a Bloom, something as fragile as ceramic couldn't even scratch him.

There was no pain, at least not physical pain. But his clenched fists and gritted teeth revealed the humiliation boiling within.

He wanted to crush her. To snap her spine in half. But he couldn't. Not when Varnel himself had ordered him to serve her.

"What do you mean he lost!? To that trash? How is that even possible!?"

Khana looked unhinged. The guard had just relayed everything that happened with Malakai, and she flat-out refused to believe it.

But as her gaze shifted to Julius, sitting lifeless on the couch, eyes hollow, the reality finally hit her.

He'd lost. And people had seen it.

Khana stormed forward, heels clicking against the polished floor. Rage filled her eyes as she gripped her ornate fan tightly, raising it and smashing it down on the guard's head.

Clang.

It sounded like metal on steel. He didn't even blink.

But Khana didn't stop. Again and again, she struck his head in a frenzy.

"You useless idiot! Your only duty is to protect him! Why would you let that happen!? Huh!?"

The guard didn't move. Her blows didn't hurt, but each one chipped away at his pride. He had never felt so degraded.

Khana's breath came in heaves, sweat dotting her brow as if she'd just run a marathon. But as her eyes fell on the unmoving man, her rage only deepened.

"Stupid bastard!" she snapped, and kicked him with everything she had, only for a pained expression to appear across her face.

"Shit! Fucking idiot!" she growled, glaring daggers at him. No matter what she did, she couldn't even make him flinch.

She clicked her tongue. "I'll deal with you later."

Then she turned toward her son, who was seated on the couch, and in that instant, her fury melted away.

She walked toward him in quick strides, kneeling beside him and gazing into his face with worried eyes.

"Baby, are you okay?"

She was just about to wrap her arms around him when Julius finally spoke.

"Don't touch me with your filthy arms."

"W-what?" Khana froze, stunned. But Julius's voice only grew colder.

"Get away from me. It's disgusting having you so close."

Khana remained frozen, too shocked to move. Julius clicked his tongue irritably, rising from the couch and walking toward another side of the room.

He was angry. It had taken a moment for everything to settle in, but now that it had, words couldn't capture just how furious he truly was.

"Julius, baby. I—It's your mother," Khana said, her voice trembling.

"Don't remind me of the stain I wish I could forget." Julius glanced over his shoulder, his stare sharp as ice.

Khana's eyes widened and an ache settled deep in her chest.

"S-son…" she whispered.

"Don't call me that!" Julius snapped, shooting her a glare.

"Honestly, I don't know what father was thinking when he picked you up from the streets. You were only used for childbearing. Don't forget your place."

This wasn't the first time this scene had played out.

The Sovereign had never restricted who the Pulses could marry, but most did so for strategy, building alliances, strengthening power.

Among them all, only Varnel had chosen what many considered a nobody: a woman from a small, struggling family with no name.

To this day, the true reason for the union remained unknown to most. But those who understood Varnel… they knew.

He did it for control.