Two days later.

Inside the castle. Maxwell and his siblings were discussing the big event happening tomorrow.

They will release the first 100 horrifying creatures from the monster's pit and see how well it goes.

"I already informed the leader of the monsters. They already prepared 100 beasts to exit the castle tomorrow, they're all excited about this big event. At first, they thought it was a joke until I told them that Esmeralda already left the castle," Xenon said.

"If the release tomorrow is successful then we will have a follow-up release of 100 dark shadows the next day. If no problem arises, we will keep doing it every day until everyone already left the castle. We will rule the world by then!" Maxwell said.

"This is getting exciting!" Lothaire enthused.

Xenon looked at his older brother. "Do you think... Esmeralda will still return here?" he asked out of curiosity.

Maxwell shook his head. "I dunno... if I'm in her shoes...why would I return here? I would rather enjoy my freedom outside. To be honest, being trapped inside the castle for a long time is the worst nightmare for everyone here. If Esmeralda is wise, she will never set foot inside this castle ever again," he expressed his opinion.

"That's right. Besides, I can't see any reason why Esmeralda will return here? She has nothing left here to come back to," Lothaire added his assumption.

Xenon was silent for a moment. "How about our plan to resurrect father?" He suddenly mentioned the almost forgotten issue.

Maxwell sighed. "We shall put that plan on the back burner because we only have Ivy, for now. Ella and Kate were no longer here inside the castle. But if we can get back the rest of the sisters then we will resume our plan," he reassuringly told them.

"Why don't we try making the ritual with just Ivy alone? Maybe, if we combined Ivy's blood with those chosen women we can resurrect our father," Xenon suggested.

Maxwell shook his head. "No, we can't do that right now. We need Ivy's blood every night to release as many dark shadows and monsters from the pit. We will just postpone resurrecting father until we are done releasing all the dark armies and monsters," he countered.

"But resurrecting father has always been our goal ever since!" Lothaire objected.

Maxwell sighed. "I know, that was before...when we have no idea how to escape this castle. But now that we already have the ways and means... then we will just resurrect father later after we are done releasing all our allies," he said adamantly. "Let's fulfill things one at a time..." he added.

Lothaire shrugged. "Alright...let's do it your way," he finally conceded.

"Thanks, bro, leave everything to me. I already planned everything in advance. Don't worry, our father's resurrection was still my priority. But we are presented with a better opportunity right now, let's strike while the iron is hot!" he reminded them.

"I agree with you, bro. You got my full support," Xenon finally said.

"Okay... tomorrow midnight...we will start releasing the 100 monsters. To make sure that it will be successful I will station dark armies to guard the area so that other creatures won't be able to come close and discover what are we doing in there. We don't need a stampede happening on the night of our groundbreaking event," Maxwell said.

"Don't worry, bro. I will take charge of the dark armies and make sure the others won't see what's going on in the groundbreaking area. Just focus on opening the barrier, leave the rest to us," Xenon assured him.

"Good!" Maxwell said, very much pleased with his brother's support. "Anything else that you want to discuss with me, guys?" he asked them.

Lothaire and Xenon shook their heads.

Maxwell rose to his feet. "Alright, I'll retire to my room," he said and took his leave.

Inside his bedroom, Maxwell went to the cabinet and inspected the golden dagger, it's still there where he left it.

He is in good spirits today, he wants to see Ivy. A mischievous smile appeared on his lips. Ivy will finally become his woman today!

He left the bedroom and teleported into Ivy's room.

He found her lying in the bed. "Waiting for me?" He looked at her with lust and desire flashing in his eyes. He went to her side and planted a kiss on her lips.

Ivy ducked out of his way and Maxwell ended up kissing the pillow instead. He looked at her with annoyance. "Why do you always have to avoid my kisses? As if I have a contagious disease?" he glared at her.

"You knew already the reason why!" Ivy yelled at him in anger.

'"Ah, I see...you're still mad that I killed your lover? Can't you understand that I'm jealous! You are mine only! No one can take you away from me! You will stay by my side forever!" He told her in a firm and possessive manner. He wants to impose his authority on her. He lunged at her, trapping her between the bed and his body.

Ivy began to weep, fat tears rolled down her eyes. "Let go of me!" she screamed, struggling to shove him away from her body.

Maxwell was not hearing any of her cries and starts discarding her clothes.

Ivy was getting hysterical, she was panicking, trying to think of anything that can stop Maxwell from violating her body. "You told me once that you need virgin women's blood to resurrect your father from death. If you force yourself on me, my blood won't be effective anymore!" she shouted into his face.

Somehow, Ivy's statement halted Maxwell's evil intention.

He stared at her tear-stricken face for a few seconds and then he burst out laughing. "Stupid woman! Do you think that you can stop me from claiming you? Now that I already have the means and ways to open up the blazing barrier without getting fried... no need to resurrect my father!" He grinned evilly.

Ivy's blood ran cold in her body, panic was written all over her face. She has run out of any ideas that can help her impede his bad intentions. She can never escape him this time!

He resumes discarding her clothes, only her undies were left to cover her modesty. His eyes roamed Ivy's voluptuous body gleaming with absolute lust and desire. He's been holding back for a long time and now there is no reason to do so anymore. He is free to take her now and she will ultimately become his woman.

"Maxwell, please, don't take me by force! I'm willing to be your woman. I won't' struggle anymore. I only have one wish..." she said, desperately.

He looked at her with suspicion in his eyes. She's been desperate and trying everything just to stop him from making her his woman. He wonders what's her trick this time. From the look of her face, she was serious though, her face was showing fear. "Okay...tell me about your wishes...make it quick!" he said impatiently.

"Marry me first! I don't like giving myself to a guy without a marriage ceremony! You can have my body on the first night after our wedding. I will not struggle anymore if you want me. I will serve you and become your loyal and devoted wife for eternity. That's my only wish, I hope you will grant my wishes," Ivy said. She pleaded into his eyes, appealing to his gentler side.

Maxwell digested her words slowly. There's a big difference between a willing Ivy and a strong-willed Ivy. He wants her to be obedient to him all the time and willing to do his bidding without fighting him every step of the way. He won't die if he will wait for a few days, though.

Ivy's body was shaking in fear beneath him.

"Okay fine... I will instruct my servants to prepare the wedding ceremony in one week," he finally said. He stared at her face for a long time. Then he got up from the bed and left the room.

Maxwell vanished from Ivy's sight in a matter of seconds.

Whew! She was grateful!

Ivy curled up in a fetal position, trying to calm her frayed nerves. Damn! Maxwell was so close to violating her body! She was trembling completely terrified. If she was not quick enough to think of an alibi, he might already have succeeded with his bad intention towards her.

She was just hoping that Zemeth can enter the castle and save her within one week time before she will marry Maxwell.

If worse comes to worst and Zemeth can't rescue her and the marriage will push through, then she will just spend her time cultivating Maxwell's trust. After winning his trust, she's free to leave and enter his bedroom, then she will steal the golden dagger and escape the castle!

That's the plan!

Now, she will start praying to God that Zemeth will arrive at her rescue, or else, if he won't arrive on time before the wedding, Maxwell will have his way with her. Today was just a small victory.

Right now, crying is the only thing that can comfort her in this solitary room. She longed to see the outside world again and marry Zemeth and fulfill their dreams. She hopes that it's still not too late for her and Zemeth's love to flourish.

She only tasted a few days of heaven in Zemeth's arms but she was sure of herself that she will be truly happy if he will become her husband.

If she will marry Maxwell, only pure darkness is waiting for her because his heart was filled with evilness. She doesn't want to be the Queen of Darkness! She loathed that idea!