In the novels I've read, there's always a scene where a villain will appear to ruin the peace. And this felt just like that one.

The knot in my stomach tightened as a lump of air clogged my throat upon laying my eyes on his figure covered with blood. "Sam…"

Sam walked languidly, dragging a body in his right hand. There was this strange, sinister smirk plastered across his lips as his crimson eyes exuded pleasure from the wary gazes on him. He may appear the same, but the air around him felt unfamiliar.

Was this just another illusion? How could he drastically change in a brief span of days? I bit my tongue and slapped my cheek to wake myself up, only to realize this was the reality.

"It's good to see you, Stefan." His menacing voice sent a chill down my spine as he dropped the body. I jumped when he set his eyes on me and added, "and I miss you, my bride," and his smirk stretched wider.

Did he really mean that? I didn't think so.

"As expected of you, Hell." Stefan glanced at the body lying beside Sam. "Your wickedness never ceases to amaze me."

"Don't exaggerate, my brother! He's not dead…" Sam trailed off as he batted his eyes towards the body next to him. "... he's just a little hurt." No one could tell whether he was trying to mock the king or humor him, but he's definitely dauntless.

Stefan scoffed under his breath as he asked, "Hurt? And what grave sin did Duke Delholm do to deserve such judgment?"

"He's annoying!" Sam answered almost excitedly as he clapped.

Growls and sharp inhales suddenly resonated across the banquet hall as half of the guests bore their fangs. However, none of them attacked as Stefan raised his hand.

"This devil never changed!"

"Did you come back to bring chaos in this kingdom once again?!"

"To show yourself in a grandiose way, Hell, you're truly something!"

Words uttered through their gritted teeth reached my ear, sending a shudder down my spine. I looked around just to see the deep hatred in their eyes; while Sam only placed his pinky inside his ear, unfazed by their snide remarks.

"Sam," I whispered, and my heart warmed up when Sam glanced at me indifferently before he smiled.

"To punish someone who has contributed to the wellness of this kingdom just because you find him annoying — I'm speechless, albeit not surprised," Stefan uttered calmly, shifting his eyes in a certain direction and ordered. "Take Duke Delholm and tend to his wounds."

"Yes, your majesty." The person who received the order bowed before he rushed towards Duke Delholm. However, he stopped steps away when Sam stepped on the unconscious duke.

"Samael," Stefan called out coldly as the pressure in the air thickened.

"You already took my bride away, brother." Sam cocked his head to the side, batting his eyes innocently. "And now my partner for tonight's banquet? Aren't you a little greedy?"

The more Sam spoke with such confidence, the more the heat of anger exuded from those same people who spat snide remarks earlier. One word from Stefan and they would surely attack, but Stefan wasn't giving out anything.

"When will you ever choose peace resolution over violence, Hell?" Stefan questioned coldly, only to receive a nonchalant shrug from Sam. "Lilou," Stefan called out, making me flinch before he ordered, "Stop breathing."

As soon as I heard those words, I held my breath while grinding my teeth as I shot him a glaring dagger. How dare he use such a cheap trick against Sam?

"Your Majesty!" Yul growled as he clenched his hands into a fist, but Stefan seemed unfazed by our glare, so Yul looked at me when he realized that. "Walking meat!"

'You're already suffocating, and he still calls you walking meat.' My subconscious mind scoffed while I clutched onto Yul's shoulder before shifting my gaze to Sam. I shook my head, hoping he'd understand I'd rather die than be used as a tool against him.

"Tasteless," Sam rumbled as his playful smirk faded away while watching me hold my breath. "Fabian, I want heads rolling down here every second that she doesn't breathe." A head immediately rolled down, which took everyone a second to realize what happened.

But even when they realized the situation, everyone was just too busy protecting their necks as chaos ensued. Some tried to attack Sam but ended up being slain by Rufus while others just escaped; Sam and the Royal Family stood motionless from their spot.

I can't hold it any longer… I pounded my fist against my chest as I stumbled down. But before my knees gave in, a firm hand held both my shoulders. I gazed up to see a pair of crimson eyes staring at me emotionlessly.

"Sa," I choked as I clutched on his chest desperately. 'I need to breathe,' I told myself, but all I felt was my brain suffocating as my vision blurred.

*****

"Sis," Yul was about to catch Lilou but stopped when Samael suddenly appeared before her.

"Who do you think you're trying to put your hands on?" Samael asked as his eyes glistened with killing intent, while he held her shoulders. He gazed down when she failed to call his name.

Even though Samael couldn't sympathize with her, seeing her suffocate only made his blood boil.

"Come here, my little bride," He whispered, pulling her to his embrace as he rested his chin on her head and rubbed her back gently. "Stefan... I accept her death."

"Hell!" Yul growled as soon as he heard Samael's remarks, but that didn't faze the latter.

"I accept her death, so know that tonight will be the requiem of the aristocratic faction." The expression on Samael's face made Yul swallow down a mouthful of saliva. "I can't fucking stand this tasteless behavior. So, let's get over this, shall we?"

Yulis's shoulder stiffened when he met Samael's pair of intimidating eyes. Samael meant what he had said, and everyone felt that he had accepted Lilou's death.

Lilou started coughing while panting for air when Stefan ordered, "Breathe."