*Swisssh!*

A blurred shuriken bolted across the room towards Stalsbourg.

It would have been instant K.O. had it not been for the intervention of the Cardinal.

A red blur instantly appeared in front of Stalsbourg deflecting the shuriken and launching it up into the air.

*TWING!*

The shuriken stuck itself up on the ledge of the roof.

Everything happened so fast that many of the nobles could not keep up; it took a moment or two for them to realize that an attack had been launched at Stalsbourg who stood completely immobilized in fear. No one dared to whisper or talk – the Death God true to his name was the harbinger of death. He also had a very short fuse and no one knew what would tick him off next.

Stalsbourg wet himself in fright. He was a shame to look at and that also marked the end of his career.

“I would like to speak!” The Cardinal appeared in the room standing in front of Stalsbourg.

It was question for many, where did the Cardinal appear from? The windows and doors were bolted…

“You….” The Death God squinted his eyes in anger as he stared at the Cardinal.

“Yes, me….” The Cardinal was the only one daring enough to smile in front of the Death God.

“You really receive too much liberty…” The Death God murmured.

“Is that something you heard of from my brother? If you did, my stance is that I never disagreed about it.” The Cardinal was completely relaxed. The Council members watched in awe as the Cardinal spoke; the man truly knew no fear. Everyone was also curious to know who the Death God really was and now they found their lead source – the Cardinal.

The Death God seemed to be on the back foot with the sudden appearance of the Cardinal. The almighty Death God was pausing between his sentences. What relationship did the two share? It was very much ambiguous as ambiguity can be.

The Death God took a deep breath and then spoke, “Well your timing is just perfect, you are equally responsible for what happened here the day before. The Chancellor is responsible for the administrative but you are responsible for the city.”

“I would like to correct your understanding. I was contracted to never let Feladonia fall as long as Feladonia stands I have done what I was contracted for...” The Cardinal was still smiling as he talked back.

The Death God smiled – a very scary smile. He spoke with his teeth clenched. “Then whose responsibility should it be?”

“Not sure. I don’t really care and neither do you, yet you are frightening these children….”

“Are you here to defend them?” Still speaking through clenched teeth.

“I only wish to bring certain facts to light.”

“Please enlighten me.”

“Stalsbourg and Vanessa are madly in love and they are bound to get married.” The Cardinal declared.

The entire house was in an uproar, this was biggest gossip of all time. Goliath loves Alfen – the two houses that hated the other since the dawn time; it was a marriage doomed to fail. Condolences and sympathies could be heard.

“So it is completely impossible for Stalsbourg to have intentionally hurt Vanessa.” The Cardinal’s smile only grew wider. He was enjoying this.

“How can you be certain that he loves her? Memory serves me right? Goliath hates Alfen.” The Death God asked as he scratched his forehead.

“Yes Goliath may hate Alfen as you intended. But this and that are two different matters, these two have out grown that hate and truly love each other. Just the other day, I saw Stalsbourg propose to the young lady.”

The council members were in an uproar all over again. To propose? Some could be heard saying ‘how bold’.

Stalsbourg approached from behind to say otherwise, but the Cardinal quickly stomped his foot before he could say anything. Stalsbourg didn’t open his mouth after that he was in too much pain to say anything. This also marked the end of his noble life in Goliath.

Nobles marry within their house and the house of their allies but never their enemies and especially not a fallen house.

“He could have been apologizing.” The Death God as many wrinkles appeared on his forehead.

“There was love in the air. I could see pink.” The Cardinal vigorously defended. “The sad truth is that the two of them have been hiding their love from the world in fear it will be objected to! Faking their hatred for each other and fighting in front of soldiers…it’s all a lie.”

The council was buzzing like bees.

“It is somewhat unrequited!” The Cardinal even managed to sneak in a fake tear.

More buzzing, the Vanessa’s face cringed in disgust.

“I have personally seen their infatuation for each other grow to love. Childhood love – innocent and pure.” The Cardinal held Stalsbourg's and Vanessa's hand.

“Okay…I get it. Stop…”

Vanessa who stood in the corner nearly fainted in shock / disgust. The two loathed each other. Vanessa that day swore to kill the Cardinal ‘for real’ this time.