Chapter 268 - Harshest Outcomes.
"Wow! So this is your home." Marla said with awe and twirled around the large space the four of them had just entered.
This was their second day at the Duchy capital. The previous day had been used to secure a room at a hotel and then go shopping for presentable clothing.
Clothing of enough standard as the norm of the capital. Gold had been more than enough for that purchase and now Melinda no no longer had any intentions of prolonging issues.
It was high time she returned home and got this over with.
She and Hal walked ahead with Marla and Rita closely behind as they went past the guards who did not even dare to stop her once they noted her light gold eyes.
"Idiots" Melinda had insulted them for not even taking care to inspect if she was an imposter.
Hal had smiled lightly because he knew for sure, that had the guards tried to inspect her, they would have sorely regretted it.
This was the classic 'They can never win' situation.
"And you are sure we can come with you?" Rita asked as she had been more for the option of her and Marka staying in the Harem space.
Melinda shrugged,
"It's fine. They banished me and now call me back. Surely I was not expected to live there without making connections. I invite you and I see no need why anything else needs to be said."
Hal however agreed with Rita on how staying in the Harem space would be more prudent but he also understood Melinda's point of view.
The least her father could do was be a little accommodating.
Melinda led them to a Teleportation circle as the distance to traverse within the territory was quite long. The circle was activated, a short walk through the void and they were at their destination.
And they were not alone.
*The sound of Trumpet fanfare*
"Welcome back, Lady Melinda."
The entire courtyard in front of the main residence of the Dane territory was filled to capacity with men and women of said Dane family.
All of those present had light gold eyes and were clearly main family members numbering in the thousands and yet from all Melinda had told him, Hal knew this was a mere fraction of their true numbered might.
The thousands in the courtyard presently were important members and none of them dared not to be present in the fanfare of the daughter of the Dane Monster.
Marla had stepped closer into Rita's side at the suddenness of the fanfare and Rita was stroking her hairs to signal to get to be calm.
Hal's eyes narrowed because his Devil bloodline was picking up on animosity from so many in the crowd of Danes and the animosity was all directed at Melinda.
Melinda stared at the display and repressed a snort with difficulty,
"Assholes"
Clearly, she could see the animosity as well but it was not bothering her at all. Under her annoyed expression was an amused one.
The Dane men and women suddenly separated and out of their midst came the Dark-haired Devon who walked towards his daughter in quick steps. A daughter who glared at him.
"Linda my dear. Father missed you" He said and made to hug her but Melinda pushed him away. Her beautiful face was getting pink from suppressed rage.
Devon sighed at her coolness,
"I am sure you are upset with me but you need to understand they needed to be done. Besides, humor your father before our kinsmen and hug me. If not for anything, do it as a show of solidarity." He said with his arms spread wide.
Melinda paused and then slowly walked into his embrace as the father and daughter held each other, the crowd of Danes burst into applause and cheer.
Melinda spoke in a quiet voice that only her father could hear,
"I don't give a crap about solidarity" she said and separated from Devon who smiled uncomfortably.
And then there was someone else walking down the middle of the crowd up Dane kinsmen.
It was none other than Damien Dane, the Patriarch of the Dane family.
"My niece. It's been much too long since I last saw you" he said fondly but Hal was not buying it.
And judging from the look on Melinda's face, neither was she.
Damien looked at her and seemed amused at how she was reacting so far. It was then that another member of the immediate Dane family showed up.
With long brown hair held at the top of his head with a headpiece, light gold eyes, and a handsome face, the young man was Cirk Dane.
He walked towards Melinda and the whole courtyard was silent as so quite a few of those in the crowd held their breaths in anticipation of what would happen next.
Funnily enough, Even Rita and Marla held their breaths. Albeit briefly.
Cirk arrived before Melinda and bowed low. When he looked up, he was smiling lightly as he proffered his hand to her,
"Melinda. I hope you have been well" he said and for a few seconds, nothing happened and then fast as lightning, Melinda grabbed the hand and twisted it,
*Crack*
The sound was sickening as Cirk's arm was broken in at least three different places from that single twist.
"Arrrggghhhhh" Cirk yelled and leaped backward while his arm dangled uselessly by his side.
"What are you doing?" Damien yelled while Devon's eyes were narrowed.
Melinda was grinning while walked slowly over to where Cirk was now swallowing a pill and mending his arm,
"What does it look like, Uncle? I want to kill him. I want to kill your son." She said with a calm voice before she tackled wickedly.
Hal smiled proudly while he said under his breath,
"That's my girl"
Damien let out terrifying pressure that made it oppress her but was canceled out by Devon's own pressure in retaliation.
Even then Damien addressed Melinda,
"Stop that or else..." He began but Melinda interrupted,
"What are you going to do? Banish me? By all means, do so, but know this I will not leave here today until I finish what I started five years ago" she said and her pace towards Cirk never slowed.
"Your father already avenged you" Damien said.
Melinda paused and looked back,
"What?" She asked.
Damien said through clenched teeth,
"After you were banished, Cirk was punished as well. He was beaten every day for seven days and only let go when he was on his last breath. He nearly lost his life.
Now stop this Madness!"
There was pin-drop silence only punctuated by Cirk's heavy breathing as his arm continued to mend and he glared at Melinda with immense dislike.
Then the silence was broken by laugher. A malevolent cackle which Melinda made,
"And so fucking what? How is it my business that my 'father' beat him up? He's still alive, is he not? Well, then let me end this now..."
And then to Cirk she said,
"I have to commend your idiocy for still coming out to face me."
*Puh*
Cirk spat on the floor,
"I hate you, Melinda. You ruined my life and I have to admit I have no interest in letting you take it. You got one lucky hit in. Now be a good girl and run along because any attempt to attack me will result in the harshest of outcomes." He said.
Melinda could not care less what he meant about him ruining get life as she summoned her Cosmic Armament and pointed it at him,
"I agree that it would be harsh outcomes but not in your favor" She said and closed the distance between them in seconds.
The two fathers made to move when a voice sounded,
"No one Must Interfere!!"