Chapter 198 - Daddy's Boy
Chapter 198 – Daddy’s Boy
Hugo closed one of his eyes, wiping the blood with the back of his bloody fist. He glanced in the direction Rinnie left. She was gone.
"Damn that Azazel," he grumbled, stretching his neck and it produced a cracking sound as he faced the vampires. "I don't think he mentioned anything about gifts."
A deep breath slipped past his lips, watching the man, who acted as the crown prince of Hendrik Empire. The latter was smirking at him, hand raised to stop the other vampires from attacking him.
"Are you… Niall?" he asked whilst tilting his head to the side.
"Guess."
Hugo clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. No wonder the person standing before him was a disappointment, he thought. He had a higher expectation from the crown prince of the Hendrik Empire. Although the man had this distinct aura that would catch anyone's attention, it wasn't as alarming as he thought it was.
It only made sense if this person was a stand-in. If this was the real crown prince, then that only meant Azazel was the disappointment. How could he not win against this person?
"Azazel isn't exaggerating, I guess?" he tilted his head slightly down, giving Niall the credit. "But why? I mean, it baffles me why you have to use a stand-in instead of coming yourself?"
"Hah… I like your humor."
Hugo shrugged. "Scared?" the corner of his lips stretched from ear to ear until his canine showed.
Of course, the question he threw wasn't important to him. But he still asked to taunt this prideful crown prince. Azazel's reasoning for not disclosing this ability wasn't also a surprise. Hugo wasn't a fool not to understand the fourth prince's reasoning.
Werewolves and vampires were never on good terms. Although both races stayed from each other's ways for generations, pretending the other wasn't existing, their dislike for each other was always there. So Azazel couldn't completely trust Hugo.
One needed to have a trump card. Azazel's ability was that. If the werewolves were aware of his ability, then there was a higher chance he would die before he could fulfill his purpose.
"I like your ability. I wonder if I can steal it?" Hugo inquired with genuine wonder in his voice. "It'll be nice to get things done as if you're there."
"I know it is convenient. Apparently, you can't."
Hugo licked his canine as he grin. "Really? I can't trust your words unless I test it myself."
"Haha… we could've been great allies, Your Grace." The vampire, Niall's stand-in, laughed amicably. "If you and I work together, the Ronmin Empire and the Hendrik Empire will be so powerful the world itself will bow down to us."
"Hah…"
He ignored the mockery that filled Hugo's countenance. "The vampires and werewolves were born in this world to kill each other. In other words, we were each other's nemesis. We are creatures that are far stronger, better, and smarter than the favored race called humans."
"Favored race?" Hugo snorted as the entire sentence the man spewed was utter garbage.
"Yes, the favored race." The vampire rocked his head lightly. "It might sound a contradiction since they sounded so pitiful when one thinks about it. However, unlike us, who were born to be wary of each other, humans don't have that… worry."
"Werewolves were slaves by the moon goddess's will. Aside from the mating issues, werewolves had to go through a stage where they could lose their life," he continued, unafraid to let Hugo know he knew about the werewolves and the stages of their lives. "It's almost similar to us."
Hugo frowned as he listened to this man's remarks. It was true that a werewolf had to go through that stage; the age where they would shift the first time. Most could morph successfully, but there were others who weren't that lucky and turned feral.
Although some of those who turned feral were saved, there were those who lost their lives. It was one of the most crucial stages for a werewolf. Meeting their mate comes in second.
For Niall to know these, he surely did his research. That only meant one thing. Niall always had his eyes on them.
"Your point?" he inquired with a raised brow.
"My point is, it's not too late, Your Grace," Niall cajoled, casting him a knowing look. "A friendly relation is still valid since no harm had yet to be done. Why don't you negotiate with me, Duke? I believed you are rational enough to know that this can be a start for a war or a diplomatic relation between two races."
Hugo pressed his lips into a thin line, hands on his hips, eyes glossing over the vampire's figures. "Let's hear it, then." He nodded as he could spare a minute.
"Rinnie Ever –"
Swoosh
Before the stand-in could finish his sentence, Hugo appeared before him faster than a blink of an eye. The latter stood in front of him, bending over until his face was a palm length apart from him. Hugo kept his hands behind him instead of destroying his jaw instantly.
"Who?" he asked, blinking cluelessly. "Are you going to say Rinnie Everfell?" he laughed in ridicule.
"Well, apparently, I don't know a person named Rinnie Everfell. But I do know the name Rinnie Tempest. She is my wife."
Hugo brushed the man's chest with the back of his fingers lightly as if they were friends. "You want her? Then show up in front of me and kill me yourself." He leaned forward, staring at the man straight in the eye.
"Because that's the only way you can have her…" he trailed off as he grinned smugly. "… unless she doesn't want to and fights back. Then, I wish you luck?"
The stand-in smirked ever so slowly. "Interesting." He rocked his head. "So, you are choosing a woman over the safety of your people?"
"I'm no hero." Hugo smacked his lips. "I am but a simple, family-oriented man. I'd rather sacrifice this damn world to save her… because that is the only way I can atone for the wolf's sin and honor the will of my brother. Moreover, do not underestimate the pride of our people. They'd rather die fighting than live whilst sacrificing a life."
Hugo simpered as he tilted his head to the side. "What about you, crown prince? Do you actually know what you are fighting for? Or…. were you still a slave for what you are born to, you damn daddy's boy?"