Hurtful Desires

Chapter 42

Philip's POV

Looks like my 'FAMILY' has arrived. I turn to gaze at them, my posture firm and still. I smiled, "Welcome, welcome, enjoying the show?" I cheerfully beamed. "Uncle? What did you do?" The oldest son questioned following with the second son's question, "Hell, uncle, what is happening with you? Why are you acting crazy and all?" I'm hating the fact that I need to be casual than be formal. "What are you doing?" Their father asked,

I purposely put my thinking act on me, "Hmm, let's just say that this bitch here has been poisoning Mia since five years ago. And the ridiculous part of it was, why were you blind that your people have been poisoning Mia?" I happily spoke while pointing at Mirya. Turning to look to another pair of gray eyes. My brother's eyes. Victor's eyes. Those eyes had been shared with two more people: Ezekiel and Adrian. Why was I naive? These people killed Mia and Hunter. Yet, that doesn't mean I'll feel dishonored by what I'm starting with. Why was I too late? If I wasn't too late then Mia should have lived a better life. Hunter and Mia should have lived a life with me. These people killed my happiness. These people took away my happiness. My rage was fuming again.

"I... I didn't know." His voice full of authority faded becoming a contrite whisper. You don't have the right to be rueful. You killed your daughter with your bare hands. You don't have the right to glum about it because you don't have the right to become her father. I want to blurt all of my thoughts. All of my words that curse. I want to kill them right here and now. These hurtful desires of mine. I want to take advantage of it but it's too early to do it. I'll slowly troll them. I want them to be killed by the truth. It will happen. I knew it will.

I hardly laughed loud, "You didn't know?!" I shout,

"Then you must not know either that your second son was the one who ordered someone to steal the crown prince's brooch. Framing Mia for something she didn't do. Also, how she took the blame. Huh, aren't you ashamed of yourself, Adrian?" Adrian's eyes widen. His gaze looked down. "I'm sorry. How did you found out?" He said out loud. People gasped. This is great. Seeing you suffer from the shame you did. "Ezekiel, oh, I just remembered what the first son did to Mia. What you did on Mia's first day. It also regards Mirya. You were the one who ordered Mirya to ruin Mia's room. That was the real reason except for the second reason that Mirya did it willingly. Am I right, Ezekiel, dear? Aren't you a bit rueful at what you did?" Ezekiel froze. "What great-nieces do I have here. Haven't your father teach you to be ashamed of what wrongs you may do? Judging Victor, I think he didn't tell you that. Let's add more, I don't know if this is true or not but Victor only wants to adopt Mia because Mia is the spitting image of Odette and Mia can be the replacement of Charlotte. That's what the rumors say. I'm slowly believing it. Is the truth real, Victor?" My so-called brother stayed silent.

My words are victoriously striking them. I don't mind getting a punch or a scold for that from Victor. Do it if he can. What I'm doing is less than what pain they brought to my beloveds. This is only the start of it. I will sweetly prepare things to be done.

"That is kind of rude. Not giving someone an answer to what it's asking is rude as I can see it. You three are being too rude for staying silent about your doings. I can't bear to let Mia hear your shits. I'll excuse myself with her." I smiled. Waltzing to where she is standing beautifully. "Let's go?" I offered. Mia nodded. We walk off from the knight's ground. Mia suggested going somewhere. "Where to?" I asked, "Somewhere you should have to go in the first place." I was confused. Where do I want to go in the first place? Nothing pop-up in my head. I had no place to go from the first moment. However, where does Mia leading me to? I shrugged, that will be a surprise when I come there.

We rode the capital with a simple-looking carriage. Mia asked the coachmen to dropped us at the center capital. Mia and I couldn't afford to be trailed by the coachmen. Victor might ask where we had to go. I was led by Mia to an alley then to a pub. Why are we here? Someone spotted us, not just someone. A group spotted us, "Princess!" One said. I felt a wave of mana in them. It's kinda familiar. "Mia, who are they?" I whispered, leaning to her ear. "Forsaken tribe." Forsaken tribe? A memory hit me. They are alive.

"Phil, don't worry I'm sure everything will be fine." "Yeah, you and master have a good relationship." "He's just acting like that because he still traumatize at what happened to his niece." "Everything will be alright."

"What if he leaves me?" Despair coated my voice, "Then we'll do our best to let you stay here." "His smile is because of you and his niece." "His happiness is what keeps us going and what keeps him going." "So don't lose hope."

I heard eight different voices telling me over and over again. That those things will return to the normal happiness we had. That those who wronged us will regret and everything will be alright. Everything will go back to the way it is. We can go through all the things together. The Forsaken tribe reminded me of that. How naive I was to believe that. Because of my foolishness, they died. They sacrifice their lives for someone like me. I wasn't worth it.

Everything was clear like the blood streaming down from their body. The flood of blood covered the whole pub. De Alegro's three main orders of knights came barging in; The Crimson, Otieno, and Shadow knights barge in. Killing some assassins who are resting at the pub even the Forsaken tribespeople were killed. Kaiser, Aquilla, Jay, Allec, Connor, Mateo, Falcon, and Ryker hid me down the pub's counter. I heard every fight, every blood dripping, every bone being broken, every pleading to be heard, every protest to stop, every scream of sorrow... I heard it all. Yet I stayed silent and motionless just like what they ordered me to do. After their mass-murdering, I saw a trembling Hunter at the openings of the pub. He was fuming in anger. I felt it. I felt the surge of power flowing into him. Nevertheless, that surge ended when I saw someone stabbed him from the back. I was shouting to stop but it was too late. I was too late. He was killed right in front of me. Just like how I saw Mia being killed far from where she was being killed at. Two people ahead of me were killed. Yet there I was a naive one hoping that all will be alright, it will just be fine. Desires taunted me. Schemes of hatred taunted me. Voices saying I need to kill for the justice of what they have done. But those desires let me unfold the truth that led me to my death.

I didn't realize I was crying now. Tears freely streaming. "Sir, are you alright?" A familiar voice asked, lifting my head, I saw the person who died in front of me. For that reason, I saw that man covered in blood though he isn't. "I'm glad you're alive," I said aloud. I felt Mia's hand on mine. "Uncle, it's okay." I smiled, it will be fine. I won't hope anymore, I'll take matters into my hands. They played us for the last 9 reincarnations. I'll play them now. "I've been through to what you are feeling." She continued, "I've. Been. Through. It." Mia spoke sharply, pronouncing every word. So this is the feeling of what Mia has been. The recurring pain. I maniacally laughed, they somehow flinched except Mia. She smiled a bit. Giggling bitterly.

"I'll introduce myself once we go to your turf." I sweetly smiled at Hunter and them. I miss him. However, it's too early to celebrate. The whole time I was walking with them, my quivering hand is being held by Mia. I softly gaze at her.

"Philip," What made us glance at Hunter was when he said my name. Does he also remember me? Mia tightens her grip. It looks like he'll remember it sooner or later like what I did.

Mia Ashlyn's POV

A/N: FROM NOW ON I'LL START WRITING HER FIRST AND SECOND NAME

I smirk, everything is going to my plan. As we entered dad's pub, the roaring of people greeted us. Smiling at my return. Squeezing uncle's hand, I ran dragging him with me to the small stage there. I clapped my hands seeking their full attention. "I want you all to meet my uncle." Sternly looking at them. Not minding their unbelieving reaction. They registered what I said on their minds, I can see it. "By uncle... Philip De Alegro?" I deviously laugh at their remark. "Why not let him establish himself." Backing away for uncle can step forward to present himself. He politely bowed before talking, he came back to his posture. "My name is Philip De Alegro. I'm on your side whilst you won't get worried about it. I can tell you a thing or two or more of what you need to know about the De Alegro family if that's what you want. I'll sing some business if your curious and all. My sole reason is to help Mia and to wipe out that family. By force or not. By talk or by blood. By a nice conversation or war. I'll give my full support to you all to take down that family." Sweetness danced with the supremacy he marked. Uncle laughed. I laughed. Loudly laughing. Seeing their usual features turn into a paler and whiter one when they heard me except dad. Sarcastically clapping my hands as if there was a show being held. Everything is crazy as it looks and what it likes. I don't care if they are seeing me like this. What is happening to me, to us, is damn insane. It's not all about that damn family curse anymore, well, maybe yes, in the start but it slowly became more or something else. I want the clearer truth.

"Those who want to get along with my plan then you are needed to obey me. Put more of your trust in me. Dangerous things are ahead of me. I'll ask you all, will you go or will you stay? I'm asking because this is no big assassination than a war that'll be established by me. Will you die with me or be alive without me? I don't want sacrifices to make. No body. No soul. No blood. No bone. No ash will stray. That sucks, I've been there. It's early as it seems like but it will be late if you made a decision worth nothing for your life. Do you count yourselves in or out?" I maintain my deadpan-looking face though I hold full leverage of my words. Coming down from the small stage and to the small bar where they can take serve themselves bottled wines, beers, liquor. I took a good look at what is in the three-layer cases that are attached to the wall. Glowing from the bottles which are inside is liquors. My search started until I stopped to look at the familiar wine from the third layer-fourth cabinet. I used my flow of water to take that bottle. "Ah!" I lovingly startled myself. Casa De Los Espíritus meaning of House of Spirits. Spirits can also be termed liquor or booze. This was my first and the dearest brand I adore before until now. Who wouldn't? All the liquors they made are sweet-tasty ones. It was branded House of Spirits because the house that they are mentioning is a glass flower house where all their flowers are produced by them. The Spirits they are broaching are the liquor itself. Spirits meant by them are strong liquors. Yet my favorite from all their alcoholic based flowers is elderflower wine. Other named brands of elderflower only have 40% or less ABV but in Casa De Los Espíritus it has 100% ABV. It was still a mystery how they mastered making it sweet and tasteless of alcohol though it is one of the strongest drinks.

I found an empty clean wine glass. I opened it with my physical strength, I don't need help with this kind of thing. Fully pouring myself the wine. It was more than half of it will be measured. I swiveled it a little. Enjoying the swirling wine. Before I sipped it before I consume it with thrill. Leaning at the counter with my other arm supporting me. My other hand was occupied by the glass I'm holding. I brought my glass to my nose, razing the perfume-like scent coming from it. Finally, I lowered my glass, currently, being touched by my lips. Opening my mouth. Accepting the elderflower drink to my mouth going down my throat. I didn't break any sips. I was gladly chugging it. After, I finished my glass of wine. A blissful moan came from my voice. I smirk a bit. "That was nice," I whispered.

"Okay, back to you all. What's your decision?" I asked looking undeviating to them. They swallowed some kind of lump from their pharynx. "You're all silent then I'll take that as a no, ok-" My words were discontinued when someone spoke. "We don't know what our lady has suffered. You talk. You do. You act so differently from all those other kids who are the same age as you. You don't go unfazed when you smoke or drink. You're always in the new level of an adult who has come through. Never once when you didn't astound us. Our lady is worth our life. Sacrificial or by anything. You are worth our time, our sweat, our blood, our bones, our life. At this moment, I can see someone who'll lead us safely, not absolutely timid at times where there will always be shedding blood. Hence, I can imagine and watch what you will prove and what we will prove that you are worth it. Promptly, you have verified your rights to be someone who'll lead us. We'll not regret anything. Till we die from something we gifted to you as someone who accepted us from the start. Consequently, acquire us from what battle you'll face." A kid in his early 20s pledges. A harsh smile was painted on my face. They began to roar of agreement.

Shutting my eyes, afterward, opening it. "Silly," I replied. They frowned and pout at what I said. "Uncle, let's go now." I walk towards him. "Dad, I'll be going to mom's birthplace. I need you to be with me there. I'll send you a message about where we will be departing. I'll also call my people who will tell this entire guild about some of my few plans. Dad made his way to seize with a cuddle. "Be cautious, dear." He whispered. "Likewise." I smiled. "Goodbye, dad."

"Goodbye, Hunter."

"Goodbye, Philip."

In a flash of my magic, we have gotten out of the pub without anyone seeing that we popped out from a magic circle. We are back at the capital's main place. However, we appeared in a dark alley. "Do you think he already reconciles everything?" Uncle Philip spoke unsure but hoped. "No, but... I think it will." I said. This time, I am sure about it.

A crack of unsweetened giggle escape from my lips. My tears are already dry. There were no more to be spilled or to roll down from my view. At most, the unbelievable laugh is sullenly humoring me. What a sour punishment this is for me. "Their desires are hurtful. Too hurtful. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean I won't promise to protect them." A hand started caressing my back. I was presently leaning at the walls of the alley. Weak from those words; From their shouldering tackle of approach. Their desire to help is too hurtful. I don't want another pool of blood running through the ground. I don't want those flesh to be bones. Those bones that'll be ashes of yesterday.

"This will be the last," I paused, taking a sharp breath. "I will not make their hurtful desires become their end." I felt my uncle's hand slip to my waist. Embracing me from behind. Tilting his head to the crown of my head. "It will be in our way now. We have the upper rights now." He assured. No knowledge of what intention I had aimed. I'm sorry, in advance. I'm proceeding silently from my own hurtful desire.