Woman Hating Duke 31 - 32

Do you know how hard it is to find two handsome bishounen against each other with swords or even punching? All I got was Fate/Stay bullshit or Yugi-oh 😞

31 The Internal Conflict of Basseterre: 

James attention was on the forest in front of me. I soon realised someone was there but James put me behind him to protect me. Was it someone dangerous?

I became tense.

‘I’m sorry, Julia. It looks like I have got you caught in my trouble. No wonder, you have been sending people to scope out the land, eh dear brother Edward?’

James hand tightened around my waist belying his agitated state. I peeked to see a man step out of the shadow of an oak tree. He had blue-green eyes and chestnut hair. (Zuben: Japan, family members don’t have to look exactly the same, ya know) He looked very similar to James. He wore simple clothes under a cloak, but his shoes were high quality. From just that I could deduce, this man was probably…

The man laughed, ‘James, as you are calling me brother, I assume you have made a decision. Your time is up, and I can wait no longer. If she is so important to you, you can bring her along to Basseterre with you. It would be nice for you to have a positive wife. Although, her status is too low, we can take care of her depending on your reply.’

The man called Edward had a dirty smirk on his face as he pulled his sword from his sheath and pointed it at James. The sharp blade of the sword gleamed in the half light of the forest. James’ gaze was directed at him, barely looking at the sword pointed at him.

‘Edward, no matter how many times you come to negotiate, I do not want to side with either you or George. I have no patriotic feelings for Basseterre, you both can carry on fighting for throne with my blessing.’

‘Unfortunately, I need the connections you have cultivated in this country to win against George and become King. But if you don’t want to comply willingly, I will have to use my last resort. I don’t like to hurt women but it cannot be helped.’

With a signal, five armed men appeared behind Edward. In that moment, James stepped forward and in a swift move twisted the sword out of Edward’s hand, and used the hilt to bash the side of Edward's neck.

‘Argh, James! You still defy me!’

‘Julia, run!’ James shouted.

I took the opportunity to make a break for it, I would only be used as a hostage if I stayed. James would be kept alive, since they wanted to use him. As soon as I ran ahead, there was a henchman behind me. Once I noticed him, it was too late as he covered my face with a handkerchief doused with strange medicine. The last thing I thought of was the Duke’s angry face glaring at me.

I wonder if he would be annoyed with me again, I thought as I sank into the darkness.

‘Urgh…I feel awful…’ I moaned when I woke up. I closed and opened my eyes to try and suppress the feeling of nausea.

‘Julia! Are you alright? Does your head hurt?’ James asked frantically.

Oh good. I wasn’t alone.

Edward must be the second Prince of Basseterre. He must want to use James as a tool to move as he desired.

‘I just feel a little sick.’ I replied.

I opened my eyes and observed our surroundings. I was on the floor with both hands tied behind my back. My body was sore. James was tied to a pillar a few metres away from me. I wonder if he put up a fierce resistance for there were ugly bruises and cuts on his face. His lip was cut and swollen and there was dried up blood on his chin.

‘Where are we? Do you know what they are going to do with us?’ I asked. I could see a dirty window near the ceiling of the dimly lit room. We must be in a basement; there was no door only a staircase going up. The room also had a thick musty smell that made my nausea worsen.

‘They maybe waiting for sunset, so they can move us to Basseterre. He has taken you as a hostage so I can do what he wants. But it’s okay, do not worry, I will protect you with my left.’ James said with a pained smile.

He made me rather anxious.

‘So you’re being taken to Basseterre where you will be forced to support Edward so that he can take the throne. You shouldn’t give up like that.’

‘Why not? I don’t care about Basseterre. Why shouldn’t I help Edward dethrone George? As long as you’re safe, I don’t care what I have to do.’

While he was talking, I manoeuvred myself to a sitting position and searched about for a glass conveniently left behind. I spotted glass that would suit my purposes, and shuffled over to it. I managed to grab one and began to try to cut my ties.

‘No. You can’t do that. Edward’s friends are Grusk. With their help he would be able to overthrow George. And should he gain the throne, the Kingdom of Basseterre will be annexed by the Grusk. And then they will turn their gaze to our Bosch.’ I replied haltingly.

‘Julia? What are you doing?’

James must have noticed the expression of pained concentration on my face. I tried to school my features as I answered lightly, ‘I’m trying to cut the ropes. It will take some time. Listen, I am a nobleman’s daughter; I have been prepared for death from the moment I was born. Luckily, it isn’t a necessity since Bosch is so peaceful. I don’t want to be used as a weakness.’ (Zuben: I dunno if the writer is trying to make her sound strong, but she sounds obnoxious here. “I’m prepared for death. Go me!”) I didn’t want James to worry but it was also to convince myself, this did not hurt. I have not been injured yet.

‘You’re the first noblewoman that I know who is prepared for death. But Julia are you alright?’

‘Hmm. I just cut my fingers and it hurts. It feels more painful than death. These ropes are so hard to cut. They really didn’t spare me. I am a weak girl.’

‘I can see blood! Julia, you should stop!’ James shouted with a pained expression. But I ignored him. If he could see it, then there must be a lot of blood. The pain suddenly hit me, but I was not going to stop. I didn’t want to be the tool that ruined the peace in Basseterre.’

I concentrated on cutting the ropes, speeding up the rubbing of the glass against the fibres. Finally, I was free. Looking at the wounds on my hands, I was aghast, but I tried not to study them closely and ran to set James free.

‘Julia…you were injured because of me.’ He said as I freed him. He held me, I could feel his body trembling. Was he worried about me that much? I knew it could not be the case, but I became a little afraid. He looked at the cuts on my hands, and took out his handkerchief to wrap around the left hand where the injury was severe.

‘Let’s find a way to escape. I wonder if that window is sealed…no, the grid is hooked. We should be able to push it out. The Duke should be looking for us by now. I’m sure he will come to help.’

‘Henry will not come to help me. It is for you. Henry abandoned me that time five years ago. Though we’re on friendly terms as countries, it is a moderate risk to be friends with the Prince of Basseterre. Henry is very capable; I would only be dragging him down.’

‘James come over and bend over,’ I said to him under the window, ‘What happened five years ago?’

I got on James’ back and tried to open the window. I thought about the fact that I was stepping on a Prince’s back, but it was a matter of emergency, he would have to forgive me. The heels of my shoes shouldn’t not be too painful, they were wide. Besides, I read in some book that men liked to be stepped on by women in heels, there shouldn’t be a problem.

‘Five years ago, I was suspected of trying to overthrow the Bosch Kingdom. I found out later that it was the work of the anti-Basseterre faction in Bosch, but after that, Henry no longer came to see me as much as he used to.’

‘Is that why you feel abandoned? Is that why you tried to be close to me? James, don’t look up otherwise you’ll see under my skirts. To me, the Duke cherishes you like a younger brother.’

The window easily pushed open, but there were was a sturdy grate covering the opening; metal wires twisted and criss-crossed around wooden bars. It would be hard for me to pull it open. But I yanked on them anyway.

‘At the start, I approached you because you were a woman that Henry seemed to consider special, but now it is different. I like you, Julia.’

The rods successfully dislocated from their roots in the wall. I kept doing it until there was wide enough a gap to sneak out from there.

I chuckled, ‘Saying those things under these circumstances…Here we are! The last grate is off. We can escape.’

🃌

32 Julia’s Battle:

There was a bang. It was the sound of the door opening at the top of the stairs. I exchanged a look with James. Light beamed down the stairs from the top and it was occluded by a shadow. James who had been bent over, rose and pushed me through the window by my butt.

‘Julia, save yourself. Edward will not lay a hand on me.’

‘But James, that’s impossible! Don’t look up! Don’t touch there!’ (Zuben: Is this the time Julia?)

James lifted me and pushed me out of the window. My head and arms were pushed out, I had no choice but to grab into the cobble stones and pull myself out. I was in narrow gap between buildings behind an alley. The large wall before me rose up to the sky with no windows. I turned back to the basement window,

‘James!’

Although, it was dark, I could see James had a relieved smile on his face.

‘Julia, I’m happy I could help you escape, but I will stay. You need to get away quickly.’

Although, I didn’t want to leave him, it was prudent to escape and think about the situation. Becoming emotional does not gain anything. Although, I detested myself that makes such cold judgement in whatever circumstance I was in. (Zuben: Bahahahahah!)

‘Understood! Don’t be unreasonable, I will return with help soon!’

The henchmen reached the floor and saw I had escaped, he shouted for his colleague. It was only a matter of time before I was trapped in the alley. I ran off, and broke out of the alley. It was evening so the light was getting dim, but I noticed I was at a familiar junction.

This was where Brennan had attacked me. We must be in the Central ward. I remembered my way from there, so I ran on without stopping trying to use my memory. I have to get to his place quickly!

‘Gotcha!’ a male voice said behind me as my ankle was grabbed. I fell. I had been chased by one of the henchmen and he had thrown a bola[1] that tangled around my ankles. My knees began to bleed but I didn’t feel it at all, the fear of being captured again was greater.

‘Someone! Help!’ I shouted. I hoped someone would hear me, and come and help.

‘Someone! Please help!’ I cried as I untangled the bolas from my legs and got up. I did not want to be captured, but the weapon in my hand was all that I had. I could use it at as a club. I grit my teeth ready for a fight. But the man chasing me suddenly collapsed.

‘Eh?’

Blood seeped out of the body spreading along the cracks in the paving stones. There was someone behind me, I turned,

‘Yes. Bullseye! I had suspected these guys were hiding in the heart of the central ward. But that was dangerous, my lady. We’re you going to confront the man with that weapon? Aren’t you being reckless? That man was a professional.’

It was a man I didn’t know. He looked young, in the late twenties probably. He had a modest forgettable appearance, but there was a sense of incongruity with his appearance and his gleeful violence. I became wary. I could not trust that this man had appeared here by chance.

‘Who are you?’

‘Are you the lady making our Commander upset? You’re plainer than I imagined. If you know where the Prince is, tell me. I have been tasked to rescue you and the Prince.’

After thinking about it, I decided to tell the man where James was being held. From his tone, he must be here to rescue us. With his skill at defeating the Grusk assailants, he seemed very good at his job. Before we set off, I searched through the dead chaser’s body and found something of interest and put it in my pocket. We ran back the way I came and soon found the place James was being held. I decided to warn him, there were six Grusk henchmen with many weapons.

‘We should be careful, there are at least five Grusk henchmen here. I will create a distraction while you attack them.’

The man gave me a strange look, and then he said, ‘Lady, mayhap you’re thinking that you will be going inside to fight with me, but that is not going to happen. You should return to the city and get protection. Should something happen to you, the Commander will have my head.’

‘I’m not your lady, my name is Julia. Please let’s help James as soon as possible. Otherwise, I will go in alone!’

I pushed the door in and quickly hid behind the door. As expected, the first henchman appeared sword in hand. I pushed the door hard, knocking him against the door jamb. He fell, and then I bashed his head with the door several times to make sure he was stunned.  The man who helped me stared at me in shocked silence. Just then, there was a noise from inside the house, I quickly picked up the sword and we entered together.

‘There are four more henchmen and the second Prince of Basseterre…’

I peered around looking for hidden enemies. I turned around to see the man strangling the fallen henchmen. He turned to me and grinned,

‘I’m Gordon. Try not to get injured; otherwise the Commander will kill me.’

‘Don’t be a drag. I’m not reckless as to go alone.’

‘I wouldn’t dare accuse you of being reckless. I have signalled the rest of the team, they should be here soon.’

Che! What a fussy man. He could only be the subordinate of the Duke. I dared not look around to take stock. Gordon held a finger to his lips and pointed upstairs. He must have heard footsteps. He gave me a scary face to make me stay. I reluctantly watched him go up the stairs. There were soon sounds of a scuffle and the clash of swords echoing in the dark house. I could not do anything but watch.

While I was waiting, a large man appeared at the entrance. I remember his face; he was one of the Grusk men who had abducted us earlier. Perhaps he went shopping. He was agitated on seeing his fellow dead at the doorway. His eyes were bulging and bloodshot, his body was trembling in anger.

‘You! How dare you do this to Alec!’ He bellowed.

This is bad! This is very bad! It is true that I did that to Alec, but he should not use violence at women and children.

I ran to a small room dodging the blows of the giant as I went. I locked myself in. It looked like a store room with food stuffs arranged on the shelves. I took one of the items I had stolen out of my pocket and put it on a shelf and took down a can. It was a smoke bomb; it is thrown at the enemy and they should lose consciousness. I should need to try and hold my breath for two minutes and at least stay two metres away. That would be hard in this room, and I didn’t know how to use it.

The door was being banged; the giant was trying to break the door down,

‘Woman! Open up! I will kill you!’

There was a loud crash as the door came down and the giant came in. He had an angry violent smile on his face. I hadn’t finalised an escape plan. As though he wanted to enjoy my fear, he held in dagger in his hand and slowly entered licking his lips.

‘Hey, that’s a foul! It will hurt!’

‘You’ll be fine. I’ll make sure to stab you where you’ll die before you feel anything.’

That might be the heart or brain. Would he chose my heart? But it may be possible to stab the brain from the point under the neck. I really hated that I could think so calmly about the implications of the man’s words.

I had no choice I had to carry out my hasty plan and play that it would work. I threw the smoke bombs. Smoke filled the room. Thinking about the size of the man it should be soon, but maybe because he is so large that it wasn’t working quickly.

‘Are you ready to die, woman?’

‘I wonder if you could wait a little more…like three minutes?’

I was hunted to a corner of the room and had no escape. I gave him my best smile. Finally the smoke bombs worked and just as he reached me, the giant fell onto the shelves near us. Food stuff fell on him and the cacophony resonated in the small space.

‘Oh! I am saved…’

I was truly amazed. But the earlier fear and adrenaline made my legs jelly as I tried to stand up. I could only collapse on the floor and lean against the wall.

At that moment, I heard a voice calling my name,

‘Julia!’ (Zuben: Juli, Juli, Julay! Ah~ah~ah~ah~ah~ahhhhhh~!)

Zuben: Julia kicks ass, takes names, annoys me but still way better than being a wet blanket, waiting to be saved. I'm not sure about the 'noble-woman prepared for death aspect' - it just seems rather incongruous, maybe I mistranslated?

Off to find a threesome.

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