Chapter 679 - Should Have Been Here
Only three people were aware of what had just taken place and they were the two involved in the match and the etcher who had interfered.
Rouge felt something amiss when her master was pushed away by the unknown force that had formed between the two children.
Therefore, she hurried to inquire about it and her master was kind enough to explain what he had felt at that moment.
Being an etcher, she knew exactly what had taken place once she was filled in about the situation and she also made it known to her master about the same.
Thus Topher glanced at Demon, the etcher whose overwhelming aura had sent him far away from the little girl who was his Master.
He had initially wondered whether Yvonne had managed to conjure up more of her aura and manifest it in order to shield her body but now he knew the truth of the matter.
Regardless of whether it was Yvonne or Demon's aura, it was undeniable that he had been sent so many steps away from the child on account of it.
Therefore, he was quite impressed with what he had experienced today in this impromptu match that he had suggested.
Though he had not achieved his main aim which had been to trick the child into answering a few of his questions, he had found something far more valuable.
'Not a loss.' He deemed this incident to have still worked out in his favor.
His perception of what he thought was true was shaken and his impression of Yvonne's skills and Demon's powers only grew better after today's incident.
While he was analyzing the situation, Demon turned in his direction after sensing his gaze.
When their eyes met, Topher felt an indescribable shiver run down his spine.
The huge etcher did not focus his energy on him any longer and turned away, heading in the direction of his Master now that their match had come to an end.
'How…' Topher was left speechless at what he had just felt as there was no way that an etcher who was not a predator could emit such an intense bloodlust that Demon had aimed at him just earlier.
Rouge too had sensed that eerie feeling and so did Fryght, who was known to have keen senses.
They were frozen in place as they watched the horse head towards the child at a short distance away from them.
'Did I not say that she would be alright?' The wolfhound pup smirked as soon as he awoke from his daze.
His eyes then turned towards his master who was still frozen in his place as he stared ahead with unblinking eyes.
Rutherford was trying to make sense of what he had witnessed and hence did not retort or reprimand Fryght for his impudent remarks.
On the other hand, Rouge was utterly confused to see that a horse had managed to overpower her master even if it was for that split second and succeeded in pushing him away, gaining victory in that match.
Topher had not used Rouge's powers as Yvonne had done with her etcher.
In a perfect world, Yvonne, with or without her etcher's assistance would never have been able to overpower Topher in the way that they had done earlier.
Yet what they had witnessed proved that they did not live in a perfect world.
Not to mention that certain events that occurred today were out of the ordinary and without any plausible explanation.
Not only had Yvonne manifested her aura and given Topher a tough time by herself but in the end, her etcher had also aided and caused Topher to lose the match altogether.
'Master, he is a dangerous one.' Rouge informed her master to stay away from this etcher she had met for the first time today.
Etchers were more sensitive than humans and after everything she had seen and sensed today, she could conclude with certainty that the identity of this massive etcher was not a simple one that they could just ignore.
Therefore, she made it a point to warn her master to steer clear of this etcher and to stay on his master, that little girl's good side at all costs.
Listening to the stern report he had just received, Topher did not feel insulted that he and his etcher were lower than the massive beast.
Instead, his interest in the child who was able to gain that magnificent beast as her etcher only intensified much higher than what it already was.
His eyes then turned towards the child who was busy stroking that mighty beast's snout and the beast too was lowering his head to accommodate her, giving easy access to the child who was still short in stature.
'You should have been here.' He sighed while dusting his shoulders as his manifested aura began to flicker and fade away.
Rouge was looking at him as the words he had spoken were being transmitted to someone else through their mental link.
'You missed something very interesting.' Topher lowered his head and smirked while he bragged without giving out too much information about what had just taken place.
Once he was done conveying this message which most certainly was a taunt to whoever it was sent, he instructed Rouge to cut off all means of contact.
Thus ending the communication between them, knowing full well that the person on the other end of that mental link would be curious to know more about what he had just mentioned.
'Revenge is a dish best served cold.' He smirked when he recalled memories of one particular incident that had taken place on his birthday, a few years in the past.
It was still vivid in his mind how he had to beg and pester for weeks before he heard more details about that incident.
Today, he had received the perfect opportunity to avenge the suffering he had experienced due to his undying curiosity being left unattended for too long.
Therefore, he grabbed this chance without a moment's hesitation.
Just imagining the torment the other person would have to experience soon due to the suspense of not knowing what had taken place was giving him immense joy right at this moment.
Topher's lips curved into a victorious yet evil grin as his imagination ran wild.
"What is wrong with you!?" An angry growl yanked Topher out of his diabolical reverie about tormenting a certain someone.
Only after fixing his expressions did he raise his head which had been lowered until now.
He then glanced in the direction of that familiar voice and raised his brow at who was now standing before him.
"Have something to say?" He tilted his head as he retorted with another question.
Taylor Tanner glared at his elder brother who seemed unaffected after what had just taken place.
'Does he have no shame!?' He glowered at the one who was just caught trying to attack a little girl much smaller than him.
Topher could see the disgust and anger in his younger sibling's eyes as Taylor had not even attempted to conceal it.
He knew that his little brother liked the daughter of the St. Claire family and treated her as his sworn sister, cherishing her more than any other person he knew.
However, Topher was surprised to see that his brother who usually cowered before him, unable to stand against him was now glaring at him openly.
He loved to mess with his little brother who never truly felt strong emotions for anything.
It was as though he had given up on his life, living it with such lackluster and indifference.
Therefore, from a young age, Topher would stimulate his brother's emotions, taunting, mocking, and teasing him in an attempt to get him to react.
He knew that his little brother was someone with very little ambition since he was a child.
Unlike other families, where the children competed with each other to become the next heir, Taylor was already convinced that Topher would be the next Duke.
This belief caused Taylor's life to become a routine of idle activities where he did nothing to hone his skills and get better at anything.
Even his days in the Academy were the same where he would clear his classes with average marks so as to not get reprimanded by their father, the Duke, and barely pass in the physical activities.
Reluctantly, both the Duke and Duchess supported his lifestyle choices and wished that he would be happy in whatever he did.
However, Topher had a different opinion about the way his brother dealt with his life.
He knew that Taylor was quite capable and had the potential to surpass others with ease if he wished to.
Despite having the ability to do so, Taylor continued to be listless and did nothing to sharpen his skills and rise above the ranks.
He also knew that a part of the reason why his little brother acted this way was that he did not wish to get into a competition with him, making people think that he was interested in the title of Duke in the future.
As his elder brother and the future Duke, Topher appreciated his brother's support but did not want him to give up on his own life for this reason.
Therefore, whenever he got the chance, he would try to incite Taylor, getting him riled up so that a fire of determination could start burning up within him which might wash away his apathy that he had been clinging on to for so long.
'I finally found it..' He smirked when he saw the burning gaze in his brother's eyes.
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