Is this destiny?

Aiden froze while processing the information that these pencil-pushers want to fight him. He would indulge them with a fight without hesitation, but he was afraid that they are too brittle, and he will cripple them unintentionally. It's not that he cares about their health, but he assumed that Sarah had some plan for them. Maybe they don't need their limbs, Aiden thought.

Aiden was not sure if he should laugh or cry. Out of everyone, Gavril picked him?

Others who were lined up in the hope to be picked were pitying the poor man who had no idea that he got himself in big trouble.

"What about the others?", JoAnna asked, breaking the silence and gesturing toward people that stood close together in the hope to get a piece of the action. "The ones who fight will stay, while others can help carry these chairs and other equipment so that there is space for a match."

"Let me guess…", Sophia said from the side. "You all are picking Aiden. Right?" She observed them enough to be able to read their intentions clearly.

The other five nodded in response.

Sarah's head snapped toward Aiden. "Reject. You are hurt from this morning."

Sarah remembered all the bruises that she applied medicinal cream onto that morning while he was unconscious in the cell where they were imprisoned. The cream is good, and he is healing well, but he is not recovered completely. It will take a few days for those injuries to disappear. How can he fight against six people? What if he gets hurt more?

Seeing Sarah's reaction, Elder Gavril was even more confident.

"Are you saying that husband of the Grand Elder is not capable of handling us?", Elder Gavril taunted.

Aiden narrowed his eyes. How dares this old guy talk smack about him in front of Sarah and their child?

Aiden pushed Sarah gently into a seated position and kissed her temple before standing up.

"All six of you want to fight me?", Aiden asked to see the six people nod.

Sarah frowned and her eyes lit up when she heard Aiden say: "I don't have time for six fights."

Sarah's mood dropped when she heard Aiden's next line: "Let me handle you all at the same time."

"Deal!", Elder Gavril said with glee.

"It's settled!", JoAnna announced to the camera. "Elder Gavril, Elder Milan, and Elder Bozidar with their assistants will all be fighting against Aiden at the same time. Give us a minute to clear up the fighting area and you will get to watch a good show! Three Elders and their assistants against the husband of the Grand Elder!"

Aiden made a face. He got reduced to the husband of the Grand Elder.

Sarah groaned and stood up to walk out of the fighting area and find a seat in the audience. She knew that Aiden is looking at her, expecting approval, but she was not in the mood to support his reckless behavior. He does not know how she felt when she saw all those bruises on his body that same morning. She gave him an anesthetic so that he can move, and even now he is on painkillers. Her heart is aching at the thought of it.

Maybe those six people are not as good fighters as Aiden, but there are six of them. Even if they run toward him like headless chickens, he does not have six arms to fight all of them at the same time without getting hit. What is he thinking?

She was about to step out of the fighting area, when a pair of familiar arms wrapped around her, making her halt her steps.

"Love?", Aiden spoke close to her ear. "Won't you watch me?"

Sarah exhaled in defeat. "Of course, I will watch you…" She turned to face him and smiled at the sight of his endless dark eyes directed at hers. "I am always watching you... even when I'm upset at you."

Aiden's one side of lips lifted into a half-smile and he leaned closer to peck her lips.

Sarah closed her eyes and enjoyed the gentle touch, craving for more, which he understood because he kissed her again, and again. Both Sarah and Aiden relished the feeling of their lips connecting, that was not in enemy territory where they always needed to watch their backs.

Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck and savored the moment of her husband embracing her with his arms in a layer of warmth and safety and unconditional acceptance that comes with trust. Right here, by his side, she feels at home.

"Can you leave that for later?", JoAnna grumbled, disrupting the couple. "The sooner you start, the sooner we can end this and go to sleep."

Both Sarah and Aiden stifled a laugh. Only JoAnna is shameless enough to interrupt a kissing couple.

Aiden brushed his nose against Sarah's and pecked her lips again.

"Be careful", Sarah told him.

Aiden smiled. "Always."

He loosened his hold on Sarah and paused when he remembered one important point. "Do you need any of those guys for later?"

Sarah glanced to the side to see Elder Gavril and the other five standing in a circle and discussing something with hushed voices, obviously coming up with strategies against Aiden. "No. I don't need any of them. But don't let them hurt you." She smiled mischievously. "I will need that body of yours later."

Aiden hummed in approval. "I will make this quick." He gave her one more light kiss before walking to the center of the arena.

Everyone left the fighting area, taking away the chairs and recording equipment which was placed outside the fighting zone so that their audience can watch.

Aiden found himself surrounded by six people. He could see that each of them feared him, but they found strength in numbers.

The audience waited for the fight to start in silence.

Aiden turned his head left and right to observe his opponents, only to confirm that they are about three steps away from him and they surrounded him completely. Aiden smirked. It seems that no one told these people that they should not give him a chance to use his legs.

Elder Gavril looked at Aiden's smug expression and it rubbed him the wrong way.

"Aren't you confident? Or are you used to getting beaten?", Elder Gavril asked.

Aiden shrugged. "I don't need confidence against someone like you. Come. You challenged me, so I will let you have the first attack. Don't blame me for your injuries, I will not be responsible for that."

Elder Gavril was sure that Aiden is arrogant. Six of them attacking first is definitely disadvantageous for Aiden. But he will not let this opportunity slide.

It might be unfair six against one, but Aiden accepted their challenges and he even said that he will fight them at the same time. It might seem that six of them are bullying one man, but this is more important than pride and public image. As long as they keep their positions as Elders, they can fix their reputation later. Or so they thought.

After a small nod from Elder Bozidar, all six dashed toward Aiden with their fists up.

Branimir was thrown backward by Aiden's kick before he knew what is going on and he fell on his back hard, unable to get up.

Sarah watched from the side without breathing how Aiden skillfully fended off five remaining people. But no matter how much skills Aiden has, it's five of them and he ended up punched in the shoulder and kicked in the left thigh before his opponents were on the ground with at least one fracture each. It was all done within a minute.

Aiden glanced at Sarah. "Does this count as if they can't fight anymore?"

Sarah looked at her adorable husband and smiled. "Yeah. They lost."

She stood up and walked to Aiden, to make it official.

"Elder Gavril, Elder Milan, and Elder Bozidar failed to protect their positions in the arena.", Sarah spoke into the camera. "With this, they are officially stripped of their titles as Elders. Please, continue your work as usual, and you will hear tomorrow who will take their places. In the meantime, if you have any inquires, you can reach out to me or Konstantin for guidance. Thank you for being a part of this process..."

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