Officially Engaged

Sirius left early the next morning.

Lola kept a safe distance from him, but she was surprised to see the familiar path he took. He's not on his way to his secret hideout today. 

He's headed southwest, where the Deltas' region is. Sinhold. Alice's home region.

After a few hours of running at full speed, Sirius stopped in front of the Sigertem residence's mansion. Three big werewolves stood in front, making the mansion look humble.

Count Sigertem was already rushing to get outside after hearing about the Prince's sudden visit.

It's his first public appearance after weeks of being bedridden. A crowd naturally forms around them.

"Your Highness! We're honored to receive you today." 

The Count and his family opened the gate. Once the gates were closed and they were safe from prying eyes, Sirius shifted. Dante and Vito followed. 

"Please come inside, Your Highness." The Sigertems didn't dare raise their heads. 

They could feel Sirius's cold gaze. This is their first time seeing the Prince in private. They thought he seemed a lot harsher than the rumors. 

Sirius was led inside and served high-quality tea.

But his cold gaze never disappeared. 

Count Sigertem was sweating bullets, while his wife and stepdaughter kept their heads down. They know they're way below him, even if he's ill.

"I feel partial about giving you generous dowry. So I will give it under one condition." 

The Count's eyes widened. "Y-You mean… you'll marry Alice?" 

"Yes. I will marry her with or without your approval. But you can only get your dowry if you apologize to her. If you do, you get the dowry and she will cut off all contact with your family. You can forget you had a first daughter and just focus on this other one." He glanced at the young girl admiring his face. 

"Apologize to her… for what?" The Countess asked.

Sirius's gaze darkened.

"For abusing her. What else?" 

The lady gasped.

"Your Highness, we could never! Did she tell you that—" 

"I'm feeling merciful, so I will wait for your decision. Apologize to her and never show up again, or I will make you disappear. Either way, I will still marry her." 

Sirius left the Sigertems dumbfounded.

He did not need to waste any more time with those fools.

—

Somewhere in Naraina City. 

"That decree is hilarious. What has gotten into King Reginald's head?" 

A noble drank his whiskey and slammed it on the table he was sharing with fellow nobles. 

"Are we all in agreement that this is not the way to go?" 

Everyone nodded.

They're all surprised the first time they heard about the King's decree.

How can he let a random person challenge the position of heir? They've protected the sanctity of their bloodlines for generations, and yet their King is welcoming anyone without Alpha blood to be their next King. 

They simply can't allow it!

"Then I have a proposition." 

Every head turned in his direction. He's a Beta-blooded noble. He's willing to preserve the esteem of Naraina's royal family, even if it means treason against the current royal family.

"We need to convince the Danchevs to challenge the throne. We need a true Alpha blood as the next King." 

"You mean we install a new royal family?" 

"Well, that's what's gonna happen anyway if a random person challenges the throne and defeats King Reginald. We might as well try with an Alpha-blooded noble." 

One shook his head. "But it's impossible. The Danchevs aren't politicians. They've been quietly ruling over Arcelia in the far North." 

"Then, is there any other clan that's Alpha-blooded that can challenge the throne?"

Silence.

"It's either the Alderidge or the Danchevs. They're our last remaining Alpha-bloods." 

"So you want the Danchevs to be the next royal family?" 

"Yes! Isn't it a splendid plan?" 

His fellow nobles were hopelessly shaking their heads, while he ambitiously searched their eyes. It's near impossible, but not impossible at all. 

"Fine, then," one of them sighed. "It seems we've got no choice." 

The rest complained about the difficult and nearly impossible plan. But they all don't agree with the King's decree, and this is the only logical plan. 

"So, the Danchevs barely leave Arcelia. We also can't enter Arcelia easily. How do you plan to get to the Danchevs at all?"

The noble scoffed.

"My ignorant lords, that's what God's Palm is for. Right?"

God's Palm is very famous among high society. 

For an agency that would do the dirty deeds for you, and give you all the reputation-wrecking information, God's Palm is an asset and a luxury. If you're close with its creator, Killian Fox, you're easily a formidable opponent in the upper class. 

"Idiot. This is treason! Do you think God's Palm would play along with a mission that could get them hanged too?" 

The noble rolled his eyes. "God's Palm, more specifically Killian Fox, only cares about the money. If we can pool our wealth, I'm sure even he can't say no." 

However, like everyone else, they only know Killian Fox as the powerful mercenary of God's Palm. 

Killian Fox is not nobility, not in the upper class, and not interested at all in power struggles.

But Sirius Alderidge is the exact opposite of that. 

The opposition party has made the mistake of using God's Palm for their treasonous plan.