To Meet the Family

Joseph found himself in a whirlwind of emotions. Just moments ago, he was standing in the hallway, being warmly embraced by Regal's parents, and now he was seated in their grand dining area, waiting for the feast that the prince had prepared in honor of his parents. The transition was so swift that it left Joseph with little time to collect his thoughts.

"We exhausted so many of our resources trying to find you, but we were disheartened when every effort proved fruitless," Leyanne said, her voice trembling with emotion. She dabbed at her tears with a tissue that one of the maids kept replacing. "It was heartbreaking for us because your parents entrusted you to us. We felt like we had failed them."

"None of it was your fault, Queen Leyanne," Joseph reassured her, his tone gentle yet firm. "The attack was so sudden. Even my father was caught off guard and couldn't prepare his defenses in time."

"But it wasn't entirely a surprise for him, was it?" Andrew interjected, his lips pursed in thought. "He spent years preparing for such an attack. I find it odd that, on that night, he seemed so… out of touch."

Joseph's expression hardened, and his voice took on a cold edge. "I know all about the preparations my father made," he said, his words deliberate. "I analyzed every detail, ran multiple simulations, and each time, the outcome was the same. It was destined to end in failure."

"What?" Andrew's eyes narrowed, his interest piqued. This was not the response he expected from Joseph—the once snotty and snobbish prince who had seemed oblivious to the world around him. "Your father was one of the greatest tacticians among the Golden Souls. How could he have missed something so crucial?"

"Because he relied on the data provided by his ministers," Joseph replied, letting out a sigh. He took a sip of wine from the glass chalice in front of him, hoping it would soothe his dry throat. "My father might have been a brilliant war tactician, but his ministers and advisors were incompetent. His plans were doomed from the start."

"All those years of planning and preparation…" Leyanne whispered, her hands trembling as she covered her mouth. "Poor Lexel. He spent sleepless nights strategizing, and it was all in vain."

Joseph lowered his gaze, sorrow clouding his eyes as a bitter smile tugged at his lips. "I feel for him too," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret. "But there's nothing we can do for him now. He's gone, along with everyone else."

A heavy silence fell over the room, the weight of their collective grief hanging in the air. The tension was palpable, and the stillness became almost unbearable, as if the walls themselves were pressing in on them.

Suddenly, the silence was shattered by an unexpected intrusion. "Heya, heya, heya!" A man burst into the room, his wide grin completely at odds with the somber mood. He seemed utterly unbothered by the awkwardness he had just created.

"Uh, Prince Joseph, this is my older brother, Prince Dustin," Regal introduced, though it was clear the man needed no introduction. "He was supposed to be the crown prince, but he insisted that—"

"Politics, drama, and ruling? Not for yours truly," Dustin declared with a carefree laugh, throwing an arm around Regal's shoulders. "But this guy—he's amazing at all of it. I was eleven, and he was only three when he started commanding like a true king. That's when I knew the kingdom was in good hands."

"This brat is lazy, arrogant, and full of himself, but we love him all the same," Leyanne said fondly, pulling her son into a warm embrace.

Dustin chuckled, rolling his eyes. "The Eastern Kingdoms were… well, let's just say the Omegas there are quite a challenge for an Alpha like me. All covered up from head to toe, with only their eyes showing. It's tough to keep my composure."

"Let's focus on the feast and not your pathetic adventures," Andrew muttered, his tone tinged with amusement as he looked toward the maids. "Where's the food?"

As if on cue, the maids entered, pushing carts laden with a variety of mouth-watering dishes. The aroma filled the room, and Joseph's stomach growled in response. The food looked incredibly appetizing, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of hunger. Yet, he found himself hesitating, conscious of the eyes on him. This wasn't just any meal—Regal's parents were here, and they would soon become his in-laws. The thought made his heart race, and a blush crept up his cheeks as he realized what he had just considered.

As the maids began to serve the food, Joseph tried to focus on the present, but his mind kept wandering. The conversation about his father's downfall, the incompetent ministers, and the unresolved mystery of the NFC weighed heavily on him. He felt a deep sense of responsibility—not just for uncovering the truth, but also for the future that was beginning to take shape before him. A future that involved Regal in ways he hadn't fully considered until now.

Regal's voice brought him back to reality. "Joseph, are you okay?" he asked, his tone laced with concern as he noticed the prince's faraway expression.

Joseph blinked, snapping out of his reverie. "Yes, I'm fine," he replied, though his voice lacked conviction.

Regal studied him for a moment before nodding. "If there's anything on your mind, you know you can talk to me."

"I appreciate that," Joseph said, offering a small smile. "There's just a lot to process, but I'm fine."

As the meal progressed, the atmosphere gradually lightened. Dustin's lively stories of his travels provided a welcome distraction, and soon the room was filled with laughter and conversation. Joseph found himself relaxing, even managing to enjoy the delicious food in front of him. Yet, the thoughts that had plagued him earlier lingered in the back of his mind, refusing to be silenced.

Finally, as the last course was served, Joseph took a deep breath and turned to Regal. "There's something I need to discuss with you," he said, his voice low but firm.

Regal looked at him, concern flickering in his eyes. "What is it?"

"Not here," Joseph replied, glancing at Regal's parents and Dustin. "Later, when we're alone."

Regal nodded, his expression serious. Whatever Joseph had to say, it was clear that it was important.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur for Joseph. He engaged in conversation when necessary, but his mind was elsewhere, focused on the impending discussion with Regal. The revelation about his father's plans, the role of the NFC, and the future that awaited him—it was all overwhelming, and he knew he couldn't face it alone.

As the evening drew to a close, and the guests began to disperse, Joseph felt a sense of urgency. The time had come to share his thoughts with Regal, to seek his guidance and support. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, both for their kingdom and for themselves.

With a determined resolve, Joseph stood, ready to face the unknown, knowing that whatever the future held, he would not face it alone.