"you've truly made up your mind about this, haven't you?"

CHAPTER 9

I knew deep down that my confrontation with Luther would ruffle some feathers and by the heavens were said feathers ruffled. 

After Luther left in a blaze of anger, my uncle had joined me in the garden. I was watching the sun go down, the sight a calming thing. I'd finally blurted out what I really thought of Luther. All those years of being put aside and not bring considered by him had gave birth to a hatred for him, which I'd tried to suppress, but had crawled it out of me. 

"Alyssa..." Uncle began after some moments of silence. He looked worried and I felt a pang of regret for causing him to look like that. "I know it isn't my place but what has gotten over you?" He grabbed a hand of mine and cupped it gently with both hands. "For the past few days now, you've been... different. And I'm worried. Are you okay?"

I gave my uncle a soft smile and placed my other hand on the back of his hand. "I'm fine, uncle. For the first time in a while, I'm elated. I've been holding on forever that Luther would love me, heck, see me – but he never did. He never will. I'm just a steeping stone for his smooth ascension as the future Emperor. My whole life would've been dedicated to him and still he wouldn't haven seen me for me. Be honest, do you really think he'd stop whoring around after we get married?"

My uncle didn't say anything, instead, he just heaved a sigh. "I never contested the betrothal because it will be for the good of the Empire. But my dear, why didn't you tell me about this so that we could have handled it better? Because I guarantee you that the Emperor will find offence, the worst being the Empress."

I shrugged, not caring a bit. After all, they'd have a bigger issues to handle in the next coming days – but I didn't tell my uncle that. 

"I really don't care, uncle. I'm honestly tired of that family. The only saving grace is the 2nd and 3rd Prince. I wonder if its because they grew up with their maternal family which is why they're so different from Luther." I heaved a sigh.

Just like Lucien, the 2nd Prince, Lucas, was fostered by his mother's family after a near death experience of his own. The last time I met him was at the Emperor's last birthday ball. Lucas was a soft person, not one for the brutal life. Even when he came of age, he refused to come back to the capital, staying in his mother's home kingdom and becoming the heir of his grandfather after the tragic passing of his uncle. From what I've heard from the grapevine in my usual dates with my friends (if one could call them that), he was engaged to the second Princess of that kingdom – and what a lucky lady she was. If Lucas had been the first Prince, I would have been happy, but it wasn't meant to be. But thankfully, there was Lucien who was the better choice of all three brothers. 

I blinked, coming out of my thoughts, when I felt a harsh squeeze of my hand. I focused back on my uncle, who was giving me that dead eyed Starr that dug into my soul and made me uncomfortable. Looking straight into his eyes now, it felt as if there was something lurking behind them – like a darkness of some sorts. I once again ignored the alarms blaring in my head.

"Uncle?" I called out in worry.

"... you've truly made up your mind about this, haven't you?" 

I nodded. "I have. For a while now. I just needed to come to terms with the fact that Luther and I were never going to work out. I refused to sign myself up for sorrows and heartbreaks."

Uncle heaved a resigned sigh and nodded. "Alright then." He let go of my hands and stood up. "Let me get myself prepared for the chaos of this. Come morning and it would be a mess." He kerbed down and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. "Good night, niece."

"Good night."

I watched him leave, the man walking away with his arms folded behind his back. I couldn't help but admire my uncle's strong demure. He was everything a woman would want in a husband – calm, attentive, supportive and understanding, yet at the same time he was a stern, no nonsense person. If only Luther were like this. 

"My Lady."

I turned my head to face the familiar voice and I saw Laura and Captain Vice walking over to me. The both of them were in plain and simple clothing. Laura was holding a file in her hand whilst Vice was holding a small chest in his hands.

"Laura. Captain Vice. You're back."

Vice bowed his head at me. "Sorry we took so long, Lady Velcro. The Shadow Guild were proving stubborn with their price tag."

I waved him off. "Ti's no issue. I'm honestly surprised that you both had done as asked in just between last night and today."

"It's obvious that these are crucial to you, my Lady. I hate keeping you waiting when it comes to important things." Laura said.

I smiled at her. "And i love and appreciate you for that, Laura " My handmaiden beamed in happiness. "Are those the files?" I pointed at large file in Laura's hands.

"Yes, my Lady." 

I took the file from Laura when she handed it over to me and i open it to see various parchments inside. One by one I read them, my lips spreading into a large grin. I began to chuckle under my breath, the sound becoming louder with each paper.

Oh, this was spectacular. This was perfect.

I closed the file and turned to the chest in Vice's hands. "And what's that?"

"More information, my Lady. Some contain orders from people who want you or your family members killed. Other contain the movements of the 1st Prince's faction."

Oh, this was wonderful. The sheer chaos that was about to go down would be legendary.

"I'd like all these information to be magically copied and placed in my room. After which, Vice, I want you to deliver them all to the Lord Nigel. Can it be done?"

"Certainly, my Lady. With the help of Dan, this will be all done tonight."

"Good." I handed over the file to Laura. "Proceed then."

The two gave me one last bow before they walked away. I started humming, the corner of my eyes crinkled in amusement.