Chapter 222 - The Hellhound's Resolve
Chapter 222 – The Hellhound’s Resolve
Meanwhile, in the emperor's office…
Hugo was sitting on the settee with his legs crossed, hands behind his hand to support it. Across from him was Daniel, while Deimos was sitting on the armchair.
"Since Daniel's health is recovering, he will slowly take control of the Black Mane pack," said Deimos, casually stroking his white beard while leaning back.
"I already tossed him the seal nights ago, Father." Hugo cocked his head back, swaying his foot back and forth. "This is why everything in here is so slow. His Majesty is like a turtle. The crown prince had been recuperating pretty fast, and there's no need to prolong transferring the authority back to him."
Deimos frowned. "Grand Duke, there were processes to everything. If you acted so rashly, you will find yourself trapped in a cobweb and get devoured by your enemy."
"I can always break the cobwebs, Your Majesty." Hugo flashed him an arrogant smile.
After being Hugo's father for twenty-nine years now, Deimos was numbed by his son's sarcasm. So he simply cast him a side-eye before shifting his focus to Daniel.
"I have heard about your condition with that mask you've been keeping, son." He pointed his chin at Daniel's chest, knowing that was where he was keeping the lamb's mask. "I had heard reports about the current movements in the Hendrik Empire."
"It's just as Ivo predicted. The reign of the current emperor will not last that long."
"If that crown prince ascended the throne, he will immediately prepare his troops around Ronmin. Before that happens, you must prepare. You two will be leading this premeditated war."
"Yes, Father." Daniel tilted his head down, acting like the usual obedient son. However, the person sitting across from him remained silent. Daniel raised his eyes, only to see Hugo staring at nothing nonchalantly.
"Hugo," he called, watching Hugo snap his eyes back to him. "Were you listening?"
"I am." Hugo rocked his head before casting the emperor a look. "But Your Majesty, before we start preparing for this war, we have a problem."
Deimos' brows instantly furrowed as he frowned. "What problem?"
"A mole." Hugo finally broke his hands that were supporting the back of his head, leaning over and resting his elbows on his thigh. "There's a mole, Your Majesty. Ronmin… was already invaded long ago."
Silence immediately descended in the room after his remarks. Hugo darted his eyes between his father and his older brother. They didn't seem to doubt Hugo's remarks. No one could really tell what were the thoughts hovering over their head upon the revelation.
"Hugo, are you certain there is a mole?" Daniel was the first to break the silence, eyes glinting with malice.
"Yes, one million percent." Hugo smacked his lips. "Who it was? I don't know. But what I am certain of is, Niall knew all our movements and more than he should know about us. Even things that are only spoken behind closed doors."
Daniel closed his eyes as he breathed out through his open mouth. "So… that person is just close with us."
"Very close, brother."
"Who…?" came out a dark voice from Deimos, hands gripping the armrest until cracks resurfaced from its varnish. "Who is the damn child who still needs discipline?"
"Discipline? Your Majesty, aren't you too soft?" The side of Hugo's lips curled up into a sinister smirk as if this wasn't about a mole who could be close to his heart. "You taught us that traitors shan't be forgiven. Therefore, death must come after him or her."
Deimos glanced at Hugo. "How can you say that when the mole could be one of your brothers or sisters?"
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten? I killed my people who worked with the vampires and caused disharmony in Belcoot. I had torn the previous grand duke's head with my bare hands. Have you forgotten the results of all the wars I took part in the past three years?" Hugo listed down all the atrocities he had done without conscience, showing zero remorse in any of them. "If we're going to war, I won't be taking part in a war where I also have to look over my shoulder and die in the hands of the people who should have my back."
"We will lose," he added as he leaned back against the settee. "A miserable defeat."
Both Daniel and Deimos could only stare and listen to the war hero from the past three years. Even when Rinnie came back, Hugo's change remained. He might've acted tamed in front of Rinnie, but he still had no mercy.
Very unlike the merciful Deimos, and unlike Daniel, who believed in the power of the penitentiary. Hugo's way had no middle ground. It was either life or death, and that was the reason he won all those wars in a landslide.
Everyone knew what those battlefields looked like after Hugo stepped his foot in them. Forget about corpses lying around, but dismembered bodies from the enemy soldiers — tons of them — would be loitering on every battlefield.
"Hugo." Deimos pinched the bridge of his nose in distress. "Who else knows about this?"
"Me." Hugo shrugged, peeling his eyes away from them to the open window not far away. "Azazel probably knew about this as well. Knowing him, he will surely tell Rinnie about the mole since she is the lamb, who carries the problem of the whole fucking world."
The sarcasm in his voice was evident, simply wild guessing, but guessing it accurately. He huffed before setting his eyes back to the other two.
"Your Majesty, shall I catch the mole?" he asked with misplaced innocence in his voice. "I won't tell you who it was. Just send all your children on a different mission. The person who won't come back is the mole. You can just treat it as mission failed."
"Hugo Tempest, do not forget I am your father before I was the emperor." Deimos frowned, utterly displeased at the attitude of his son. "I do not appreciate that you talk like that, even though your siblings are involved."
"Father, I've seen too many people in the war."
"So am I!" Deimos let out a low snarl, but Hugo simply shrugged. "I will find out about the mole. Daniel, you also conduct your own investigation. As for the Grand Duke, he will focus on the situation in Hendrik."
He ordered before flinging his hand. "You are dismissed."
As soon as those words flew out of his mouth, Hugo and Daniel assisted themselves up. However, when Hugo stood up, he spoke once again.
"Your Majesty, I understand your fondness for your children. However, I also understand that children can turn their back on their parents, but parents could never turn their back on their children. I am saying this as your son, I won't let my father die. And as your humble subject, your people still need you," Hugo remarked solemnly. "Between the three of us, I can stomach it. I'd rather get hated by the world than letting you die, Father."
Hugo beckoned a neck bow before he left without another word. Daniel, who was supposed to leave with him, could only stare at the door where Hugo left.
"That's a warning, Father," spoke Daniel, keeping his eyes on the shut door. "If you and I can't catch the mole, he will. And he will surely slaughter whoever it was."
"Don't let that happen." Deimos' eyes glinted.. "Summon Rinnie to spend a tea with me."