Chapter 64 - Will Not Let It Have It Their Way
Chapter 64 – Will Not Let It Have It Their Way
Meanwhile, in the emperor's office…
"So, no one got caught last night?!" the Emperor, Deimos Albion Tempest, slammed his hand against his desk. "Just how much more the royal warriors will disappoint me?! They only need to catch one so we can serve his head to that brat!"
"Father, haven't you calmed down yet?" Daniel chuckled until his eyes squinted, standing near the desk with his hand on his back. "You know, the mad wolf pack consists of special wolves handpicked by the Grand Duke. So, it is not the royal warrior's fault."
"Special wolves, tch! They're just a bunch of delinquents!" Deimos spat out as he cast his eldest son a look of dismay. "You're too kind to them. You should've let your men handle their arrest!"
"Father, you know the silver wolf pack doesn't meddle in those affairs. Do you want me, the crown prince, to lose his face?"
Deimos, the emperor, clicked his tongue as he leaned back against the chair. He didn't speak for a moment and only cast the smiling Daniel a look.
"So, what can you say about the young girl he brought?" he asked, out of plain curiosity.
"Father, are you asking me because you dislike the girl? Or were you asking me so you can change my mind in case I dislike her?"
The emperor frowned. "Just answer."
"She seems to be a good person, and she's small. It was as if she will break at any moment. It is absurd to think that Hugo fell in love with her." Daniel chuckled as he relayed his thoughts about Rinnie and Hugo's dynamics. "But they surprisingly match each other's personality. Also, it seems that Hugo is content with his decisions."
"Hmph! Tell Alice to summon a physician to check if the girl had an eye problem or if there was something wrong with her head."
"Father, don't be so harsh on the seventh prince. I'm very sure there is something special the girl saw in him. Moreover, Hugo is very likable. Who knows? Maybe this is the key that will finally calm my brother's life." Daniel kept his smile as his father seemed to doubt this relationship. Not because the emperor doubted Rinnie. More like, because of Hugo's personality. It was hard to believe that such a small and fragile-looking human captured the heart of a rebellious wolf.
The emperor just frowned, but remained silent for a while. Instead, he gazed at Daniel from head to toe.
"How about you, son? When will you take in a crown princess? This mating season, you have to attend every ball throughout the entire season. You take care of your little brothers and sisters too much, you're forgetting your marriage is also your duty!"
A shallow breath slipped past Daniel's lips, but he still nodded. "I will try, Father."
"Hmph! Don't try! Just do it!"
"Yes, Father." Daniel kept his head low, and his eyes peeked through his squinted eyelids.
"That brat… she's not even his mate," Deimos grumbled while Daniel raised his brows while lifting his head up. "Poor little girl. Daniel, punish that rascal if he hurt the young lady. That's the least we can do for her in case that brat somehow meets his destined mate."
"Don't concern yourself with that, Father. I will make sure the two of them will stay together."
The emperor glanced at Daniel and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Crown Prince, are you this determined because of what happened to Alice?"
"You can say that it's simply an older brother's duty." Daniel just smiled, not giving a full explanation.
"Good morning, Father dear!"
Suddenly, Hugo's voice came in as he barged in the door. The crown prince turned his head back only to see Hugo strutting his way in with his arms spread wide. Meanwhile, the emperor's expression turned grim as the sight of Hugo's smug grin reminded him that this rascal got away from his punishment last night.
"My goodness, Father!" Hugo's smug expression suddenly turned aghast as soon as he laid his eyes on the emperor. "Do you –"
"Hugo, my little brother, why don't you state what matters first before you utter your affectionate greetings?" Daniel smiled, covering Hugo's mouth, knowing whatever he was about to say would only aggravate the emperor.
"Crown Prince, let that boy speak so I can rip out his tongue once and for all." The emperor, who also guessed that his other son would only blabber nonsense, glared at Hugo. Meanwhile, the latter just held his hands up and rolled his eyes.
When Daniel was confident that Hugo wouldn't speak nonsense, he released his hand carefully. He took a step back, standing on the side of the desk while Hugo stood in front.
"So…." Deimos narrowed his eyes and studied Hugo from head to toe. "Care to explain what happened in Everfell?"
"Everfell… Father, you already know what happened to that place."
"I also know you had confronted a few vampires. But, I need to know what those creatures motive for attacking a small kingdom that cannot even threaten an empire as large as Hendrik."
Hugo scratched his temple with his index. "I don't know?"
SLAM!
Deimos slammed his hand against the desk once again before his voice thundered. "Are you that irresponsible?! If the Hendrik Empire made a move, there's always a rotting reason behind it. Although we, the werewolves and the vampires, stayed out in each other's way for centuries, there's always a tension between us. Do you think they will just sit still after you ravage one of their kind?"
Despite the emperor's mood, Hugo's demeanor remained uninterested. Or rather, he didn't see this as a problem.
"Father, when I arrived in Everfell, the city is already on fire. It is a miracle that my Bambi managed to run away. God forbid if she didn't, I would've marched to the Hendrik Empire that night and slaughtered them all."
BAM!
"Are you really not thinking?!" Deimos snarled, eyes glinting menacingly at his son. But Hugo wasn't the person who would get intimidated and back down. His eyes fixed on his father, facing the suppressing aura the emperor was pulling on him.
"My men tried to investigate and the Hendrik Empire took control of Everfell. But…" Hugo trailed off as he glanced at Daniel. "… there is something fishy indeed. You know those mosquitoes and their endless schemes. Investigating Everfell is useless. It's better if we simply interrogate them — although I don't think they will give us that much information."
"Grand Duke, what do you mean by that?" asked Daniel, addressing Hugo formally. "Are you suggesting we infiltrate that place?"
"No need, Your Highness, the crown prince." Hugo's eyelashes fluttered ever so slowly as he exchanged looks with the emperor. "They will surely send people in here."
"They will dare…!"
"To say such a thing with that level of conviction, will you tell us the reason?" Daniel rubbed his chin as he stared at Hugo curiously.
Hugo walked forth, propping his side against the desk, arms crossed. "Gut feeling." He cocked his head and darted his eyes from Daniel to Deimos.
"My gut feeling tells me that whatever happened in Everfell has something to do with her — my Bambi," he explained, relaying the thoughts he kept hidden from everyone for only these two to hear. "The Hendrik Empire may have other reasons to conquer Everfell, but one thing is for sure, they also want my Rinnie for whatever reason."
"And whatever it is…. I will not let those bats have it their way."