Chapter 69 - Should've Seen It Coming
Chapter 69 – Should’ve Seen It Coming
Hugo grunted grumpily as he was having a drink with Daniel to calm himself down in his office. He heard that Rinnie and his sisters were partying in the hot springs.
"How dare they…" the glass in his hand cracked as he tightened his grip. "… look at her body?"
Daniel chuckled as he shook his head. "They were all girls, Hugh. It's not like our sisters don't indulge in bathing together."
"I should do something to the hot spring."
"Come on. Don't be like that." The crown prince picked up the decanter to refill his empty glass. "You should listen to Alice, as being overly possessive is not healthy. You might make her run away if you overdo it."
Hugo frowned as he glanced at his brother. "What do you mean by overdoing it? I'm just protecting my Bambi since people want to snatch her away from me."
"She is a human, Hugh, not an object." Daniel shrugged as he raised his brows briefly, picking up the glass of wine as he leaned back. "You told us that your chosen mate is the princess the late king of Everfell kept hidden for years. Don't take the same path as her parents did, Hugh. For someone who was kept locked up, she is hungry for freedom."
"Shitty parents…"
"Let her have the freedom they had taken away from her. I'm hundred percent certain she will appreciate it if you give her that freedom." The crown prince added in a knowing tone, raising his glass as he tilted his head a bit.
Hugo's frown grew worse as he chugged down the wine in his glass. He couldn't argue with Daniel about this because his brother had a strong point. It was not like Hugo wanted to restrict Rinnie from doing whatever she wanted.
However, he disliked that his sisters were consuming all of her time. Before they arrived in Ronmin Empire, Rinnie was worried that he might become too busy. Who would have thought she would be the one who would be busy?
"Don't sulk, brother. Your sisters will soon become busy with the upcoming mating season, so you will have more time with your chosen mate." The side of Daniel's lips stretched into a gentle smile to comfort his brother.
"Why are we ought to stay in the capital until the mating season ends? You already know I hate that season and I might sabotage it for fun." Hugo grumbled as he had planned to leave the capital in a week. However, Daniel requested he should stay until the mating season ended.
"But you already had your mate. Why would you sabotage it?"
"For fun, I said."
Daniel let out a helpless sigh as Hugo's action towards that season had just become a habit now. "We need more people to secure the capital during the entire season. I already briefed you with the current state of affairs and the tension between Father and the Black Mane pack."
"Fucking bastards." Hugo clicked his tongue in dismay as Daniel mentioned the said pack.
In Ronmin Empire, there were three factions that kept the balance of power across the land. First were the imperial factions who solely supported the emperor. Second, was the aristocratic factions consisted of influential noble packs whose opinion mattered. And lastly, the church whose purpose was to follow the moon goddess's practice and teachings.
"The wind is changing in Ronmin, Hugh. You know the aristocratic faction had been very loud as of late. The imperial capital welcomes all werewolves from across the land during the mating season, and it wouldn't be a surprise if one or two rats sneak in," Daniel continued while twirling his glass of wine leisurely.
"I need you to be present, Hugh. That is why I am requesting that you stay until the season ends."
"God… why can't you just tear those aristocrats' limbs to teach them a lesson?" Hugo scrunched his nose up, as that was the best he could think of to resolve this situation.
"We're werewolves, Hugo, but not complete animals whose head is only filled with savagery."
"Are you saying I am an animal for suggesting something that can resolve this easily?"
Daniel chuckled as he shrugged. "I didn't say that. What I am trying to say is, violence may be a part of us, but we can always choose the less violent way. If we lead with only violence in mind, then what kind of empire will Ronmin become?"
"I don't know, Dan. Belcoot is doing great so far. Unless they want to die, I will happily send them to hell."
"Good for you." Daniel let out a shallow breath as Hugo had this strange way of making others obey him. It was not like he approved of Hugo's ways, nor did he oppose it. He just respected the Grand Duke of Belcoot ways of governing his lands.
"Anyway, I will excuse myself first." Hugo planted his hand on the armrest as he pushed himself up. "Being stuck with you and listening to your political lessons is starting to give me a headache."
"Have a great night, Hugh." Daniel watched Hugo wave as he walked away. When Hugo left, he slowly stood from his seat and walked towards the window with the glass in his hand.
Daniel stayed silent for a long time, keeping his thoughts to himself. "Tear their limbs, huh?" a low chuckle slipped past his lips.
"How I wish I can just do that instead of keeping this noble front, Hugh. I'm sure Father also thinks the same."
Just then, Daniel looked back when someone barged in the door. He turned around to see Cora strutted her way in with an incomprehensible expression plastered across her face.
"Is there a problem?" he asked, watching Cora take a sit on where Hugo perched previously and served herself a drink. "It seems you already had a drink, Cora."
"Dan… I think we're in trouble." Cora hissed as she chugged down the entire glass. Daniel furrowed his brows as he cocked his head to the side.
"Trouble?"
Cora wiped the corner of her lips with the back of her hand. "We got Rinnie super drunk. She and Alice… ugh… shit. I should've seen this coming. Where's Hugo? I need to challenge him to a duel and keep him busy."
"…"