The whole dining hall was surrounded by soft melodious music while we had supper. If no melody were played, everything would be awkward since neither of us was even talking.
Or perhaps, it was because His Majesty was busy enjoying the music while he was chuckling when the courtesans were flirting with him.
I suddenly felt sick, wanting to leave the dining hall immediately, but Henry and Eustacia seemed alright. The same goes for Demetrius and Niccolo.
What surprised me was that these two had lived in the royal palace since they arrived at the mourning ceremony. Henry accommodated them until Demetrius managed to rebuild the Leveaux Duchy and recruit some rogues to be his members in the Nocturnal Crest pack.
“Since Demetrius has been taking some classes for succession lessons to enhance his leadership skills, he is also preparing for his succession ceremony that shall be happening before the hunting competition. The same goes for Niccolo as the next Beta of the Nocturnal Crest pack,” Henry said when he summoned his hand to halt playing and informed his father. However, His Majesty looked displeased as he did not get to lick the courtesan’s neck after that. “Please forgive my insolence, Father. I shall discuss things with you before you retire to your chamber.”
His Majesty frowned. “Tell me what it is now.” With his threatening glare, he must have expected that Henry would be frightened.
Henry gasped, petrified. “Y-Yes, Father.” I arched my eyebrow, seeing the facade he was showing. It was apparent that he was not really afraid of him. “Since, with your approval that Demetrius shall be trained by our well-known Alpha mentors, which I shall include myself, I would like to add another mentor for him.”
“Another mentor?” He arched his eyebrow. He sounded interested, but his attention was already elsewhere.
“Yes, Father. If you may-”
“Just bestow me the reports about it. You do not need to tell me in person.” I was in disbelief when His Majesty did not even get to let his son finish with his words. “I shall retire now. Do as you wish. I do not want you to disturb my peace.” He glared at him.
I glanced at Henry, whose face looked melancholy, but his eyes flamed in rage. Ah… I knew that emotion very well. It was a sign that he was being neglected and had been trying to get his attention. But it was futile no matter what he tried.
“Eustace, you shall retire as well.” He looked at her meaningfully when he ordered all the servants to leave us except Sir Lanfrid only.
Eustacia frowned, scoffing. “You want me to leave again? I am not some sort of damsel in distress, Henricus la Chandelier.”
My eyes widened when her attitude. It was… spiteful and rough. Or perhaps, she was mad? And she uttered his full name. I would take that Eustacia was mad or sulking somehow.
Henry smirked. “Someone is mad, huh…” he teased, making her frown more as she arched her eyebrow.
His words made me turn my head at Niccolo. No, I felt his stare. That was why my eyes instantly locked with him.
His emerald green orbs pierced me. I did not know why but for some reason, I felt ticklish as I dared to look back at him. His lips curled up into a slight smirk when he noticed that I would not leave my eyes away from him.
My stomach somersaulted after that. But I was interrupted when Henry spoke again.
“Domi, I want you to be Demetrius’ mentor.”
“His what?” My eyes widened, horrified at what I was hearing right now. “Why me? I thought that only Alpha mentors were going to teach him. I am not even an Alpha…” What was wrong with this bastard? Did he have any idea of what he was saying right now?
Was he taking his medicine for his mental health? It was apparent that he was getting loose his mind…
“Yes, for leadership skills. However, as for combat skills, I know that you are more experienced than them.”
The way he emphasized his words meant that he was highlighting my skills of being an Alpha slayer.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I am not a simple mentor. I am a strict one,” I said in my frigid tone. I even glanced at Demetrius. “That vigorous training would make you pray you wanted to be dead…” I emphasized it while looking at him.
Demetrius looked thrilled. “Yes, I can handle it, Lady Dominixe! My mother trained me before.”
“Your mother trained you before?” Creasing my forehead, I could feel my heart start to get hammered inside my chest. Fast. Unbreakable.
He nodded, beaming. “Yes! My mother is a great fighter! She was even the head of the House of C-”
Niccolo covered his mouth. “Demetrius…” He enlarged his eyes before he simply shook his head. Demetrius hummed, pleading. But Niccolo shook his head again before he turned at us. “I apologize for his behavior. When it comes to his mother, Demetrius likes… to discourse about her…”
“Why are you stopping him?” I couldn’t help but see it as a sign of disrespect. “If he likes to talk about his mother, shouldn’t you have just let him? Demetrius seems like he adores his mother…” Even though I remembered Natasha’s words that it looked like his mother was neglecting him, I couldn’t help but feel offended when it was not supposed to be the case.
Ah… What was this annoyance I felt? It seemed bizarre.
“I am afraid that you must refrain from saying things when you do not know everything, Lady Dominixe.”
I clenched my hands and was about to bark when Henry interrupted us. “My, my… Let’s not ruin the dessert for this supper.” He turned to me. “I say that you are perfect to be his mentor since he will help you bring down your household. The grace period shall be happening by the end of this month.”
His attention was on him. “Why would I need Valerian’s descendant to be involved here?”
“Because I know the truth.” Demetrius had finally spoken. “I know who the culprit is. Allow me to avenge my father.”
Hearing Demetrius that he was calling Valerian like that made me wonder if Valerian had gotten someone pregnant back then.
I shook that thought away before I massaged my temple. “Fine…” I stood up and hastily grabbed Henry by his collar as I quickly stole Sir Lanfrid’s sword from his scabbard and pointed the sword at Henry.
However, I was not the only one quick enough to learn what was happening when Niccolo was about to step on the table. What surprised me was Demetrius was quick to halt him.
“Niccolo…” Demetrius pleaded.
I ignored them and glared at Henry. In my peripheral vision, Eustacia was watching my movements but I could tell that she was surprised at my sudden attack.
“Your Royal Highness-”
“Do not move,” I said coldly, still looking at Henry, who looked unbothered at the sword pointed in his direction. “Tell me your plans in detail. I want to read your reports. I hate being played under your palms, Henry. Remember who I am, and it shall take a few seconds before I can slaughter you,” I threatened.
Henry raised his hands, surrendering. “Yes, yes. I shall have them delivered to you. I understand that you are mad at my surprised actions. But I am only doing what is best.” He fluttered his eyelids at me before his expression became earnest. “However, the last time I told you my plans, everything went in vain, Domi. Remember that as the crown prince of this kingdom, I grow up that failure is not part of my vocabulary. It already happened once and I failed to save my retainer. And I cannot happen again before your family slaughtered more Alphas under my father’s and before my reign.”
His unreadable expression had brought chills down my spine. I could see how he was talking about everything solemnly. Henry was the absolute embodiment of the true Alpha King.
“So, cooperate with me. We only have this month to settle everything. After that, I shall grant the freedom you have so wanted,” he said meaningfully.
I smiled bitterly and dropped the sword but did not let go of his collar. “Just execute me since it is futile that I will let myself be alive here. Having no Valerian here, how can I keep myself living?” I shoved him before I turned to Demetrius when my eyes were getting misty. “Tomorrow. Six in the morning. At the training ground, Demetrius.” My voice croaked before I harshly wiped the tear that fell. I returned my gaze to Henry again. “We shall play your game then. And it seems like you still have something under your sleeves.”
That was when I exited since I did not want to make everything worse.
I suspected that Henry was hiding something from me. I could tell.
As for Demetrius… I was bewildered for a moment. What was he going to say back then? His mother was the head of the House of what noble household again?
If being a current head meant… his mother was a noble… from what household then?
And what did Demetrius say? His mother was a great fighter?
“Who is his mother then?” I muttered, wanting to get the gist of him since that boy was still a mystery to me.