Silence reigned in the royal lounge. Every family member was lost in thought.
Reginald sat at the head of the couch, while Eric occupied the opposite side. In the center, on the larger couches, sat the Queen Dowager, Princess Elizabeth, and Prince Edward. Queen Esmerelda was absent—claiming she had more important matters to prepare for the royal selection season than to waste time on what she dismissed as nonchalant discussions too boring to endure.
The silence stretched until the door opened quietly.
Daniel entered with calm composure, dressed in a casual black shirt, slacks, and polished shoes, his neatly combed hair completing the image of a gentleman—an aura few had ever expected from him.
He stepped to the center of the room, bowed to his grandmother, who returned the gesture with a soft nod and smile. He then bowed to his father, who acknowledged him with a curt nod. Turning to Eric, he received only a slight nod before his brother quickly averted his gaze.
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Edward greeted him with nods, which he returned politely.
Finally, he took his seat beside his father.
"How are you feeling now, my dear? Better?" asked Alicia.
Daniel nodded.
"Yes, Grandmother. I'm feeling much better now. Still a little sore, but I'll be fully healed in no time."
"Haa...tsk..." Eric scoffed.
Daniel turned to him.
"What? Do you find that hard to believe, little brother?"
Eric glared briefly before looking away.
"I don't know..." he murmured.
"Should I not believe it?"
Daniel snorted.
"Mmm... of course. That's not surprising coming from you. After all, I'm a beast in your eyes, not a man. Sores and scars don't fit my criteria. I'm too evil that wounds are like a second set of clothes to me, isn't that right?"
Eric shifted in his seat, the heat of Daniel's words burning into him.
He looked at Daniel with disbelief and contempt in his eyes.
"You know that's not what I meant," Eric retorted.
"Oh really? Then what did you mean? That I can't be in pain because beasts like me only know how to give pain, not feel it? Is that what you were trying to say?" Daniel fired back.
"Of course not! You're just twisting things—that's not what I meant at all!" Eric snapped.
"Oh? So are you implying that your behavior just now wasn't in contradiction to what your brother said, Eric?" Alicia interjected, her voice cutting through the room.
Eric quickly turned to face her.
"You clearly scoffed at your brother's remark about still being in pain, then answered him with a rhetorical question. That implies exactly what he accused you of thinking. So why deny it?"
Eric swallowed hard.
"Grandmother... it's not like that... I—"
"Eric."
The voice interrupted him. It was Reginald.
Eric turned quickly. His father's face was set in a scowl.
"Apologize."
Eric stared at him in disbelief.
"Father... I swear I—"
"Eric." Reginald's tone deepened, his frown darkening. He was clearly furious and unwilling to argue. Trouble was brewing.
"Apologize to your brother. Now."
Eric felt his heart sink. He had expected his father to defend him as always—to listen to his side, to scold Daniel for twisting his words. But instead, he was the one tasting bitter reality this time.
And it pissed him off. Very much.
He turned to face Daniel, eyes blazing and fists clenched. Lowering his head, he forced the words out:
"I'm sorry, brother..."
The apology tasted like bitter acid in his mouth. It was the first time in ages he had apologized to Daniel, and it felt more like humiliation than a brotherly apology.
He had just apologized to this beastly brother of his. So what if he didn't believe Daniel's pitiful story of pain? Eric was certain the beast had already healed long ago. He remembered that day during fencing practice—when Daniel accidentally cut his wrist with a sword, only for the wound to vanish in less than five minutes, leaving not even a scratch. Daniel was putting on a front, angling for sympathy from Grandmother and Father. And it had worked. Now Eric was paying the price for openly showing his discomfort.
He shifted his gaze toward Daniel, who wasn't even looking at him—his brother's eyes fixed elsewhere, uninterested in the apology.
Eric fumed silently.
'Daniel... you...! Just wait. Just you wait. I'll make this even. Sooner or later, you'll regret humiliating me like this. I swear it.'
Reginald caught the glare, shook his head, and sighed.
"Oh boy..."
He cleared his throat, drawing the room's attention, before turning to Daniel.
"Anyway. I'm glad you're okay, Daniel. And I assure you, I will investigate the attack and bring whoever tried to harm you to justice. It's clear these people wanted to instill fear in the kingdom—make us doubt the safety of the future Crown Princess, and force the event to be canceled. But don't worry. The event will go on. We'll ensure enough security for the participants so that no such unfortunate incident happens again. And you will choose the future Crown Princess and Queen of this kingdom."
Daniel bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you, Father."
Alicia smiled, her voice firm.
"Don't worry, my boy. If these fools think they can get their way, they're in for a big surprise. No one—and I mean no one—attacks a Devonte and gets away with it. We will catch them all and bring them to justice."
Daniel nodded in agreement.
Alicia's gaze then shifted to Eric.
"And as for you, Eric. Remember—this event is solely for your brother. You are not allowed to speak privately or have any physical contact with the participants until your brother chooses his wife at the end of the selection. If you wish, you may choose a wife from the women who make it to the top five. If not, you have the right to look elsewhere—but not during the selection. Understood?"
Eric bowed his head.
"Understood, Grandmother."
"Good," Alicia said firmly.
"Now, the event will commence in this manner. First, we will have the Introduction Ball, which will take place the day after tomorrow. Then the ladies will move into the Royal Villa, where they will remain for the duration of the selection. The first segment will be the Flower Festival, overseen and judged by our darling young Princess Elizabeth—and, of course, Queen Esmerelda. This event will test the participants' noble etiquette, to see which of them can hold her dignity in higher esteem than the rest."
"The event will take place in the fief of Fortshire," Elizabeth added.
"Fortshire is known for its beautiful forest scenery—especially the Flower Manor. It's the perfect place to host the competition."
"Indeed," Alicia agreed.
"The competition will last a week. Daniel, you are allowed to interact and engage with the ladies during that time—but only before or after the day's scheduled event. And don't forget, you must interact with all the ladies. No exceptions. Well... except for the one who captures your interest more than the rest, of course."
She winked.
"But make sure to give her that extra attention away from prying eyes. Mmm..."
Daniel flushed, turning his gaze aside and clearing his throat to mask his awkwardness.
'Seriously, Grandma. Not cool.'
Alicia smiled at his discomfort. She couldn't wait for the show to begin.
"The event will conclude with the Flower Parade," Elizabeth said joyfully.
"The ladies will host a celebration for the people of Fortshire. The one who entertains and engages with the people the most—earning their trust and votes of course, will be crowned the Flower Princess. She will proceed to the next stage with flying colors, along with other ladies that perform well in the competition."
"That's fair enough," Reginald remarked.
Alicia's eyes gleamed.
"The ladies who advance will then face the next competition... which I like to call Defanging the Serpent."
"Defanging the Serpent? What is that, Grandmother?" Edward asked.
"Yes, Mother. What kind of strange competition name is that?" Reginald added.
Alicia chuckled softly.
"Silly child. The name clearly reflects the seriousness of the competition. We need a future Queen, yes—but a Queen who is not business-wise, politically witty, and sharp is nothing but a fool wearing the Crown for show. Our kingdom is facing economic challenges that are stirring unrest, threatening to explode if not dealt with...properly. Normally, the Queen should not meddle in such matters, but she can act as an advisor to the King, helping him solve these problems. Unlike some queens who know nothing of royal politics, who only doll themselves up for attention while sitting their bottoms on a golden throne."
"Mmm... mmm." Both Reginald and Eric cleared their throats, knowing exactly whom Alicia was referring to.
Daniel smirked faintly—barely visible—but Eric caught it. His fury boiled hotter.
"Anyway," Alicia continued.
"The competition will take place at the root of the problem—in Florence. Lord Archford and I will personally oversee it. The competition will span two weeks, as it is more demanding. We will test the competitors individually with tasks that prove they are ready to wrestle with the beast, snap off its fangs, and restore the kingdom to its former glory. As usual, Daniel, you will be allowed to interact with them and gain insight into their ideas—ideas that may help you as King. The outstanding lady will be crowned Princess of Wisdom and will proceed to the next stage with flying colors, along with other ladies that perform well in the competition."
She leaned back, her eyes gleaming.
"Only five ladies will advance to the next stage, where they will be entitled to a day out with the Crown Prince. Daniel, you will take them on dates and test them in your own way—to see if they are truly suitable to rule by your side. And what better place for this than the beautiful tropical fief of Lisboa? The competition will last a week, followed by a three-day vacation before returning to the capital, where you will name and crown your Crown Princess. That is how it will proceed. Any questions?"
The room remained silent.
"Good. I assume there are no questions. That concludes the bridal selection briefing. This meeting is adjourned."
Eric was the first to rise. He bowed stiffly and exited the room.
Daniel sighed, stood, and bowed.
"Thank you for the briefing. If you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to."
Reginald nodded, Alicia hummed in approval, and Daniel turned to leave.
Soon after, Prince Edward and Princess Elizabeth paid their respects and departed as well—leaving Reginald and Alicia alone.
There was a long stretch of silence until—
"I assume the reason you're not leaving the room is because you want to speak to me about something," Alicia said calmly, her fingers still moving across her phone.
She lifted her gaze to her son. Reginald bore a striking resemblance to his late father—black hair streaked with grey, black eyes glimmering like obsidian, a sharp nose, refined cheekbones, and plush lips. He also had a resemblance to Daniel proving that he was clearly his father but because of that.....incident in the past. Her son is now hellbent on thinking that his own son was a bastard and didn't belong to him. But he knew clearly well that Daniel was his but because of that incident, he just refuses to accept it.
Alicia sighed.
"Huh... What is it?"
Reginald exhaled.
"I saw the video..." He let the words hang in the air.
Silence followed.
"What are we going to do about it? This person is clearly targeting you, Mother. And I'm worried it will cause problems."
Alicia shook her head, her voice steady.
"I know, son. I know. But you don't have to worry about me. I know exactly who I'm dealing with. They think they're hiding in the shadows, but I know perfectly well who it is—and I'll deal with it. My way." She paused, her eyes narrowing.
"He knows already, doesn't he?"
Reginald nodded.
"He's been trying to file for divorce for a long time. But... another turn of events has prevented him."
Alicia's eyes hardened.
"Oh, please don't tell me..." she growled.
Reginald exhaled deeply.
"Susan is pregnant." He leaned forward, his voice low.
"And it's his."
"Oh no..." Alicia covered her face with her hand, shaking her head.
"Is he that sure?"
Reginald hummed in agreement.
"He secretly took the test himself. And it was confirmed." He paused.
"It's his. And now, with this scandal, it's going to be hard to get rid of her—even if she cheated on him. Either way, it will blow up in your face. If he divorces her, there will be uproar since she's carrying royal blood. And if he doesn't, it will be shameful for the royal family to keep an immoral, unfaithful woman as their in-law."
Alicia exhaled sharply, her voice edged with frustration.
"So what should we do? Kill her? This isn't the old grisly century anymore. And they know we can't do that. The only way is to give them what they want—so they won't release the scandal. Then your brother can divorce that whore without any problems."
"So what should we do?" Reginald asked again, his tone quieter, heavier.
Alicia sighed, rose to her feet, and walked out of the room without replying.
Reginald shook his head and followed her silently.
The two made their way to the central wing near the east side of the palace. Courtiers bowed in reverence as they passed, until they reached the double doors of the royal archives.
A guard stepped forward and saluted.
"Open," Alicia commanded, handing him a golden key.
The guard nodded, inserted the key, and unlocked the doors.
Alicia drew a deep breath as she stepped into the darkened chamber.
The guard immediately switched on the lights and disarmed the security system.
Alicia's eyes swept over the towering shelves, the boxes neatly stacked upon them.
These boxes carried secrets—secrets that could bring calamity if ever exposed.
And yet, she was about to share one of these sacred treasures with someone who did not deserve to know it.
But to save face—for her family, and for herself—she had no choice.
She moved deeper into the room, toward a hidden door tucked into the corner.
As she reached it, her eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
"Wha... what?" she murmured.
"It can't be..." she whispered as she neared the door, her eyes fixed on the empty space before her.
"It's gone... but how?" she breathed.
"What is it, Mother? What's gone?" Reginald asked.
"The... the..." Alicia stammered, unable to form the words through her shock—until a small, sinister smile tugged at her lips.
"Mother, what is it?" Reginald pressed.
Alicia turned slowly.
"Oh, darling. It's the key to open the door—it's gone. I wanted to check something in that box your father gave me long ago, before he died. Something that could help us with this mess. But... I think I've lost the key."
Reginald shook his head in disbelief.
"Oh, Mother. Is that all? You know I also have the key to the secret storage. Let me fetch it for you."
"Okay, darling. Do hurry," Alicia said as Reginald walked out of the archives.
She then turned to face the glass door.
'So that you can also be my witness... that the royal archives never held the Sinclair records', she thought, glancing over her shoulder at the guard, who was staring at the empty space with disbelief. She had noticed the shadow lingering near the door while speaking to Reginald in the lounge, and had seen the tail the moment she decided to come to the archives.
She had been prepared to hand over the chest of Sinclair records to whoever wanted it—and then frame them for robbery. With no cameras in the archives, no one could prove she had given it away. All witnesses were hers, save for that one shadow. And even if he spoke, it would be his word against hers.
Even if the scandal surfaced, it would be too late. They would be accused of robbery, and their defense would crumble.
Now, things had turned even better. Their tactic was useless. They had nothing against her. How could they control her when the Sinclair records were never in the royal family's possession to begin with? Even if they showed the video, it would hold no weight. Susan was pregnant with Malcolm's child. The video could be dismissed as fabricated, and the whore dealt with later—after she gave birth.
The Sinclair records had been their leverage. And now, stripped of that ground, the greedy bastards in court would have no way to back their schemes against her.
"Oh, what a world," she whispered, smiling wide.
"The heavens have answered my prayers after all. Let's see what scheme you conjure next. I'm sure this was your wild card. And now that it's gone... I'm eager to see what you'll come up with. But don't worry. I'm well prepared for you now..."
She turned as Reginald returned with the key.
Smiling brightly, Alicia opened the door and stepped inside to collect the box.
The two found a seat at a polished desk, opened the box, and began to converse.