Inside the palace's luxurious reception hall.
On a soft, comfortable sofa sat a man in a black suit.
He had short gray hair, and a look of disdain hung on his face.
This man was the emissary the Gambino family had sent to check the Zephyr Kingdom's reply: Alec.
Sitting across from him were the Zephyr Kingdom's three ministers.
Around the hall stood several palace guards.
Right now, they were glaring at the three ministers' ugly faces, their eyes filled with anger and contempt.
"Hehe, Alec-san, this is a small gift I specially brought from Misili Island. I hope you'll accept it!" The plump, extravagantly dressed Finance Minister held out an exquisite box, smiling so hard his face nearly split.
"Finance Minister, something this unpresentable, you should take it back." The skinny Interior Minister cut in with a smiling face. "Alec-san, look at this. I had someone bring it for me from the Sabaody Archipelago." As he spoke, he offered his own gift.
"Alec-san, I heard you have a weakness for beautiful women. This is something I prepared especially for you." Seeing the other two offer gifts, the Defense Minister hurriedly spoke as well.
The burly Defense Minister clapped his hands lightly. Immediately, a line of pretty maidservants filed in. Fear showed on their faces, but none of them dared disobey.
Alec accepted the gifts from the Finance Minister and the Interior Minister without changing expression. Then his eyes swept over the maidservants. A flash of greed passed through his gaze, but he quickly hid it, lifted his teacup, and took a small sip, speaking indifferently.
"Mm. I understand the Zephyr Kingdom's sincerity. But today, what the Gambino family wants is only a clear answer. And what that answer should be, all of you know very well."
"Of course, Alec-san." The Finance Minister stood up at once, voice loud and firm. "As long as the Gambino family helps me ascend the throne, the Zephyr Kingdom is willing to become your family's vassal, paying tribute year after year, never harboring the slightest disloyalty!"
"Alec-san, if the Gambino family is willing to support me as King, then from this moment on, the Zephyr Kingdom will completely submit under your family. Whatever your family needs, we'll do everything to satisfy it!" The Interior Minister refused to fall behind and stood to declare his stance.
"Alec-san, our Zephyr Kingdom may not have a large population, but we have plenty of beauties"
The Defense Minister hurried to join in as well, loudly promising all sorts of things, afraid he would be left behind.
Watching the three ministers scramble to pledge themselves, a trace of disdain flickered in Alec's eyes. In his view, whether it was the kingdom or the ministers, none of it was worth mentioning before the Gambino family.
"Enough."
Alec's flat word instantly restored silence to the reception hall.
He looked down on them from above, tone cold. "Very good. I understand the Zephyr Kingdom's intentions, and the Gambino family is quite satisfied. As for who will take the position of King"
"That will depend on which of you can show more sincerity." Greed flashed in Alec's eyes again.
"Oh? So the choice of the Zephyr Kingdom's King depends entirely on a single thought from you?"
A calm voice suddenly sounded, breaking the brief silence.
Everyone froze and looked over.
Roy was walking in with a faint smile, and at his side was the young maid, her face full of anger as she followed him into the hall.
It was him.
The three ministers stiffened, exchanging looks. In each other's eyes, they caught the same shock they couldn't hide.
Shouldn't this brat be lying in bed, barely breathing?
"Roy-sama has arrived!"
The guards in the hall, as well as the maidservants who were about to be taken away, all bowed to Roy.
"Who are you supposed to be?" Alec's brows knotted as his sharp gaze shot toward Roy, questioning him.
Roy ignored Alec completely. His eyes moved over the row of maidservants standing stiffly. Combined with the heated arguing he had overheard the moment he entered, he already understood most of what was going on.
A cold light flashed through his eyes.
"Three ministers, you've really made yourselves a fine deal." Roy let out a cold laugh, staring at them like a blade. "You actually dared to use my kingdom as a bargaining chip, colluding with an outside force in secret. You've got nerve. Very good."
"Hmph. Your kingdom? You're nothing but a prince. The Zephyr Kingdom has never had any rule that the throne must be inherited by blood." One of the ministers snorted with disdain.
"That's right. You little brat who still reeks of milk, what right do you have to sit on the throne? We've worked for this kingdom for decades. If anyone is chosen, it won't be you." Another minister echoed, dripping with contempt.
"Roy-sama, I hate to say it, but you really shouldn't involve yourself in this struggle." The third minister sighed. He didn't speak too harshly, but his stance was clear.
As soon as Roy finished speaking, the three ministers were puzzled by how his injury had miraculously healed. But aside from the Defense Minister's heavy sigh, the other two didn't even bother hiding their disrespect.
In truth, ever since the King died, the power of the kingdom had already been carved up in secret by these three.
To them, Roy, the prince in name, posed no real threat beyond his title.
Across from them, Alec had also seen through Roy's identity. His gaze drifted through the tense standoff, and the corner of his mouth curled with the sly amusement of a cat playing with mice.
But soon, his attention was drawn to the young maid beside Roy, shaking with anger. Greed flashed in his eyes.
"Three ministers, later on, can you let me take that maid with me too?" Alec said, pointing at her and taking another sip of tea, smiling as if Roy wasn't even there.
"Hehe, if Alec-san likes her, then by all means take her." The Interior Minister immediately turned, smiling as he agreed.
The Finance Minister cursed inwardly, but still had to echo the sentiment with a nod.
The Defense Minister frowned deeply. In the end, he chose silence, only letting out a long sigh.
"Roy-sama" The maid's face turned deathly pale, her body swaying like she might collapse.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here." Roy smiled and lightly patted the top of her head. But when he looked at Alec and the three ministers, his eyes were filled with mockery and a cold sneer.
"You old foxes, you've got some guts." Roy gave two low laughs. To be honest, ever since his past memories awakened, he had been recovering behind closed doors. Everything Roy knew came from fragments stored in his mind.
What he hadn't expected was that these ministers would be even more arrogant than in those memories, treating him like he didn't exist.
At this moment, real killing intent rose inside Roy.
"Kill them all" Roy spoke as if talking to empty air. Then he paused and changed his words. "No. Capture them first. Killing them outright would be letting them off too easily."
(End of Chapter)
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