In the dark recesses of the manor, a silhouette can be seen sitting on a luxurious armchair and drinking tea.
"Romeo reporting."
A young man pressed his hand to his chest and bowed. Upon seeing the silhouette waved his hand, he began speaking.
Once he was done, the silhouette waved his hand in acknowledgement again.
"Yes, sir."
Romeo left the room silently.
The dark figure sipped his tea quietly. Looking out the tall windows, he could see a bright moon hanging in the sky.
"Sigh, it's all beginning again, isn't it, Alvorich?"
After drinking his tea again, he called out to the darkness. "Raella."
"Yes sir, Raella reporting."
"Give this to the one in the Palace," he handed to her a letter, "and this to Mr. A. Make sure no one sees you, as usual."
Raella nodded and disappeared.
The dark figure placed his teacup onto the table and leaned back into his armchair.
"Happy cooperation," he chuckled.
…
Crash!
The man flung his hand across the desk, not caring how the ink and tea stained his arm and sleeves.
"How dare you!"
"Your Highness, Sir! Please take care of your body!"
"Silence!"
The man clutched the letter in his hand tightly, as he stared at the words on it with vehemence.
'Is this how you want to play it?'
But he knew he had no choice.
"Your Highness, Chancellor McKenzie and Viscountess Isabella are waiting in the reception room, shall I…?" his servant reported.
"Send them in!" he demanded, struggling to bring back his composure.
When the Chancellor and Viscountess entered the room, they trembled under the oppressive aura of the man.
"Chancellor McKenzie and Viscountess Isabella, I am so happy that you were able to come on such short notice," the man smiled as he greeted them.
"No, my lord, it is my pleasure," they hurriedly greeted back.
"I am sure you have heard of the news," the man started, looking at his perfectly trimmed fingernails, "of how the students of the Academy created a disaster in Enzak. Seeing how our main characters are of prestigious backgrounds, I would wisely advise that for the sake of political relationships, the entire matter should be handled very carefully."
"My lord, what do you…"
"Suppress everything."
His voice was cold. The man slowly turned to look at them with his sharp gaze.
"If I ever hear anything about Enzak, or any of the names of those involved, through the grapevine or media or any source of information," he paused, "Viscountess Isabella, I heard that you have a daughter called Chelsea? And Chancellor McKenzie, did you just have your first female child very recently?
"Would it not be an honour for them to become Princesses of this kingdom?"
The two shivered in fear. Princesses…who will become the tools of political marriages?
"Your Highness, rest assured that whatever you request will be done," the Viscountess was the first one to give her promise. The man could see the fear in her eyes despite her forced smile, and he loved it.
"Yes, Your Highness, I swear—upon my name! —that not one word of Enzak's event will spread," the Chancellor smiled tearfully.
"I am happy that you hear me so well. You may leave."
"Yes, Your Highness."
When the two personages were sent out, the man turned to the letter on his table, and his eyes burned with fury once more.
'Since you wish to take a gamble, and do not seem to fear your predator, then…two can play at this game.'
The man swung his fist onto his desk.
"Find Persephone!" he ordered. "Find her, dead or alive!"
…
When Henrik received the message of Enzak's decimation, he grasped the letter tightly in his hands.
"Sir, we have dispatched help to receive the survivors of Enzak town. One of the women who claims to tend the Odin Hotpot House said that she had sent two employees to look for you a few days ago."
"What?"
"Yes. She said that she sent them to Solomon City, and asks if you have received their message."
Henrik grabbed his head agitatedly.
"Send the Hawks. Find out what happened to the two employees and if anyone intervened with the message in Solomon City, but do it covertly."
"Investigate everything…I want to know who exactly wants to mess with me…"