In the midst of efflorescent-verdant background of the fated bond, persistent coughs disrupt the two's moment. Catina quickly backs away from the grasp of the man she's not only fated to be with but she holds dear. What a cruel fate indeed. She lost his only twin from the hands of the father of her beloved she intended to spend her life with.
Grand Duke Arthur watched his hands losing a grip from her and a familiar yet uncertain feeling surges inside him. It's as if he never wanted to let go of the person who just left from his grip, however, a reality struck him when he realized that the one who he just held was a man. A chill down his spine crawled in his entire body as he silently asked for forgiveness to his fated bond.
The Supreme Alpha suddenly appeared in between the two with a poker face while he questioned them about their hidden affairs and cheating in front of him. The two were surprised that they stooped back a few inches away from each other whereas continuously denying one another.
"There is nothing going on between me and his Highness, Supreme Alpha. And there's nothing between us as well for you to address this as cheating."- Catina
"You're too good at jumping into conclusion and making your way, Rude Dog."- Arthur
"S-U-P-R-E-M-E-A-L-P-H-A. Supreme Alpha, okay? Geez, what a disrespectful vampire you are."- Supreme Alpha Liam
"You both are clearly having a lovey-dovey moment, just now."- he added
"Please, don't say that. Especially, to both men."- Catina
"What's wrong with that?"- Liam
Grand Duke Arthur gave a long sigh before responding, "Both straight men."
"Well, whatever."- Liam
Their conversation got interrupted when a gentle voice yet with high authority voiced out her statement.
"Arthur, Liam, who are you talking to?"
As soon as Empress Jasmine saw the petit figure of Hans, a vague image of a little boy and a little girl holding each other's hands, at the same time, offering their lilies to her. In spite of not seeing their face, she can feel that they were smiling at her genuinely as they called out her name.
"Big sister!"
An intense pain came rushing through Empress Jasmine's head as she felt like somewhere deep inside her memory was being forced out of her brain. Emperor Charles immediately aided his wife whereas the empress' aide quickly assisted her. Her sudden fall caused chaos within the mansion and the Heads with the other SA's soon arrived at the scene. Dir. Melvis quickly offered to the emperor a room for her to rest and medical assistance from Head Kelly. Emperor Charles didn't hesitate to accept his offer since he needs his wife to be treated as soon as possible.
On the other hand, amidst the chaos, Catina stood there dumbfounded while a perplexed emotions boiled within her. She clenched her face upon seeing her cousin, whom she and Hans considered their sister, in pain. She couldn't understand what's happening to her, so she felt like she needed to do something but didn't know what she was supposed to do.
If she revealed herself then everything she had worked for will all be in vain. However, if she lets everything be then she'll lose a chance to retrieve her. She is unable to make a decision as her sight starts to lose its focus. A hand on her shoulder snapped her back to her senses, she looked up and saw Jasper watched her with concern in his eyes.
"Are you alright?"- Jasper
"Y-yeah. I was just—" - Catina
Before she could even finish her words, Dir. Melvis made an announcement that caught everybody's attention.
"Her Highness shall rest in one of the guest rooms with Head Kelly and her aid to treat her. The rest, shall we?"
Dir. Melvis offered with his hand directing inside the mansion indicating that they should proceed to the meeting hall. As soon as they arrive and settle themselves, Head Audeth immediately interrogates the two clans.
"What urgency could you be having here for you to come unannounced?"
"We have things to discuss."- Charles
"And F-Y-I, we didn't come here unannounced."- Liam
"You didn't?"- Head Asher
The two leaders of each clan shook their heads in response which made the Heads and hunters stare at each other. The first thing that came into their mind was Catina but she shook her head and denied their false accusation. However, Head Akito seems to know who didn't inform them ahead of time.
"Director, I believe we need some explanation."
"Me? Ah! I guess I forgot to inform you guys!"
Dir. Melvis laughed with glee while the people around him were dumbfounded whilst they watched him acting so carefree. Catina and Jasper felt ashamed for him because they were directly inclined to him. They didn't want to be viewed as carefree and absent-minded as him. With how important this meeting could be, he was being reckless than a koala.
Dir. Melvis noticed the gaze of his son and apprentice and looked at them with puzzlement. Yet, those confusions soon turned into a child-like smile while waving at them playfully. Catina couldn't help but ignore his master while Jasper clenched his jaw and fist battled himself to remain calm and imagine sending his father off to his grave. Dir. Melvis cheerfully laughs then soon composed himself whereas he coughs to clear his throat.
"I am deeply ashamed of my recklessness. I was pretty much into my own world these days. For that, I apologize."
"What have you been up to for you to be this busy, Director?"- Head Akito
"I've been busy…"
The last words couldn't be heard well because he changed his tone into whispers. Head Akito repeated his words then Dir. Melvis admitted in frustration.
"I've been busy watching anime and being a fanboy, okay?! I've been watching Sailor Moon and Haikyu these days!"
"Their moves while punishing bad guys. Oh! By the way, my bias is Sailor Venus. And the spike Hinata made in Haikyuu is the best! The Greatest Decoy, indeed! I'm in episode 22 in season 2, by the way. Then the goddess of beauty, Kiyoko-san!"- he added.
"A-anime? Fa-nbo-y? B-bias? Sailor Moon? Haikyuu?" Emperor Charles and Grand Duke Arthur stuttered.
"What?! You don't know, Your Highnesses? Anime are characters beyond our reach! Their beauty is out of this world!"- Liam
Right?! While a fanboy is being a fan of the things you like. And bias is your favorite among all the characters or such!"- Dir. Melvis
Supreme Alpha Liam joined forces with Dir. Melvis as they share the same interest. They went near each other and held hands as they worshipped the images in their minds. In a spree of moments, they became the best bodies while everyone was left dumbfounded. The alpha then snickered whereas the director supported him.
"Ha! Even we, dogs, know human stuffs."- Liam
"Right, right. Suck for you, Your Highnesses!"- Dir. Melvis
The two proudly proclaim their common interests whereas the two royals were too flabbergasted to even try to reason with them. The positive atmosphere soon ended when the door opened and Head Kelly arrived just in time before the meeting started while smiling with glee. Emperor Charles questioned the Head with worry in his tone.
"How is my wife?"
"Hmm? Ah! She's fine now. I left her with her aide and one of my underlings so no need to worry."- Head Kelly
"I guess I'm not late? Then, shall we start?" she added
Dir. Melvis didn't hesitate and let her take over the discussion regarding today's agenda. She smiled widely with a peace sign and declared her announcement.
"I found a big piece of information regarding the Forbidden Venom! Isn't that great?!"
Many looked at her with confusion whereas the rest seemed to be so proud for her job well done. Catina searches everywhere to see if the three princes were with them as she just recently noticed. However, not a single speck of their hair could be seen except for the two high ranking royals and their companions.
"Then kindly tell us, oh, sweet-intelligent Madam?" Liam
Supreme Alpha Liam quite knows how to catch on to girls in spite of his barbaric nature and Head Kelly seems to get quite along with this alpha despite the untrustworthiness towards each clan. She smiled greatly and heeded to his request by saying.
"Heh~ Why of course, Liam-kin! Before I tell you, trivia time! Did you know that the Forbidden Venom wasn't initially named as Forbidden Venom? It was actually named as the Tri-colonies?"
"What nonsense are you saying?"- Emperor Charles
"Nonsense? It's not nonsense at all! If it's something, then you could say this is our biggest clue. They're trying to colonize us. The three clans, I mean."
Their eyes widened by her declaration whereas the atmosphere began to surge with perplexity.
...