"What do you mean he decided to stay in the north for the time being, and why in gods name did you even let him stay there?" the emperor said, his face contorting with agitation as he looked at his father.
"I said what I meant, John decided to stay in the north... I think Dante told him all about his mother," the high king replied, his eyes closed and his expression as cold as ever.
"That fucker. Now he wants to fuck over my son. What is he planning?" the emperor exclaimed, stomping his foot in anger.
"Calm down. I don't think this is as bad of an outcome as you think. Now, instead of us receiving the ire of the nobles from your idiotic son's factions, Dante will be the one who will have to face it. Until then, we basically have free reign to take away their power slowly and silently," the high king responded.
"Yeah, great idea. But the bastard still has my son," the emperor said sarcastically.
"Ahhh, you idiot. You are the emperor. Get a hold of yourself. Think with your head for a moment. Do you really think he will hurt Nadia's child? He may hate your guts, but he did like her," the high king retorted.
"Ughhhh, fine. I shall leave this matter as is for the time being. But father... don't think I don't know what you are plotting. The queen's children will never sit on the throne, not as long as I get to decide on who succeeds me," the emperor said as he stood up from his seat.
"You aren't emperor anymore, father. It is best if you know your place... I have been following you for 30 years... you really think I wouldn't know how and what you were plotting?" he said as he slowly approached the high king.
"We shall see who has his way out in the end." the high king said, his voice cold and calculated.
The emperor met his father's gaze, but said nothing. He simply turned on his heel and walked away, his back straight and his head held high.
"Farewell, father. I hope you have a safe trip back to your estate. I won't be able to see you off." the emperor called over his shoulder, his words laced with a hint of sadness.
The high king watched his son walk away, a sense of disappointment and frustration creeping over him. He climbed into his carriage and settled in for the long ride back to his estate.
As the carriage began to move, the high king let out a sigh of frustration. "Ahhh, everything is going awry…nothing is going how I planned. From the bastard getting a contract, to Dante showing up, nothing, absolutely nothing is going how I wanted it to."
Just as the high king was about to lose himself in his thoughts, his communication crystal rang. "Ahhhh, fuck. What now? Who is it?" he said, annoyance creeping into his voice as he picked up the call.
"Good evening, Lord Gallen…I see that you seem to be having a tough day." a rough voice greeted him from the other side.
The high king's annoyance grew. "Who are you and how did you contact me?" he responded, his voice curt.
"Now, now, your highness, you shouldn't be so hasty when someone approaches you to make a deal." the man responded, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I am Ed, and I have reached out to you under orders from someone who wishes well for you and your plans for the future." the man continued.
The high king's frustration boiled over. "What are you talking about? I am in no mood to talk about such bullshit."
"You want to put your legitimate grandchildren on the throne, right? We can help you do that." the man responded swiftly, sensing the high king's current state of mind.
The high king let out a harsh laugh. "Hahahahaha…is that so? And what makes you believe I need your help in doing that?"
"Didn't you see it for yourself today? Both the emperor and grand duke don't respect you anymore…fulfilling your plans won't be as easy as you imagine at this rate." the man said in a cold, matter-of-fact tone.
The high king's expression grew concerned. "You, how much do you truly know?" he asked, his voice tight.
"We know enough to know you need our help. You have one week to choose whether you will join us or watch your plans fall apart. After a week, I will once more contact you. I hope to hear a positive reply from you."
The high king's anger boiled over. "Hold on, who is this 'we' you speak of?" he demanded. But before he could finish asking his question, the man cut the call from the other side, leaving the high king seething in anger. "Fuckkkk!" he muttered, his fists clenched tight.
********************
Back at the palace, within one of the rooms that were given to the elvish delegates, Lord Tarenfal Selenathiel knelt before the figure visible on the hologram.
"Greetings, First Daughter of the World Tree," he said, bowing his head.
"Enough with the formalities, Lord Tarenfal. I would like to know the situation within the palace. Has the Emperor given any thought to our proposal?" The elven queen asked, her tone indicating a sense of urgency.
"Yes, your Highness. I have received a positive response from the Emperor. We have yet to set the terms of the agreement, but it doesn't seem likely that we will be meeting anytime soon." Tarenfal replied, his tone somber.
"What has happened that makes you say this?" the queen asked, her expression concerned.
"Something has indeed happened. It seems as if the Third Prince has been abducted by the Emperor's brother." Tarenfal replied, a hint of fear in his voice.
"What?! How could this happen?" the queen exclaimed, shocked at the news.
"The man is truly a terrifying monster. I doubt even Lord Elenath could defeat him." Tarenfal added, his expression grim.
"He was that strong?" the elvish queen asked, her tone filled with disbelief.
"Yes, your Highness. But on another note, the Emperor has also proposed something to us." Tarenfal said, fidgeting nervously.
"Do tell." The queen said, leaning forward in her chair.
"He wishes for the youngest prince to be engaged to the princess." Tarenfal said, finally putting forth the proposal the Emperor had offered.
The queen sat in silence for a moment, considering the proposal. "Hmmm, tell him that I am open to the idea, if and only if my daughter has no issues with it." She said, nodding her head in agreement.
"Are you serious, your Highness?" Lord Tarenfal asked, completely shocked that his queen would accept such an offer.
"Well, from your report before the banquet, it seemed clear that the Emperor wants the Third Prince to be the next Emperor. Would it not be beneficial for our kingdom?" The queen explained her understanding of the situation.
"That was then, but it's hard for me to say for sure now. With the Third Prince being abducted, it's hard to tell how the political atmosphere within the empire will look." Tarenfal said, his expression filled with concern.
"Hmmm, if that is the case, just tell the Emperor that I am looking at the engagement positively, and arrange a meeting for the two of us. That should clear up any confusion we may have." The elven queen replied.
"As you wish, your Majesty," Tarenfal said, ending the call.
********
Back in a dimly lit room, a beastman knelt before a man who stood at the window, staring out at the darkness beyond. The beastman cleared his throat before speaking.
"My lord, the 9 star division has made contact with the High King. How do you wish to proceed?" The beastman kept his head bowed, not daring to look at the man in front of him.
The man, shrouded in darkness with only his dark red eyes visible, turned his gaze to the beastman. "Already? Wait for his response. If he responds positively, send some shape-shifters to infiltrate the factions of the other two princes." The beastman shivered under the man's intense gaze, feeling as though he could see through his very being.
"As you wish, my lord," the beastman managed to say before quickly exiting the room.
The man, who was referred to as "lord" by the others in the room, turned to another man who had just entered the room. "Pollux, how is the plan within the Dragon and Titan empires proceeding?"
The man called Pollux trembled as he got on his knees. "Things are proceeding as planned, my lord. We expect a war to break out within the century if things continue as they are."
The lord nodded, satisfied with the answer. "Good. You may leave now." He turned his back on Pollux, signaling the end of the conversation.