"Mason who?" Prince Henry inquired, his legs crossing with a hint of curiosity.
"You will soon know," King Alexander replied, his voice tinged with drowsiness.
Prince Henry couldn't help but notice the discomfort etched across his father's face. Another knock echoed through the room, signaling George's return. This time, he was accompanied by a man bearing a long scar along the right side of his face. His presence exuded a soldier's sturdiness, and his piercing gaze seemed to fill the room, rendering it unexpectedly cramped. After George discreetly closed the door behind him, the trio was left alone.
King Alexander rose from his chair, and Prince Henry followed suit. Together, they extended their greetings to Mason, who was now just a few steps away from Prince Henry.
Prince Henry smiled warmly at Mason, but Mason's response was a cold, unyielding stare. Prince Henry thought to himself, "Rude."
King Alexander gestured for Mason to take a seat beside Prince Henry.
"Mason, you requested an audience with me and my son," King Alexander stated, introducing Prince Henry, "This is my son, Prince Henry."
"I am aware of his identity," Mason retorted curtly.
Prince Henry's eyebrows shot up, and he cast a judgmental glance at Mason. He couldn't fathom where this man came from to exhibit such impoliteness. He asked, "Excuse me?"
Mason managed a wry smile as he shifted his gaze to King Alexander. "You must have neglected to inform your son about me?"
King Alexander appeared to swallow hard before turning to Prince Henry, who still stood there, eyeing Mason with suspicion.
"Mason serves as an emissary for King Samael," King Alexander revealed to Prince Henry.
Prince Henry wracked his brain but couldn't recall anyone by that name. He shook his head in confusion.
"If 'Samael' doesn't ring a bell," Mason interjected, his wry smile still intact, "try 'Lucifer'."
Prince Henry's eyes widened in shock at what he had just heard. He immediately crossed himself and continued to regard Mason with intense scrutiny. Mason merely chuckled at Prince Henry's reaction and leaned in closer.
"Does my presence startle you, Henry, son of Alexander?" Mason inquired.
Summoning his courage, Prince Henry met Mason's gaze head-on. Though not particularly religious, he understood that demons fed on fear. He retorted, "I'm not afraid of you or Lucifer. Not in the slightest."
Mason's smile persisted as he addressed King Alexander, "I quite like your son. He's quite different from you, wouldn't you say? Look at him." His eyes darted toward Prince Henry, who stood awkwardly. "It's clear he possesses the qualities that the people of Vertox desire in their future king—courage and intelligence."
Prince Henry interrupted their exchange. "Enough with the small talk! I don't need your approval. Why are you here? Shouldn't hell have more pressing matters?"
Mason chuckled. "Oh, Henry, you have no idea." He then turned to King Alexander. "It appears you haven't informed your son of everything. I've been a guest here for a few days now. I've come to ensure that you humans don't attempt to circumvent the pact your father made with my King."
Prince Henry corrected him, "That was my father's agreement with your king, not mine or my sister's. Is it fair to drag my sister into this without her knowledge? If you truly seek someone from this kingdom, why not take someone who consented to this pact?"
King Alexander stared at his son in astonishment, while Prince Henry's unwavering gaze remained fixed on Mason. King Alexander's anxiety grew, contemplating his own potential sacrifice for his past pact with the lord of hell.
"Oh, Henry," Mason chuckled again, "Did you see the look on your father's face just now? Don't you feel any sympathy for the old man?"
Prince Henry didn't respond to Mason's words, his heart hardened. He resented his father for what he had done and for involving his sister in something she knew nothing about. If anyone were to bear the consequences, it should be his father.
"My King has no use for an old man who can't fulfill his end of the bargain," Mason continued, undeterred. "He desires a beautiful woman to be his son's wife, and your sister's fertility would undoubtedly be a gift. Moreover, Prince Beelzebub has long yearned to establish his own earthly kingdom, and marrying into your royal bloodline would grant him that right."
Prince Henry shook his head instinctively, grappling with the grim reality his family and kingdom faced. His thoughts briefly halted, and he glanced at his father, who had now turned ashen.
"And who are you?" Prince Henry inquired of Mason.
"You might not find me in your Bible, but if you delve into the older Jewish texts, I am known as the Mazzikin," Mason replied with a mocking tone.
Prince Henry nodded. "Regardless of your identity, I don't care. Arrange a meeting with your prince, the one who wishes to marry my sister. It would be even better if your king would also meet me."
King Alexander turned to his son in surprise. "Henry?"
Prince Henry glared at his father, his anger palpable. "What, Father? If you're too afraid to confront your infernal friend, let me handle this. I won't give my sister away so easily."
Mason laughed once more, this time without restraint. He looked at Prince Henry with admiration. "I quite like you. If you'd be willing to befriend me, it would be most delightful. Regarding your request to meet Prince Beelzebub, I believe he'd be delighted to meet his future brother-in-law before the wedding. You can expect him tomorrow morning."
"Enough of your banter! Don't ever address me as you did earlier, and now, get out of my sight!" Prince Henry demanded, his emotions burning fiercely.
Mason rose and offered a bow to Prince Henry, then turned to King Alexander, who remained motionless in his chair. After Mason vanished from their sight, Prince Henry shook his head in disbelief at what he had just experienced. Without a word, he left his father's study, leaving King Alexander to contemplate their situation alone.