As George made his way towards his study, he trailed behind Prince Henry. The palace corridors were dimly lit, and the clinking of George's boots echoed softly. Prince Henry glanced over his shoulder and came to a halt. His piercing gaze fixed on George.
"Are you following me, George?" Prince Henry inquired with a hint of suspicion in his voice.
George respectfully gestured before responding, "I apologize, Your Royal Highness. I merely wished to convey a message from King Alexander. He urgently requests your presence in his study."
Prince Henry took a deep breath, his demeanor shifting. "Tell King Alexander I shall meet him, but only after I've concluded the pressing matters he set in motion."
George bowed and retreated from Prince Henry's presence as the prince continued his journey. He passed his vigilant guards at the palace's central border, making his way to the west wing. Prince Henry inquired about Hugo's whereabouts and learned that Hugo was presently in his study, accompanied by two guests invited by the prince. Without hesitation, Prince Henry headed straight for his study and impatiently swung the door open.
Upon entering, he furrowed his brow at the sight of three men standing opposite one another in the center of his study.
Prince Henry snapped, his tone sharp, "Who granted you access to my study without my knowledge?"
Hugo, with a gesture of respect, explained, "I apologize, Your Royal Highness. I attempted to prevent their entry, but they insisted and overpowered my efforts."
Nimrod, in a hypnotic voice, spoke up, "My brother-in-law."
Prince Henry approached a man he begrudgingly admitted was an imposing figure, almost too handsome for a man. "Beelzebub?"
Nimrod smiled wryly, "Please, call me Nimrod. I'm in my human form now." He extended his hand to Prince Henry as an introduction.
Prince Henry, however, refrained from shaking his hand and instead moved behind his desk, causing everyone in the room to turn their attention to him.
"Inconsiderate! I disapprove of your presence in my sister's chambers and any contact with her," Prince Henry declared firmly, his voice carrying a burning intensity. "Never dare to repeat such actions."
Nimrod smiled and turned to Mason, "You're right; your brother-in-law is quite likable." He fixed his beautiful hazel eyes on Prince Henry. "I didn't anticipate you discovering my presence in your sister's room so swiftly."
Prince Henry's voice trembled with emotion. "What have you done to her?"
Nimrod smiled again, his tone sly, "Why don't you inquire of your sister herself? Your virgin sister seems to derive pleasure from my presence, especially when I stroke her hair. Her body quivers, and she—"
"STOP!" Prince Henry's voice rang out, his cheeks flushed. He had no desire to hear such intimate details about his younger sister. "In the name of God, if you so much as lay a finger on my sister again, I swear I will personally ensure your fate in hell!"
Nimrod and Mason's chuckles came to an abrupt halt as Prince Henry pounded his desk. Nimrod took a seat in front of Prince Henry without being invited.
"Henry... Henry," Nimrod began, "Mason informed me you wished to see me."
"Yes," Prince Henry replied tersely. "I want you to annul the agreement between my father and yours."
Nimrod regarded Prince Henry with a judgmental look. An eyebrow arched as he observed the prince. "Breaking the agreement with us is no simple task. Moreover, your father made a direct promise to mine. Betraying it won't be straightforward."
Prince Henry leaned closer to Nimrod. "I am prepared to offer you anything you desire if you abandon your intention to marry my sister."
Nimrod chuckled and glanced at Mason, who stood behind him. "Tell me, what are your offers?"
Prince Henry struggled to think, his mind racing to find a solution. "I will provide ten beautiful women—"
Nimrod interrupted immediately, "Ten?"
Prince Henry nodded. "Yes, ten."
"Ten beautiful women to replace your sister hardly equates to the value of such an alliance. Why not try ten thousand?" Nimrod sneered.
Prince Henry was taken aback and bewildered. "Ten thousand women?"
"Ten thousand beautiful women with fertile wombs, akin to your sister," Nimrod stated casually. "But never mind; I doubt even a million beautiful women could match one Helena." He chuckled with satisfaction.
Prince Henry pleaded with a desperate look, "Please, name your terms. I will provide anything you desire."
Nimrod shook his head, his smile unwavering. "Initially, I disagreed with the agreement my father made, but my opinion shifted after meeting your sister today. There's something about her that I can't explain, something that intrigues me." Nimrod stood and smiled at Prince Henry, who watched his every move. "I'm returning to my kingdom, so you need not lock your sister away with another man, or I might grow jealous, dear brother." He teased as Mason opened the study door for him.
"Please?" Prince Henry uttered quietly.
Nimrod offered a wry smile. "See you in a few days, brother. And spare yourself the trouble of gathering all the religious leaders; their knowledge pales in comparison to the power of us rulers of hell. I'm uninterested in any offers you might make; I can fulfill my desires on my own. Farewell." With that, he disappeared behind the door.
Prince Henry covered his face with his hands and sobbed, his despair witnessed by Hugo, who also felt the weight of the tragedy that had unfolded before his eyes.