The Wedding (1a)

After a long time, finally, the peaceful kingdom was in turmoil. Right on the birthday of the Princess King.

"The waves are small at the moment, but if it continues, it can cause a big wave," said one of the nobles during a closed meeting. The meeting was opened by His Majesty King Rexton V at the urging of the nobles who received pressure from the public.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, without intending to offend, this turmoil arose right in the series of celebrations for Her Highness Princess Luciell's birthday. There is currently a lot of speculation circulating in the public," added another.

The King clenched his fists in anger. "What kind of speculation is going around?" he asked.

"It is speculated that the birth of Her Highness was not blessed by God due to the escape of the demon controller."

I will find and kill the first person who made that speculation, thought the King.

It was clear the purpose of the impromptu meeting was opened: to urge the King to bring Prince Axelle Rexton and Lady Whitley to justice. Society would not stand idly by, and the nobles who were agitated by society's demands would also want the two of them dead. Kill them to the root, kill them both.

King Rexton V, who knew the whole truth clearly, naturally didn't want that.

"I feel uncomfortable with this conversation," said Duke Colton.

"My apologies, Your Grace. But unfortunately it is your nephew who has caused this public unrest," said another.

"Yes, that's true. But other than that, the fact that Rheannon is the only demon controller in our kingdom bothers me quite a bit," said Duke Colton. "If possible, I'd like Rheannon to stay alive. Not because she's my nephew, but because she's in control of the Summer Demon and the Winter Demon."

King Rexton V glared at Duke Colton, warning.

"What do you mean?" asked a noble.

"For almost ten years we have believed that Whitley's blood was completely depleted, right? But our land remains fertile without any significant demonic disturbances," Duke Colton explained, ignoring the King's gaze. "I suspect that my brother-in-law, the late Earl Dryas Whitley, had left the two demons with little Rheannon."

"Is that even possible? Lady Whitley shouldn't have been in her teens then, right?"

"Actually, I'm also a little doubtful about my guess. Well, we'll find out if we kill her." There was a hint of defiance in the way he spoke. "But considering the complicated history of the Pyrs Kingdom..."

The participants at the meeting were silent. King Rexton V and Duke Colton were still glaring at each other.

Duke Colton secretly smiled. "That's just my guess. I still leave all decisions to this meeting."

There was nothing King Rexton V could do at this point other than regretting his rash decision back then. It's embarrassing, but what can he do? He should have left 3-4 Whitleys so he could breed and continue to control those damn demons.

Oh, that's it.

The King got an idea.

***

"Why the hell is His Majesty asking us to stay?"

Hadrian glanced at Duke Colton who had been showing such bold impudence.

The meeting discussing the fate of Axelle and Rheannon was temporarily postponed. Continued it is useless anyway because they can't decide anything. Instead, two parties formed at the meeting: one who wanted Rheannon's death, the other that wanted Rheannon to stay alive. Although the two parties did not get into an argument, both parties realized that Rheannon could neither die nor be allowed to live like that.

Not to mention Axelle's problem. If the Palace continued to detain him or even kill him, who knows what his secret supporters would do. After all, it was not a secret again that two or three participants in the meeting belonged to Axelle's faction. The Palace obviously didn't want to cause another problem.

"I want to prove your point," said King Rexton V to Duke Colton. "Prove that Pyrs is afflicted with eternal winter because there is no demon control there. Cooperate with Marquess Wynton. I will give you access to the Beulah Temple library. I await reports as soon as possible."

"Very well, Your Majesty. I shall do so immediately."

The King turned to Hadrian. His expression showed something he probably wouldn't like.

But what can I do against the King's will? thought Hadrian.

The image of Axelle sitting blankly in his cell flashed through Hadrian's head.

"Marquess Hadrian, if the report from Duke Ithel Colton proves the extermination of the demon controller would be disastrous, I would like you to marry Lady Whitley."

Hadrian's silence forced Duke Colton to protest, "Your Majesty! Wouldn't that be insulting the Melchoir family who has been loyal to you?!"

The King smiled. "Marquess Hadrian, do you feel insulted by me?"

"No, Your Majesty. It is the duty of a marquess to maintain the security and peace of the kingdom," Hadrian replied calmly.

"Well, Duke Colton, you heard the answer from Marquess Hadrian yourself."

"You really just want to put Lady Whitley back under strict surveillance, don't you?" growled Duke Colton.

"I didn't say that," said the King. "It hasn't been proven that Rheannon Whitley can be allowed to live. Why are you so sure that the nephew you're looking for is alive? You might have to order a coffin after this."

"Instead of marrying Marquess Hadrian wouldn't it be better if Rheannon was exiled? I can set up the place and the supervision – that's the dirty work I usually do."

"After you were unable to kill Earl Dryas and Lady Talisa, you think I can entrust it to you?"

"Then go ahead and marry Rheannon to my son. I don't mind!"

"Duke Colton," Hadrian rebuked. "Lord Chas is still young. He still has plenty of time to look for other women."

"How about you yourself? What about the successor of the Paiton?"

"I can take care of that myself. Desmond is legally my son now."

"Aren't you too loyal, Marquess Hadrian?" Duke Colton hissed sharply, then left the room without saying anything.

The King beside Hadrian snorted in amusement. "Look at that man. Looks like his loyalty must be questioned."

"The Coltons are a family that has served the Palace since its inception. No other family can undertake the dirty work of the Palace beside them, Your Majesty," Hadrian reminded in a wise tone.

"Well, you're right." The King tapped Hadrian's shoulder. "I hope you are prepared for this sudden task, Marquess Hadrian. Of course I'm not asking you to play house with that Whitley. You'll find out later what I mean and when."