Entente

Mathias laid quietly on the cold and hard floor of his dungeon in a daze. 

Alone with his thoughts, he unwillingly found himself contemplating his life decisions, wondering how differently things might've been had Sylia chosen him since the beginning. A part of him, a very small part of him that he didn't want to acknowledge thought about what his life might've been like had he never met Sylia in the first place. 

He probably would've still had a job in the military police, gotten promoted to a higher position and moved his mother to a nicer place. Maybe he would've met a nice girl and fallen in love, gotten married and had children down the line. He would've been happy, content even. Mathias wasn't an idiot. He knew that Sylia did not love him, and would probably never love him. Her eyes were set on one person and there was nothing he could do to change that fact. 

Thinking about the memories he had with her made him chuckle mirthlessly. A thought came over him and he instantly sat up. A smile that wasn't quite a smile formed on his face. 

He knew what he needed to do. 

He swiftly called out to a guard, making his demands. The guard in question grimaced in response. But nevertheless did as he was told. 

Twenty minutes went by and two figures made their way to the last cell in the dungeon that was more secluded and apart from the others. 

Both Emille and Hecate stood in front of Mathias' cell. 

"Gentleman. Thank you for paying little old me a visit." Mathias said with a polite smile plastered on his face. 

Hecate who was annoyed at the fact that he was summoned unwillingly gave him a look of disdain. Emille who was usually polite could not mask the look of displeasure on his face as well. 

"What do you want?" Hecate asked. 

Mathias turned to look at Hecate. "Nothing much. I would like to request an audience with your Master." 

"If you wanted to speak with the earl you should've asked for him directly." Emille responded. 

"You and I both know he wouldn't have agreed let alone given me the time of day. I asked for you two since you are the closest to him." 

"I see. And what do you hope to gain from doing all of this? I really hope you didn't waste our times trying to bargain with your freedom." Hecate said with a glint of amusement in his eyes. 

"Of course not. I would like to speak with him and in exchange, I will offer up some information on the Syndicate." 

"We already-" Emille started to say before he was abruptly cut off by Hecate. 

"What kind of information?" He swiftly asked.

This resulted in a look from Emille which Hecate ignored. 

Emille could only sigh to himself.

He could see the gears turning in Hecate's head. There was nothing he could do but hope that he wasn't up to his usual shenanigans. 

"Information on how they operate." 

Hecate tsked out loud, the glint that appeared in his eyes disappeared. All interest he had in what Mathias had to say was lost. 

The Grey family had a large network with informants which meant they had access to a lot of information concerning anything and everything that happened in the kingdom.

This meant that general information about the Syndicate, their members and the like was already known to them. 

Hecate was hoping to get some new information hence the reason why he thought of entertaining him. 

The Syndicate was a variable that could potentially become a threat not only to the kingdom, but to the Grey household. The Grey family was the glue that solidified and held the kingdom together. If there were any cracks or tears, in was their job to fill up those cracks and tears and hold everything into place again. This was an important but also demanding tasks that was hoisted upon the family. 

If they failed to take control, then it would be their responsibility to bear. It was an impossible job which only Donellan could make possible. He made it his mission to ensure the safety of the kingdom causing him to be away from his home and his family.

Hecate who always seemed carefree and indifferent, was actually the one who cared the most about the family and about Donellan. He didn't want any backlash hitting Donellan, nor did he want him to overwork himself any more did he did at the moment. On top of that, he has finally started to rekindle his relationship with his son.

If this situation didn't resolve itself immediately, it would mean more problems for them. 

This needed to be nipped in the bud quickly. 

Seeing the look of boredom on Hecate's face sent Mathias into a panic. He was sure they would be interested in what he had to say if he mentioned the Syndicate. 

He then remembered something Mithridates had told him. The Grey family was informed of everything that went down in the kingdom so it wouldn't be a surprise if they were aware of their existence. 

Mathias realizing he made a mistake quickly came up with a new plan. 

"You guys might already be aware of the Syndicates existence but you probably don't know about the plan they are working on at the moment." 

This got Hecate's attention, including Emille.

"They are planing to overthrow the King within the next month."