The Duke's Passion

Chapter 251 - Collecting The Pieces

The host for tonight's seance was the cheerful platinum-haired guy. Every one of us took a seat with me sitting closest to the host and Yul on my right.

"Before we begin, why don't we start with a brief introduction?" The host suggested with his graceful hand gestures. "My name is Quentin Zero Moriarty."

My brows knitted upon hearing his family name. Moriarty… wasn't that one of the founding clans of the Heart's Kingdom? I gazed at him and he offered a polite smile, as if he had read my mind.

"Yes, I am a Moriarty… the last Moriarty alive." Zero's smile remained, but the aura he exuded was so strong one could feel that his strong hatred was his driving force.

"I had introduced myself, but I will still do so. I'm Baron Mortas Martin. I was one of the supporters of the Bloodfang clans in the aristocratic fraction." Mortas introduced, leaving bits and pieces of his connections with our clan and outside this meeting room.

'For a baron to represent the aristocratic faction, he surely disguised himself well.' I thought, nodding as his lower titles granted him more freedom. It seemed I couldn't underestimate everyone here.

The rest also introduced themselves. Around the table, from Mortas Martin, there was this middle-aged man named Theodore Darkbridge, Acheron Roseberg who had a title of a duke and was also a knight, Tristan Willow who seemed to be the youngest, then Yul, me, back to Zero. A total of seven people.

"Now that we had introduced ourselves," Zero paused as his smile faded while his eyes darkened. "Let's get down to business."

'Sounds good,' I thought, and Zero didn't beat around the bush as he addressed about the king's current movements, possible plans in the founding celebrations, and Sam's movements. It surprised me how they knew details, although unsure, they could make logical speculations.

I and Yul remained in silent and listened to everything. While I do so, my brow arched as I noticed more details the more I observed them. Unlike the gatherings the king held where Sam would take me in and where he would aggravate everyone, these people were calmer in their arguments.

However, I was certain now that I've listened enough, these people only shared the common enemy: the La Crox. It was easy to figure out their other agendas as they were very vocal about it. For example, Mortas Martin wanting the aristocratic faction to gain more power. Unlike Mortas Martin, Theodore Darkbridge just pursued a less ambitious goal and that was to stop the king's madness of turning all humans into vampires.

I knew that plan, as I was part of it in the past, but I bit my tongue and let those two argue. Meanwhile, Acheron Roseberg rarely spoke, but whenever he did, he would always hit the bullseye. It made me think every word that left his lips were as precious as gold.

My eyes then studied the other person who hadn't said a word since the beginning. Tristan Willow. I could understand Zero's silence while listening to everything, but this Tristan's silence made me feel a little… leery?

"Now that we've heard enough, I'd like to hear what her highness has to say?" Zero clapped, stopping the argument before cocking his head in my direction. All the other men shifted their eyes on me.

"I would say, 'you don't have to worry too much as we'd only like to hear your thoughts about the matters we've addressed, but I figured you'd find it as an insult." His smile didn't reach his eyes, keeping eye contact with me. "With the Duke of Grimsbanne, your husband, as one of our targets, what are your thoughts about it?"

I didn't respond immediately and stared at his taunting smirk. "It's foolish and cowardly."

"Foolish? And cowardly?"

"And predictable, if I may add." I tapped the table with my forefinger. "Your plans, I mean."

"That is not my question, you highness, but let's hear it." The side of Zero's lips stretched broader as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the surface of the table while linking his hands.

"If your speculations is correct, that His Highness, the third prince will start a revolt on the founding celebration, and we will move once the end of their battle nears its end… it is not a bad idea. However, had any of you thought what if my husband planned something else?"

Zero's eyes narrowed, but his lips stretched even wider. The others clearly showed their puzzlement. I breathed out deeply as I cleared my throat.

"Our clan desired to put things in their rightful place, but attacking and looting while both the king and the duke are exhausted is not just cowardly but also predictable. The king is as cunning as a fox, he could've thought of this possibility — my husband may have considered about it too, but I bet he will shrug it off. However, the people under the third prince, Sir Knight Rufus, Fabian the Butler, and those who are supporting him would've surely prepared for that possibility."

I saw Yul nod his head, but said nothing. I studied everyone who brooded over my words in silence, and once again noticed the nonchalance of Tristan Willow.

"So, you're saying…?" Zero cocked his head, still bearing his smirk.

"You guessed it right, Your Highness," I smirked back, almost smiling brightly as it seemed we thought alike. "Before the founding celebrations, I will announce my candidacy for the throne."

"What?! But that is risky!"

"Are you saying you plan to challenge the king?"

"Your Grace, I knew you are competent enough. However, have you been listening to us? The king had already prepared a militia of human-turned-vampire. Even if you challenged him and miraculously defeat him, his will would remain."

"Silence." Zero raised a hand to stop the continuous complaints from the rest. "Let's hear her highness' explanation first."

"By announcing my right…" I trailed off as I tucked my hair behind my ear as I smirked, setting my eyes on Zero. "And causing all sorts of commotion by dividing the nation in three, is more fun, isn't Your Majesty?"

The corner of his lips curled up as his eyes squinted slightly, leaning over as he cupped his chin. "Fun... I think we will get along well, Duchess."