C12. Winner of the Hunting Banquet

KRRIIII!

An ear-deafening screech rang out from within the thick black cell bars, all the while a giant crimson claw lunged out, attempting to swipe at anyone who dared approach.

"A Wyvern!" The King frantically jumped off the throne in surprise, cautiously inching closer in awe.

"I wish to gift this wyvern as a mount for Your Highness." Aliguard bowed.

There was one fact every single person in this country knew. The King was a fanatic towards Wyverns and anything wyvern-related. With a collection of over 200 wyvern breeds, the only one he didn't have was the Red-backed wyvern. Due to it being one of the rarest breeds of wyverns found within this area, one could only be found inside the deepest part of the forest during a specific time and temperature. Hence, the knowledge of its existence could only be found through some scarce amounts of old memoirs written by explorers years ago.

"I hereby announce the winner of this year's Hunting Banquet to be Aliguard Mackimore!" The King hurriedly clapped with nothing but absolute joy in his face, his eyes continuing to stay peeled at the grand appearance of the wyvern before him. "What reward do you wish for? Fortune? A title?" He suggested,

Aliguard took a deep breath as he suddenly knelt down on both knees.

"I would like to request for your majesty to release my mother from the Southern Tower." He announced, staring at the King with great determination in his eyes.

The king's heavy smile faded away, his clapping also slowing down to a stop.

"Unfortunately, that request I would have to decline." He replied without hesitation. "Choose something else."

A flash of anger could be seen on Aliguard's face as he lowered his head, hiding his expression from the keen eyes of the king.

"Please! I beg of you!" He hit his head on the floor, showing his sincerity.

"No." The two words imbued with killing intent chilled the air as a shiver ran down the spine of those watching, warning his contender of a horrible fate if more was said.

Aliguard gritted his teeth in surrender as he stood up hesitantly, turning around with a look of frustration clearly on his face. "I'll... take the...10 million Cels." He grunted out with discontent.

"Your wish shall be granted." The king nodded. "I'll have it all sent to your estate by the end of this week." He smiled, sitting back down on his throne with a sigh.

"I thank you all for participating." He gave a quick round of applause, turning around to address everyone who stood before him. "I wish you all luck on next year's hunt."

A round of applause echoed through the crowd as cheers and hurrahs were thrown into the air.

...

"We're leaving now." The Grand Duke's sudden voice of urgency knocked me out of my dazed as I turned around in confusion.

"Prepare the carriage." I heard him say to a servant as his figure walked through the parting crowd.

Following him even though I was slightly weirded out about his strange behavior all day, I hopped into the large golden black carriage we had used to arrive here his morning.

"Send this letter to the Mackimore estate." The Grand Duke knocked onto the small glass divider of the driver's seat, handing him a small white envelope with the black Grand Duke insignia seal binding it together.

"Yes, Sir." The Driver nodded, taking the letter and handing it to his assistant, who hurriedly jumped off the carriage and onto a separate horse. Instantly galloping into the opposite direction of our destination.

"What's going on?" I inquired after silently watching the exchange between the two.

"Nothing for you to worry about." The Grand Duke dismissed, avoiding any further conversation.

"What's up with you and the rest of the royal family?" I suddenly asked, remembering the Grand Duke's awkward behavior every time they had attempted to befriend me.

The Grand Duke flinched and turned to face me. "Was I acting that odd?" He frowned.

"Very," I nodded.

He let out a small sigh and rubbed his forehead.

"My brother." He began, rubbing his lips as he spoke, "He was always the beloved type. The one who got everything a person wanted. Talent, affection, charisma, love. Until he didn't." He paused.

"What exactly happened...?" I frowned with a raised eyebrow.

"Your mother," He slowly mutters, speaking about 'my past' for the first time. "Royals. We're only allowed one partner our entire life. To keep the bloodline rare and pure. So when I met your mother first, we instantly fell in love. She was of high nobility so there was no trouble courting her at the time. In the end, we got engaged and lived together happily. Until they met." He recounts.

"The King?"

"Yes, my older brother. At first, they simply got along quite well as friends, however as time went on, I could see her smile more often during the accompaniment of my brother. Then one day, we discovered her to be pregnant.

My eyebrow rose up, "Is this 'who done it' mystery?"

"No, no. Fortunately not." The Grand Duke chuckled, "Even when my brother was trying to do his best to seduce your mother, she never budged. Always just treating him like a brother rather than a love interest."

"Then what was the problem?"

"The child died."

I froze. To be honest that was not the direction I was expecting the story to go. "How?" I frowned,

"Poison."

"Poison? By who?"

"Who else? That brother of mine." He snarled,

"You're brother poisoned… mother?" I clarified, "Why? Didn't they have a good relationship?"

"To secure that throne of course. After a week of your mother's miscarriage, he has the audacity to come out and announce that he has a mistress. The current Queen, and that she's pregnant. After that, your mother refused to associate herself with the Royals, especially after she found out about you."

'Oh damn. This sounds like one giant soup opera,' I whistled in my head, eating up all the drama.

"So what are you planning on doing now? You've clearly been up to something," I prodded with much curiosity,

"I've been having a dream." The Grand Duke suddenly spoke in riddles, glancing at the passing scenery as the carriage slowly made its way back towards the estate.

"A dream?" I repeated,

"An ambitious and dangerous dream." He elaborated, looking back at me. "A dream I wish to fulfill."

"And this dream is…?" I had a suspicion.

A small smile emerged from the Grand Duke's face. An unreadable smile. One that does not reach his eyes.

"I can't reveal it yet. There are too many eyes around. But, for this dream to succeed, I need your help." He leaned forward, crossing his legs.

I let out a small smile as I crossed my arms. This was the first time the Grand Duke had personally requested my help. Usually, he'd simply give me a task and expect me to complete it.

"What do you need?" I asked, simply out of curiosity.

"This." He took out a different envelope from his inner breast pocket, handing it to me.

"This is?" I received the letter, ripping it open.

Inside was a folded piece of paper and a small bronze badge with a large GSA symbol engraved in the middle.

"Read it." He nodded.

[Dear Sir Grand Duke Einsoi,

We feel greatly honored to be receiving your son, Duke Lenso Einsoi within The Grand Suin Academy. We would like to ensure you that Duke Einsoi will receive the best service our academy can provide during his one-year stay. We are willing to include free education, meals, and the highest quality dormitory for your son…]

The rest of the letter simply listed the rest of the benefits I would receive, and providing the Grand Duke with more praise and fluff.

"Academy?" I frowned, folding the letter and pocketing it back into the envelope. "This is your great dream?"

The Grand Duke shook his head, "I wish to enroll you for your last year of education. When you're there, there are a few people I need you to befriend. People who I need by my side." He explained, taking out a list of 5 names and their profiles. "These are ones which I believe to be of great importance."

"Aliguard Mackimore," I raised an eyebrow at the first name on the list.

"Very important." He nodded, not bother further explaining.

"Palmer Pharamond, Grayson Seabert, Dallian Aldridge, Arnatt Grazian." I read out the rest of the names, not recognizing a single one.

"The rests are either Barons or Viscounts." The Grand Duke explained, noticing my confused look.

"So you just want me to befriend these people right?" I confirmed, memorizing the names and the information provided in their profiles.

"Indeed."

"Easy," I nodded, accepting his new mission randomly thrown at me.

"Great. Then I'll have you begin tomorrow."

…

"…Tomorrow…?"