Deal ?

"What?"

Robin uttered a single word, raising the question with the help of his eyes, pretending that he had not heard anything and at the same time, he did not know anything, either.

But Louis also knew him very well; after all he had noted the behaviour and actions of everyone in this school thoroughly, and was familiar with everyone's soul- specially the Royal Alphas.

Precisely because of that, he knew very well that repeating the question now would just be a waste of time and energy- nothing else.

So he decided to ensure Nora's safety and security in her Alpha Palace instead, along with some servants, who should not be seen by or known to anyone.

And for that, he already had his plan ready; but now after all of this, he was thinking that sharing it with Myron and Robin would be a good idea- but what about Valerie?

How was he going to ask her to leave the palace for this, but while he was struggling to find an idea, everyone's breaths paused because of Nora's soft yet audible murmurs.

"Mumma… mumma…

Mumma… please don't leave me behind, I am afraid… I am afraid of the dark…

I am afraid of being alone… left alone -"

Louis had just leaned forward to pat her head while trying to console her in her semi- conscious state, when they all heard Robin shouting;

"Nora! Get up! Don't you hear me, wake up. I am waiting for you- me, Louis, Myron… we are waiting for you. Wake up you lousy pig, how can you sleep so much!?"

Towards the end of his statement, he turned towards the three of them and spoke in his usual register,

"No one is going to tell her what happened there.

Since the dungeon erases your memories from in between, she probably only remembers the fact that David was the one to trap her back there, but nothing more -"

"I wish she remembers nothing more, because more than I am afraid of David and her standing in front of him to face him in another fight, what scares me is the fact that she might have seen Ryan as her saviour.

That idiot might not have any qualities of becoming a King, but he sure does have a very good quality, that is the perfect requirement for being a politician-"

Louis' tirade against Ryan was going to reach its zenith, if not for Nora calling out in her unconsciousness once again, which made him stop. As if on cue, Robin immediately started shouting again;

"Mumma -"

"It's Robin here! Wake up, Princess! You now live in a school palace, where there are some rules to be followed, not in your own castle-"

Robin might have continued his ranting further, when he stopped abruptly on noticing her slightly open her eyes and trying her best to stand up, while fighting with her vision and physical strength.

_________________

Henry had managed to reach the dungeon, but he was a little late.

First of all, even before he could have gotten an idea about what David was going to do next, he was nowhere to be found. And secondly, when he had arrived there, it already looked like the scene of an ongoing drama, which he decided not to intervene in, as it would just increase the tension.

But the moment he noticed Nora and her friends leaving with Louis, he saw David and Ryan standing in the mostly empty dungeon, face- to- face.

The fear of another battle between them started building in his heart, as he snatched David right out of the dungeon, and Ryan also followed him, realising that it was almost time for the dungeon to be closed automatically.

But the moment he thought that everything was under control, he saw David taking two steps forward and grabbing Ryan by his collar. Before he could have uttered a single word, however, Ryan spoke up with a tone of mock concern;

"What happened Future king? Has someone stolen your queen or the crown, you seem a little agitated-"

David cut right through his charade and got straight to the point;

"Don't try to act innocent Ryan, if anyone here knows you completely, then it's me… Don't forget, we used to be best friends-"

It seemed like this was the key to triggering Ryan, who roared out;

"I haven't FORGOTTEN that! In fact, I kinda remind myself daily about that broken friendship of ours… so that I remember to never allow myself to be cheated again -"

"I haven't cheated you-"

"Oh, really! Seems like someone here is in the mood for giving an explanation.

But you know what! I am not interested… not interested in your explanations, or say not interested in hearing anything from the past. So kindly, just get lost -"

David grabbed his even collar more tightly to channel his frustration, knowing that Ryan was speaking all those words just to provoke him.

But there was something… something he needed answers to, and those answers could be given by Ryan and Ryan alone.

Hence he managed to calm himself down by letting out two heavy breaths, before he asked again;

"I am asking you again, tell me, what are you upto -"

"And what do you think, who am I? Your slave?"

Ryan spat out, jerking David's hands away from his collar and folding both his arms across his chest. He looked directly in his eyes, as he continued

"You know, curiosity can be injurious to health, and I know you are curious about the Alpha scent that you were unable to sniff from Nora's body…"

Saying this, he turned his back to David's face and took a step forward, when he heard the question he had been waiting for.

"Ryan, do you like her?"

"It shouldn't be your business! David, so stay away from it-"

Ryan replied with anger, turning back to face him, when he heard;

"Ahm! And do you think I will? Because does she know about you and your-"

"Shut your mouth, or else you will be solely responsible for the outcome."

Ryan interrupted David, knowing that a broken friendship did not always contain only broken memories of painful emotions; but sometimes, they also contained hidden secrets as powerful weapons.

"Then let's make a deal."

David spoke with a smirk on his face, knowing Ryan had no option to deny anything he asked now.

"Call for an Alpha pudding eating ritual tomorrow in the evening, and invite all the royal Alphas to start the party."

Saying this, Ryan walked out of the building, leaving David and Henry there alone, with a cunning smile on his face.

_________________