Execution

Serya cleared her throat in order to get our attention back. 

"How shall we proceed my lord?" Everyone's demeanour suddenly turned serious again. 

Since this was a situation that they had predicted, I didn't feel in danger at all, but I could still feel a sense of urgency given the situation.

Tonight would be the best chance to corner the scarred man known as Mathias and get some information out of him, but more importantly, he was my only chance at curing me fully.

If we don't get him tonight, there's a high chance we wont be able to be so lucky next time. Plus he would be on high alert the next time.

This was the perfect opportunity considering how Mathias isn't aware of the fact that he is being targeted, and in the slight chance he was aware, he wouldn't know the identity of the culprit just yet. 

This is exactly why the plan needed to be executed today.

As dad mentioned, the shadows guards were all over the palace so in the event he managed to slip out, he'd be surrounded with no chance of escape.

Donellan trusted his shadow knights more than anything.

Donellan sensed how tense I was and realizing that we had formed an almost huddle in the middle of a party, Donellan quickly signalled for everyone to disperse.

We were starting to look a little suspicious. He then bent down and took my arm. 

"Simuel, there is absolutely nothing you need to worry about it.

Trust your dad, and go have fun. I do not want you to be burdened with this task so go to your friends and enjoy yourself." He gave me a slight smile as an act of assurance.

I could only look at him in amazement. In the past six to seven months I've been here, Donellan had changed so much.

He looked like a completely different person, I almost didn't recognize him at all.

He stopped trying to mask his emotions and has started to show them little by little in front of me. He also wasn't as curt as he used to be.

He took the time to explain himself and make sure I understood where he was coming from. My eyes couldn't help but soften at how much care he's been showing me.

I decided that I would put my trust in him, something I hadn't ever done in the seventeen years I've been alive. If he told me there was nothing to worry about, then I wouldn't worry. 

With a kiss on the cheek, I told him: "I trust you daddy." I quickly left after that. I was too embarrassed to stick around. 

Donellan stayed where he was for a couple of seconds, not expecting this act of affectionate display.

He held his cheeks, and soon got up.

There was a shadow of a smile adorning his face, but he quickly masked it upon realizing where he was. While holding a glass of wine that was handed to him, he heard someone clear their throat.

He turned towards the direction of the noise, and came face-to-face with the King of Novellus; Asmodeus Killian. He couldn't help but sigh internally. 

"Your Highness." He said curtly, with a slight bow. 

"Lord Grey, I wasn't expecting to see you here." He said with a knowing smile. 

"I see nothing gets past you Asmodeus."

Donellan said with a smirk on his face. 

Asmodeus gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"But of course. Otherwise, what kind of a King would I be?" 

"The kind of King who minds their business?" He said while brushing his hand off his shoulder. 

"I understand the situation your are in, but this is a party. Please remember that." He said brushing off Donellan's comment. 

"Don't worry your Highness, I don't plan on putting a damper on your "nephew's" coming of age party. We will take care of it quickly."

And as soon as Donellan said that, he got a transmission from Akae. 

Asmodeus knowing that things were about to get serious, stepped back and let Donellan do his thing.

He knew Donellan pretty well since they went to the same academy together as kids, and knew that once Donellan made up his mind to do something, there was no reasoning with him.

On top of that, he had no problems with getting rid of a fellow Syndicate member, given that they were against the King.

This meant that he would put a damper on the formation of the syndicate considering how Mathias was a core member. 

"Make sure to at least act like your came for my nephew alright?" He warned Donellan before walking away. 

Donellan looked on as the King's figure got further away before returning his attention to Akae. 

"What's the situation looking like?" He asked getting straight to the point. 

"It doesn't look like he has caught on my lord. Shall we proceed with the plan?" 

"Yes, it looks like we've been stalling far too long. We are catching the bastard tonight, without fail."