Stolen by the Beastly Lycan King-Chapter 80: This Should Be The Last Time

"It must be Marquess Galeran's reply."

Lorelai opened the envelope with a thin paper knife and retrieved a small note, her eyes running frantically over its content.

'Good,' she smiled in relief, 'now, this should be the last time.'

***

Althea's lunch gathering was no different than any other shared meal the nobles had been having during the Continent Union Celebration Event.

In the pleasant and quite lethargic atmosphere of the queen's banquet hall, the guests were served delicious meals along with all kinds of prestigious liquor that seemed to be flowing into their glasses endlessly.

Lorelai dismissed Marianna although the woman still insisted on being around, watching over her from a safe distance. The princess had no other choice but to agree. After all, she, too, did not really feel entirely confident initiating such an important confrontation.

As she looked around the hall, she finally spotted him and her face darkened with a blend of repulsion and disappointment.

'I will just make it quick. If he has not lost all his marbles just yet, he will listen.'

Letting out a long exhale, Lorelai gripped her cane and walked slowly through the crowd until she finally reached the man she needed.

"Your Grace," she said confidently, "may I talk with you for a moment?"

Duke Kadler faked a warm smile, greeting his fiancee with a polite bow. He then handed his wine glass to one of the passing servants, twisting his long mustache with his chubby fingers.

"Of course, Your Highness!" He exclaimed excitedly. "Gentlemen, please excuse me. My dear fiancee needs my attention."

The duke excused himself before the company of other nobles and patted the princess on the back, leading her away from the crowd. Lorelai could not help but frown, a frown of disgust cutting between her eyebrows.

"We do not need to go far," she told him, shaking off his hand from her back. "Our conversation will be short."

Duke Kadler frowned too, but his was a frown of genuine irritation. "What is it about then?"

"You know I have been trying to pass a proposal to abolish slavery altogether, right?"

"Of course! Quite a desperate fit, if you ask me. And definitely short-sighted."

Lorelai's frown deepened, her grip on the can tightening. "I am not sure about that anymore, Your Grace. You see, the recent events have stirred people up and opened their eyes to many important, yet dangerous possibilities which your shortsightedness had caused them."

"What?! What in the world are you talking about?"

The man was now fuming but Lorelai could not care less anymore. While in the past, she treated him with careful consideration, keeping a safe distance from him as his power was too vast to be meddled with, now she finally had something very dangerous she could use against his stance.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

The look of distress on the duke's face made the princess relax and spread her lips into a confident grin.

"The beasts," she started rather coldly which made Duke Kadler flinch. "They have been keeping an eye on you for quite a while. And now I know exactly why."

Suddenly, the duke's expression shifted to one of great concern mixed with a hint of fear. It was clear that Lorelai's words got to him and his body's sincere reaction made her realize that what she got on him was nothing but truth.

The man wiped a few beads of sweat that appeared on his wrinkly forehead and tried to fake a light smile. "What––Why do you think that is?"

"The ancient beast tombs."

Those words were enough to make him shudder and the princess could not help but smile again.

'I cannot believe it was true,' she thought to herself as she recalled the note she had received earlier. 'I wish he would tell me why but I guess that is something to worry about later, after this is all over.'

"So..." Duke Kadler spoke again, his voice now quiet and shaky. "What do you want from me?"

"The beasts can easily start a war against Erelith because of that," Lorelai replied in a confident tone. "And we both know that our kingdom––the entire continent does not need another war right now. Moreover, which part of Erelith do you think they will destroy first? Your duchy is right near the border."

The man swallowed hard and Lorelai enjoyed every second of his distress. She continued.

"There is something we can do, though, and it will definitely help us get on the beasts' good side again. However, this solution will require your support, Your Grace."

"What is it?" He hissed through gritted teeth.

"My proposal. The next Council meeting. Show me your support."