Chapter 99: Shift in power
With the exception of the Mother Queen, Aziel, and Princess Emily, everyone else’s faces displayed frowns and questioning gazes at Dante’s sudden proclamation. They stared at each other as if seeking answers before their eyes shifted back to focus on Dante and Maxwell.
Queen Maya, apprehensive that her son would expose their grand scheme, quickly tried to divert everyone’s attention by suggesting, "I think we should allow the girl to rest and have everyone leave the room."
But a dry chuckle escaped from Maxwell’s lips, his voice carrying a hint of mockery as he said, "How bold of you, Brother, to make such a statement. And to take her for your own?" He continued, "This woman here is one of the palace’s valuable treasures, and your mere word is not enough to claim her. You will need to submit a formal request in writing... just like every one of us has done in the past. Do correct me if I am wrong, Mother Queen."
The Mother Queen felt caught between a rock and a hard place because of her two grandsons. One had the authority as the king, while the other faced a race against time, with the demon inside him on the verge of awakening. Carefully choosing her words, she responded,
"You are correct, Your Highness. Dante will need to put it in writing, formally declaring that he intends to take the courtesan as his woman, making her exclusively his."
Maxwell said to Dante, "There you have it. Why don’t you go and get the necessary writing done?"
"Aziel."
"Yes, Prince Dante?" the old minister promptly responded, stepping forward with his hands folded respectfully.
"Go fetch the parchment and ink," Dante ordered the man, maintaining his position as if protecting the woman from being taken away from him.
Prince Aiden, who had arrived late after fixing the horseshoe in the shed, asked his sister in a whisper, "Why is Brother Dante taking Anna as his concubine?" His eyebrows had drawn together with concern, because he knew how much Anastasia desired freedom rather than being bound as a concubine.
"I guess... he just likes her a lot," Princess Emily whispered in response to her younger brother. But other things worried the princess now, especially how her two brothers looked as if they were ready to cut each other’s throats over Anastasia.