Chapter 94 A Preparation For A Banquet?
He glanced meaningfully at the Alpha King before continuing. "However, if Your Majesty sends your own assistant to investigate in your stead, we can avoid those risks. This solution not only spares us from weakening other departments, but also allows us to strategically reorganize the current staff to cover areas in need without turning to outsiders."
He then smiled in Addison’s direction. "Moreover, sending such a sharp young mind—someone who has already demonstrated keen foresight—would be both practical and beneficial. It’s an excellent opportunity for experience and growth, and perhaps he may notice things others would overlook. A valuable asset in uncertain times."
His tone, though respectful, left little room for retreat. It was a clever move—praising both the Alpha King’s judgment and Addison’s potential, while subtly making it difficult for either of them to refuse. After all, Addison had just warned them of a possible scheme, and the last thing they could afford was to carelessly open their gates to hidden threats by bringing in strangers. It was far safer to rely on trusted, capable hands already within the palace.
Addison felt like she had just swallowed a fish bone—sharp, uncomfortable, and impossible to ignore. It was as if she’d dug her own grave with her words. Her head snapped toward her father. "Fath—" She stopped herself mid-word, biting her lip as she looked at him, regret dawning in her eyes.
She hadn’t expected that voicing her thoughts would land her in trouble, much less get her reassigned back to the Midnight River Pack. Unbeknownst to her, the Alpha King had only been teasing at first, curious to see her reaction. But the reality was, they were indeed short on manpower, and the idea of sending Addison to investigate had genuinely crossed his mind.
Still, he couldn’t forget that Addison was currently posing as his assistant. Technically, she had no right to refuse a direct order. Rather than giving her a straightforward answer, the Alpha King simply cleared his throat, letting the tension thicken in the air.
"Alright, let’s set aside the matter of the Midnight River Pack for now," the Alpha King said, shifting the topic with deliberate calm. "We all know the Greyhounds are not easy to deal with, and the fact that they may be withholding information from us suggests they still have control over the situation within their own territory."
"Though my assistant has sharp instincts, he is still young—and frankly, too weak to be involved in something that might escalate into direct conflict with rogues. If he were to get caught up in that, it could cost him his life. So we’ll table that discussion for another time."
He leaned back slightly, his tone taking on a more commanding weight. "Now, let’s talk about something else. In a few weeks, it will be my birthday. I want preparations to begin immediately—especially those responsible for the royal palace banquets. This celebration will not just mark my birth; there is a far more significant announcement I intend to make."