"Huh? Aren't you all in the royal court? Did you hear that my family and I will visit the House of Lords thus, you rushed back to the House of Lords? How sweet!"
"Abel Grimsbanne, what is the meaning of this?" Augustine Evans's voice thundered, still gasping for air as if he ran as fast as he could to return to the House of Lords. "This isn't your empire! You cannot just barge into the official chambers of the Mainland however you please!"
"Huh?" Abel frowned. "What are you saying? I didn't barge in here. I was invited."
He jerked his chin toward the knight in charge. "You see for yourself."
Augustine Evans and the ministers who came with him furrowed their brows. They set their eyes on the knight in charge, only to see the latter's dark expression. The sight of the knight was enough to tell the ministers it was bad… and they weren't wrong.
When the knight in charge reluctantly handed a crumpled piece of paper to them, all the ministers saw was London Leviticus's signature. They immediately glared daggers at the latter, but London looked just as shocked as them.
"If that isn't enough, I have a supplementary document to back it up." Abel didn't give them time to process the situation, folding the document into a paper crane. "I don't know why all of you are so surprised when you are the people who asked me to be here."
He straightened his back, a little upset at their 'reaction.' "I'm trying my best to conduct myself as a reputable marquess and set an example to these children who looked up to me. Do not make that hard for me."
With that being said, Abel tossed the paper crane into the ministers' faces. Fortunately, the knight in charge was quick to catch it in midair.
"Please." Abel gestured. "Read it and confirm it."
The knight in charge huffed quietly, passing the paper crane to London. The latter kept his knitted brows, unfolding the letter to confirm if Abel's claims were true. London just skimmed through it and, no doubt, the signatures and seals were the ones London was so familiar with. Even the slight distinctions of each signature were included.
The document in London's grip slightly shook. He might be Aries's ally and he had proposed for her to take the crown. However, he had no idea that aside from taking the crown, the Grimsbanne clan took advantage of everything to reclaim their noble status.
Just what were they all planning?
"This… is forge!" Augustine's voice shook, crumping the paper in his hand as he gazed up at Abel. "Just what makes you think a piece of forged papers would let you all get away from all the crimes you had committed?!"
"You and that knight kept branding us as frauds when your signatures stamped with your seals are there. You cannot deny that detail, can you?" Abel frowned, tapping his finger against the table to slow down burning patience. "You only need to use common sense, Augustine Evans. Why the hell would I bring my family outside the March if I didn't think the people on the mainland were finally ready to make peace with us?"
"You can deny it all you want, but this paper had its value. I don't care whether you don't know how your signatures were on that piece of paper you call or this was stamped, but one thing is for sure, I am a Marquess in this land. If you think there was an anomaly that had happened, then we can take it to the royal court with the king's presence," he continued, ignoring the itch on his palm while telling himself to stay away from violence… for now. "Right. The mainland still has no king."
His best to try to look as oblivious as possible melted as his eyes swirled with mockery and ridicule.
"The ministers' lack of quick thinking and action isn't my problem. You allowed others to run rampant while the throne was empty, and now I am being framed," he added, smirking. "I suggest we talk about this matter once this land welcomed its new sovereign, hmm?"
"You…!" Augustine's entire body shook as his face turned red in anger. His nose flared, but before he could say or do something, London planted a hand on his shoulder.
London shook his head without saying anything to him, squeezing Augustine's shoulder as he looked back at Abel.
"I understand your dismay about this confusion. It is the Lord's fault for not making quick decisions and allowing people to take advantage while we are all busy with the preparation of welcoming the new sovereign of the land. We will surely take responsibility for this matter and conduct a thorough investigation to bring light into this matter." London's expression and tone were firm. "We'll give you our word that this wouldn't happen again and punish the person or people behind this."
"As you should." Abel rocked his head, satisfied that London finally stepped in.
"For now, I ask you to extend your patience for the unpleasant exchange that had occurred here."
"I might be a simple man, Leviticus, but I'm not petty… not that much." Abel raised his hands while everyone around the table slowly rose from their seats. "I am simply glad blood won't spill tonight… hopefully."
"So much hassle just to witness such unpleasant events," Claude commented, jumping from his seat.
"Come down here, you two." Lilou tipped her head to the side, watching her children jump out of the table. "Let's go home and try to revive the joy that others tried to spoil."
"Hand." Lilou glanced at her husband before her eyes fell on the open palm before her. "My love."
"Of course." She clasped his hand, waving her fingers, which Sunny took excitedly. Their son, Law, walked a step behind Sunny, throwing his hands behind his head.
Claude was the first to march toward the entrance, hands shoved inside his pockets. His steps slowed down, cocking his head to the side.
"Excuse us?" he said, making the ministers who were blocking the path grit their teeth. Yet, all they could do was swallow their pride and step aside.
Claude snickered, strutting arrogantly as he walked past them. Following him were Samael and Lilou, holding hand in hand with little Sunny holding Lilou's other hand. A step behind them was the nonchalant young boy with his hands behind his head. And then, a broad and towering Rufus, who didn't make a sound all throughout the exchange.
As they walked past the ministers and knights, their eyes slid to the corner while their expressions sharpened.
The last person was Abel, but unlike the rest of his family, he stopped in front of London and Augustine.
"I'm really glad no one had to spill their blood tonight. However, the night is still young and my patience is on its last straw. Don't make this hard for all of us." He darted his eyes between London and Augustine and then glanced at the rest of the ministers. "I bid you all a peaceful night."
With that being said, Abel resumed his steps and followed his family. As soon as Abel made a turn, Augustine seethed in anger.
"That damn —" but before he could curse, he caught a figure in the corner of his eyes. Augustine slowly turned his head in the person's direction, only to scrunch his face. "Why the hell are you still doing here?"
Tilly sat motionless on the chair, watching how all the eyes in the room landed on her. "They… forgot about me."