Just as Elaria and the others heard Alex's question, the room went dead quiet.

Then killing intent burst from two directions at once.

First, from the Elven King himself. Thalion's gaze sharpened into a glare so intense it felt like it could cut stone. His aura stirred as if he might jump across the table at Alex.

"And why," he said in a low, menacing voice, "is that information relevant… kid?"

A bead of sweat rolled down Alex's face.

Before he could answer, an arm hooked around his neck from behind. Alicia squeezed just enough to cut off his air, dragging him back a little as he started choking.

He tapped her forearm weakly. "N-Not… important… not important… I was… was… huh… just asking for… investig…ation… that's all…"

The pressure around his throat suddenly vanished.

Alex bent forward, gasping for breath.

Then the culprit's sweet, innocent voice rang out. "Your Majesty, are you alright? What happened? Are you having trouble breathing?"

Alicia turned to Thalion with a completely serious expression. "How could you do that to him, King Thalion? He will never, ever make a mistake like that again—asking for information about a married woman like that."

She bowed slightly. "Please forgive him."

Thalion blinked.

He hadn't done anything.

Yet somehow, he was being accused, and the way everyone looked between him and Alex made it seem like he really had just unleashed his aura on the boy.

After a moment, Thalion sighed and chose the path of least resistance. "Don't worry," he said. "Just make sure it doesn't happen again."

Alex stared at him, speechless. 'You're just going to roll with that?!'

"I'm okay… I'm okay, I'm fine," he muttered, still rubbing his throat.

A small sound slipped out to the side—a barely contained snort.

He turned his head and saw it was Elaria… the same girl who had been crying moments ago. Now she was covering her mouth, shoulders shaking.

'This bitch… wasn't she in tears just now?' Alex thought.

He glanced at Evelyn. She too was holding herself back, lips pressed tightly together, eyes suspiciously bright with amusement.

Alex's eyebrow twitched.

[ You never learn, do you. ] the system said dryly.

'We're talking about a mature woman here who's waiting to be saved,' Alex shot back in his mind. 'Don't I have the right to know if she's worth saving?'

[ You're hopeless. I'm wasting my breath. ]

Damon stood up, cloak shifting around him. "With this," he said, "the meeting is concluded. Everyone is to follow closely what we have agreed upon."

He scanned the room. "I take it that everyone agrees."

One by one, the monarchs nodded.

"So be it," Damon continued. "The meeting is over. If any important information about the enemy comes to light, make sure it is shared with everyone here."

There were no objections.

Chairs scraped back as everyone rose to their feet, preparing to leave.

Alex's gaze drifted to Vanessa. She caught his eye and gave him a playful wink.

He looked away as if he hadn't seen it.

The monarchs and their attendants moved toward the magic circles that would return them to their respective nations. Just as Alex stepped onto his own circle with Alicia, Evelyn, and Erwin's shadow, a voice spoke up.

"I'm also coming with you."

Alex turned.

Elaria was standing in front of him, hands clenched at her sides.

"I want to help you find my mother too," she said.

Alex sighed, looking thoroughly exhausted now. "Listen, Princess. I made a promise, and I'll keep it. I'll help you. But that doesn't mean you can come with me."

He pointed at her. "If something happens to you, your father will be all over my ass. So go back to the Elven Empire for now."

"I promise you he won't blame you," Elaria replied quickly.

She turned to Thalion. "Father, please give me permission!"

"Hell no," Thalion said immediately. "The human empire is not safe right now, and I will not risk your life too."

"But I want to make sure he keeps his promise, Father," Elaria argued. "Please let me go. There's nothing for me to do at the capital anyway. You don't even let me take part in the war…"

"Because you're too young for all that," Thalion said firmly.

Alex pinched the bridge of his nose. "You guys are giving me a headache."

He looked at Elaria. "Alright. You can come with me."

Elaria's eyes lit up.

Thalion's expression fell.

"Don't worry," Alex said, meeting Thalion's gaze. "I promise she'll be safe. Besides… didn't your wife get kidnapped even with all that heavy security?"

Thalion fell silent.

He thought about it for a long moment, then let out a deep sigh. "Alright. I'll trust you with this. If you can find Aeliana, Alex… I will be forever grateful to you."

"We'll see what I can do," Alex replied.

Thalion stepped onto his magic circle. Light flared, and in the next second, he was gone.

Now only Alex and his group remained in the hall.

He turned to Elaria. "Listen up. I'm doing you a huge favor here, so you're going to follow whatever I say. Is that clear?"

Elaria's mouth twitched, but she nodded. "…Clear."

Alicia leaned closer, voice slipping into his mind. 'What are you planning?'

Alex smiled and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry. She'll be the perfect bait."

Realization dawned on Alicia's face. 'Oh. I get it.'

The four of them stepped onto the magic circle.

Light surged up around them, their bodies dissolving into shimmering motes. A heartbeat later, they materialized back inside the royal palace of Avaloria.

Alex groaned. "Seriously… being king is not fun at all for a lazy person like me. It's way too much work."

Before anyone could respond, they noticed something off.

Guards were running through the palace corridors in a panic, armor clanking, voices shouting orders and reports.

All of their expressions tensed.

"Is… that normal here?" Elaria asked quietly.

Alex gave her a flat look. "Do people in the Elven Empire run around like this in the royal palace for no reason?"

Elaria's lips pursed. "I was just curious. You don't have to be so mean, you know…"

Then Alex saw someone sprinting toward them.

Alden.

He skidded to a stop right in front of Alex, breathing hard. "Good. You're here."

His expression was grim. "I have some bad news."

Alex's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"

Alden swallowed. "Charlotte is missing."

The air in the hall seemed to freeze.

Alex's aura chilled. "Tell me everything," he said in a low, menacing voice. "Don't leave a single damn thing out."

--

A/N:

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