OUTSIDERS

Feasting the main courses and desserts on the table with wines and other beverages, the grand luxurious dinner served in a banquet combined with a super cool and pleasing atmosphere. The sound of clinking glasses and the serene yet heavy air reigned every corner of the royal hall. Everybody on the long table surfeited themselves on the banquet of delicious cuisine. Everyone is eating their fill while the elders are busy talking about business proposals and progress in the family businesses.

Smiling, Queen Zèlle is pampering Sumire next to her. She doesn't want her granddaughter to be out of place. Chadwick, on the other hand, was talking to Archduke Zeno, glanced from time to time at Cataleia, who had set her eyes and only looked deeply at Dreygur, but the man was secretly staring at Sumire.

'Too bad.' said Chadwick in his mind as he focused his full attention on the person he was talking to.

"These days, it's very easy to make a nuclear bomb but the engineers of our team want to do something with the bomb that they can't identify what it is. They had it on their mind but can't even name it. Can you do something about it?" Said Archduke Zeno. Chadwick narrowed his eyes at the Queen's brother.

Slightly stopped, Sumire's attention was aroused by the topic between the two, and decided to listen with a twinkle in her eyes.

"I hate nuclear bombs but I can definitely help you with that," Chadwick responded with a meaningful smile made the old man delighted at what he heard.

"I knew it. Then-" Archduke Zeno didn't finish what he had to say when Chadwick spoke again.

"Sumire's fiance, Mort Dmitriv Aslanov. He is the best engineer I know. He can surely help you. It's perfect timing since he is on his way here in North Le Frère." Chadwick added, eyes traveling at Dreygur and flashing a smirk.

"You have now the reason to double the security when he arrives here. He is an important figure that should be protected at all times during his stay because there is someone who has bad intentions towards him." Chadwick added without taking his eyes off Dreygur who was silent pretending not to know what his cousin was talking about.

Archduke Zeno and Queen Zèlle got what Chadwick meant. The Queen cleared her throat and got everyone's attention. All eyes were now darted at her.

"This is an order. Even if you are the heir to the throne or not, whoever harms Mort Dmitriv Aslanov under my supervision shall face heavy punishments. Disobeying my order means inevitable death." Queen Zèlle said coldly and authoritatively making Dreygur on his place gulp hard.

No one spoke. No one tried to object. Dreygur knows that order is meant for him especially since he is the only one who will do things to Mort. Feeling defeated, he just tightened his grip on his fork.

The Davenfords exchange glances and Sumire was stunned at her place. She couldn't understand why even here in North Le Frère someone wanted to kill Mort. She was ashamed as she thought of letting her man visit her grandmother's country, unaware of the danger tailing on the young man even into this place. Now, the maiden asks herself if the word safe is still in Mort's vocabulary.

Sumire sighed heavily, crestfallen and disappointed after what she found out. She doesn't even have a clue who wants to kill the man she loves. Nervousness consumes and overwhelms her. She was restless.

"Who wants to harm Mort? How did you know this, uncle Chadwick?" Eyebrows slightly creased, the maiden ask one question after another.

Chadwick cast a side eye at Dreygur's place, and Sumire followed Chadwick's gaze. Her eyes landed and stunned when she met Dreygur's intense gaze on her.

'Was it him?' Sumire asked herself in disbelief.

"You want to hurt Mort?" Sumire asked Dreygur in a slight frown, eyes went cold and blank which made Dreygur tensed. Chadwick quickly interrupted her.

"No. What I mean is that I found it out from him that someone wanted to hurt Mort." Chadwick quickly said. Sumire releases a sigh of relief. It never occurred to her that her uncle Drey would do such a thing.

"Goodness," Sumire said as Chadwick smirked secretly.

"Then, who is it?" Sumire asked Dreygur curiously. She wanted to know who is plotting to murder her beloved.

"You don't need to know. Besides, I've already sent people to pick him up and ensure his safety," Dreygur said making her genuinely smile. Sumire gratefully thanked him.

Dreygur felt like going crazy. His blood boiled in anger and his head wants to explode from rage because of Chadwick.

'I will definitely kill him.' said Dreygur in his mind while looking menacingly at Chadwick whose mischievous smile was plastered on his face. 'He is ruining everything. I can't let him fool around anymore. I must end him.' He added with his jaw and hand clenched.

The night ended with an intense atmosphere reigning the air and everyone was preparing for the festival. While the royal maidservants and designers prepared for the upcoming festival, the Davenfords scattered to different rooms and corridors of the palace, chatting. Sumire goes with her grandmother, talking to Chadwick and Archduke Zeno.

Dreygur was in the room with Cataleia, planning what they would do next. His plan is ruined, thanks to his demon cousin who doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut and just watch what he does next.

"How can I kill Mort and Chadwick without getting my name involved?"

Sitting on the edge of the table, Dreygur asked himself, blurting out what was supposed to be in his mind. Cataleia who had just closed the door went and sit on the bed in front of him. She was slightly shocked to hear Chadwick's name on his lips especially since it is strictly forbidden to kill a family.

"You hate him that much?" Cataleia asked and Dreygur nodded without second thoughts.

"You heard him, right? You see, he is the biggest hindrance to my plans. If possible, I'll dispose of him first." Dreygur replied. His eyes glint murderously.

Cataleia slightly raised her eyebrows. She was thinking about how she could help him. The madness and rage are visible in Dreygur's eyes at his cousin.

"Poison him," Cataleia suggested which made Dreygur frown on the idea.

"It's risky. You can't poison a poison." Dreygur responded quickly which stopped Cataleia. The woman straightened and sit properly.

"You should have planned everything from the beginning if you had a plan of killing Chadwick." Said Cataleia, her voice slightly raised. She wanted to scold Dreygur as he was so obsessed and smitten with Sumire that he didn't even make a big and perfect Plan to dispatch the person who is second after the throne. Now, he is having a hard time dealing with his cousin who lusted power.

Cataleia heaves a deep sigh as she stared intently at the young man. All her Plans have been fulfilled, and now the crown waiting for Dreygur on the throne is safe because of her help. But from what she can see now, Cataleia has a grasp on the whole thing happening between Chadwick, Dreygur, Sumire, and the man Mort who she has never seen. She has doubts about who will sit on the throne. She notices Chadwick's confidence in the game Dreygur is the only one playing and he is just waiting for that game to end and decide what he will do with the outcome of that game. Cataleia is even more nervous as she sees Dreygur struggling to make a decision. It seems that everything is to him still unclear. He is too infatuated with Sumire. Dreygur doesn't even realize that Chadwick is using his feelings for their niece against him.

"Tell me anything about Mort. Is he capable of killing you?" Cataleia asked, sensing Chadwick's hidden ace is this man named Mort. It looks like this person will bring him to the throne.

Cataleia froze in her place when she noticed Dreygur's deadly gaze on her. He cast a questioning eye and didn't like what he heard especially since Dreygur knew the answer to her question very well.

"You don't have to answer it. I am just curious since I want to help you." Cataleia added and retracted her gaze. Dreygur sighed heavily. He no longer bother to answer her question and changed the subject.

"I can't touch him here. Damn it, for real? This is my damn country, the country that I will soon rule. But I can't do anything to him because of the Queen's order. If can't kill him here then I just have to kill him outside the country. I have all the time to do that. Yes, that's better. This is the best idea."

Dreygur said, talking to himself not minding Cataleia's presence in the place. He was staring at her but his mind was clouded with thoughts going on inside his head.

"What's your plan? You can just tell me that you're going to kill him outside. Tell me the detailed plan like how are you gonna do it? A concrete one. Don't do everything at the last minute. Tell me so I know what I can help you with." Cataleia serenely said.

Eyebrows slightly narrowed, Dreygur stared deeply and intently at her as a Plan was forming in his mind.

"How much do you love me, Cataleia?" Dreygur asked in a serious tone. He didn't stutter in that question and didn't use any foreign language but Cataleia couldn't understand what he meant. It is too far from his question earlier.

"Why do you want to know?" Curious, Cataleia asked back which slightly irritated Dreygur.

"Just tell me," Dreygur responded emphatically.

"I love you too much that I feel like I'm going to die." Cataleia honestly said. A flash of emotion cruised in her eyes.

"Die for me." Dreygur quickly replied that Cataleia stopped. Words left her lips after a minute and find it hard to fathom what he just said in her mind.

"What do you mean?" Cataleia asked in confusion.

"In a chess game, the Queen must be sacrificed for the King to win," Dreygur replied that the Queen he was referring to was Cataleia and he was the King.

"But without a Queen, the King cannot win," Cataleia said, unsure of her answer especially since she doesn't play chess and it just so happened that Dreygur used the term in this game where the chess pieces are real people.

"I can still win. And for me to win, you have to die, Cataleia." Dreygur said gentle and soothing tone.

He stood up and approach the woman who was sitting on the bed. Dreygur stood hugely in front of her and held Cataleia's cheeks. Dreygur leaned forward meeting their eyes and faces very close to each other. Tip of their noses almost intimately touch.

"Cataleia, will you do the honor in the name of your love to die for me?" Dreygur asked her tenderly, even though that question means her death. It was like a masterpiece of beautiful music to her ears.

Cataleia didn't answer right away as she was consumed by her feelings for the young man who didn't remember her. Her heart thrummed so fast, her vision was clouded with tears threatening to fall. And even though she had not yet responded to his question, Dreygur already knew the answer when Cataleia kissed him.

'I won.' said Dreygur, as the two's kiss gradually deepened. For the second time, what happened to them last night was repeated. This time Dreygur is sober but Cataleia is not the woman he makes love with on his mind but Sumire.

THE NEXT DAY...

Boarded on his private jet, Mort reached North Le Frère and they were picked up by thousands of Dreygur's knights at Port Royal. After they got off, Laurel was greeted with fresh, new surroundings and was immediately impressed by the beauty of the place. It was different from all the places she had been to. The whole thing was completely surreal.

"I wanna live here. How about you, Klauss?" Laurel exclaims and turns to face the man on her side. Klauss's eyes twitched in annoyance and ignored her. He strides out and preceded her not even answering her question.

"I wanna live here too!" Leroy seconded who had a bag on his back while eyes roamed around.

"Sumire is such a unique. She's a Massoullève and a Davenford at the same time. I never had in mind that she is a granddaughter of the Queen." Lyric said who is standing next to his twin.

Blanche, on the other hand, was silent behind them, observing the surroundings while listening to them. Mort, although quiet and calm, couldn't wait to see Sumire. His pair of green orbs quickly searched for the maiden's presence the moment he got off the jet even though it is impossible that Sumire is in the carriage they are riding in.

"I wanna make a mess out of this old paradise. What a beautiful place to create a perfect crime." Narco said meaningfully while grinning from ear to ear at the twins who were now doubting him.

Klauss was about to speak when Dreygur's royal carriage reached and spit the man's out. Arms open, a wide grin painted on his lips as he looked directly at Mort.

"Welcome outsiders!"