Frederick Akhekh casually strolled into the huge throne room with a frown on his face. It had been a long time since his father summoned him like this at the break of dawn.

He coldly looked around the room, before his gaze settled on the young woman standing next to his vibrating father. The man had far too much energy for his age.

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"There you are!" Cadmus bellowed as soon as he caught sight of the tall and elegant man with his typical nonchalant expression.

"What is the meaning of this, son?" The old man crossed his arms and gave the man a stern look, while the other party sighed and walked over to the throne to casually sit on it, even letting out a yawn.

"It's too early in the morning for this, father." Frederick clapped his hands and when a guard rushed to him, he whispered something in his ears.

"You!" Cadmus bellowed and walked closer to the throne, dragging Sylvia along with him as he went.

"What possessed you to turn your back on your own child? You even dared to send her away in the middle of the night? Did I raise you to be such a heartless monster?"

"Heh…" Frederick chuckled coldly. "The pot is calling the kettle black now? Since when am I the monster, dearest father?"

Sylvia was not sure what the two were talking about but she could see that the King's words really affected the old man.

Cadmus closed his mouth and glared at his son casually sitting on the throne with a threatening gaze.

"Besides… " Frederick poured himself a cup of wine from a tray nearby. "I asked her to stay the night and then leave in the morning."

"Her choosing not to do so doesn't make me accountable for the end result."

Cadmus shook his head. "You are being juvenile, Frederick. As a King how about you start acting your age?"

"Haaa?! You are one to talk, old man. Don't bring some random woman into my palace and parade her around, wasting my time."

Not letting the old man's words slip by this time around, the King shot up from the throne, as if he was ready for a brawl.

The heated conversation between the father and son pair made everyone uncomfortable. They fidgeted with their fingers while looking down, not daring to intrude.

However, the duo took no notice of it and continued with their private yet public fight.

"What do you mean random woman? She is your daughter. Stop spouting nonsense." Cadmus chastised him.

"Hrmmm? How are you so sure of that father? Her mother ran away. For all I know, this girl might not even be my child." Frederick shrugged.

His words made Sylvia slightly tremble. However, it was only for a brief moment and her face once again became expressionless.

A mother who ran away and a father who doesn't want her, huh?

Then the others standing around were either her siblings or half-siblings? They did not even glance at her, completely ignoring her presence in the hall.

Sylvia smiled bitterly. It did sound like a family that she deserved.

The only thing that was out of place was the old man who was arguing so much on her behalf.

Cadmus Akhekh showed no signs of slowing down or accepting defeat. He faced the King with an almost equal arrogance.

The two of them silently glared at each other, sparks of lightning simmering in their eyes.

Seeing that the old man was hellbent on disagreeing with him, Frederick turned his gaze towards Sylvia.

"Fine. If you are indeed my daughter, then how about you shift to your beast form and show me."

Sylvia snapped to return his gaze. Her beast form…

Bile and bitterness rose up to her chest as a flood of memories washed over her. She stood still, completely frozen.

A few seconds of uncomfortable silence passed when Cadmus couldn't help but notice the look on her face.

He instantly did not let this charade continue and raised his voice.

"She is not one of your men. She doesn't have to dance at your command. And she doesn't have to prove anything to you!"

"From today onward, this child will be acknowledged as a daughter of the Akhekh family."

"She will be given the same respect and privileges which all of you are enjoying."

"She is my granddaughter and one of the heirs to this glorious family."

"There will be no further discussion on this matter. My word will be the last and final."

The old man loudly harrumphed and flicked his sleeve before turning away to leave.

Unlike the gentle and loving expression he had shown to Sylvia, his face right now was laced with rage and anger.

No one, not even King Frederick Akhekh dared to say a word.

He silently watched his father drag the young girl away, stomping his feet on the otherwise silent marble floor as the two of them left.

And once they were out of the big hall, Cadmus didn't stop and he continued walking, still holding Sylvia's hand.

The two of them walked along the long empty corridors in silence and only after a few twists and turns, he paused, stopping his footsteps.

"Don't mind that idiot. He just needs some time to accept the reality." The old man turned towards Sylvia and patted her shoulder.

"Give me a second." He jiggled his long loose robe and retrieved a set of keys from within. "This was your mother's quarters and now it's yours."

Sylvia looked at the huge area sprawled in front of her, along with a big courtyard and garden.

"I really don't need all this." She muttered, her gaze resting on the flowers in the distance. She wondered if it was her mother who had planted these.

"Nonsense. You will be staying here from now on and don't let anyone bully you around. You are my granddaughter."

"So act like you own this place pumpkin." Cadmus chuckled as he groomed his beard again.