A few days after Amelia and Reina had a fight, the first prince James received a strange invitation.

“What is it?”

Black Bull Omar asked.

“It looks like a dinner invitation?”

James answered.

“Who sent it?”

James shook his head.

“I only found it on my bed, I haven’t opened yet because I wanted to check if it was some kind of trap. However, it doesn’t look like a trap.”

He lifted the invitation in the air.

“I can’t sense any anima infused in it.”

The invitation was in a white envelope with a strange black design on it. The seal looked like that of a demon’s head.

“I’m gonna open it.”

He said. Omar nodded to show his approval.

James slowly opened the envelope and took out a black sheet of paper with red writing on it.

“To whomever receive this letter, you are formally invited to dinner at the royal palace 9pm sharp tonight. The dress code is casual. The invitee is allowed to bring anyone they wish, there will be enough food to accommodate them and their party. See you there.”

James brought down the letter to his side and said the last line.

“From Devil King Rory.”

“What is this? A declaration of war?”

Omar asked.

“I don’t know. Anything is possible with that man.”

James said while rereading the letter as if see if he could find any clues.

“I don’t think that I’m the only who received this invitation though. From the way the first line is worded, I think it’s safe to say that it was sent to various people.”

He said after a while.

“Should we consult the queen?”

Omar asked.

“If what you say is true, it’s possible that she received an invitation as well.”

“You may be right, but I don’t really like going to her for advice on stuff like this. I can’t keep relying on her all the time. I must be able to think for myself if I want to rule.”

James answered.

“We’re going.”

“We?”

Omar was surprised.

“The invitation said that I can bring anyone I want, so I’m bringing you.”

James said.

“What about Amelia?”

Omar asked.

“Do you really think that the Devil King would plan something this grand and not involve her?”

James asked.

“I’m sure that she’s already invited.”

James was right. At the same time that he received an invitation, Amelia was reading hers while sitting in her room.

“What is he up to now?”

She said with a frown.

“Well, I guess I’ll have to go to find out.”

She put back the invitation on her bed.

“But considering that it’s him, I should prepare myself for the worst.”

Elsewhere Serket was holding the same black paper as Amelia and James.

“That brat is scheming stuff again?”

She crumbled the invitation, and looked at Richard beside her.

“He’s gain a habit for scheming against people. I wonder where he got it?”

She said.

“I would say Rei Tsubaki, ma’am.”

Richard said.

“Melinda also had a knack for scheming too.”

Serket said with a laugh.

“Either way, my stupid son looks like he want to put my other stupid sons to the test.”

She smiled.

“This should be interesting.”

Elsewhere.

“Why did Rory leave me an invitation like this? He could have just told me about it face to face when he was here earlier.”

Said Liam.

He threw down the letter.

“I also felt like my letter was different from others.”

He frowned.

“I must bring both of the Brooks Sisters?”

Meanwhile, Christi and Reina looked at the letter they received with a confused expression.

“Didn’t we already agree to help, why did he send us letters too?”

Christi asked before throwing down the letter.

“For dramatic effect. That man loves to make a festival out of everything.”

Reina said while also throwing away her letter.

“So, should we bring the entire Boomslang?”

Reina asked.

“Yeah. But have them remain hidden as precaution. No one knows what will happen if talks break down.”

Christi said.

“I hope not though, because the country would truly be doom then.”

Said Reina.

“Sigh. Well, what happens happens.”

Christi said.

The royal palace.

“……….”

The king, Xavier was sitting on his throne while looking at the invitation in his hand. He then looked at Rory who stood in front of him.

“Why did I get invited to a dinner in my palace that I didn’t know anything about?”

He asked Rory.

“Don’t sweat the little stuff.”

Rory answered.

“Now, listen here. Despite how I am, I’m still technically the king here.”

Xavier said.

“I know.”

“Well, you don’t act like it.”

Xavier said.

“And besides, what’s with this last line?”

He pointed on a sentence that was at the bottoms of the invitation.

“PS. All who refuse to answer to this invitation will be consider my enemy from tonight onwards.”

He read.

“This is literally threatening us!”

He exclaimed.

“I’m just showing them that this is an important dinner.”

Rory replied.

“Fine, I don’t care any more.”

He threw away the letter.

“Just don’t break the palace.”

Rory smiled when he heard that.

“I can’t make any promises.”

Time continued on, and before you knew the time of the dinner was already approaching.

Currently in the royal palace, the invited guests were already seated in the dinning room. All of them were here except for Serket and Rory.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

Serket walked in a said.

“Her Highness.”

When she entered the room all stood and bowed their heads in respect, except for Xavier. Serket went to sit directly beside him after acknowledging their greeting.

“Is that brat not here yet?”

She asked after taking a seat.

“I’m here.”

At that moment Rory walked in the room with a smile on his face.

“I had some last minute issues to handle.”

He took a seat at the opposite end of the table from Serket and Xavier.

“Now then, let’s begin.”

He clapped and several servants came in carrying all kinds of different dishes and beverages. In no time, the long table they sat around was filled with food.

Rory took up a glass filled with champagne.

“Please everyone, eat, drink, and laugh.”

After saying that he threw the champagne down his throat. A servant quickly filled his glass back up.

“Hey, where did he get so much food? Don’t tell me he’s serving our food back to us while acting like a big shot?!”

Xavier suddenly came to realization.

“It’s possible. He’s someone who doesn’t have any shame after all.”

Amelia said, before casually started to eat and drink. Despite what she said, she was eating like it was nothing.

Xavier looked around and saw that everyone was eating and drinking.

“Someone else’s food always tastes the best.”

Rory said after sampling the meal in front of him. That only pissed Xavier off more.

“………”

Everyone ate together in silence. However, they all could feel the tension in the air. After all, many people here were enemies who competed against at each other.

The only ones who seemed unbothered were Rory, Serket, Richard, and Xavier, who was still sulking.

“Now then…..”

Rory broke the silence and put down his tableware, and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“I think it’s about time I tell you guys why I invited you all here.”

He said before taking a sip of champagne and saying-

“I think it’s about time we put an end to this foolish game of who’s the heir.”

“?!”

His words shocked most of those present.

“To be honest, I think it’s being drawn out for too long. And that’s coming from a guy that’s only been here for a little over two months.”

He said.

“So I think we should decide what we should do right here and now.”

“Then, are you going to say that Liam should be king?”

James asked a bit grudgefully.

“Well if I’m being honest, I think Liam would make the best king out of the three of you.”

Rory said without batting an eye at James angry face.

“Then this dinner was just a charade to endorse Liam for the next king?”

James asked.

“Don’t be stupid. Rory clearly has something more important to say.”

Liam stepped in.

“Well, aren’t you in a comfortable place, brother? Your backer has arranged this whole thing for your benefit. You must be feeling ecstatic.”

James said.

*Bam!*

Suddenly James head was slammed into the table.

“Calm down, and stop embarrassing yourself.”

Serket said while still holding down James’s head.

“Ah~. It’s already started.”

Xavier said after seeing his expensive table with cracks in it.

“Bring me the strongest liquor you have. It’s going to be a long night.”

He told one of the servants, who quickly went to fetch a bottle of vodka. She poured a cup and gave it to Xavier.

“You misunderstood something here, James.”

Rory said.

“While I did say that Liam was the best candidate to become king, that doesn’t mean that he would be a good one.”

Liam frowned when he heard that.

“All of you would make horrible kings as the way you are. Why do you think this little competition of yours have been going on for so long? No matter how incompetent Xavier is, even he must have a limit.”

Xavier was too busy drinking to pay Rory any attention.

“Not to mention that your mother is as wise as she’s old. Do you think that neither of them wouldn’t be able to see a good heir when they saw one?”

Rory said even after getting a plate thrown at him by Serket midway through his argument.

He then pointed at James.

“Don’t you think the fact that you the first born isn’t the crown prince isn’t proof of your incompetence?”

James glared at Rory with bloodshot eyes.

“Then what did you mean when you said end this?”

Amelia asked.

“I meant end this stupid competition among the nobles, military, and church.”

Rory said.

“Let’s be honest, this carried on for so long because of them. In fact, I’m sure one of you would’ve already became the crown prince if they weren’t involved.”

The Princes were silent after hearing that. They all admitted that the reason why their parents were hesitant to chose one of them was because of those behind them. But what could they do? They needed the support of others to be able to compete with each other.

“I’ll be blunt. I want all three of you to cut all ties with your supporters, and lay off competing for the throne until you’re older and wiser.”

Rory said.

By this time, Xavier was already drinking straight from the bottle with a red face, as if everything being discussed didn’t affect him. No, he sensed the massive headache to come and was trying his best to drink away his sorrows.

“What right do you have to ask that of us?”

James asked.

“Right?”

Rory smiled and shook his head.

“I have no right, I’m simply making a suggestion. If you don’t want to I don’t care either way. But choose wisely, because my motto is to only give everyone one chance. After that, I no longer care.”

He then started to drink what was left in his glass.

“Are you threatening us?”

James asked.

“I don’t threatened weaklings, I slaughter them like worthless bugs they are.”

Rory answered with cold eyes. He looked like James and the others like they were already dead in his eyes.

This look didn’t go unnoticed by anyone. It really seemed like Rory was only giving them one chance.

“I will withdraw from the race for the throne.”

The first to make his choice was Christi. Him withdrawing greatly shocked his brothers. They knew that Christi wasn’t one to submit to threats, so they didn’t expect him to back down.

‘Could there something more complicated going on?’

Liam thought to himself.

“Are you sure?”

Serket asked.

“Yes.”

Christi answered with a nod.

‘This definitely has something to do with Rory meeting with him recently.’

Amelia thought to herself. She then looked at James. She knew Rory had something planned that needed the help of the princes. What would he do if he couldn’t get James’s cooperation?

“And you Liam?”

Rory looked at Liam and asked.

“……….”

Liam started to think in silence. Out of all of his brothers, he spent the most time with Rory and was beginning to grasp his character. He knew that Rory had planned something that involved the entire country, and would even resort to use drastic measures to do it.

He silently weighed the pros and cons of him backing down away from the race, at least for the time being. After a while, he gave his answer.

“I’ll withdraw as well.”

James frowned when he heard that. Rory on the other hand simply nodded.

“And you?”

He asked James.

“…..I’ll withdraw as well.”

James said after a while.

“I can’t prove that I’m the best for the throne if I have no one to compete against.”

He grumbled.

“Good.”

Rory finally smiled again.

“Now all that’s left is to baptize the country in blood.”