[center][h1][color=DDB775]Edin[/color] & [color=ab274f]Wulfric[/color][/h1][/center][hr][hr][color=lightgray]

The grand opening of The Royal Curd was coming to a close. Wulfric gave a polite goodbye to every member of his table when they departed. He, however, remained behind. The majority of the crowd had dispersed, and since no one was waiting in line to meet the king anymore despite his father still being present, Wulfric concluded Edin must have already met with all those he would permit in his presence. 

Thus, the prince stood up, and approached the king. [color=ab274f]“Father, may I join you?”[/color] he inquired. He waited until given the permission to sit, at which point he did so. Immediately, a waitress was at his side to attend to him. He ordered a cup of ginger tea, then turned toward his sire. [color=ab274f]“Your Majesty, there were some matters I wished to discuss with you in private.”[/color]

King Edin had his hands clasped and his elbows leaned on the table as Wulfric approached. There had been a deep scowl etched on his face and his gaze had been fixated on the table Lorenzo and company had once been seated at. He raised his gaze upon hearing his son’s voice. [color=DDB775]“Hello, Wulfric…”[/color] He greeted with a hearty sigh and leaned back in his chair with a tentative smile. [color=DDB775]“Is this spot suitable for our discussion?”[/color]

Wulfric assessed their surroundings once more. The guests had largely dispersed, the guards could perform their duties outside of hearing range, and the waitresses would obey just as any other servants. [color=ab274f]“As long as no one disturbs us or eavesdrops, it will suit.”[/color] Saying so, Wulfric waited until his tea was delivered. When neither he nor his father required any other services, they dismissed the help until called upon.

[color=ab274f]“The first subject of discussion is Lord Ravenwood’s ceremony last night. Have its happenings been brought to your attention?”[/color] 

[color=DDB775]“No, I was much too busy prepping for my grand ceremony this morning to hear any reporting… Do tell what you know. Lord Ravenwood is the tall one… Boman, yes.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Roman,”[/color] Wulfric supplied. [color=ab274f]“From what I have heard, he took a strange drug for the event. Later, when our guards went to the ceremony to search for Lady Violet, he attacked them in his maddened state. One of our men was heavily injured, but he will live.[/color] 

King Edin’s irritation was written all over his face as he considered Wulfric’s words. [color=DDB775]“We cannot have our guards looking weak. That makes us look [i]weak[/i]. But no wonder Calbert still cannot find his daughter.”[/color] He scoffed then waved at him to continue.

[color=ab274f]“The injured guard was not weak, father,”[/color] Wulfric interjected. [color=ab274f]“Even a group of Lord Ravenwood’s guards were unable to stop him. This one guard was the first one to draw his weapon and stand up to the madman. His courageousness does us credit,”[/color] he asserted. Still, the irritation at their guests’ actions prompted him to continue.

[color=ab274f]Do you know how the Varians are trying to spin this disaster, however?”[/color] he sneered. [color=ab274f]“They claim that [i]our guards[/i] had ‘intruded’ where they shouldn’t have, and had ‘disturbed’ the ceremony.”[/color] Rage ignited in his gaze. [color=ab274f]“But the worst thing of all? At their supposedly ‘safe for all, on Varian’s honor’ event, [i]Anastasia was attacked[/i],”[/color] he stressed through gritted teeth. He had to breathe through the anger, and took a moment to calm down. [color=ab274f]“Shahzade Farim found her unconscious, and brought her home. Anastasia and the Alidasht prince both reported having seen two men in long coats. They might be Varian,”[/color] Wulfric hinted. 

[color=ab274f]“Given all that has transpired after we extended our trust in them, and permitted them to perform their holy rite, I propose we pressure Their Majesties Camilla for recompense. After his ‘slip up’, it should be their darling Lord Ravenwood who is charged with paying the lion’s share of the reparations we deserve. Unless, of course, they would prefer for him to face charges and stand trial,”[/color] Wulfric smiled darkly. Tilting his head, a stormy expression overtook his features briefly. [color=ab274f]“Oh, and whoever it is that attacked Anastasia? [i]I will have their head.[/i] I expect the Varians will cooperate in delivering the assailant to us.”[/color]

King Edin's anger seethed, his eyes narrowing dangerously. [color=DDB775]"In addition to compensation, I will decree that all Varian attendees of the ceremony are to be summoned and interrogated forthwith. Delay is unacceptable; it must be conducted at the earliest opportune moment. Additionally, the Shahzade must be brought in for questioning..."[/color] His voice was cutting as he spoke. He paused, a rare flicker of concern crossing his features as he added, [color=DDB775]"And we must see to it that Anastasia remains safeguarded and intact. We cannot have her hurt or compromised right now."[/color] His arms crossed over his chest, showcasing his resolve despite such an uncharacteristic statement.

Wulfric nodded. Knowing that the matter would be handled, his wrath had receded. All that remained was the cool determination to ensure that all went as it should. [color=ab274f]“I suggest interviewing them one by one. Shahzade Farim has already proven amenable to relaying information. I can speak to him, and he will surely come forward voluntarily,”[/color] he stressed the notion that the Alidasht prince ought to be treated as an ally. The last thing they needed was creating more ill will due to carelessly uncharitable treatment. 

[color=DDB775]“Very well.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“We also had an agent of ours intervene; Torvi Jorviksdottir. A silver-haired woman with a wolf. I expect to speak to her soon, and I can forward you the report, or direct her to you,”[/color] he paused, letting his father have a say if he wished.

King Edin nodded, [color=DDB775]“That is the woman your mother called in, I believe. Good to know her efforts weren’t wasted.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“After those two, you might wish to start with questioning the Varian doctors. Prince Farim mentioned he believed he saw some suspicious actions from them…if nothing else however, the medical personnel would hopefully not have taken drugs,”[/color] he concluded.

Frankly, Edin’s statement about his daughter surprised Wulfric. Anastasia was rarely on the receiving end of their father’s regard, since he had a habit of dismissing her. [color=ab274f]“...I agree, Anastasia must not be harmed. I have a plan to implement a stricter training regimen for our royal guards. However, that is a long term solution. In the short term, I intend to set covert operatives on her and on Callum,”[/color] he relayed.

[color=DDB775]“Anastasia and Callum need to be spoken to once more. The problem also lies within their stubborn desire to continue to act like teenagers.”[/color] He scoffed and shook his head,  [color=DDB775]“I have Lady Ariella Edwards being brought to me tonight under the accusation of defacing my painting, no doubt Callum’s influence… And as for Anastasia, she has received a very beneficial marriage offer. If she continues such childish behavior, we may lose the opportunity at hand.”[/color]

At first, the prince only nodded, though he didn’t strictly agree with Edin’s assessment of his siblings. Even as the words ‘marriage offer’ stirred a sense of unease and suspicion within his gut, Wulfric had already shifted to his familiar mask of unaffected detachment. [color=ab274f]“Are you referring to Shahzade Farim’s intention to court Anastasia?”[/color] he queried.

[color=DDB775]“Actually, I am referring to his father, The Grand Vizier.”[/color] Edin answered, [color=DDB775]“She has garnered interest from many, of course, but for obvious reasons the Grand Vizier stands out.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“The Grand Vizier,”[/color] Wulfric deadpanned, though his eyes narrowed. [color=ab274f]“The man you warned me about? Whom [i]you[/i] have called a snake; the kind of man who would throw a fit just to get his way?”[/color] he reminded. [color=ab274f]“The very one who was so vehement in his claim that we are [i]enemies?[/i]”[/color] He inhaled deeply, clenching his jaw. [color=ab274f][i]“Him?”[/i][/color] he couldn’t help but bite out indignantly. At the very least, he’d managed to wrestle down the [i]utter loathing[/i], kept it in check so deeply under layers of armour even a metaphorical excavation project wouldn’t unearth it.

[color=DDB775]“Precisely. Having a snake as your ally rather than your enemy is advantageous, Wulfric. I expected you of all people to realize that.”[/color] Edin looked down on Wulfric with a narrowed gaze, [color=DDB775]“Keep your enemies close, son… Why do you seem angry?”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Because I detest him,”[/color] he answered frankly, his tone matter of fact. He met Edin’s gaze head on with admirable calmness. [color=ab274f]“Aside from my personal feelings, I do not believe for a second that his intentions are genuine. If anything, it’s far more likely that he is seeking a hostage, and Anastasia would make a convenient one.”[/color] Of course, his father saw only what he wanted to see; the most desirable outcome. [color=ab274f]“It is in a serpent’s nature to strike, after all,”[/color] he remarked. 

Did Edin realize at all what his words, his actions might provoke? How treacherous the terrain he tread upon?

A snake lying in wait was not an idle beast; it was an unrecognized threat. If one was so carelessly tromping around, it was only a matter of time before they were [i]struck.[/i]

[color=ab274f]“Why not aim for his son, Shahzade Farim, who is a man of integrity? Too, he is closer to becoming a sultan than his father,”[/color] he opined.

[color=DDB775]“If his son expresses interest, I will humor it. Many have expressed interest in Anastasia. Regardless of the husband we select, the point is it is crucial we keep her safe now more than ever with such good options laid out for us.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Shahzade Farim has asked me for permission to court her. An Alidasht custom, apparently. I have no doubt in his interest,”[/color] Wulfric informed. [color=ab274f]“I do fear that handing her to his father instead will put her in danger rather than keep her safe.”[/color] He believed his point had been made. As for whether his father might ‘humor’ it? He did not trust that Edin’s ‘consideration’ would amount to much.

He would simply have to find other ways to deal with the matter. For now, he still had something he wished to speak about. [color=ab274f]“Regarding the church ceremony this morning, there was that odd influx of commoners. I had the event investigated, and it turned out that the man behind rallying that group was Alexander Deacon. One of Marek Delronzo’s employees.”[/color] Wulfric paused for emphasis. [color=ab274f]“Father…Your Majesty, I [i]must[/i] know about Delronzo, and the Black Rose. Please.”[/color] He stared at Edin earnestly. If that’s what it took, he’d beg, he’d plead, he’d convince, force, or manipulate. He [i]needed[/i] to know, and based on their last conversation, his father had to know something.


King Edin did not stir with surprise upon Wulfric’s revelation. He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly as he considered his son's request. 

[color=DDB775]"Very well, Wulfric,"[/color] he began, his voice low and measured. [color=DDB775]"But understand that what I am about to tell you [i]must[/i] remain between us. This knowledge is dangerous, not just for you, but for anyone who is told."[/color]
He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing, his eyes darting around the room to ensure their privacy. [color=DDB775]"The Black Rose controls much of the underworld in Eromora. Their reach is vast, encompassing the black market, ringfighting, drug sales, and other illicit activities. All this activity is shrouded under their guise as an everyday merchant company."[/color] 

Edin's gaze hardened, and he leaned forward, his tone becoming more intense as he told him lowly, [color=DDB775]"The Black Rose has been a significant force in maintaining the balance of power within our kingdom. Marek's influence extends far beyond what most realize. His organization helps keep certain elements in check, elements that could threaten the stability of our rule. When you are King, you will need to keep him as your ally, rather than your foe. Doing otherwise will significantly endanger our people, your siblings, and the very throne you sit on."[/color] 

He rose from his seat, eyes locking onto Wulfric's with an unyielding intensity. [color=DDB775]"You must cease your snooping around, Wulfric. Before you cause irreversible damage.”[/color]

Wulfric nodded. He wasn’t terribly surprised either. Ever since the after party debacle, and the conversation with his mother, he’d been thinking. What Edin confirmed happened to be the worst case scenario he’d entertained. [color=ab274f]“Do you still consider Marek an ally, even after the memory-erasing ‘drugging’ debacle?”[/color] he asked with quiet intensity.

Edin’s gaze slid away, however the intensity in his own gaze was visible as well as he said lowly and coldly, [color=DDB775]“ … I’ve never considered him an ally.”[/color] With that, he rose. [color=DDB775]“Should we be on our way now, son?”[/color] His heir replied with a simple, [color=ab274f]“Let us,”[/color] and followed.[/color]