Contract With The Alpha King
Chapter 91

Chapter 91

"Envoys?" Elijah lifted an eyebrow.

"Yes, Your Highness, it seems that these people were from the council and the crown itself," Regor said. "They carried supplies and announced who they were from the moment they arrived."

Elijah sneered. "Not even a day after the attack, and they are already looking for ways to control Fiona. How pathetic."

Then Elijah stepped out of the Chief's house, he saw the two envoys waiting for him under the dim light of the village lamps. They straightened at the sight of him, bowing respectfully

"Your Highness, one of them greeted, "I any Council Envoy Marek, arul this is Envoy Janos. We bring supplies from the council and the crown, and we hope to support Lady Fiona during her stay here."

Elijah's eyes narrowed as he watched them, his posture calm. He hadn't missed the council's timing-too swift and calculated for his liking. He could almost feel the strings they were attempting to attach to Fiona with each supposed gift.

Marck continued, glancing toward the house. "We must mention. Your Highness, that the house Lady Fiona is staying in may not be secure enough. We believe additional guards should be placed around her""" Elijah's gaze hardened, and he took a deliberate step forward. "Are you implying that my people are incapable of protecting her landed like a stone, and the envoys exchanged uneasy glances. His question

Janos quickly shook his head "Of course not, Your Highness. We only mean to ensure both Lady Fiona's safety and yours. Extra precautions. nothing more

Elijah's jaw clenched as he considered their words, "No. Guards swarming the house will only alarm the villagers and make Fiona seem untouchable

sa figure separate from the people. That's precisely what you're aiming for, isn't it?"

The envoys faltered, their composure slipping slightly. Marek regained himself, a polite smile crossing his face. "Your Highness, are you concerned about what the villagers think of Lady Fiona's safety?"

Elijah's eyes narrowed, his expression steely. "Are you suggesting that your guards are capable of protecting her where mine cannot! That's a bold assumption," he said, his tone cold as he studied them. "Let me remind you that this council you serve was more than willing to cast her to the wolves. Now you want her under your watch!"

He didn't wait for their response. Instead, he let a surge of power roll off him, filling the air between them with a palpable tension. Marek and Janos paled, the weight of Elijah's presence pressing them back as they fought to maintain their footing "Scram Elijah ordered, his eyes dark with warning

Meanwhile, Chief Jaren's expression was tense as he stepped into the modest house where he'd been staying. The room was dimly lit, the low murmur of voices stopping abruptly as two villagers looked up at him with expectant faces.

's going on. Chief" one of them asked, glancing toward the direction of the supplies stacked outside "Where did all those supplies come from!"

Chief Jaren motioned for them to sit. He poured himself a cup of tea, his movements calm but deliberate as if choosing his next words carefully. "First, tell me the children Are they asleep?"

One of the villagers, a wory man named Darek, nodded. "Yes, Chief. They're settled for the night"

tea down, leaning forward liguly. Those supplies, he began slowly. "Were brought here by envoys. Sent by various councilmen and

The other villager, a woman named Elara, frowned "Envoys? After all this time? Why are they here now?

en them. "It might be something

Jaren let out a slow nigh "I might be because of the attack on Lady Fiona. Or," he paused, his gaze shifting between else. They say they're here to 'protect her, but that's not the only reason." forward, his brow furrowed "You thank they're here to do more than just guard Lady

Barrk leaned for

Jaren nodded. "I do. Sompetang dorsa't sit right. These envoys slastn't come on dari own, they were sent here on council anders. And we all know The council anpinion on Lady Fiona lui't been favorabile. Elara's eyes narrowed as she looked toward the door. "So they could be here to keep talis on her?"

"Eortly" parmesaidi

presoom grira. "Hey want to make sure they can control her, or perhaps even force her back in the palace. I don't trust

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Chapter 91

their intentions. They may look like guards, but they're here to serve the council's interests, not ours"

Darek frowned, glancing at Elara. "So, what do we do? How do we handle them!"

-Simple," Jaren replied, his voice steady. "Spread the word. We only trust Lady Fiona and His Highness Elijah. The council's envoys are and we treat them as such."

Elara looked uncertain. "But why? Why would Lady Fiona and the Prince come here on their own if the council didn't send them!"

outsiders

"Because they care, Jaren leaned forward, his gaze unwavering Think about it-if the council had truly backed them, they'd have come with a full guard, provisions, and more supplies from the start. But no. They came on their corn, and they've done more for us in these few days than the council has in years. This was Lady Fiona and Prince Elijalo's decision, not the council's. That's why we trust them."

Elara nodded slowly, piecing it together "But the council's only here now because of the attack, right? They want to protect her!"

Jaren shook his head, his gaze hardening. "No. They're here because they want to

In her in. She's gaining influence. People see her as their healer, their hope. The council doesn't like that." He glanced between them, his expression serious. "Mark my words. This fin't about safety. This is about control"

Darek exchanged a look with Elara. "Alright, Chief. We'll tell the others. Only Lady Fiona and His Highness can be trusted. The council's envoys stay at arm's length"

Jaren nodded, the tension in his expression casing slightly, "Good. Keep an eye on them, and be cautious. We may be their hosts, but we're not their allies. The council thinks they hold power over us. Let's show them who we really stand by."

Under the mid-morning sun, Envoys Marek and Janos stood on the edge of the makeshift infirmary setup, observing the scene as villagers approached Fiona in steady streams Fiona examined each person with practiced efficiency, occasionally reaching for a hand or glancing over puke, her care focused. After a quick assessment, she directed them to specific healers, guiding those with signs of poisoning toward the more experienced healers in the infirmary.

Janos's gaze drifted over the line of villagers and back to Marek, brow furrowed. "How can they afford to heal this many people?" he muttered. "The cost for something like this would drain funds faster than a small war

Marck didn't look at him, but gave a curt nod, eyes fixed on Fiona "The council isn't concerned with cost here," he replied. "Just focus on why we're here. Let Lady Fiona work?

Nearby, a young woman, visibly pregnant, approached Fiona Fiona took her hand with a gentle smile, her focus unwavering as she asked a few questions, then directed her toward the infirmary, assuring her assistance would be provided. Janos shook his head his tone laden with skepticism as he watched Fiona. "She hardly even rests," he noted. "It seems almost unnatural."

Marck gave him a warning glance, then glanced back at Fiona. "She's a Rosenthal. Remember that. Her family was blessed by the goddess herself, or so the stories say. Healing is in their blood, and the people. they believe in that lineage. The two envoys stood quietly for a moment, each wrapped in his own thoughts, watching as Fiona moved through the crowd, her kindness apparent as she spoke to the villagers. They murmured her name in gratitude, their faith in her clear. After a pause: Janos glanted sideways at Marck. "What happens if she continues like this?" he asked, his voice low. "All this attention... all this....

Marck, didn't answer immediately. He kept his gaze forward, taking in Fiona's presence among the villagers, the subtle aura of authority she commanded without trying. Finally, le gestured toward the crowd. "Focus on why we're here, Janos," he said, ushering the other envoy forward. "Help with the supplies. If we're here, we're helping. That's what the council experts

With a final glance at Fiona, Janos naked, following Marck as they moved toward the gathered villagers, joining the small group and distributing provisions. They set to work tjrictly, watching as Fiona continued her rounds, each grateful face and whispered thanks to her only reinforcing what they had come to realize the people weren't just being healed-they were building loyalty to a Rosenthal, and by extension, to something beyond

the council's reach

Oude the Kingdoin, Lord Rosenthal he a dark expression on his face as he read the letters that Alpha Cris handed him. "An assassination allempt!" Lord Rosenthal asked. "It failed" Surprise flashed on his face. "I thought the council and the Royal Family would never let her survive

on the edge of the paper

paper as he comblered its contents,

the letter bark on Alpha Criss desk; his bogers lingering on

Alpha Crisis poer was sharp as he spoke. "She's putting us in the spotlight, drawing attention we've nunuged to avoid for years. And now, others are

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Chapter 91

talking-saying the Rosenthals are growing powerful, untouchable. They want alliances. This-he gestured toward the letter, his hand clenched in frustration-changes everything

Lord Rosenthal met Alpha Cris's stare. his own expression unreadable. "Fiona acted impulsively. Her intent may have been to heal, but she doesn't understand what she's started."

Alpha Cris leaned forward, his brow darkening. "She showed her hand too soon. If her actions continue unchecked, our position as a family-our neutrality-is as good as gone. Fix this. Make her see reason before the council does. You promised me you will deal with her even if it meant killing her!" be hissed.

Lord Rosenthal's gaze grew cold. "There were complications, but I will not fail again. Consider it done, Alpha," he replied. "I'll ensure she understands the consequences of her actions"

Alpha Cris nodded, though the tension didn't leave his face. "See that you do. We cannot have this family seen as a threat-especially now."

Without a word, Lord Rosenthal turned on his heel and left Alpha Cris's study, his movements calculated and controlled. His face was as expressionless as stone as he stepped into the corridor, but beneath the surface, thoughts churned darkly. The Rosenthal family had been. positioned carefully for generations, a power both revered and hidden, bound by rules and expectations that had kept them safe from the politics. and wars that often destroyed others. Fiona's actions had changed all that, bringing plan

attention to their doorsteps. He clenched his fists as he moved through the hall, already forming