Chapter 87 - An Awfully Manipulative Person (2/2)

But it didn't technically count as treason because we weren't going now, right? Although plotting to overthrow the crown prince was technically treasonous too. No matter what I did, I was up to my ears in treason.

I sighed. Was it so much to wish for a simple life? I was a librarian! A l i b r a r i a n. I helped children check out books for a living before coming here; I wasn't equipped for all of this potentially deadly political intrigue!

Briefly I wondered if there was even a concept of a library in the Kanta clan. If there wasn't, I would have to make one so I could fulfil my dream of being a simple, normal librarian again. That had originally been my plan when I ran away to Shibatsu after all.

”You changed him,” Franz said with a disbelieving shake of his head. ”The brother I knew held no opinion or desire for anything.”

I stood my ground. Any changes that had happened had benefitted Al; he had been the human embodiment of gloom before I came along. ”Maybe I did but he's happier now than you people ever made him so deal with it. He's mine and I'm not going anywhere.”

It was my first time showing such possessiveness over my husband. If he could hear me, he would probably be thrilled but I would die of embarrassment.

”So I'm yours, huh?” a horribly familiar voice asked with a hint of amus.e.m.e.nt in it.

My eyes widened. ”How did you get in here? There were at least two guards posted outside and we would have noticed something!”

Al shrugged, seeming lighter and happier than I had seen him since the day we met Nyla. My cheeks blazed. He was definitely going to hold this over me later. ”I came in through the bathroom. You might want to tighten your security there, Franz,” he said in an almost teasing tone.

The man glowered at him but had nothing to say about that because he was right. He changed the subject. ”How long have you been listening in?”

”Long enough. Are you going to work with us or not? Like she said, she can and will take her expertise elsewhere if you don't cooperate.”

Franz threw his hands up in the air, giving in. ”I already said I would. I am not as terrible as you think I am, Alpheus.”

”That isn't my name. I am Alamar de Kanta. If that is too strange for you to get used to, feel free to call me Al like Katie does. I am done being a royal puppet to the man who murdered my family. The only reason we are still assisting you is to help my people.

”Do you swear on your life, Mariela's life, and the life of your unborn child that you will return our lands to us the moment you become king? Because if you don't, I will make you regret it,” Al said so fiercely it was almost frightening. It wasn't like his usual goofy personality at all.

Franz blinked at him, unable to process the show of power from someone who usually acted like a sheep. ”I swear. Al.”