Arriving at the Royal Palace was the carriage that bore the symbol of Lucera house. Today they were going to discuss a possible alliance with The Beast Kingdom Of Osdia.

This alliance could open trade routes and safer roads to travel between the two countries. A vote of all noble houses would decide it, but most of them already knew who was voting what. The only one missing was Vicount Ralot, who was busy dealing with his son Estiel.

There were three main factions within the Kingdom, all led by very powerful people. One of them was led by Duke Lucera.

His faction followed the King, who was his brother in law. Margrave Earlwinds and Duchess Cloude led the other two factions. Margrave Earlswind wants to expand the Kingdoms land and enrich its people, whilst Duchess Cloude wants a peaceful solution to everything.

However, there was technically a fourth faction, but they hid amongst the other factions. They were the greedy and corrupt nobles who concealed their criminal activities. They only seek to enrich themselves and feed off others.

Inside one of the conference rooms, where the meeting was held, nobles discussed and argued. That was until King Wilfred entered the room, and everyone went silent and sat down at their respective seats.

"Welcome, everyone. Thank you all for coming to an important meeting for the future of our Kingdom," says King Wilfred as he takes his seat at the end of the conference table. "Duke Lucera, I am glad to hear that you and your daughter are fine after such an event."

"Thank you for your majesty's concern and for delaying today's meeting for me to recover." Duke Lucera says as he gives his King a respective bow.

"That is quite alright. I have to say, since the last time we saw each other, you somehow look younger now, but let's move on to today's topic—an alliance with the Beast Kingdom Osdia. Margrave Earlswind, please start."

After the first half of the meeting, they all had a break, where the palace servants bought refreshments and snacks, all freshly prepared with the best ingredients.

It was during the break; Earl Noncus approached Duke Lucera with a conversation that they've had many times before.

"Duke Lucera, I must press you for an answer for my proposal for a marriage between my son and your daughter. My son is a strong and intelligent man."

A marriage between nobles is usually used as a method to join two houses together. However, Duke Lucera and his wife wanted their daughter to choose for herself.

When Alfred and his wife were young, they were both forced to marry someone they didn't like. So when they miraculously bumped into each other when they were trying to escape from their families, they began talking, and eventually, they married.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

The only other problem was that Earl Noncus's son already had a wife and was thirty-five years old. This age difference didn't matter in this world, but Duke Lucera knew that his daughter deserved someone better.

Soon, it would be hard for him to decline marriage requests, as it would seem rude unless Lilliana picks someone herself. But there was no one that Lilliana was interested in, that the father Duke knows of anyways. Until then, he would protect her from the experience of an arranged marriage.

Duke Lucera was just about to answer when suddenly a scream could be heard from outside, and many of the palace guards rushed into the room. Weapons drawn.

Many nobles were confused, and so was Duke Lucera. Margrave Earlswind approaches one of the guards.

"What do you think you are doing? This is an important meeting, held by the King."

The guards smiled at each other, and one of them plunged their sword into Margrave Earlswind's chest.

"Alright, listen up, you stinking nobles, do what are you asked, and you might live."

A few noblemen immediately drew their swords and stood in front of the King to protect him. Duke Lucera included.

"What are the palace guards doing!"

"This is treachery!"

"They're not the real palace guards! Call the knights!"

"The knights are all occupied right now, so we will be entertaining you all."

A fight broke out between the nobles and the fake palace guards. With their only exit blocked, they had to fight their way through this, making sure that the King was safe.

Most of the nobles were trained to use a sword at a very young age so that they were proficient with it when they were older. However, despite that, the fake palace guards had reinforcements.

Somehow, their attackers disguised themselves as fake guards whilst suppressing the real ones and distributing the meeting. This felt like an inside job to Duke Lucera, possibly a noble who wanted to kill the King, and every nobleman gathered here to take the throne. There was no way they managed to get through the palace's tight security.

The fight continued until a large group of bloodied men came into the room with several screaming and crying women. They were the noblemen's wives, who were having a little gathering of wives with the Queen.

Amongst the hostages were the Queen herself.

"Now lay down all your weapons, or else we will kill all these women, and then the rest of you."

Many noble gritted their teeth in anger; some had dropped their weapons, including Duke Lucera.

"Everyone drop your weapons; I command it." the King's word took many of the noblemen by surprise.

"But your majesty, we are your subjects here to protect you."

"I understand that, but I will not have the blood of your wives and mine on my hands. Now drop your weapons."

They began to drop their swords one by one reluctantly. Then, they were guided to the other side of the room, where the wives were thrown at them, except the Queen.

"Now, King Wilfred, you and your wife shall guide me to the royal vault. Or else I will kill everyone." threatened the man, who seemed to be the leader of this whole ordeal.

Three men grab the King and push him and the Queen out of the room. Thirteen armed men were standing and guarding the rest of the nobles. They began to strip the nobles of valuables whilst teasing the noblewomen and making their husbands watch.

"You bastards, leave my wife alone!"

"Hehe, look at her. She's getting into it."

"Don't close your eyes, or else we'll cut your eyelids off."

It was all stopped when they could hear screams of agony, and a body was thrown through the door, crashing into two attackers.

Five giant spiders crawl into the room, sticking to the walls and ceiling. Stepping into the room was the figure of a young man with black hair.

"Sorry, I'm a bit late for the party. I had a bit of a problem trying to get my friends in here."