The next day, Irene got up early and accompanied her father during breakfast, just as they had promised each other. Seymour was pleased and could not stop smiling even after he had finished his breakfast. His eyes too were beaming in delight as he recalled how his daughter had changed for good after she had woken up.

"Duke Seymour, is something the matter? You have not stopped smiling since you got down from the carriage." One of the other Dukes walking beside queried with a puzzled gaze. Unlike the other times when he had seen the man grim and severe, he was now all smiles and joyous. "Share the information with us too. Let us know what has made you cheerful."

"Duke Orman, let's just say I am euphoric." Seymour gave an ambiguous reply, making Duke Orman's frown deepen. Even after giving him a questioning gaze, he did not get any explanation, much to his dismay.

"How is your daughter, by the way? I heard she gained her consciousness." Orman continued, and Seymour realized that the scheming man beside him was up to no good.

Though Seymour and Orman worked for the King, Seymour was closer to their King. He held a higher position than anybody else in the courtroom, which had made Orman jealous of the man. The King trusted Seymour and involved him in all his matters, unlike others who had no idea about his personal life.

"Yes, she did. My daughter gained consciousness." Seymour's smile widened when he mentioned his daughter while Orman gave him a deriding look.

'What is the use of her waking up when she does not even speak to her father? Why is Seymour this happy?' He scoffed lightly, trying to appear as amicable as possible before him. But the wise Duke had already guessed what was running in the man's mind and he just let out a mysterious smile, not giving away anything.

"Duke Seymour, did His Majesty tell you anything regarding our future Queen?" Orman inched closer to him, trying to find out who the girl was. Since the time their Majesty had revealed what he had wished for and how the flames in the cauldron had started burning a bright red, all the people had only one question in mind. Who would their future Queen be?

But nobody knew the answer to it, not even Seymour. So, asking him was a waste of time which Orman had no idea about. Seymour gave him a knowing look, perceiving exactly why he was asking him about it.

It was not a hidden fact that Duke Orman wanted his daughter to marry His Majesty even though he knew that their King was not a normal human being. Even though nobody knew what he was, he sure was nothing less than a devil to them.

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Although Seymour trusted his King's character, he was still terrified of him. The man was too frightening to even stand in his presence, let alone give his precious daughter away to him in marriage.

Seymour wondered why Orman had such a desire. 'Is it because of the power and the position or am I overlooking something here?' He pondered in confusion as he kept walking beside him.

"I do not know about it, Duke Orman. His Majesty has not revealed anything to me." Seymour replied the truth. But the man beside him was unwilling to believe it. He just narrowed his eyes at him momentarily before smiling at him amiably.

"Duke Seymour, we know His Majesty does not hide anything from you. You are his most trusted man. I am certain that he would have told you about our Queen. So there is no need to lie in front of us." Orman raised his voice to garner attention from the other Dukes walking by them.

Seymour just stayed silent, not caring to explain his stance. While a few Dukes looked at him in concern, a few believed Duke Orman's words and stared at him inquisitively.

Orman's smile vanished as soon as he noticed Seymour not rushing to give any explanation. Instead, he pursed his lips in annoyance. Not only was he a headstrong man, but he was also too tenacious and impossible to conquer. Orman was at wit's end and he desperately wanted to find out who their future Queen would be.

"I see that Duke Orman is quite energetic and hungry for some excitement today." Orman was just about to probe more into it when an intimidating voice fell on his ears from the side. His face paled immediately and he stopped walking. The other Dukes too stopped walking as soon as they heard their King's powerful and authoritative voice.

"Your Majesty," They bowed at him in respect and Kieran nodded at them, his red eyes flashing in mirth. He was leaning against the wall with his feet crossing each other. He smiled softly before he pushed himself off and walked towards the group of people in front of them.

"Since Duke Orman seems to be very active today, let me assign some work for you," Kieran stated, his lips rising wickedly.

"Your Ma...Majesty." Duke Orman stuttered in fear, unable to meet his King in the eye. He was too mortified, and unlike a few moments when he had not stopped speaking even once, making it difficult for Duke Seymour, now, his lips refused to move.

"Duke Orman, I have received a plaint from the Magistrate of village Malavi. A group of assassins is hiding in the forest surrounding the village." Orman started to feel ominous about the matter and cold sweat trickled down his spine. "Duke Orman must leave for the village immediately to deal with the issue. Take the guards with you, and you will not return until all the assassins have been dealt with."

Kieran ordered without giving a chance for Duke Orman to protest. He patted the man's shoulder before entering the courtroom with the other Dukes following him immediately.

All Orman could do was clench his fist and glare at Seymour's back in hatred before he retraced his steps to carry out his King's orders.