Chapter 4

Laszlo turned without a word and his guards fell into formation. 

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The Red Kingdom did not leave yet.

By ancient custom, whenever a Blood Covenant was invoked, the claimant had the right to inspect every asset belonging to the debtor before making a choice.

It could be houses. Land. Businesses. Military. Livestock. Personnel. Everything including people.

Bernard hated every second of it.

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The next morning, Alpha Laszlo returned and Ashcroft Manor felt like a prison in disguise.

Red Lycan guards stood beside Ashcroft security as though they had always belonged there.

No one dared question them.

Employees whispered in corners. Even the executives avoided eye contact. Everywhere Laszlo walked, silence followed.

Bernard forced a frustrated laugh.

"Surely this inspection isn't necessary."

Laszlo continued walking.

"It is."

"We've already discussed the covenant."

"We discussed your objections."

Laszlo stopped.

"This...." He looked around the estate. "....is prompt procedure."

Bernard clenched his jaw and calmed himself down. They walked through the vineyards.

The private stables and garage. The training grounds. The security headquarters. The armory.

Laszlo rarely spoke. When he did, it was only to ask precise questions.

"Annual production?"

"Security failures?"

"Employee retention?"

His adviser quietly made notes. Every answer was already in their files. They only asked because they were testing Bernard's honesty.

He failed repeatedly.

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Meanwhile, inside the manor, Briella hurried through the halls carrying fresh towels. She had been ordered to remain invisible.

Which meant, Natasha ensured she was assigned to every corridor the inspection would pass through.

"My Lady...." Lena whispered as they arranged flowers. "I don't think that's a coincidence."

Briella frowned.

"What isn't?"

"The Queen Mother. She's making sure the King keeps seeing you."

Briella laughed nervously.

"Why would she do that?"

Lena didn't answer. Because she didn't know.

****

****

Hours later, the inspection reached the central garden. Employees lined both sides of the stone pathway.

Heads lowered and hands folded. Briella stood among them carrying a tray of bottled water. She prayed the King would simply walk past.

Instead, Laszlo stopped. Not in front of her but beside an old gardener.

The man's hands shook violently as he bowed. Laszlo noticed.

"What happened to your hand?"

The gardener froze.

"I-it's nothing, Your Majesty."

Laszlo looked at Bernard.

"Nothing?"

Bernard waved dismissively.

"He's just getting old. He'll retire soon."

The gardener immediately lowered his head further.

"I'm grateful for everything Alpha Bernard has done."

Laszlo remained silent. Then, he crouched.

To everyone's horror, the King himself picked up the old man's fallen pruning shears. He placed them back into the gardener's trembling hands.

"Take tomorrow off."

The old man stared.

"Y-Your Majesty?"

"You've earned it."

The old man's eyes filled with tears.

"T-Thank you..."

Laszlo simply stood and continued walking. The entire garden remained frozen.

Briella watched him leave, confused. That... wasn't what she'd expected. The most feared man in the Wereworld.... had just shown more kindness to a servant than Bernard ever had.

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Later, as everyone dispersed, Bernard grabbed Briella by the wrist hard and whispered fiercely.

"What are you staring at?"

She flinched. "N-Nothing."

"I saw you watching him."

"I wasn't...."

His grip tightened. "Don't embarrass me, you slut."

Before she could answer, a calm voice interrupted.

"Alpha Bernard."

The grip disappeared instantly and Bernard turned. Laszlo stood only a few feet away, expressionless. Neither man spoke. The silence itself suddenly became a threat. Bernard slowly released Briella.

"Oh.... Your Majesty, I was talking to my omega wife."

Laszlo's eyes briefly met Briella's and she immediately looked down. He turned back to Bernard.

"The inspection continues." He said only. Nothing more.

He walked away and Bernard followed. But for the rest of the inspection, he never touched Briella again. That would be for later. 

****

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That evening, Ammond finally closed his notebook.

"You've inspected everything, my Alpha."

Laszlo looked out across the estate.

"No."

Ammond frowned and asked, "What remains?"

Laszlo's answer came after a long silence.

"One thing."

Far below,Briella laughed softly as Lena accidentally spilled water over herself.

It lasted only a second, gentle and real.

Laszlo watched it disappear. Then turned away.

They were all at the Ashcroft Manor's private training arena.

It wasn't merely a place where warriors trained. It was Bernard's greatest source of pride.

The circular arena gleamed beneath the afternoon sun. Elite guards stood in perfect formation while politicians, executives, influential Alphas, and invited guests occupied the surrounding galleries. 

Television cameras from Ashcroft Media quietly recorded the royal inspection, though none dared point directly at the Red King without permission.

Bernard smiled for what felt like the first time that day.

"This," he announced confidently, "is where House Ashcroft's strength truly lies."

Laszlo's expression never changed.

Beside him, Ammond calmly flipped through a leather notebook.

"Our latest figures show over four thousand active soldiers," Bernard continued. "The finest fighting force outside the Red Kingdom."

Ammond quietly murmured without lifting his head.

"Three thousand, four hundred and twenty-two."

Bernard stopped talking.

"What?"

Ammond turned another page. "You dismissed five hundred and seventy-eight after last winter's financial losses."

The arena became awkwardly quiet. Laszlo didn't even look at Bernard. He simply watched the demonstrations unfolding below.

Bernard forced a laugh.

"Our records must not have been updated."

"They were," Ammond replied pleasantly. "....Yesterday."

Several executives lowered their heads to hide embarrassed smiles. Bernard's jaw tightened.

Buzzzz.

His phone vibrated inside his jacket and he ignored it out of pent up anger.

He watched Ammond and Laszlo speak in hushed tones, disdain evident on his face. 

A moment later....

Buzzzzz.

Again. Then again and again.

Irritated, Bernard pulled it out. His expression immediately changed.

URGENT: Chairman Victor Ashcroft's private jet has entered Ashcroft airspace.

His heartbeat quickened. His father! Finally. Another notification appeared.

ETA: 22 Minutes.

A slow smile spread across Bernard's face and he slipped the phone back into his pocket. His confidence returned instantly.

"Perhaps," he said smoothly, "we should postpone this discussion until my father arrives."

Laszlo didn't answer and Bernard chuckled.

"He negotiated the original covenant himself."

"No."

Bernard frowned. Laszlo finally looked at him.

"He inherited it."

There was silence.

Bernard's smile faltered for a moment. Then, he said, "My father will settle this."

Laszlo's voice remained calm. 

"There is nothing to settle."

****

****

Above them, Queen Natasha watched from the VIP gallery. Her eyes slowly found Briella, standing quietly beside the entrance with Lena and carrying refreshments.

Perfect.

"Bring her."

One maid hesitated.

"My Lady...."

"Now."

****

****

After Briella went to fetch what Queen Natasha had asked of her, Lena looked worried.

"My Lady.... I don't think this is a good idea."

Briella smiled nervously.

"It'll only be for a minute. The men must be exhausted now."

She lifted the silver tray. It had coffee, water and icy crystal glasses.

She walked toward the royal platform where hundreds of citizens' eyes followed her.

Whispers spread immediately.

"That's Alpha Bernard's wife? They never let anyone see her."

"I thought she'd be older."

"She's so beautiful...."

"Isn't she an Omega? How dare her approach the royal platform? In front of the red king?"

"What a waste. Bitch should have died with her parents. Badluck."

Briella lowered her head and wished the ground would swallow her whole. She stopped before Laszlo.

"Hello. Y-Your Majesty..."

Her voice barely rose above a whisper. She placed the tray on the nearby table and reached to pour his coffee.

"Speak up."

Bernard's voice suddenly cracked across the arena and Briella startled, jumping.

"I.... Your Majesty...."

"Louder."

She swallowed and increased her voice, flatly. "Y-Your Majesty."

Bernard laughed.

"There."

He turned toward the onlookers.

"That's my wife. Pretty omega, isn't she?"

Several people nodded awkwardly. Bernard smiled wider.

"Pity beauty isn't everything."

The laughter began.

"Five years." He slowly circled Briella. "Five years of marriage.... and she still doesn't know how to please her husband."

The laughter grew louder. Briella stared at the floor.

"I've honestly had more excitement in a weekend.... than in my entire marriage."

A few men laughed and only few looked uncomfortable. Lena covered her mouth.

Queen Natasha simply watched from afar. Briella's fingers tightened around the silver tray until her knuckles turned white and her tears threatened to escape. She refused to let it.

Then, a deep, quiet voice interrupted.

"Bernard."

The laughters stopped instantly and Laszlo slowly rose to his feet. The entire arena seemed smaller.

"You've embarrassed yourself before this people."

He said nothing more and Bernard laughed in disbelief.

"You pity her?"

Laszlo looked at him.

"I pity your judgment."

The words struck Bernard harder than a fist. His face twisted with rage.

"You don't get to judge I or my family! I've had enough of your nonsense in my territory. Know your place."

"I already have."

Bernard snapped and lunged forward. His fist shot toward Laszlo's face.

Gasps echoed through the arena and Laszlo moved once and with one hand and one effortless movement, he caught Bernard's wrist and twisted.

Bernard cried out and his knees slammed against the stone floor.

The arena fell deathly silent and Laszlo released him immediately.

He hadn't struck Bernard. He hadn't needed to. The humiliation was complete.

Bernard remained kneeling, breathing hard and clutching his wrist.

Briella's heart stopped and she cried out in panic.

"Bernard-dear!"