The Three Ladies Of The King

The next day when Ivan came with Princess Scarlet to look at the on-going reconstruction of the King's Palace, he couldn’t help but let out a low whistle at the sight of it. He looked around in awe, absolutely gobsmacked at just how much work needed to be done.

"He's going all out. Do you reckon it had something to do with that little spitfire he's hiding under his wings?"

Princess Scarlet sneered bitterly, still unable to swallow the humiliation, "Of course. It is like Laylin to exceed expectations."

“I didn’t know King Ambrose would give a damn about anyone other than Sayon. Though I don't blame. The Princess is a sight for sour eyes.” Ivan remarked with faux sympathy, and Princess Scarlet felt some of the tension leave her as she sighed in resignation. 

“At least now Sayon will have a rival,” she scoffed, “The way he went off on m .ol   e, you would expect I was keeping her captive! He should be thankful to me that she's alive!” she backtracked, and Ivan lightly held onto her elbow and gently steered her to face him.

The truth was that she was worried for Laylin. The King's Palace or the Main Palace was under the King's command and she could hardly find reliable spies there. Laylin will be vulnerable there and close to her rivals.

“Maybe because he wanted the exact opposite,” he placated.

Princess's head snapped up in his direction, "Huh! Are you saying he wanted her dead?" She faced him in disbelief. Ambrose's unreliable temper was one reason she felt Laylin couldn't be safe with him.

“I didn't say anything of that sort.” he smiled down at her, before it turned into a roguish grin, “Don't meddle, Ambrose will ruin himself. The women that surround him are parasites. Sit back, you will have an entertaining show to watch."

Her mind ran through all these scenarios before she gave a nod. Ivan really was the only sensible man in here but somehow it irked her.

"Sayon will find Laylin a newfound threat. Laylin will have to retaliate to protect her place. Magny comes with the power of two Ministers but she's just a courtier. An heir is unlikely to appear in this situation."

"Magny is a perfect woman for him in pedigree and standing in society, the perfect spouse to quell down uprisings."

Scarlet rolled her eyes. "Of course."

"The public is unsatisfied. They say the King is controlled by the Foretold's curse. I don't blame them though, both of King's current women have their secrets."

He wasn't satisfied with Laylin's explanation. Everything small or big was positioned in the southwest direction in the King's room after that night. How is that even possible? And Sayon, the King's longtime mistress, though, was another story altogether.

Scarlet scoffed, "Well if commoners could, they would even blame the Foretold for constipation. It's absurd. They don't even know what it is but everything is its fault."

It always infuriated her how people treated anomalies. Her whole life, she was ridiculed for not being able to shift despite being a royal. Laylin was like herself in many ways which may be why she felt like she was her mirror.

"That's not for you to worry about." He tilted his head as if to see her clearly, "I can see how you disagree but I advice you to stay you hand." he warned, and Princess Scarlet scoffed, barking out a short laugh as she turned away from him.

“You are delusional." She kept a modest smile for her appearance but clenched her fists on her side. He always had to demean her as an accessory. A mindless yapping doll. "I'm just worried about the unsettling atmosphere in here and that's all."

They exchanged a few more laughs before a deafening silence settled between them as they continued to walk within the Palace Garden.

She knew it was impossible to turn him down any longer. She could whine and complain endlessly but it was time she appeared in front of the Black General. The King had returned last night and had shifted Princess Laylin to the Main Palace this morning. She was clueless about the situation so it was the perfect time to hear what the Black General had to say.

He didn't disappoint.

He had a habit of talking with his guard down when he was with her as if he thought of her as nothing more than a glass doll. Princess Scarlet smirked, it was awfully insulting yet convenient.

"Sayon comes from an unknown background and Laylin is from a human country, both of them will be pretty desperate to hold their positions." He shook his head with a grin, "We just need to give them the right tools to get rid of each other. Once they are gone we can crown a better Queen."

Scarlet thought differently. For her Laylin was the better Queen.A socially weak human who will  depend on her. This way she can keep control over the Inne Palace.

Scarlet hummed, both of them were the King's infamous lovers and after the constructions, both of them will likely live together in the King's Palace. Though the King had always kept Sayon in a villa, now she will find a way to come here. 

If Laylin played her cards right she could have both Magny and Sayon eliminated by the King's hand.

Besides, the King had been with Sayon for about years and she never once got pregnant. Doesn't that mean she was barren, but if in this current political situation, Laylin bears a lycan heir...

Her mind calculated all the possibilities and quickly brushed the conversation. "We can only hope for the best for the Nation with how the situation is."

Ivan gave a slight nod, "So I keep telling King Ambrose about his horrible taste in people he keeps close."

Ivan was noble to his marrow bones and commoners like Hazi in high positions or Sayon in the King's arms made his eyes twitch.

Scarlet read the distaste on his face. Having already reached logical answers many times, she knew Ivan's loyalty was hanging by thread.

If it wasn't for King Ambrose's mighty beast or the thick alpha blood in him, people like Ivan would be the first to join the aristocrat faction. That was why Laylin was considered a threat, no one had ever found any weakness in the King but she survived.

What if the True Alpha was to appear in these circumstances... Her eyes flickered up to look at Sansy sitting on a tree, glaring fiercely at them. She quickly made distance from Ivan.

She knew that Laylin was held in high esteem in her own country. At the tender age of 19, she had achieved great feats as the Strategist and loyal Advisor of Ehan. It only made her wonder what could be their reason to discard such an heir.

It was a matter of time before Laylin would realize she could do better than the King's bedwarmer. There was no way she would allow herself to be in such a position for long. But Princess Scarlet couldn’t entirely disregard the small possibility that Laylin would choose to side with the King.

She had no intention of ever discarding her. Laylin was a soul kin to her and she needed to protect her somehow from the Palace politics. But the King had forbidden her entry into the Main Palace where Laylin was temporarily shifted this morning.

Suddenly, Hessy came in and gave her a nod. Surprised at the implication, her eyes widened. Princess Scarlet schooled her face to a more appropriate expression, before turning to Ivan.

"Please excuse me, Commander Ivan. I have a splitting headache." Princess Scarlet winced to emphasize her point.

“Are you alright? This looks severe.” Ivan asked worriedly but Princess Scarlet only hastily stepped back, bowing apologetically at him.

“I wish to retire to my quarters, so if you will excuse me.” she sputtered as she tried to leave, but Ivan held her by her arm.

“What's the matter, My Lord?” Princess Scarlet feigned calmness when her hands shook frantically.

He tried to read her expressions before tightening his grip: "This looks severe. Let me get you the Royal Physician."

Scarlet's eyes fell on Laylin appearing on the other side of the garden and she sucked in a breath before looking at him sternly. "Please excuse me. I will send for him in the evening."