His Contractual Mistress

"Good evening. Thank you for coming tonight. Since we all know why we all gather here, I would not take this long with pleasantries and acknowledgement... All of you summoned my cousin to speak with her because she is getting married, which none of you actually has anything to do with her decision because it is my cousin's happiness." 

"You are speaking on her behalf... We could see that, Shun," said Duke Martini. "It was her second attempt to get married. We wanted to speak with her to guide her to have the right decision. Look at what happened to her first engagement?" 

"We need not mention or bring that up, Duke Alessandro. It was in the past, and we are discussing the present time when the fact is, any of you have no right to meddle in my cousin's life." 

"But she is a member of the High Royal family! Jacob has no other heir. It is our job to protect the princess's safety and future! And that includes someone's interest in the princess!" Duke Martini insisted. This time he's making a point that is supported most by the elders. 

Annoyed, Shun remained calm and did not change his facial expression. Some elders scoff inwardly at Duke Alessandro's remarks, but they didn't show any other emotion but a poker face. 

The tower hall fell into silence for half a minute, but then a laugh echoed in the four walls, and a man stepped out from the dark corners. 

"You are talking about interests, my dear cousin." 

Duke Alessandro was caught off guard by Jacob's appearance. The beating of his heart suddenly sped up. He never expected that Jacob would come tonight. 

After the failure of the assassination, all his men vanish, either were hiding or caught by Shun's men. Now, no one can report to him about the outside happenings like Jacob's arrival in Hungary... 

"Jacob! You made us humble in your presence!" Said, one Elder. 

"Of course. This council has summoned my daughter. On her behalf, I completely support my daughter. However, because of the sensitivity of her pregnancy, she is not allowed to travel far. And so, on behalf of my daughter, I am here to represent her as well to show my full support to my future son-law." 

"What? The princess is pregnant?" 

"Is this true?" 

The elders have been shocked, most especially Duke Alessandro Martini. He is wearing a poker face the whole time; however, his palm forms into a fist above his royal cane. 

He underestimated the possibility that his niece's relationship with Vincent Shen must be just a shallow one. 

In this passing year, he is well informed about her heartbreak. But then, out of the blue, the princess got engaged again, and this time, she was bold enough to announce it to the entire world. 

Duke Alessandro cast a glance at his fellow elders. However, they avoid making eye contact with him. 

He is not stupid. These elders are withdrawing from him. They abandoned him and would wash their hands as no involvement in the assassination. 

The duke shrunk his pupils in a fury. But it was just a mere second as a few eyes were observing him. 

Lady Isabella had her gaze on him. And he knew that this woman has keen eyes to read someone's emotion. 

It was a big mistake he consulted her before this council meeting. It's too late for him to regret it now. But of course, he would admit nothing. 

As the tower hall is filled with whispers, the door opens, two men walk inside, Frederick and Vincent. 

"Greetings, milady." 

The moment Frederick reached the front, he bowed to Lady Isabella, gave Shun and Nicholas respect; next, he turned around to face and greet the elders. 

"On behalf of my ancestors, I introduced my only son, Vincent." 

Vincent walked toward his father and greeted Lady Isabella and the rest of the people inside that hall. 

Bowing, it surprised Vincent each time he looked up, as he recognized most of the elders. Some of them are the wealthiest businessmen and women in the world. And some of them are from the royal family. 

"It's been a long time, Frederick." 

"Your son has grown up well! He's actually a talented architect! I'm impressed!" 

A few of the elders made small talk to Fred and even praised Vincent. But some of them remained silent and chose just to watch the drama. 

"I extend my thanks for coming tonight to meet us. Unfortunately, our life was threatened the moment we arrived in the country. Lucky enough, Master Shun provided enough security to protect us. In these passing decades, I live a peaceful life. I followed every condition the Elders have given me. But I don't understand why someone wanted my son dead." 

"Are you accusing us, Frederick?" one elder voice out a question. 

"Yes." Frederick boldly replied. He went on, "My family is from the royal bloodline of Emperor Xing. I brought the symbol of the Xing Royal family and the sword of the emperor as proof." 

As Frederick said this, Daichi Isagawa, with the help of his wife Riley, brought in a golden box with a carve of golden dragons. They place it on the table in the middle of the tower hall. 

"This is the symbol of the Royal family Xing that I kept for three decades. I brought them with me and placed them before you… As I humbly request your presence to be my witness... From this night onward, I officially pass down to my son as the new Head Family of the Xing." 

The elders did not anticipate that there would be a royal rite to hold in their presence. Vincent, on the other hand, was also surprised as much as the elders. He thought that the formalities he was going to attend tonight were his presentation to the elders. 

But the presentation that just happens is more likely crowning him as the new emperor of the Xing Royal family. 

"Kneel, son," Frederick whispered to Vincent. He followed in an instant. Now that his son kneeled on one foot, he went on. "I may request the lady to honor my son." 

Upon Frederick's request, the elders had no choice but to stand from their seats and follow the rites' flow. 

Lady Isabella stood from her chair and walked toward the father and son. 

Frederick opened the golden box, took out the golden sword, hundreds of years old, and offered it to the lady. 

The lady drew the sword from its sheath. Like a flash of light, memories of the past fill her head. It's been a very long time since the last time she saw this sword. 

Lady Isabella proclaimed Vincent as the new Master of the Shen Household with the short rites, then placing the sword's edge into his right and left shoulders as the climax. 

The elders clap their hands and congratulate Vincent. Lady Isabella put back the sword to the sheath and gave it to Vincent before she walked back to her seat. 

Vincent lifted his two palms, accepting the sword from Lady Isabella. He stood on his feet and thanked everyone. It was a rare occasion the elders have been witnessing a ritual like this. 

The time is changing fast, and only a few royal families observe a sacred ceremony. 

Since the rites are done, Jacob steps forward one more time. 

"Now that Frederick has finished introducing his son to the elders, it is my turn to extend my purpose of coming here. I warned all the elders to stop meddling in the life of my daughter and her future husband, Vincent." 

After then, Jacob faced to his left side, where Duke Alessandro was seated at. 

"Duke Alessandro Martini, under the law of Mafia Association, I, Lord Jacob Davies, arrested you for an attempted murder of a High Royal Family member." 

"What!? How dare you accuse me, Jacob! You are just a lord! You cannot arrest an elder who is your superior!" 

Jacob replied, "I have every right as long as I have the evidence and witness." 

"Is that so?" Duke Alessandro remains resolute even of the accusation. It made him wonder what kind of evidence Jacob could garner for being bold in apprehending him in front of everyone. He turned to the platform and asked a question... "Shun? What is the meaning of this!? How could you allow a lord to humiliate an elder!?" 

Shun cast a sideways look at him and said, "Every elder knew that the Alliance followed a protocol." 

"Huh! Protocol? You have no evidence against me!" The duke continues to deny the crime he committed. 'I would never yield!' he thought to himself. 

Duke Alessandro was shocked when he recognized the man who appeared at the door. 

"You? What are you doing here, Alex!?" 

The duke's hands, holding the golden royal cane, began trembling uncontrollably. He need not guess that his beloved nephew turned him in. 

"I'm sorry, Uncle Alessandro. But we have different points of view in life. We didn't share the same principles, and you should see that Hailee is always my little sister. I could never lie to her nor bear to see her sad." 

The duke was on the brick of throwing a fit. For him, Alexander's principles are the stupidest thing he ever heard in his entire life. Survival is the most important thing rather than compassion. 

"You are stupid, Alex!" 

"No, uncle. This is not how I would live as a king." 

Duke Alessandro cannot retort to that anymore. He could only grit his teeth as he clenched his jaw. Soon, Riley and Daichi took Duke Alessandro and escorted him outside, where a helicopter was waiting. 

They will bring him to Italy to lock up inside the Mafia Alliance Headquarter, just close to the Training Camp. 

However, everyone was surprised to see fifteen super-fast cars lining up in the driveway. 

"Prince George?" One elder called out to him. 

Prince George Robertson is the third in the line of the British throne. He nodded and greeted the elders. 

"Good evening!" 

"How can we accommodate the princes'?" asked one elder. 

"You need not! We are only here to pick up Vincent Shen and relay the princess' message." 

"What message?" asks the elders. 

Soon, countless laser lights were aimed at the elders, most especially at Duke Alessandro. Ten laser lights are pointing at him, and even Shun has received one. 

The elders explode in anger. 

"What is the meaning of this?" asked one. 

"This is rebellion!" they exclaimed. 

"Jacob! How dare your daughter to disrespect the Alliance!"