Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 471: Bite the Hand I

Chapter 471: Bite the Hand I

The difference between Prince Alistair and Prince Silas in King Cyrus’s eyes was jarring. While Prince Silas was kept by his twin sister, Prince Alistair was kept in two separate vaults hidden deep within Reaweth’s dungeons. While his head was somewhere easily visitable due to the need for interrogation and the like, his body was kept in a maximum security cell which needed King Cyrus’s authorization to access.

That meant that there was no way Atticus could access the body without having the Reawethen king’s prior approval.

"Well done," King Cyrus commended, applauding joyously as he watched Prince Silas beam at him from his sister’s side.

For starters, King Cyrus hadn’t expected King Atticus to succeed. He might be old and no longer as sharp-witted as the younger generation, but even he knew that there was something suspicious going on with this northern king. Atticus, after all, had a little too much knowledge and interest in Reaweth― even more so than just the fact that he married a Reawethen princess.

"I didn’t think you would succeed, if I am to be honest," King Cyrus said. He gestured to Silas, delight clear in his eyes even from his position on the throne. "And look at my boy― he is standing all fine and well again."

"The serum worked better than we expected," Atticus responded, beaming proudly at Silas, then at Sirona, who stood a little further away. "We have a second dose prepared for emergencies, but it seems like it need not be used. That’s the perfect scenario, of course, as this means that it can be used for Prince Alistair instead."

At the mention of the previous crown prince of Reaweth, King Cyrus’s face darkened, as did Queen Anette. The older couple exchanged glances before they looked at Atticus, sorrow crossing their faces. Immediately, Atticus knew that they had gone back on their previous proclamations of serving Alistair to the hands of justice.

He couldn’t really blame them. After all, as Leonora had foretold, Alistair — no matter how crude, selfish, and foolish he was — was still the King and Queen’s flesh and blood. Something would truly be wrong if they did not even hesitate before ordering his execution, no matter his crimes.

"Is something the matter?" Atticus asked nonetheless, enjoying the way panic flashed across King Cyrus’s eyes. He had hit the nail right on the head.

"Of course not!" King Cyrus recovered fairly quickly, smiling brightly. However, this joy did not conceal the fleeting looks and jittery stares he cast around the room. "Please hand the antidote to our healers. We will have someone administer it to Alistair at once."

"I think it’s fine," Atticus said. "My healer and I can handle it rather effectively. In fact, it might be dangerous for anyone other than us to attempt so, since Prince Alistair is rather volatile both in human and vampiric form."

"We can’t possibly trouble you any further, King Atticus," King Cyrus said with an awkward laugh. "This is, after all, a family matter."

"With all due respect, King Cyrus, in that case, Prince Alistair happens to be my brother-in-law," Atticus smoothly retorted. "Furthermore, it is hardly a family matter, now, is it? Prince Alistair went on a rampage around Reaweth, killed half your capital’s population, turned the town into ruins, changed your younger son’s physical body and mind into that of a monster, and indirectly caused the death of your other daughter, Princess Drusilla, by giving her to a wanted criminal who, by the way, is now dead. You’re welcome."

At the casual mention of Jean Nott’s death, all those present who weren’t in Xahan had their eyes widened into the size of saucers. Prince Silas, especially, looked absolutely thrilled.

"That monster is dead?" he asked, his voice oddly soft as though he was afraid that the ghost of Jean Nott would hear him and exact revenge.

"As dead as a doorknob," Atticus swiftly replied, beaming brightly. "I killed him myself. His corpse is now in King Calarian’s hands."

Of course, Atticus left out the part where half of Xahan’s capital city was devastated as a result of that battle. That was information King Cyrus would easily learn if he did any bit of research himself. In fact, Atticus was surprised that the old fool had no clue of Jean Nott’s death.

"It is indeed wonderful news..." King Cyrus murmured under his breath. He slumped a little in his seat, and for a second, Atticus couldn’t tell if it was relief or... regret that he saw on King Cyrus’s face.

"Forgive me for being crude, Your Majesty," Atticus said, "but there is a need to hold Prince Alistair responsible for his crimes. I understand he is your son but no matter what, he is unfit to be a member of Reaweth’s royalty after everything he had done to this kingdom and its people. His death will not bring back the dead, but it could appease the living."

King Cyrus and Queen Anette shared a look before the former sighed, turning his gaze back to Atticus.

"We will send word of his execution to him at once," King Cyrus said. "But do forgive this old man for wanting to spend time with his son for his last moments. I would like to finish what I had started."

Atticus nodded in understanding. He then raised a hand, signaling Sirona to come forward. She followed dutifully, stopping only in front of the stairs that led to the throne, bowing her head as she held out a tray that held the last syringe of antidote created.

"In that case, this antidote will be in your safe hands," Atticus said. "If the Prince will be executed, then there is no need to join the body. I would highly recommend injecting this directly to his head. He will die swiftly and relatively painlessly as his body regains a human form, thus unable to sustain life while decapitated."

He watched as King Cyrus ordered a knight to come forward to retrieve the syringe from Sirona, before climbing the steps to hand it over to him. The king twirled the syringe in his hand, observing the contents before nodding at Atticus.

"It will be over before sundown," he promised.

With that, the meeting between kings was adjourned.

"Will he do it?" Sirona asked once she and Atticus were a safe distance away from the throne room.

Leonora and Silas had left in the other direction, headed straight for the dining room to celebrate Silas’s recovery. As such, there was no one else around them that could possibly eavesdrop― not that anyone could successfully eavesdrop on Atticus if he was careful enough.

"Of course not," Atticus retorted with a snort. "Is Jonah ready?"

"He and his men are all in position," Sirona confirmed.

"Good," said Atticus. "We have a vampire to catch tonight."