Wife of The Demon Prince
Chapter 252: Threat

Chapter 252: Threat

Ara and Hamon stepped inside the grand general’s study room, leaving Alex behind, closing the door on his face. Thomas guided them to a couch, then settled himself in the opposite couch.

"What would you like to have, your highnesses?" He inquired politely, making sure not to offend the royal guests his son had tricked him into welcoming even though he didn’t want them here.

"There is no need to trouble yourself, my Lord. We didn’t come here to have tea, and I wouldn’t want to waste much of your time, so I’ll go straight to the point of the reason we are here today." Hamon stated seriously.

"And what is the reason for your visit today, your highness?"

"I want you to lend me some of your soldiers."

"...!" A look of stunned surprise crossed Thomas’s face. Although, Hamon had said he would go straight to the point, it was an excessively straight forward demand, and no one had ever spoken to him this way, like they were commanding him. Thomas’s expression changed into seriousness,

"I don’t give my soldiers to just anybody_"

Ara cut him off, "The crown Prince is not just anybody, my Lord. He is currently the only heir truly chosen by the late king himself. Do you mean for a man of his status to be anybody, or do you expect him to beg?" She demanded, her expression as serious as ever. Even Hamon was surprised at her bold tone.

Thomas hurried to say, "Oh, you misunderstood my point, your highness. That’s not what I meant, if my words sounded like that, I apologize." He switched his words quickly. But deep down, he was quite surprised. In truth, in order to gain his favor, even a king had to beg, however, Thomas would never say that out in the presence of the crown Prince, knowing the young man’s nature.

It was unusual, of course, for a royal to ask for a favor from their citizens, but Thomas was the grand general, and he had rejected many requests even from the king’s of other kingdoms. Even queen Merona promised him whatever he wished as long as he supported the second Prince, but he had refused her.

Thomas’s eyes narrowed in thoughts, he had heard much about Ara from Alex. His son had told him about her, and Thomas could tell Alex did fancy the young woman, and had even gone as far as to give his support to his battle rival, the crown Prince. However, Thomas still had no desire in getting involved in the royal battle, it could cause his down fall if he picked a side, and that side turned out to lose the battle in the end.

He couldn’t risk it, thus he’d rather remain neutral. After thinking through everything in his head, Thomas finally spoke, "I am sorry, your highness. But I won’t be able to help you in this case, I can’t lend you my soldiers, since there is no substantial guarantee of your triumph in this battle."

Ara felt her heart sank at his rejection, this was what she’d been afraid of, but they couldn’t give up without trying again, "My Lord, you know the crown Prince is the real heir, and no matter what the second Prince can not claim the throne, when my husband is well and alive."

"You can’t guarantee that the second Prince won’t win with the army they’d gathered, your highness. Why should I give away my soldiers lives when there is no certainty of your husband’s victory in this battle."

"As you know, Prince Hamon is the only successor that the king has acknowledged, My husband has royal claim, and more importantly he has extensive military experience, he can command your soldiers into victory. And we don’t need much, just a few of your men to retake my husband’s soldiers from his residence."

Thomas considered Ara’s words, it was true that the crown Prince had great experience, as Hamon had spent most of his years in the border, the gruel brutality of the battle field was nothing new to the crown Prince, but then Thomas still felt reluctant to accept their request.

At Thomas reluctance, Hamon couldn’t waste anymore time in convincing him, he decided to handle it in his own way, "Lord Thomas, you should think carefully before you refuse me again. Am sure you know of my reputation as the demon Prince as most call me, and I know you’ve seen me fight on the battlefield. My prowess isn’t something I have to prove to you. And if I should win this battle without your help...I will not hesitate to demote you the moment I take the throne."

"...!"

It was a clear threat, straightforward without any mincing of words. If Thomas did not help now, then Hamon would not forget the slight when he took the throne. Even Thomas knew only the king had the power to demote him, and if by any chance Hamon won the battle...

"You should think twice of your decision, Lord Thomas. I will give you three hours to make up your mind. If you are willing to lend me your army, meet me at this address," Hamon handed him a paper, "We will be having a meeting there this evening, We have to plan our attack tonight. It’s up to you now to decide." Saying this, Hamon stood up and took his wife’s hand and they walked out of the study room without another word, leaving the middle-aged man in dismay.

Just as the couple left, Alex entered the study room to meet his father. Thomas glared at his son, who entered without permission, "You rascal! What is it?" He scowld at him, irritable that Alex had arranged a meeting without asking him first, and now he was in a tight situation.

Alex, however was unfazed by his father’s temper, "I am here to see you of course."

"..."

Thomas had intended to give Alex a good scolding and punishment after the couple left, but even now he had no time for that. The crown Prince’s words still weighed heavily on his mind. Demoting him would only bring shame to the Felstead household, they’d held the title of the grand general for generations, but his decision now could cause his family’s downfall.

"...He threatened to demote me." He murmured to himself, but Alex heard him clearly.

"Father, I’d advise you pick a side now before it’s too late. You know the crown Prince’s nature, he never gives empty threats."

Yes, the crown Prince never gives empty threats, which was why he was worried now. "Well, then I guess I have no choice but to pick a side now. I will only side with the team I know has a chance of winning this battle."

Alex raised an eyebrow, "And which team is that, father?"

Thomas sneered, "And why should I tell you after what you’ve done? You rascal, you disobeyed my orders and returned to Findara. It’s none of your business which team I side with now, Alex."