At the council the meeting room was bustling with voices of most of the high ranked councilmen and officers who were arguing about the recent attacks of the werewolves on the humans who resided close to the borders .
' This is unacceptable , there have been more than ten reports about the attacks this week ' said one of them as he angrily threw the papers on the long wooden table .
' They have been causing a ruckus for quite sometime now and that arrogant lord of theirs hasn't been replying to any of our letters and summons ' Councilman Rhodes said .
'He hasn't shown any remorse for what his people have been doing ! this unacceptable we need to do something to stop this endless feud ' stood another man whose eyes had dark circles under them clearly showing how he was lacking sleep and peace due to the attacks .
' I suggest that we launch an attack on them first without their knowledge ' suggested another councilman named Vick with a thoughtful look.
' What a great idea Vick , let's attack them first and suffer a massacre next , just like in the 1720's where we lost...many and still those damned creatures showed no mercy ' Mr Alvarez stated clearly agitated , that great massacre years ago had caused the death of his beloved sister , Starla while her twin Stella had never been found .
' My fellow council members we have been in this meeting for hours without a conclusion but I propose we make a truce between the werewolves and humans of Woodville ' proposed a man who had been quiet since the meeting had started.
' And how do you propose we do that , Mr Dane ' questioned Mr Vick with his arms crossed .
' The lord of Willow valley is known to not have a partner in his life , so why don't we propose a marriage of truce between the werewolves and humans to end this feud , all we have to do is convince his council and get him married to one of the most beautiful and talented lady in one of our households ' Mr Dane replied confidently .
The members of the council were quite for a moment , taking Mr Dane's words into consideration .
' My fellow council members , Mr Dane has proposed something close to impossible but certainly not impossible , I had been considering making a truce myself but this is much better ' . said the head of the council who held a composed aura around him , he seemed to be in his late fifties with hair almost completely gray , he was the Duke of Woodville and Henry's father .
' All in favour of Mr Dane's proposal may take a vote ' added the Duke with a serious tone .
The inner council had a total of fifteen members and the outer had thirty members . The members of the inner council each took their time to decide and vote between Mr Vick's and Mr Dane's proposals .
' Now the results , Mr Vick had seven votes while Mr Dane had eight votes . Hence so we shall start working on this marriage of truce ' the Duke declared .
' Duke Carlos, which family will the woman be choosen from ? ' asked Mr Vick .
' That is for me to decide later , when she will be choosen the family will be notified . But keep in mind she will be choosen from one of the families in this inner council , the meeting is adjourned ' the Duke replied before he stepped out of the room leaving the inner council in turmoil since none of them wished to sacrifice their daughters .
Back in the Alvarez mansion Scarlet's friends had come to see her , they sat in the garden having some crumpets and tea .
' Scarlet dear maybe it's time you accept that you have lost to your sister , Henry can't be yours ' Lady Hazel said as she sipped her tea . Scarlet glared at her but quickly masked her irritation with a practiced smile .
' It's not over till it's over Hazel, if I want I will have him . And you know that don't you ,considering how you seduced your cousin's suitor and ended up marrying the man . I can't lose him because I never lose ' Scarlet spoke her tone polite .
Lady Hazel's gaze hardened since it was nothing but the truth , she had fallen for her cousin's suitor and seduced him eventually winning him over and marrying him .
' I did , didn't I but unlike me that man doesn't have any feelings or attraction towards you so getting him to fall for you will be impossible ' Hazel chuckled .
' Scarlet you seem confident so how are you going to make him fall for you and forget about your sister and marrying her ' Lady June asked as she stood up from her seat and towards the beautiful roses in the garden .
' Well that's my little secret ' Scarlet replied confidently since she had a tricky plan set in her mind .
A while later it was time for the guests to leave , they stood near the entrance . ' There is going to be a soiree at the Duke's mansion maybe you could seduce Henry while you're there ' Lady June winked at Scarlet while Lady Hazel just rolled her eyes .
' There's no doubt I will ' Scarlet smiled mischievously as she stepped out of the mansion with her friends .
Just when they were about to depart a fancy carriage rolled up at the gates and out came Henry the Duke's son and Charlotte smiling at each other sweetly , by first glance you could tell that they liked each other very much .
' Did you have fun today , my dear? ' Henry asked Charlotte as he caressed her cheek , the two of them had gone around Woodville and visited the fair too .
' I had so much fun spending the day..with you , Henry ' Charlotte replied blood rushing up her neck and cheeks .
' I had even more fun seeing you smile at me this sweetly for a whole day ' Henry confessed .
' Am glad you had fun today , I'll take my leave now . I have some matters to attend to at the council ' he added with a small bow .
' Won't you stay even for a cup of tea before you go ' Charlotte whispered but Henry heard her .
' I wish I could my love , but don't worry once we get married I'll spend most of my time with you ' he said as he kissed her hand , he climbed in his carriage and left .
Charlotte watched as the carriage disappeared before stepping in the mansion on her way she met her sister and her friends. She politely greeted them .
' They really look good together , don't you think ? ' Lady Hazel commented only to get on Charlotte's nerves .
' I'll get going now , it was lovely spending the afternoon with you Lady Scarlet , hope we this often before my husband and I leave for Elythwind again ' she added proudly before getting in her carriage . And it left the Alvarez mansion .
' What a show off , ever since her husband got appointed as the minister of palace affairs by the King , she's been bragging about it all over town ' Lady June said as she stared at the carriage which was leaving the gates .
' Minister of Palace affairs , then it means she leaves in the palace with him . She's lucky then ' Scarlet said with a hint of envy .
' Scarlet if you want to have Henry , I know a witch who could help you ' whispered Lady June and Scarlet gasped in shock since it was forbidden for anyone to be involved with witches , if laugh then they will be sentenced to death .
' June how can you suggest that , you know how it is forbidden , no I don't want to have anything to do with a witch ' Scarlet brushed it off .
' I know but I understand if you don't , if you ever need the witch you know where to find me ' June said as she got on her carriage and it left .
' Am going to use the soiree to seduce Henry and we'll see who gets married ' Scarlet muttered to herself before she stepped in the mansion .