"Now what next?" a feminine voice sounded in a dark room, her voice a bit shaky.
Due to the lack of light, only her silhouette was visible, her pink eyes piercing through the darkness.
"What do you mean... Your children can become the heir now..." a reply came from the other end of the telephone she held.
Its voice monotone, unrecognizable, neither male nor female, old nor young.
"But what if the Thunder Princess gives him another heir..." she voiced out her concern.
Their first attempt at making the Thunder Princess barren had failed.
Despite spiking her food with poison, Alaric was born healthy and strong.
"Do not worry about that, the next part of the plan is on the way." The voice, though monotone, sounded confident.
"Okay, I can trust you, but..." she paused, reluctant to continue.
The voice at the other side remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
"The Patriarch seemed angry, he might suspect me..." she added.
"Of course he will, but suspicion without evidence is false accusation... Do not worry, no matter who he suspects, nothing can be done about it."
"Yes, you are right... He is not the type to act without evidence..." she said to herself, trying to convince herself though the pang in her chest said otherwise.
She remembered the look Aiden had given them as he told them to get out.
An expression she believed Aiden could never make.
Cold and filled with killing intent.
"Just keep to the plan, all shall be well." At that, the voice went silent, hanging up the call on its side.
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.
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A blue mansion stood facing the sea, decorated with majestic paintings, its pillars adorned with expensive ornaments.
The gardens surrounding it were no less extravagant, expensive and exotic trees and shrubs swayed with the wind, exotic elemental creatures running around.
From the majestic water qilin to the humble horned rabbit, they paced around enjoying the glossy grass and herbs.
The whole estate screamed luxury and comfort, yet inside the mansion in the central block, the lord of it all sat behind his desk, pulling on his short blue hair which was already balding.
The plus-sized individual, Leonard Sedna, who had gifted the Tear of Poseidon.
"I did not know this would happen..." he bit his nails nervously, remembering what happened during Alaric's birth celebration.
He was the one to gift the Tear of Poseidon, a legendary artefact that should not break under any known circumstances.
Yet it did. What did that mean?
Either he gave a faulty artefact or had deliberately tampered with it.
In any case, he would be blamed.
"Why?! Why?... Why did I even give them the Tear of Poseidon?" he thought about how absurd it was to present a water artefact to a fire clan.
Yet he couldn't remember why he had done that.
" Ah... Remembering won't do me any good, I need to go and apologize, I need to clarify with the Duke before it gets out of hand." He sat up from his chair, his expression crazed.
He knew what he was doing might backfire. He might be locked up as all pointed to him; he was but a Marquis while the Vulcan Clan was a dukedom.
But he had to try.
"Duke Vulcan is an understanding man, he will surely believe me."
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.
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In the Vulcan estate.
Aiden Vulcan was finally seen outside, dressed in formal attire.
Guards saluted, maids bowed, workers greeted as he passed by, yet he who usually replied with a smile only walked by coldly, his angel-like smile now replaced with a cold, unfeeling one.
They all shrank under his gaze as he made his way to his horse-drawn carriage, the attendant already waiting for him.
"Duke... may... may I join you?" a nervous voice sounded behind him, and he turned, his red piercing gaze meeting the deep blue eyes of the frightened Marquis.
Aiden stared at him for a moment, his gaze scrutinizing.
"Join me."
The Marquis smiled elated, joining him in the carriage.
With a tug on the reins, the horses galloped, pulling the carriage toward the Royal Capital, where the King of the central continent resided.
Alaric wanted to make an official complaint as per the customs, he needed permission to investigate thosehe suspected.
"Duke, please, I did not know the Tear of Poseidon was faulty, I swear. It was an original piece I personally acquired through my connections; it was even verified to be authentic... I did not know such a thing would happen... I swear I did not have any malicious intent as I gave you the artefact."
The Marquis quickly began to apologize, his body drenched in cold sweat, handkerchief soaked as he wiped his ever-flowing sweat.
If he was sent to the Royal Court, he would be found guilty, as it was suspicious to give a fire clan a water artefact, and for this to happen, all fingers would rightly be pointed at him.
Aiden, who had been looking at him coldly, finally spoke: "I know you had nothing to do with this. You were just a pawn in their scheme." He paused, leaning closer.
"Thank you, thank you!!"
"But who convinced you to bring the artefact as a gift?" Aiden inquired.
He knew how the Marquis was; everyone knew.
He was the richest on the continent, an extravagant merchant who bought his way into nobility, always trying to show his wealth whenever given the chance.
But he was not stupid enough to give a water artefact to a fire clan.
"I heard from..." The Marquis paused, his expression one of confusion. "From... that it... I believe it would be useful for the fire clan," he added, trying to remember where he had gotten the idea from, yet nothing came to mind.
"Stop the carriage," Aiden commanded, noticing the Marquis's actions.
The carriage halted, the coachman confused, but who was he to ask.
"Do not move." Aiden pulled closer to the Marquis, black flames erupting from his hands.
He touched his head; the flames quickly spread, enveloping his head.
He did not scream as it did not hurt, his expression empty, hollow, as if he were in a trance.
Black fumes oozed out of his orifices, Aiden's eyes widening in surprise.
"Miasma..."
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A/N
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