Chapter 554
(Author’s POV)
On normal days, Jacob might have thrown a sarcastic comment and dismissed her words, but today he did the opposite. He stood up from his throne and started taking decisive steps down the stairs.
Fabian was in tow, holding an umbrella over Jacob’s head. He was worried about his grandfather’s health and did not want him to step in direct sunlight.
Cynthia stepped aside, uttering, “My liege,” her head bowed in respect, as everyone waited for their king to pull down that veil and reveal the much anticipated and hyped offering.
Now standing right in front of the crated cage, Jacob could smell the unique blood a lot more. This was not something ordinary, but exquisite. He held the helm of the silk and, with one dramatic yet swift motion, flung the garment away. A fresh round of gasps escaped everyone’s mouth when they saw what was inside those iron bars. Or … who was inside it.
“That’s~ …. that is~ ….” Brian’s eyes were ready to pop out as he fumbled with his words. But Catherine held his hand quickly, squeezing them tight, signalling him not to speak any further. She too was in shock, her hands trembling as she thought, ’Why is he~ …. why is he here?’ She was barely able to keep her composure when a shattering sound echoed in the garden.
Everyone turned their heads to the source and found the glass in Chris Shadow’s hands had been crushed to shards as he held a complicated expression. Someone from the crowd commented, “Poor Secretary, although he had spent more than half his life with the vampires, he must have been shocked to see a creature like this.”
“My liege~ …. I, Cynthia Taylor, present to you my offering, the hidden treasure of the sea. The lost merman,” Cynthia announced, grabbing everyone’s attention back.
“Where did you find him?” Jacob asked, his gloved hand grabbing the bird like cage, his eyes never leaving the rare and exotic creature.
Cynthia, on cue, went on to introduce the beautiful purple headed, purple eyed tail bearer. ’His name is Morven. I found him at my Clan’s bordering river, unconscious and badly bruised.”
“Morven~ ….” Jacob called him as the merman lifted his head slightly, a bit hesitantly, to meet his sharp gaze. He seemed to be under some kind of spell.
She further added, looking at Silvia then back at Jacob, “He was a mute initially; someone had deliberately suppressed his voice. But Elder Silver helped me get the potion to restore it so that I can gift him to you. Though it is only partially restored, once fully recovered, he can still be of use to you. Do you like it?”
Before Jacob could answer, Chris hurried down the stairs, his face turned into a scowl, his eyes narrowed, “Clan Leader Taylor, what is the meaning of this? Gifting a slave to his majesty? What do you take him for? He has already mentioned that he abhors slave trading, and here you are, in front of all the clan leaders, giving something like this to the king. Is it not defying his words?”
Cynthia was quick with her words, as she looked at Jacob, “Noo~ …. that wasn’t the least bit of my intention, my lord. This merman has the power to heal external wounds with his singing. It will keep you injury free.”
“Leader Taylor, your words may sound noble on the outside, but we don’t even know his origin. Didn’t you say you found him coincidentally at your clan’s border? Was it really a coincidence? What if he is a spy, here to harm his majesty? As a loyal subject, I can’t let such a threat be near my master,” Chris spoke, his voice determined and firm. “Please~ … we cannot accept it.”
“Secretary Shadow,” Silvia Silver stepped in, her tone rebuking, “Who are you to decline or accept anything on behalf of his majesty? I could understand when he was unconscious, but now that he is well, who are you to make decisions, huhh? Stay in your lane.”
“Elder Silver, I am only thinking about his majesty’s wellbeing. He has been through a lot, and I don’t want to put him in any danger,” Chris remained adamant. His hostility towards the merman was for everyone to see.
Strangely enough, Catherine stepped forward and backed him up, “I second that. His majesty’s health takes top priority. A being of unknown origin- we can risk that, can we? Elder Silver, Leader Taylor, can you take full responsibility for this merman’s action?”
Both Silvia and Cynthia couldn’t answer her questions.
A wide smile spread across Catherine’s red painted lips as she said, “If you can’t even answer that. How can you give something like that to the king?”
“Guards~ … take that thing away,” Chris ordered, but the next second, Jacob’s thundering voice boomed as he delivered, “HAVE YOU ALL FORGOTTEN I AM STILL STANDING HERE? I AIN’T DEAD YET.”
Everyone looked down, not being able to meet his fire like gaze as Fabian tried to soothe him, “Chairman Larson, you should calm down.” Jacob patted his hand and stepped forward in the sun and said, his voice was normal yet commanding, “I understand your concern about my health and safety, Secretary Shadow, Elder Richards. I appreciate I have such loyal subjects~”
Catherine and Brian smiled with their head lowered while Chris remained expressionless, but Jacob’s next words made all of them flinch, “But~ …. For now, the merman stays.”
“YOUR MAJESTY,” Chris muttered, but Jacob showed him a hand to stop him from speaking any further, “This is my offering and no one has the right to~ …. accept or reject on my stead. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, your majesty,” they all collectively said.
“I will look into him personally. Guards~ … take him to the inner cell,” Jacob ordered as they obliged. With a flare, he turned around and resumed his seat and crossed his legs. “Why has everyone gone so stiff all of a sudden? I guess~ … we will have to skip the toast for a while, Elder Richards….”
“My lord,” Catherine mumbled, her hands were digging in her palm, as she tried to hide the murderous intent in her eyes. The presence of that merman can ruin her plan in more than one way. If somehow, he recovers his voice completely, all their wrongdoings will be exposed.
Because Morven~ … was in Nerissa’s womb when the last ritual happened. So, he shared her memories of the time.
To Be Continued . . . . . . . .