Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

"How are they staying just for her?" Elise said as she started pacing inside the resting room. "Those people

never... never join events or even answered letters! And sof them haven't shown their faces to the world.

Why are they here now? And why do they want to only see Fiona?"

She looked at her father. "Father... | am the next clan head of the Rosenthal Family, yet they are showingso

much disrespect. What is the meaning of this? Does this mean they are looking down on our Rosenthal Clan?"

They thought those people would leave if they were told Fiona was occupied with her health. Isn't that

understandable? She was just poisoned! Who would have thought that they would choose to stay? Not only that,

but it seems they are actually willing to stay despite the fact that Fiona might not even see them. Because of

their insistence, the King and even Elijah agreed to have the meeting tomorrow.

"Father... shouldn't you send letters to their clan heads about this matter? This level of disrespect is... something

else. | never thought those people would dare to do that to our family." Elise paced the room, her frustration was

evident in her restless movements. Her dress swished softly against the floor as she turned sharply, glaring at

her father. "Why are they insisting on meeting Fiona?" she demanded, her hands clenched into fists. "She must

have something on them, Father. You must find out what it is. How could they treatlike that when | am the

next head of the Rosenthal Clan? They've ignoredentirely. What could be the meaning of their actions?"

She stopped in front of Lord Rosenthal. "Do they not respect the Rosenthal Family? Are they looking down on us

by insisting on meeting someone like Fiona? She tarnished our nthe moment she left our clan. Yet, they act

like she's the only Rosenthal worth their time." Just why are they treating her like she's someone important?

Lord Rosenthal didn't immediately respond. Instead, he swirled the wine in his glass, watching the movement of

the liquid with idle interest. He took a measured sip, savoring the taste before finally meeting Elise's gaze.

"Enough, Elise," he said. "You're overthinking this." Elise's lips thinned. "Overthinking? Father, they are blatantly

ignoring me. | am the heir. | received the blessing of the goddess first! I've worked tirelessly to prove myself, yet

they treatlike an afterthought. It's unacceptable."

Lord Rosenthal took another sip of his wine, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to Elise's agitation. "Go to your

quarters," he said. "I intend to socialize. | won't waste tbrooding over the whims of the envoys."

Elise's eyes widened in disbelief. "You expectto just leave? To sit idly by while they continue to insult our

family? Father, this is—"

"This is not something you can fix by pacing and complaining," Lord Rosenthal interrupted, setting his glass

down. "The envoys are guests of the King. Their demands, as peculiar as they may seem, are beyond our

control. Leave it."

Elise's jaw tightened, but she said nothing. She turned sharply and walked toward the window, her mind racing

as she stared out at the moonlit gardens. Inwardly, her thoughts spiraled.

The envoys.

They weren't even mingling at the event. Instead, they had insisted on staying in the farthest, most inaccessible

part of the palace. They had made it clear to the King that they didn't want to be disturbed by anyone. Their

frankness had been surprising, and according to what she had seen, it had even amused the King. He had readily

agreed, arranging for them to stay in the distant palace quarters.

It baffled Elise. The envoys knew their importance in the supernatural world. Everyone wanted to establish

connections with them, yet they showed no interest in the grandeur of the banquet or the people vying for their

attention. Their insistence on meeting Fiona only deepened the insult. Why Fiona? What made her so special?

Elise's thoughts darkened as she turned back to her father. "They're hiding themselves away in the farthest part

of the palace. Why? What are they planning?"

Lord Rosenthal picked up his glass again, giving her a dismissive glance. "They've always been peculiar," he

said. "They know their value. They don't need to play the games we do."

Elise's hands clenched at her sides as she fought to contain her frustration. The envoys’ indifference to her and

their preference for Fiona gnawed at her.

She narrowed her eyes. "Il intend to stay too," she said. Without waiting for her father's response, she marched

out of the resting room and into the still-ongoing banquet. By now, many guests were dancing on the dance

floor, unaware that three members of prominent families who rarely showed themselves in public were currently

in this place.

She looked around and finally found what she was looking for. Without waiting, she marched toward Regor, who

stood outside one of the resting rooms.

Elise strode confidently through the banquet hall, her sharp gaze scanning the room. The lively atmosphere of

the party felt like an irritating backdrop to her rising frustration. Spotting Regor standing guard outside one of

the resting rooms, she made her way toward him, her dress swishing with every step.

Regor immediately noticed her approach, his posture straightening as she cto a stop before him. "Lady

Elise," he greeted, his eyes cautious.

"I need to see my sister," Elise said, her chin lifting slightly. "It's urgent."

Regor frowned, glancing at the door behind him. "Lady Fiona is resting. Prince Elijah gave explicit instructions

that she not be disturbed."

"I'm not disturbing her," Elise countered sharply. "I'm her sister. | have the right to see her."

Regor hesitated for a moment before stepping aside. "Very well," he said. "But | will remain here."

Elise didn't bother acknowledging his words. She pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was dimly

lit, quiet, and serene, an exact opposite of the noise and activity of the banquet hall. Her gaze landed on Fiona,

who sat by a small table near the window, a cup of tea in her hands.

Fiona looked up as Elise entered.

Her lips curved into a faint smile, her

ooo

calm demeanor adding to Elise's irritation. "To what do | owe the honor of meeting the future clan head?" Fiona

asked, setting the cup down with deliberate care that immediately irritated Elise. Elise's expression soured

instantly. Why was Fiona acting like... this? Elise couldn't help but ask herself.

"Enough of your mockery, Fiona," Elise snapped, taking a step closer. "I chere to talk."

Fiona tilted her head slightly. "Mockery? Whatever gave you that idea? | was being sincere," she said. "After all, it

isn't every day | get a visit from my esteemed sister."

Elise clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to keep her composure. "Don't play coy

with me," she said. "You know exactly why I'm here."

Fiona gestured to the seat across from her. "Why don't you enlighten me?" she said smoothly. "Have a seat. It

seems we have much to discuss."

Elise ignored the invitation, remaining standing as she glared down at Fiona. "You're the reason the envoys are

still here," she said, her voice sharp. "They have no interest in our family. All they care about is you. Why?"

Fiona leaned back in her chair,

crossing her legs gracefully. “Why,

indeed?" she mused. Fiona was currently in a very good mood after the Queen left. She lifted an eyebrow as she

stared at her sister. "Perhaps you should ask them directly or better yet, ask Father. He seems to have all the

answers, doesn't he?"

"Don't twist this around. I'm asking you. What are you hiding? What hold do you have over them?"

"What hold do | have? You seem awfully concerned about something that shouldn't matter," she said. "The

envoys' interest inhas nothing to do with you or your position as the next clan head."

"It has everything to do with our family's reputation!" Elise snapped. "You-"

"Our family's reputation?" Fiona

interrupted, rising from her seat. She

approached Elise slowly, her

expression unreadable. "I don't know why my matters would still affect 'your' family's reputation. Is that really

what you are worried about? Qis this about you? About the fact that they're ignoring you entirely?"

Elise's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't you dare—"

"Don't | dare what?" Fiona's gaze bore into her, unflinching. "Speak the truth? Isn't that what you pride yourself

on, Elise? Speaking your mind, no matter the consequences?"

"You" Elise took a step back, her breathing heavy as she struggled to regain control of the conversation. "This

isn't about me," she said through gritted teeth. "It's about the Rosenthal Family. Your actions reflect on all of us,

whether you like it or not." Fiona smiled again, a faint, almost pitying expression. "Ah, Elise," she said softly.

"You're right about one thing. My actions do reflect on the Rosenthal Family. But so do yours. And right now, all |

see is a woman desperate to prove her worth, no matter the cost." Elise's face turned red, her fury bubbling just

beneath the surface. She opened her mouth to respond, but Fiona held up a hand, stopping her.

"Save your energy," Fiona said. "If you're so concerned about the envoys, perhaps you should focus on

impressing them instead of wasting your twith me. After all, you are the future clan head. Act like it."

Fiona slowly took her seat as she smiled. "Or you can sit here and enjoy stea with me. The Queen said this

is something from Europe, or was it Japan? Apparently, this was... a rarity." Then she gestured for Elise to sit

opposite her.