After Ocean had warned Carlos, he returned to his office where Lyall, Enora, Remi, Roan, Kai and Eric waited.

They all bowed as soon as he entered and he passed by them going up to his desk but instead of going round it to sit in his chair, he stood leaning against it facing his people.

"Rise," He spoke.

Everyone else rose apart from Enora and Lyall.

"We apologise, Master. It was solely our fault that you had to be disrepected." Lyall said.

"I don’t even have a face to show, Master." Enora said.

Eric who watched them pursed his lips, anger flashing in his eyes and he stepped ahead.

"Master, I think it’s not a good idea to let Carlos do what he wants. He’ll only be a bigger nuisance if we let him know that we are subservient." Eric said.

"I agree," Roan said, "that Princeling had no power at all and all arrogance. It is the right time to show him his place. Besides, one good beating will surely put his mind in place."

Watching Roan crack his knuckles, Remi sighed, "Not everything can be solved by the fists, Mr Roan. And we cannot intimidate Prince Carlos. You do remember that the representatives from both factions will be visiting Ryujin before the trials to not only check the venue but also to meet the Princes. What if he tells them that he was assaulted here at Ryujin mansion?"

"Remi’s right. But, even I think there should be something done about Carlos’s reckless behavior. If he’s left alone he will pose a bigger threat." Kai added.

They all then looked at Ocean who stood there silently watching them all.

"Please say something, Master." Kai urged.

Ocean sighed, looking at Enora and Lyall before he said.

"First of all, you two raise your heads. I don’t want to see the most capable arms of mine down like this."

The two reluctantly raised their heads but kept their eyes down. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"What are you ashamed of that you can’t meet my eye?" Ocean asked crossing his arms at his chest.

The two remained silent for a moment and Ocean spoke, "You think it’s your fault that I had to apologise to that brat?"

The two pursed their lips, clenching their fists in front of them as anger and humiliation from earlier.

Though, Lyall hadn’t personally felt it but having his long time colleague and friend being insulted on top of their Master having to apologise to an unworthy person had enraged him.

"It was not your fault." Ocean said, "and you won’t believe it if I only simply say it, right?"

Enora looked up with slightly teary eyes, "Master, I-"

"I know, what happened, Enora. I saw it. And I also know how capable each and everyone of the people who work under this roof are. So, don’t question yourself, it’s like questioning me."

Lyall flinched while Enora closed her eyes, inhaling deeply.

"And I don’t like anyone questioning my capabilities as much as of my people, especially you two." Ocean said and then placed his hand over his hip looking at them.

"And you’re feeling so down over the words of a brat who can’t even button his shirt or wear his trousers right? Come on!"

Lyall glanced once at Enora who chuckled a little and Ocean smiled stepping ahead.

"How can a brat who was pampered so much by his mommy and others know how it is to survive and be strong on your own? A brat who has never even set foot on the bare village ground and has never experienced hunger, do you think he’s anywhere qualified to judge someone like you all?"

Enora’s eyes widened and she held her breath as she felt Ocean’s arms come around her enveloping her whole into his embrace. His embrace wasn’t as warm as one would expect, it was rather cool but it made her feel secure. He smelled faintly of the scents that she had washed his coat with, water lilies, Ocean had sensitive senses so, he didn’t need heavy scent on him. The faint but longlasting undertones was what he preferred.

"So, what if I apologised? It’s not like my pride is hurt because of that. I can apologise a thousands of times."

The others including Enora almost flinched hearing this and Ocean chuckled.

"Because you are all mine."

There was a moment of pause as everyone watched Ocean, he gently patted Enora’s back.

"Each and everyone of you are mine. Your mistakes are mine, your victories are mine and vice versa. Just like how you’re mine, I’m all yours." He announced before he gently pulled back holding Enora’s shoulders.

"So, don’t feel guilty for making me apologise. You did nothing wrong and I’m not mad. Understand?"

Enora nodded blinking through her tears and Ocean chuckled again patting her shoulders before facing others.

"And as for that arrogant brat," He started, "you all don’t need to worry anymore. He won’t act out of line now. If he does just say that you’ll complain to me."

"Is that it?" Roan asked and Remi elbowed his side making Roan grunt.

Eric sighed with relief and Kai smiled, "Did you already warn him?"

Ocean nodded, "I wasn’t planning on doing this because the trials would have already broken his spirit to nothing but, he was asking for it so,"

Ocean simply shrugged making them laugh.

"Anyways, it’s still a good thing that he’ll behave. I need to head to the Royal Palace now and I’ll be going out at night for a brief trip. I’ll be back in two days so, take care of everything in my absence. All right?"

His servants bowed, speaking in perfect unison, "Yes, Master."

Ocean nodded before he dismissed them all and then grabbed his communication device. He poured a little bit of mana into the device and spoke.

"Aunt, are you ready? I’m coming to pick you up."

There was a moment of silence before Ocean repeated the same thing and then the sounds spilled through.

"Yes, I’m ready! Ready!"

Ocean picked Alys from Mage’s Tower before they made their way to the Royal Palace. Alys was this time disguised as a male servant.

Alys wore a fitted white shirt beneath a charcoal-gray waistcoat and straight black trousers. A slim black tie rested neatly under her collar, and polished shoes completed the look. Her silver hair framed her calm, composed face, giving her the quiet poise of a refined young servant.

"What’s with the male disguise this time?" Ocean asked looking at the young man and he chuckled.

"Well, I’m bored of going around as your maid all the time and besides, I also wanted to experience what you experience, being a man." Alys aka Alvin said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Ocean sighed, chuckling. He always found it entertaining that his Aunt’s nature was a complete opposite of Silas, Reina’s uncle.

The two soon reached at the palace and stepped out going to meet the King, with her frequent visits, Alys had slowly started to get over her fear of this place and was excited every time they visited. Just like her, even the King would be looking forward to these weekly visits as he would get to see his niece and have something valuable from Ocean at times.

William, the chamberlain knocked on the doors before he opened them gesturing for Ocean and his male attendant to enter.

Roger was already waiting for them with tea and refreshments. He smiled as soon as he saw them and Ocean and "Alvin" bowed.

Roger eyed Alvin who stood composed behind Ocean, his excitement dimming as he thought that maybe Alys had decided to not come today.

Watching him like that Ocean turned to Alys who maintained the facade of a young attendant and he sighed.

"Don’t be like that, Princess. His Majesty has been looking forward to see you."

Roger’s eyes snapped back to the young man who chuckled and then he pushed his hair back a little before brushing her finger over the clear mana stone over her earlobe turning back into her usual self.

"Got you again, Uncle." She beamed making Roger laugh.

"You did, you did." He shook his head and Ocean gestured for her to take a seat before he did.

Roger stopped laughing and looked at Alys carefully.

"Even your clothes change when you... change." He spoke and Alys shrugged.

"That’s my fiance’s genius."

Ocean smiled noting the pride in her words, Roger chuckled nodding.

"Indeed, Archmage Silas is an unparalleled genius in magic. But how many has he prepared of such... devices? Every time you visit, you have a new form. I couldn’t even discern if it’s you, my dear."

Alys smiled, she knew she couldn’t tell him the reality so, in the circumstances that Roger asked about her disguises, there was a preprogrammed answer.

"He’s still working on these prototypes, I help him test them so that he could have a better understanding to improve their quality." Alys said with a smile.

"It looks pretty good to me, nobody can see through it, right Marquis?" Roger looked at Ocean and he nodded.

"It’s the matter of perfection, Your Majesty. If Archmage thinks these still lack work then he will see them as trash unless he’s satisfied with the quality." Ocean said and Roger laughed nodding.

"Now that’s the kind of a man he is."

After that, while Alys drank tea, Ocean partially healed Roger and gave him the detailed report about the Princes’ getting settled in the Ryujin mansion. He kept out the fact that Carlos was being a jerk as it would be clear to anyone that he would do that.

"Had Her Majesty still not recovered, Your Majesty?" Ocean asked and Alys paused for a moment from where she was reaching out for a sponge cake.

Roger noticed it and pushed the dish closer to her before saying, "Yes, I saw her just yesterday and she keeps mumbling imcoherent words. She keeps telling everyone to stay away from her and that she won’t conspire anymore..."

Roger sighed, shaking his head, "I don’t understand what’s happened to her that she’s so shaken up."

Ocean brushed his chin thoughtfully while Alys ate her sponge cake eyeing both the men.

"Should I meet her once to see what’s the problem, Your Majesty?"

Roger waved his hand, "She can barely handle having her physicians in her room. She’s terrified of anyone coming close to her... starts attacking them by throwing stuff... It’s... almost pitiful to look at."

Ocean hadn’t expected his warning to impact so greatly over the Golden Serpent. She was the ultimate hurdle in making Eric the King though and with her reduced to this state it was a strangely light feeling.

"But then I recall what she had done and I don’t feel pity anymore," Roger continued, "it feels like she got what she deserved."

Nor Ocean, neither Alys comment on it and after a while, the two left the Royal Palace.

Inside the carriage.

"I didn’t expect you to turn her crazy, Reina." Alys said, back in her disguise.

"I didn’t. But I guess, I overdid with my warning." Ocean admitted, "I should go check on her son. Who knows maybe I’d find him locked up in his room speaking in tongues."

Alvin cocked his brow, "You’ve intimidated him too?"

Ocean shrugged, "Can’t let him waltz all over my turf without letting him know who’s the boss."

Alys laughed hearing that and Ocean joined in as they rode back till the Mage’s Tower.