Katherine paced in her room, unable to do anything. She had sent the letter to Ryujin mansion as soon as she learned that Marquis Ocean had tried to get an audience but was sent away. She was scared, worried that if he wanted to tell her something regarding her secret or the evidence that he had then she might have just angered him.

She didn’t expect him to come running back but the letter was her show of peace. Or could it be that he saw that woman and decided to pay a visit. But it was impossible, she had come to her room using a spell and wasn’t even seen by her ladies-in-waiting so, how could he know?

Just as she was pacing, her heart skipped a beat and she stiffened as her back faced the window. She knew without turning that he had appeared, his deathly presence was already choking the air out of the room.

"You called for me, Your Majesty." Came his sleek voice and she forced her body to move and face the man who now sat on the railing of her balcony watching her.

Katherine gulped before putting on a smile, "Y-Yes, Marquis Ocean. I heard from that knights that you asked for audience but were denied since I am not taking any visitors. I didn’t expect you to stop by, I apologize for any misunderstanding."

Katherine wasn’t used to the polite tone and she had a bitter aftertaste in her mouth as she spoke in that tone to a man who was below her standing.

A smile graced his features as he stalked in like a predator with slow, measured steps. He looked around her room and then took a seat on the armchair crossing his legs one over the other as if he owned the place, while Katherine hesitantly sat down on the couch facing him.

"Why were you seeking audience with me?" She asked and Ocean hummed.

"You said just now that you weren’t taking any visitors, Your Majesty." Ocean started and Katherine grew cautious.

"Yes."

"Did you happen to meet someone today? Briefly?" Ocean asked and Katherine tried her best to calm herself. He knew, but seemed like he wasn’t sure, he was only trying to get a confirmation, Katherine forced herself to be calm as she lied.

"No, I didn’t summon anyone."

Ocean looked at her for a moment with silence and then asked, "Are you sure? You must be pretty angry after yesterday’s Trial and how... everything went."

Katherine gnashed her teeth as she recalled the humiliation from the other day. Angry was a small word for her feeling, she was livid and she was tempted to murder this man who sat so smugly before her.

"I-It was a fair Trial and the result was also fair. I am not angry." She spoke through her teeth and Ocean’s eyes narrowed a little, he had expected her to lie about someone meeting her.

"You know, Your Majesty." Ocean started, "It’ll be in your best interests to not lie to me, I can see through you easily enough to know everything about you."

Katherine flinched but tried to keep her voice from faltering, "I-I’m not lying."

Ocean observed her, finding her little resistance amusing before he said, "You are."

The blood drained from Katherine’s face and Ocean chuckled making her heart hammer in her chest.

"There’s no shame in being honest about your feelings, Your Majesty." Ocean said while blood throbbed in Katherine’s ears thinking she was caught.

"You don’t need to lie that you are furious about what happened yesterday." Ocean added and Katherine looked at him, surprised and Ocean enjoyed her reaction.

It was like a game like him, he would drop a hint watch her reaction and see if she would spill the truth or not.

"I..." She spoke, "am angry... but what can I do? The Trials are already planned, His Majesty has approved of it and the two Princes are competing on their own. What influence could I have on it?"

Ocean smiled at her, "You’re right, there isn’t much that you could do that wouldn’t blow in your face. That’s why I came to talk to you. Take this as a threat or warning or an advice as you wish. But don’t dare try anything, you already lost the moment the Trials began. You cannot select the future King, this kingdom will do it for itself so, the best thing for you would be to enjoy the time that is remained and think of redemption. I might forgive you but there are a lot who want your blood and you are smart enough to not fall into any trap. You understand what I’m telling you, right?"

Katherine felt her blood run cold and chills ran up and down her spine. After the last meeting, Ocean Ryujin who had been dramatically loyal acting was now baring his fangs openly at her and she had no choice but to take it with her head down. Apart from the fact that he had her weakness in his hands there was a different kind of thing that made her wary of him, she was never scared of anyone before as she had enough power to bring her attackers to their knees. But there was something about Ocean Ryujin that made her taste the primal feeling that any living creature felt the moment they are born, fear.

"Is there anything you want to talk about?" Ocean asked.

Katherine blinked and looked at him, "Wi-Will you guarantee my and my children’s lives if I act as you tell me to?"

Ocean was a little taken aback, he didn’t think of Katherine to be the kind of person who would cherish her and her kids’ lives over the power that she had done everything to achieve. Still, he couldn’t make that promise since he had already promised Lady Elise her revenge and that included the suffering of Katherine and anyone who had been involved in driving her close to death.

"I cannot promise that." He said, "You don’t owe me anything but you are yet to pay back for the other lives that you have ruined."

Katherine lowered her lashes and then chuckled dryly, "What did I do to deserve all this?"

Ocean tilted his head slightly hearing that and almost snorted, "If I give you the list then it’ll take the whole night to finish it. What have you not done to be here? You have killed innocent people, destroyed countless lives, lied, conspired, and what not."

Katherine clenched her fists, "Having a throne isn’t easy."

Ocean sighed and then muttered, "Yes, it indeed isn’t easy. Marismus family bloodline had started this kingdom atop a murder anyways."

Katherine looked at him, she didn’t clearly hear it but she caught the word murder and asked, "What are you talking about?"

"You’ll know soon, as of now. I’ll ask you to not get involved in anything dangerous. Is there anything else you want to talk about?" Ocean asked.

Katherine sat still as if pondering and then shook her head, "There is nothing."

Ocean nodded before he rose to his feet and then walked towards the balcony before giving one final glance at Katherine and then leapt off.

Katherine found the presence of royal guard absurd if they couldn’t even see a man entering and leaving the Queen’s chambers like this. She was tempted to release her anger but she also was forced to be calm as she had a plan. A plan to make her son the King that the kingdom will choose even if he lost the Trials and for Ocean to be dragged through hell for every insolence he committed.

Katherine looked at the bejewlled box that was on her vanity and walked up to it before opening the lid. Inside was a silver pendant with a crest of a ram’s head with curled horns. This was what would help her turn the tides on everyone.

Ocean returned home and found Lyall waiting in the office for him. Roan and others seemed to be done for the day.

"Lyall, what’s wrong?" Ocean asked.

"A message came from our information guild, someone had visited and asked for all the details about Prince Davian." He answered and Ocean frowned a little.

"For Davian? Who could it-"

Suddenly a name popped in his mind and he sighed, "Let me guess, it was a lady, right?"

Lyall nodded and Ocean shook his head before walking over and taking a seat on his chair, "Give whatever is public, nothing too deep."

"She asked specifically for you, Master. She also has a request."

Ocean rolled his eyes and spoke sarcastically, "Yes and I will go and follow her word."

Lyall stood there, waiting and Ocean waved his hand, "Give Rose the message that the next time this lady comes, tell her that I don’t take requests and if she wants something done it might be done by someone else and only if it’s within the rules of the guild. If not, tell her to go back to her tea parties."

Lyall bowed, "I’ll send the message, Master."

[You have 112 new notifications.]

The system chimed and Ocean brushed it away.

[You have 116 new notifications.]

Ocean sighed, "Just remind me when there is a quest or a task notification, system. I’m too busy for idle chat."

[You have 120 notifications.]

[You have 130 notifications]

Ocean sighed ignoring the notifications before his communication device started glowing. He brushed his palm over it and the heavy voice from the other side came through.

"Lord Dragon, I am Erisgrirlum... I request your urgent assistance. Please hurry to Ortbon."