Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Thomas didn't know that Elijah would not even show them any respect and would directly attack Elise. However, he was quick to use this to his advantage. "How could Your Highness hurt the next leader of the Rosenthal Family? Just what is Your Highness's intention?" A sneer interrupted the words he was about to say. He turned toward the sneering Cassian.

"Today, you, Lord Rosenthal, have truly opened my eyes," Cassian casually said. He was leaning against his chair, a smirk apparent on his face.

"What?" Lord Rosenthal turned toward Cassian. "What does the Young Lord mean?"

"It seems that Lord Rosenthal is a bit slow." Cassian leaned forward, his smirk deepening as he gestured toward Lord Rosenthal. "What truly surprises me, Lord Rosenthal, is your bias. Your daughter, Elise, publicly insults her own sister-someone of significant value to the Five Great Families-and yet, the moment someone holds her accountable, you immediately leap to her defense. Have you lost all sense of fairness? Or is it possible that you, the current Lord of the Rosenthal Clan, have already gone senile?"

Lord Rosenthal's jaw tightened, but he kept his composure. "Young Lord Blackthorne," he began, his gaze shifting to Elijah before returning to Cassian. "I witnessed my daughter being struck by the Prince. What father would stand idly by in such a moment? Tell me, what was I supposed to do?"

"Perhaps," Ash suddenly said, her expression cold and calculating, "you should have slapped your own daughter for saying such nonsense. How could she speak so recklessly about her sister, calling her a whore as if it were nothing? Isn't it because you didn't teach her better?"

Lord Rosenthal's face darkened. "Teach her better?" His voice rose as he straightened his posture. "Elise is the next leader of the Rosenthal Family! She speaks the truth as she sees it. If anyone has an issue with her words, they should address them with logic, not violence."

Miyumi Huang of the Silvermane Clan, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke, her white hair catching the soft glow of the chandelier. "The truth, Lord Rosenthal?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "Is it the truth that Lady Fiona is a whore? That she abandoned her family for status? Or is it simply Elise's biased interpretation? Words have power. And Elise's words just now have shown the Five Great Families that the Rosenthals' values remain as fractured as ever."

his hands clenching the edge of the table. "You misunderstand. My daughter simply spoke her mind.

own sister as if it were a casual remark. And what's worse, you defend her actions

table, rising to her feet. "Which part of what I said was wrong?" she demanded, her eyes darting between Cassian and Miyumi. "Everything I said is

commanding as he took a step closer to her. "Fiona has endured far more than you will ever comprehend. She survived your family's abandonment, the abuse of her first husband, and the poison that nearly took her life. And yet, here she stands, stronger than ever. If you cannot respect her for what she's been through, then you have no right

respond. How could people defend Fiona as if... as if she was some important character? The prince slapped her just because she said some few words and these people... these people who have yet to

for support, but Lord Rosenthal

she said, "this is not just a family dispute. This is a

the issue here.

calmly. "If Lady Elise speaks like this so easily, it is because she knows there will be no consequences. Respect and unity start from the top, Lord Rosenthal. Without them, your family's reputation will crumble, no matter how strong your abilities are. Perhaps it is time that you teach your

their power and more on fixing their internal conflicts." Elise's face flushed red, her

said, his tone stiff. All he wanted was for these three people to leave! "I will ensure that my family addresses these matters internally. Let us not lose sight of why we are here." "However..." Lord Rosenthal turned toward Elijah. "An apology is still owed. Please apologize to

"Your Highness..." Lord Rosenthal's

teeth clenched, his frustration

expected Elijah