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 some of 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... I am the next clan head of the Rosenthal Family, yet they are showing me so 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. I 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 treat me like that when I am the next head of the Rosenthal Clan? They've ignored me entirely. 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 name the 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. I am the heir. I received the blessing of the goddess first! I've worked tirelessly to prove myself, yet they treat me like 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. I won't waste time brooding over the whims of the envoys."

Elise's eyes widened in disbelief. "You expect me to 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?

father. "They're hiding themselves away in

again, giving her a dismissive glance. "They've always been peculiar," he said. "They know their value. They don't need to

sides as she fought to contain her frustration. The envoys' indifference to her and their preference for Fiona

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

finally found what she was looking for. Without waiting,

irritating backdrop to her rising frustration. Spotting Regor standing

his posture straightening as she came to a stop before him. "Lady Elise," he

my sister," Elise

at the door behind him. "Lady Fiona is resting. Prince Elijah gave explicit instructions that she not

sharply. "I'm her sister. I have the right

before stepping aside. "Very well," he said. "But I

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

looked up

curved into a faint

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asked, setting the cup down with deliberate care that immediately

taking a step closer. "I came here

was being sincere," she said. "After all, it

palms as she struggled to keep her composure. "Don't

across from her. "Why don't you enlighten me?" she said smoothly. "Have a seat.

down at Fiona. "You're the reason the envoys are still here," she said, her voice sharp. "They

back in

her legs gracefully.