CHAPTER 147: TAMING THE ROYAL FAMILY

The funeral ended quicker than planned due to the disruption caused by Prince Ronald. No one knew he was in the city—and personally, I didn’t even know he existed.

However, I could feel the tension in the palace. Whispers could be heard from all corners as servants discussed the issue in hushed voices.

Soldiers looked perplexed as well, and this left me wondering who the hell this Princess Alisha was and how they got a Gatekeeper on their side.

I had so many questions and no answers. It was pissing me off.

But this was still far better than the boring life I had to endure on Earth.

Knock! Knock!

The timid knocks on my door made my face twist with annoyance. My gaze shifted back to Reina, who was still sleeping soundly, and I let out a sigh.

"Come in."

Barely a second after I spoke, the door yanked open and Serena and Caleum raced in. They froze at the entrance, gazing at Reina’s sleeping figure with different expressions.

For Serena, it was annoyance.

For Caleum, he looked starstruck.

"She’s still sleeping?" Serena said with a tone of disgust.

"Isn’t that Lady Reina?" Caleum blurted out in awe.

Folding my arms across my chest, I stared daggers at the duo and responded in the most respectful way I could.

"She’s my disciple now," I warned in a cold tone. "She’s off-limits for both of you."

Serena’s head snapped in my direction with malicious intent. She walked up to me, while Caleum kept staring at the sleeping Reina like a puppy.

"You rejected me, but you seem to be popular with a lot of women," Serena said in a hushed tone.

She was ashamed I rejected her and didn’t want her brother to know.

"Her? I met her yesterday. And Seo-Yun? I only met her tonight—just like you. It’s not my fault I’m good-looking and everyone wants a piece of this," I retorted without hesitation, and Serena laughed out loud.

She walked in circles, clapping and laughing.

This was weird—even Caleum couldn’t help but shoot her a worried glance.

She was losing it.

She was scared.

"How do you kiss someone you only met tonight?" Serena blurted out, and I simply shrugged.

"She kissed me. I didn’t kiss her," I rolled my eyes. "Like I said, it’s not my fault everyone wants a piece of this."

Silence.

Even Caleum looked at me like I was spitting bullshit. He walked up to Serena’s side with suspicious eyes and asked:

"Are you seriously trying to make us believe you have nothing to do with the hot chick and cousin Ronald?" His tone was contemptuous, and I was done ignoring his stupidity.

"Trying to make you believe?" I burst out laughing. "You mortals are really stupid."

Buzz!

Serena shuddered as she noticed the change, but Caleum didn’t.

"What did you say?!" he snapped while walking forward.

Swoosh!

I shot forward, grabbing him by the neck and lifting him off the ground.

"When you speak to this god, you will lower your tone," I hissed, my eyes burning bright with crimson light.

Caleum kicked and thrashed around, trying to break free from my grip, but it was no different from an infant trying to escape the grip of a 32-year-old bodybuilder.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Serena stagger back in fear, so I paid her no attention. My body moved fast, and in an instant, I reached the desk and rammed Caleum through it.

Bang!

There was silence after the crashing sound.

Serena stood frozen, unable to speak, while Caleum gasped for air greedily. Soft groans escaped his lips as I rose to my feet and turned my cold gaze to Serena.

"And what if I’m conspiring with your cousin? What will you do about it?" I snarled, approaching with cold, slow, and calculated steps. "What can you do about it?"

"I’m sorry!" she lowered her head, shivering.

"So what if I’m popular with all the maidens in Solinthar—what the hell will you do about it?!" I screamed to her lowered face, and she didn’t dare look at me.

"I’m sorry..." she muttered again, but this time I noticed tears drop to the ground.

My gaze moved past her and fell on Reina, still sleeping soundly.

It made me wonder—did the Melody of Harmony drain her strength when used?

Her beautiful face calmed me, and I let out a heavy sigh. I walked to the rocking chair beside the small fireplace, where the shattered desk lay, and I sat down, glaring at Serena.

"Why are you here?" I asked and watched her shudder.

Clearly, she never thought a day would come when someone in her home would question her.

Bam!

My eyes dilated slightly, and my frown relaxed as Serena fell to her knees with her head lowered.

"Please... please help me protect my throne!" she begged, slowly lowering her head into a bow.

Buzz!

This time I was completely shaken.

For her to act this way, it was clear the opposition wasn’t just a random nobody ranting.

Princess Alisha’s side truly had what it took to take the throne from her.

"Protect me and my brother, just like you promised my mother!" Serena’s cries grew louder.

Caleum forced himself up and ran to her side, trying to console her, but she grabbed him by the collar.

"Kneel. Kneel and beg or we are going to die!" she said, trying to pull his head into a bow, but he resisted.

Caleum was taken aback, clearly reluctant.

He glared at me, eyes filled with resentment—but also frustration.

He knew he was powerless. And that pained him.

It reminded me of the look I had when I was sentenced—after being framed by my wife.

"That’s enough." I waved, signaling them to stop.

I hated seeing that same look, whether on me or on others.

Caleum and Serena were surprised, but silence returned.

"I plan to build a new empire with a new name, unifying all humans, including the six kingdoms. In this new empire, the rulers of the six empires will sit in your court, and their opinions must be considered when making decisions.

"In that empire, you can keep your title of Empress—but you’ll be nothing more than a figurehead. I will be calling the shots.

"Can you do this?" I asked, raising a brow, glaring at the frozen Caleum and Serena—both shaken by my demands.

It was clearly beyond what they thought I would ask for.