Chapter 172: Suspicious Relationship

"How did Lady Amber find out you were an impostor?" Lauren asked Vincent.

Instead of eating at the dining table, Lauren had her lunch in the garden. Vincent arrived shortly, and she dismissed the maids-in-waiting to talk to him about Amber. She was curious about what exactly happened.

"Because I lit a few scented candles in the office and she knew Alec doesn’t like scented candles."

It got Lauren confused. How would Amber know such a small detail about Alec?

Vincent smirked when he noticed the question on Lauren’s face. "It seems like your husband has strong connections. My act was flawless, yet Amber still caught me, which means she knows a lot of things about Alec. An old friend, perhaps?"

"Did you not claim Alec as your friend? If you have known each other for a long time, you should also know who are his close acquaintances."

"Yes, I have known him for quite a long time, but you see, he doesn’t share random things about himself. I’ve also never seen him with Amber, so I never bothered asking him about her," Vincent said matter-of-factly.

Lauren looked at her food and wondered what kind of relationship Alec and Amber had. She didn’t recall them talking casually back when the Supreme House held court trials.

Meanwhile, back in the king’s office, Alec and Amber continued to talk.

"Your wife?" Amber’s brows twitched in intrigue. "Is your wife the reason why you seemed so troubled?" The corners of her lips rose a little. "I never thought one day you would come to ask me for help because of a woman."

Seeing Alec more serious than ever, Amber said, "Must be something really serious. Is it also the reason why you went to Acheron and met Anthony?"

"Did Vincent tell you?" Alec asked even though he doubted if Vincent did. Vincent had a lot to say most of the time, but he knew how to play his words well. He wasn’t the type to give information easily, especially if the matter didn’t directly involve him. It was the reason why Alec trusted that he could play the role well.

"No. I have my own source, of course."

Alec wasn’t surprised. Amber was in the Supreme House and had all the means to do whatever spying she wanted. But he doubted if she discovered other things aside from the fact that he and Lauren went to Acheron and met Anthony.

"I was curious why you left and let someone else fill your post, so I had you traced by a trusted person. Don’t worry, I have my people’s loyalty, so rest assured your little trip won’t land on the gossip papers. I assume you went to Anthony because you have questions a knowledgeable elder mage like him could only answer."

"I just want to save my wife from an illness. You don’t have to know all the details and I would appreciate you not asking about it. There is only one thing I need from you," Alec looked at Amber darkly. "The Supreme House has books that cannot be accessed by anyone other than the members. I want you to give me all the books about sorcery, especially those with information about black mages."

"You know I cannot easily do that, Alec. There are a lot of confidential books about sorcery and black mages stored in the Supreme House’s castle, but even if I am the chief’s daughter, how would I explain my need for those? The last thing I want is to arouse suspicion and put myself in a difficult situation. Politics is not only present in royal courts. It is also present in the Supreme House, so I must be cautious because those elders don’t seem to like me as my father’s successor."

"Create replicas of the books I need so you don’t have to steal anything," replied Alec, to which Amber replied with a sarcastic bark of laughter, finding his idea ridiculous.

"The materials in the Supreme House are highly valued, which is why there is a spell in the room where they were stored. Spellcasting cannot be done while in the room to prevent the members from disclosing confidential information and creating replicas of books. Members have access, but we must follow the rules and ask permission from the chief first."

"Then go ask your dear father for help," Alec said which sounded more like a demand than a request. "You are his daughter, for sure he will give you what you want if you say the right words. I believe you can make it possible if you want. As your older brother, it is the least you can do to help me."

Amber could not believe what she just heard. She shook her head as she smirked, "Older brother, huh? Now that you need something from me, you are claiming to be my older brother. What a manipulative brute you are, King Alec. We were never siblings, don’t flatter yourself."

* * *

While in the garden, Lauren saw Amber leave the castle and ride in her carriage. It had been an hour since she and Vincent left the king’s office, and she was eager to know how Amber and Alec’s talk went. She excused herself and left Vincent in the garden who was taking his time eating grapes.

Halfway through the hallway, she met Alec who had just stepped out of the king’s office.

"I was just about to go find you," said Alec who looked at her as if he were checking if she was alright after a brief time of being apart. "Had Vincent left?"

"No, he accompanied me while I ate lunch. I left him in the garden. I saw Lady Amber leave, so I came to ask how your talk went."

"Let’s talk inside," Alec said and they went back to the office.

"Did Vincent pester you?" Alec held Lauren’s hand and pulled her to the sofa. He sat first and led her to sit on his lap.

"Wait, can’t I sit properly while we talk?" Lauren was about to stand but Alec held her waist firmly, which stopped her from moving away.

"Aren’t you properly seated on my lap?" Alec raised a brow at her, their faces were so close to each other that their noses were almost touching. With his hand around her waist and the other on her thighs, keeping them on one side, he said, "It seems you are perfectly fine, though. You suit well on my lap."

Lauren sighed and just gave in. She guessed she had no choice but to talk to him on his terms.

"What is your relationship with Lady Amber?" She couldn’t help narrowing her eyes at Alec; the glint of accusation in her tone didn’t escape him. "I heard from Vincent that she discovered she was meeting with an impostor because Vincent lit scented candles, which you never liked. If she knows such a small detail about you, I assume you are well-acquainted with each other."

"What kind of relationship do you think we have?" Alec asked, taunting Lauren on purpose. It was the first time she actually took an interest in his relationship with another woman, which he found amusing.

"How would I have any idea? I am asking you because I’m curious. I want to know if she won’t really tell a soul about what you and Vincent committed..." Lauren swallowed the bile in her throat and stopped talking before she could add any unnecessary words.

"She won’t report it to the Supreme House or tell anyone about it, I am sure."

Alec’s conviction only bothered Lauren more. "And why are you so certain she wouldn’t tell anyone? Do you... have close ties with her?"

"I guess you can say that," replied Alec in a suggestive tone, which earned a subtle glare from Lauren. He stifled a smile as he watched her face grow darker by the second. He never thought territorial women were attractive. In fact, he thought women of that kind were too possessive and tenacious with their lovers that it was sickening. But now that he was seeing the jealousy looming over Lauren’s eyes like a dark mist, he was more than entertained.

"Can you please elaborate?" Lauren was starting to get pissed because Alec wasn’t giving her the information she wanted even when it was pretty obvious where her train of questions was heading. Instead, he was looking at her with an annoying ghost of a smile on his lips like he was enjoying teasing her.

"Vincent said he has no idea what your relationship is with Lady Amber, so I thought I must ask. This is for the sake of our kingdom. After all, it wouldn’t look good for a king to have close ties with any of the members of the Supreme House," Lauren said, which was part of her reason. The Supreme House was responsible for court trials for big crimes and they must always be objective in handling such cases, so being personally involved with the rulers was prohibited.

"Is that the only reason why you are so curious?" Alec whispered in her ear huskily. "Or is it because you are jealous?"

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read