Chapter 565: Demagogic Charisma
Aaron lowered his head, unable to retort. He whispered, “Father, I can only blame Olive’s skill. I didn’t expect her escape…”
“Shut up!” Logan refused to listen. Compared to Joyce’s daughter, Olive, his son was utterly useless. He was furious at being tricked by Olive. At his palace party, Olive’s performance was a masterful deception; the plan had been for Aaron to marry Olive, but now it seemed he would marry Trixie instead. Logan angrily hurled another antique vase. His rage intensified, and he kicked Aaron repeatedly. Aaron screamed, begging for mercy; he had never seen his father so enraged. He could only blame Olive. Thinking of her stunning beauty, courage, and strategic brilliance, he knew she was unparalleled.
Logan’s fury silenced the servants. Then, a coquettish voice purred, “Master, who’s angered you? Please calm down!”
Molly had arrived. Though a mother of two, and around forty, she looked younger, her face devoid of wrinkles. Her exotic beauty was striking; a small bell, tied around her waist, was the source of the alluring sound.
Seeing Molly, Logan withdrew his foot, releasing Aaron. He sat, saying angrily, “Who else, Molly? Look at the son you bore! I nurtured him, paved his way, yet he failed, ruining my plans and leaving me with a mess!”
Molly stepped forward, wiping Logan’s brow with her silk handkerchief. “My lord,” she whispered, “Aaron failed; I shall reprimand him.”
Logan inhaled the familiar fragrance of her handkerchief, a scent he’d known for years and now craved intensely. His anger subsided, though he still snorted coldly.
Molly sat beside him, clinging seductively to his shoulder. “Master, it’s done. Trixie is Thomas’s only daughter. He’s led the Imperial Army for over forty years, commands loyal soldiers, and is crucial to the army. You’ve long wished to marry Trixie to Aaron; now’s the perfect time. Let’s proceed with the marriage.”
Molly’s words soothed Logan. He feared losing his power and relied on Thomas; hence the plan to marry Trixie to Aaron and secure Thomas’s loyalty. He hugged Molly; he’d grown fond of her in recent years, and she was also a wise advisor.
“However,” Logan worried, “Thomas adores Trixie. Though Aaron’s affair was hushed up, Thomas knows. He won’t willingly marry his daughter to Aaron.”
Molly trailed her fingers across his chest. “If Lord Logan declares the marriage publicly, can Thomas resist?”
Logan grabbed her chin. “What if he defies the decree?”
A sly smile played on Molly’s lips. “Then accuse him of treason and aiding Aaron in destroying families!”
Logan’s eyes lit up. He laughed, kissing her forcefully. “Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!”
Seeing Molly soothe his father, Aaron breathed a sigh of relief. “Olive, just you wait!” he muttered, smoothing his clothes.
At dusk, Olive, showered and seated at her dressing table, allowed Sadie to comb her hair. Her freshly washed face looked radiant in the mirror.
“There,” Olive said, putting down her pen, pleased with her painting. Sadie glanced at it: a peculiar bell.
“Your Highness, what is it?” Sadie asked.
Olive explained, “I heard a bell in the palace, with a strangely compelling quality. I pretended to enter the room and escaped, noticing a maid’s bell. Something’s amiss; I’ll show Mother; she’ll know.”
Sadie produced her phone. Olive took a picture and sent it. Joyce’s reply was swift: “Where’s this bell from?”
“The Theodores,” Olive replied.
“The Water Demon Bell,” Joyce responded.
Olive, hearing of the “Demon Bell” for the first time, had many questions. Before she could reply, another message arrived: “I’m having coffee with my girlfriend.”
Joyce was likely with Annabelle. “Mum, are you in Greenland with Aunt Annabelle yet?” Olive asked. Damien and Alpha were searching for them.
Then, Sadie whispered, “His Royal Highness Logan has officially announced the marriage of Trixie Thomas and his son, Aaron Theodore.”