If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 95
“Count Morado, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you in such high spirits.”
“Viscount Zeigler, likewise.”
“Baron Brent, I heard your son recently had a child?”
“Yes, Count. He’s completely smitten with his grandson these days, haha.”
“I bet he didn’t want to come to the meeting.”
“It’s a secret to the Alpha.”
“Haha! This man is completely taken with his grandson!”
The first vassals gathered in the conference room and exchanged greetings among themselves. The old-fashioned conference room, showing signs of age, had a large round table as its centerpiece.
When it was built, the table had been carved from the oldest tree in the neighborhood, and the age of the wood had only deepened the pattern.
“Begging your pardon.”
The head maid appeared with attendants, wheeling in a trolley. They set down delicacies in front of the seated guests on the round table. Though seemingly simple, the ingredients used in the desserts looked luxurious at a glance, and even the scent of the tea leaves was quite distinct.
“Is it necessary to treat family so grandly, ma’am? Even if we just offer a glass of water, those summoned by the Alpha will come running.”
Count Morado’s jest was met with a natural smile from the head maid.
“The Alpha must feel the same way. He told us not to skimp on preparation, even though this meeting was called at short notice.”
“That’s our leader.”
As Count Morado spoke, everyone in the conference room nodded in agreement. The wolves led by their strong alpha were a formidable tribe with nothing to fear.
They boasted that there was no one more suitable for the role of alpha than him, even more so than the previous dukes. To put it bluntly, he was more fitting for the role of alpha than a duke.
After the butler and attendants left, they each lifted their teacups. After silently savoring the tea for a moment, Baron Brent cautiously spoke up.
“By the way… I heard there’s an outsider staying at the duke’s estate. Do you all know about this?”
“Hmm.”
“Oh, I’ve heard about it too. They say a guest suddenly appeared one day.”
“Suddenly? Well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. They didn’t enter through the main gate.”
“Hmm, does that mean they’re still staying despite not being formally invited?”
The nine guests glanced at Count Morado discreetly as they whispered among themselves. They were already somewhat informed about the outsider.
Especially the rumors circulating about their Alpha’s keen interest in the outsider had already spread. So everyone couldn’t help but be cautious around Count Morado.
They all knew that his sister-in-law, Isabelle, had long been mentioned as a potential match for the Alpha.
“Rumors are just rumors. We all know how far rumors can go, don’t we? Let’s not trouble our Alpha with baseless speculation.”
“Of course. You’re absolutely right.”
As the atmosphere settled, Ivan entered the conference room, followed by Liam. The guests stood up and nodded respectfully.
“Greetings, Alpha.”
Ivan took his seat, and Liam set the refreshments before him.
“I trust you’re all doing well.”
Only after Ivan spoke did the guests take their seats. Count Morado responded with a smile.
“Baron Brent here mentioned that his grandson has been born.”
“Congratulations are in order then. Prosperity is an important matter.”
“Thank you, Alpha,” Baron Brent replied. Ivan and the guests exchanged brief updates and pleasantries. Then, Count Morado’s expression turned serious.
“But Alpha, what has prompted this meeting?”
The guests’ expressions grew somber. In truth, they had already gathered a rough idea of the agenda through rumors.
