Chapter 51

MAXIMILIAN walked to his seat with an eerie calmness around him. The cloak surrounding his shoulders billowed because of his height. The sceptre in his hand was an heirloom that his family held on for many centuries. At this moment, he's finally letting it go and pass it momentarily in his nephew's hands.

It's time for Jeffrey to make a move for his own. Change things that Max couldn't do. He might be seen as a hypocrite when back then, his nonchalance caused the life of two people. Wether they deserve it or not, Max had to live with the mistake he had done.

He had no right to rule.

The ceremony took three hours. The amount of passage to be read was enough to send Max to a sleep. Fortunately, he was eager for his wife's arrival.

"Jeffrey, you have to change the coven. No matter if it's a small dent, as long as the system can bend its improper ways. This is a heavy role I am going to force in your hand."

Jeffrey smiled. "It's not forever, uncle. This is only until your daughter can finally pick it up from me. Don't worry, I will pave the way for her. Ruin the stigma around the coven so that her problem will lay on making the coven more prosperous economically. I'm not really skilled on that part."

Max twisted his lips. "You can always run to me, or Cedric."

"Yeah..." The guy scratch his nose. "He's more nervous than me."

Max stared at Jeffrey. This guy changed when that cursed medicine entered his system. It triggered the full transformation in him.

His mark with Cedric was erased, though the wolf settled the matter again with another bite. 'Isn't he too willful?'

But the power inside Jeffrey now is boundless. He became a level-headed man. No longer immature and easily threatened.

"It's good that he cares so much about you." He sighed. "I hope you can forgive me."

Jeffrey didn't speak. He can't forgive Max for hiding things from him, but he can't stay mad on his uncle for a long time. "It's all in the past."

The morning sun had risen. The sunlight didn't hurt Max on initial contact but he know that an hour later, and he would feel the sting.

Jeffrey was enveloped with the yellowish light. Appearing like a halo, like the fate's blessing.

Max smiled within. He knew he didn't make the wrong decision when he stepped down.

"You should visit the house often, okay?"

Jeffrey executed a perfect bow. "Naturally, Uncle Max."

He playfully nudge his nephew's shoulder. His eyes going past him and to the members of the coven.

Some where unsatisfied with Jeffrey, but they couldn't voice it now that the ceremony was done.

They had discussed this before—no one is stronger than Jeffrey. Even the ancient vampires living around their coven tried but cannot compare with him.

"I have to go now. Enjoy your celebration today."

"Thank you for your service throughout these years, your grace." Yeon-hee stepped forward. She escorted him out of the building. A few guards following them closely behind. "We will provide Jeffrey the utmost loyalty and support, your grace."

Max' lips twitched. "How about call me 'Max' from now on? I badly needed a friend. No one wants to befriend me when I was still seated at the highest position. This is the first time you personally talked to me without an order."

Yeon-hee's peach blossom eyes glinted with appreciation. "Okay, Max. I hope our kids can play together in the future. My Ryan doesn't have a lot of playmates."



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"You didn't come to Jeffrey's celebration..." Max complained as he hugged Dolly from behind. "What's the matter?"

"Isabelle had a fever. I'm sorry. I... I became so occupied with her I forgot about the ceremony."

Max bit his lips. He went back to their bedroom to check Isabelle's temperature. "You should've called me so that I can help you. The ceremony was boring anyway. Have you eaten?"

"Well... not yet." She smiled sheepishly. "Let's eat together?"

Max ordered the kitchen ladies to set up a table. He escorted Dolly to the chair and eat their dinner while chatting happily.

"Peter..." Max smacked his lips, "because of what he did to Jeffrey, he needs to be publicly executed."

"Oh." Dolly sighed with regret. "There were a lot of them who had ill intention towards our family, Max. This won't stop in the future."

"It's okay. There are people who are willing to accept us. I think, the coven should cooperate with the shifter's committee and participate so that we will have the government's support and backing as well. Howard has always opposed that prospect before but now with Jeffrey, I think he can consider the rest. He made a lot of connections when he used to work with Peter and Cedric before. He's a natural."

"Yes." She smiled. "How about Laura? When is the wedding?"

Max grimaced. "I don't know. Laura said she 'might' be pregnant but it has been months since that happened but until now, nada. I heard Bailey and Laura went for abroad. Now that I think about it, Bailey wasn't in it for the proposal and the money. What connections and power? He's clearly whipped with my cousin!"

Dolly couldn't resist and laugh. "You fell for his trap, Max."

"He's clearly a human but he's on par with a black bellied wolf! I should've guessed it."

"It's okay, Max. As long as Laura is happy."

Max paused. He blinked. "Yes. You're right. She never saw the world before... but now Bailey is taking her around to experience and eat new things. I... I think he's great for her."

Dolly sighed. She's relieved. "I'm glad you're not that muddle-headed like before."

"I know you had poor opinions of me..." Max grumbled under his breath, his mouth stretched to a small curve.

"Okay, now that it's settled, we should both agree to call our daughter—Isabelle, okay?"

Max nodded. "I think you're right. 'Quinn' sounds great. Nice choice, wife."

Dolly pulled a long face. "I clearly said 'Isabelle'..."

There is something that still bugged the hell out of Max. The drug that was injected in Jeffrey is still unknown, and its long-term effects may affect his nephew life in the future.

For now, it's too early to tell.