The Badboy Prince Just Can't Resist

Chapter 47-And There Was The Meeting

Damien
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I fixed my tie, anxiously checking the father clock in the corner of the room. The plate of oatmeal cookies at the center of the table looked appealing, but I hadn't been able to eat since earlier today. The dessert only reminded me of the kitchen raids Annalise and I would make at night.

I checked the clock again.

It had been approximately ten hours since the Annual Targle event, and Deltora was in chaos. Visitors from foreign lands had already started their journey home, not feeling safe in our walls. The news of the 'Descuvi' infiltrating our lands had spread, and our people did not feel secure.

Knights were pacing the streets, trying to find remaining members of the attack. Over sixty people were brutally killed, all of them being Deltorians.

And one person kidnapped.

The attack was well thought out, with a goal to be reached. If they just wanted Annalise, they could've taken her without the Targle Event, but they wanted to wreak havoc.

They wanted fear.

If they wanted to make a bargain with me, they would've already sent a proposition. The Bendlar clan wanted something from her, and I wasn't going to let them have it.

It was almost time for the meeting to start. I had called upon certain individuals, ones closest to her so we could come up with a solution and break down the situation at hand.

The door opened, revealing a beaten up version of Jack. He limped across the room, settling in the chair beside me. Silence followed, only the ticking of the clock could be heard.

Jack's eyes were stuck to the table,"I'm sorry." I sat up straighter, gazing at him to continue with no emotion.

"I couldn't protect her. I know how much you care for her... and how much you mean to her as well, and I wasn't able to protect her. I let everybody down." He looked away with guilt, and I almost felt bad.

At least he was there for her...

"You tried your best. The only choice we have left is to find her, and I'm going to need your help." I exclaimed. I didn't like asking for help, I was used to demanding what I wanted. Yet this situation was different.

He looked back at me, nodding with realization. The only thing we could both agree on was Annalise, and we were going to have to work together for right now.

Hazalen and Henry entered the room, quite dreadfully might I add. Henry's suit was completely black, even his handkerchief. I assumed that this was his way of handling his emotions, was channeling it into his wardrobe.

Hazalen's eyes were puffy and strung out, obviously she had been crying all day. She was wearing the same dress from the event, her dress was disheveled and crumpled at the sleeves.

The last to walk in was Landon, and as he entered his eyes immediately landed on Hazalen. I had called him to the meeting due to his tactical logic, as well as being my most trusted friend. He was very intelligent when it came to war, and could realize key points that I could not.

"I have called upon this meeting today on the topic of Annalise Woods." I stated, viewing my audience with authority. I was only met with silence, until Hazalen's sobs rang out. Henry handed her an oatmeal cookie with a sad smile, trying to cheer her up. Jack continued to gaze at the table, and Landon looked as if he wanted to console Hazalen.

This is going swell.

"Henry, how did the discussion with Mrs. Woods procure?" I needed to get the ball rolling.