Chapter 398 Laying out the Plan

“I am the King and you should obey me!” Everard growled at Jerome while giving him a piercing glare.

Jerome simply scoffed, unaffected by that weak threat from the King, and growled back, “To obey you or not is my decision. And let me be clear about one thing. I won’t obey the King when I know that he is about to make a stupid decision and is possibly getting himself in deep trouble.”

Everard instantly drooped his shoulders and then said in a lousy manner, “I just want to meet my friend and clear his doubts so that we can keep on being friends! Why don’t you understand me?”

“I do. I do understand you.” Jerome took a deep breath to calm the anger that was rising in his chest and then said, “But you should also try to understand how I feel. What will I say to everyone if something happens to you on this journey?”

“I won’t die, if that’s what you mean.” Everard frowned and then sat back on his chair.

Jerome sighed when all he could see in front of him was a young man behaving like an angry child. And for a split second, he wanted to cheer that angry child by agreeing to his request. ‘But he cannot leave!’ he exclaimed to himself in his head.

He cleared his throat and then gave another alternative as a peace offering, “What if I mention how important the ceremony is and invite the Crown Prince to attend the ceremony?”

Everard glared at Jerome through his brows and asked calmly, “Why do you think the location for the meeting is in his own Kingdom? He doesn’t trust anyone in my Kingdom.” He scoffed to himself and mumbled, “How could he trust anyone when he was nearly killed?”

Jerome quietly walked towards the window and then stared outside. He was silent for quite a long time.

Everard also didn’t speak a word, fearing that he would only distract Jerome from whatever he was thinking.

After some time, Jerome finally turned around to look at the King. “Since you are insisting to go…” He heaved a deep sigh and then suggested his own plan, “How about having a single guard by your side?”

“I am listening.” Everard placed his elbows on the desk and entangled his palms to rest his chin on.

Jerome came and stood in front of the desk again and then continued speaking, “I will send out all of your guards right now. Each of them will be allocated a certain part of the whole path.”

“For what?” Everard looked very confused.

Jerome explained what he was thinking. “They will be responsible for checking for any threats and securing the safest route. And that particular guard will be responsible for taking you from one point to another. And then from there, another one of your guards will accompany you to the next point.”

“Ah! I will be accompanied by one guard at a time…” Everard nodded.

“Yes.” Jerome also gave a nod and completed what he was saying. “And the process will repeat until you reach the capital of Orsenia. If we do that, the disguise might actually work since you won’t be traveling in a pack. Hopefully, you won’t attract any attention to yourself with that… bottle of perfume of yours.”

“You are a genius, Jerome!” Everard smiled ear to ear and got up from his chair. He then spread his arms as if he was going to give a hug to Jerome.

Jerome knitted his brows together in confusion and sort of closed his shoulders.

Everard laughed at that reaction and instead of giving Jerome a hug, he patted Jerome on the shoulders to show his appreciation. “Thank you for understanding me, Jerome.” He smiled again and said politely, “See, no one can understand me better than you. I really hope to see you as my Beta.”

The corners of Jerome’s lips curved up slightly upon hearing that. He gave a gentle bow to the King and said in a sarcastic manner, “And I hope to see you in the ceremony. I can’t be the Beta without my Alpha, you know.”

“Got it!” Everard was looking as excited as a puppy when he said, “I am so looking forward to this full moon. So, there’s no way I will miss the ceremony.”

Jerome’s smile turned somewhat sad when he saw the excitement on Everard’s face. He could guess one reason why Everard was that eager about the full moon. And being an alpha of the Crestfire clan wasn’t that reason.

He cleared his throat and mumbled while looking down at the floor, “You know… it might take you some time to hone the ability to summon all the members of the clan during the full moon. So, you shouldn’t be disheartened if you cannot summon everyone to the great hall after your ascension.”

Everard wasn’t disheartened to hear that. Rather, he was being more optimistic. “I won’t know until I try,” he replied happily.

Jerome didn’t want to snatch the happiness of Everard. So, he simply gave a nod and then diverted the conversation. “I think I should get to work right away. I will gather your guards and do some planning. Then I will see them out.”

“Of course.” Everard clapped his hands and then said in an equally excited tone, “I will get myself ready for the journey. Oh, and ask the maids to prepare a small bag with a change of cloth and some food for the journey. And send it along with the guards. Ask them to carry their own ration as well.”

Jerome bowed and agreed. “I will do as you said.”

food for the journey. And send it along with the guards. Ask them to carry their own ration as well.”

Jerome bowed and agreed. “I will do as you said.”

He was about to exit the study when he suddenly recalled something. Thus, he looked back at the King and then said, “Oh, and don’t take any guards inside the castle of Orsenia. They won’t see you as a threat if you go alone. And it will also be easy for you to sneak into the castle if it is required.”

Everard smiled and copied Jerome. “I will do as you said.”