It was already sunset when Nathan reached Platinumez Palace with Penny and met Annie again in the hall.
The latter held a grand feast to entertain them with a group of royal family members led by Jurgis.
Nevertheless, they could sense that Annie, Jurgis, and the others seemed to have something up their sleeves. Evidently, they were putting on a show with the so-called grand feast.
Halfway through the feast, Annie, seated at the head of the table, cast a look at Nathan, who was in the seat reserved for the most valued guest. Lifting her wineglass, she smiled and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Cross, allow me to toast you on behalf of our royal family.”
Nathan lifted his wineglass with a smile and replied, “Queen Annie, thanks for your hospitality. My wife can't drink wine as she's pregnant. Therefore, allow me to represent her in finishing this glass of wine as a token of our utmost gratitude to you.”
With that, he gulped down his glass of red wine.
Even though Annie was already up in the years, she had a high alcohol tolerance. She smiled and gulped down her glass of red wine as well.
After putting the empty wineglass down, she took a napkin to wipe the corner of her lips in a dignified manner before stating slowly, “Mr. Cross, I'm more than happy that you and Mrs. Cross could spare time to visit our country. However, I heard about something devastating this afternoon.”
Nathan threw her a glance and asked coolly, “Oh! What's that?”
Annie brought up the topic casually. “Duke Szymon met a tragic end earlier today. Mr. Cross, have you heard anything about it?”
On the heels of that, all the others’ penetrating gazes were on Nathan.
Needless to say, the most menacing glower came from Jurgis, who was seated not far away from Nathan.
Having a hefty figure and a rugged face, Jurgis still exuded an inexplicit imposing aura even when he was sitting in silence. Subsequently, those sitting around him could not help feeling intimidated. They almost felt themselves suffocating due to the extreme fear as it was as though they were sitting next to a tyrannosaur. Right after Annie mentioned Szymon's death intentionally, Jurgis and the others shot daggers at Nathan, causing the atmosphere to become tense instantaneously.
After scanning everyone, he fixed his gaze on Annie and refuted, “Initially, I didn't intend to bring it up. After all, in my opinion, Szymon had undoubtedly disgraced the royal family with his absurd attitude. It never crossed my mind that you would bring this up now. Since that's the case, I'll cut to the chase.” After a while, he pointed out apathetically, “Szymon harbored a grudge against Eurasia and loathed me. He even made use of his security company to seize Eurasia's national treasure that I obtained from the auction. Hence, I requested him to return the national treasure to me, but he was indignant. Consequently, he tried to shoot me behind my back after I defeated him badly in a fight earlier. Fortunately, he couldn't inflict harm on me as I reacted in time to fend off his attack and retaliate successfully. That was what transpired just now. Don’t you think he merely had a taste of his own medicine? Is there anything wrong with me defending myself by killing him?” Everyone from the royal family of Eagleland exchanged looks. Knowing that Szymon was in the wrong, they had no right to argue with Nathan.
Nevertheless, Jurgis retorted adamantly, “Szymon is a duke of the royal family. He was not only my son-in-law but also one of Queen Annie's trusted aides. Regardless of the wrongful deed he committed, you were in no position to kill him. The royal family is the one with the authority to teach him a lesson and punish him. If there was anything about him that you were not happy about, you should have talked to Queen Annie about it, and she would surely resolve the matter.
Unequivocally, you're stepping on the toes of the royal family by killing him brutally. Nathan Cross, don't you know it’s not your place to murder someone from the royal family on our land? How could you have the gall to cross the line!”
Nathan mocked, "I've never come across anyone who still retorts shamelessly even when in the wrong.”
Annie knitted her brows instantly, whereas Jurgis turned crimson with fury.
Meanwhile, all the others exchanged looks.
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