SPELLBOUND

Everyone was left utterly speechless at Prince Gavriel's angry roar. He was not one who usually vent his wrath or frustrations out on people around him. This just told them how infuriated he was, and it was a personal affront to His Highness from the way he had acted. It took them a few moments to finally snap to attention and move themselves from being frozen from shock.

Their prince was long gone but none of the officials, the duke included, complained. Instead, their faces all looked utterly relieved, and a blissful and hopeful look bloomed on their taut faces. It seems as if everyone would be getting what they wanted – hopefully. All of them were pinning their hopes on the prince and praying that the princess would be cooperative as well.

Clearing his throat, the duke faced the other officials with as solemn a face as he could pull. "It seems we must postpone this meeting and empty this castle as he wanted." He said and everyone nodded. "Now that he is finally fulfilling our most desperate wish, we must refrain from angering him. That would not be good for either of our cause." The duke nodded to himself as well.

"Your Grace… do you really mean it when you said that we should really empty out the castle?" one of his men asked. "Is emptying the entire castle really needed?" the man's face was filled with doubt, clearly expressing his thoughts in thinking that was totally unnecessary.

"Well," the duke hesitated, "if that's what the prince wants, so be it. Nothing is more important than the heir. We will do everything possible no matter how ridiculous his requests are, so long as he manages to sire an heir."

"Right." Everyone nodded in agreement. That was the main reason they all had gathered and tried to ambush him the moment they found out he was there in the gardens.

"Since we have all agreed on this unanimously, I'll go inform the duchess and everyone to evacuate this castle for now. But where would we be sending everyone to?"

"I'm certain the duchess will be more than happy to cooperate. In fact, she would be happier than us to hear of this news. So not to worry, she'll be arranging everything once she hears of this. Just go now and inform her of it." Duke Henry ordered and then the man was gone. "As for us," he swept his gaze to the

The officials did not complain and simply nodded when Zolan suddenly butted in.

"Pardon me Duke Henry, but I suggest that if you really want an heir to be born soon, it would be best that we empty this garden as well." He suggested respectfully, causing the older vampires to crease their brows at him.

"The truth is His Highness is having a great time here before the lot of you arrived. That's why he was in such a foul mood when you came. It seems, His Highness likes doing it outside the bedroom… I'm certain you know what I meant… so I suggest –" Zolan's voice betrayed his embarrassment only if one were to catch the slight quiver as he spoke. If not, his poker face did not suggest any change of emotions as he spouted out those words.

"Are… are you saying the truth?" The duke cut in quickly and looked at Zolan in surprise. In fact, everyone was surprised at that little bit of information that was leaked about their respected prince.

"I wouldn't lie about this, Your Grace. I too, like yourselves, want an heir to be born as soon as possible–"

"That's surprising. To think that His Highness…" the duke cleared his throat again before his voice became commanding, "Alright men, it seems that the garden is no good too. We will empty the entire castle's vicinity. This is for the sake of an heir, so I bid you all not to complain and bear with it for now. We will give him the perfect environment that he wants. Have everyone evacuate now." Duke Henry rolled out the orders.

As the duke and the officials left, Levy was shaking from trying not to burst into laughter.

"Pfft. I can't believe this. What in the world, haha…" Levy even pressed his palm into his stomach as his whole body shook with laughter. "Aren't you destroying our prince's oh so perfect reputation, huh, Zolan?"

"Who cares about reputation at this rate? And it's not a lie anyway. His Highness had also shamelessly declared it himself earlier on didn't he? It is those officials who are just slow to react and comprehend the matter at hand." Zolan's voice totally conveyed his feelings on the matter.

"Haha. What do you mean it's not a lie? His Highness has never done something like this before."

"That's the point. His Highness has never had a woman outside of the bedroom like what he did just now. You know why? Because he's always such a man of control and you know the extent of his self-control. But I believe it's different now. He's too into the princess that he can no longer control himself. Didn't you notice how he looked the entire time?"

"Well, I noticed… he's crazy for the princess… anyone could tell with one glance."

"Right. A crazy wolf hovering over his prey waiting for the very moment they're alone so he could pounce on her." Zolan smirked. "It's a very good thing though. And this is why we must leave them all alone so he can do anything he wants." A naughty wink followed that statement.

"But isn't it a little too much to even include the order to even have the garden to be emptied?"

"Tsk, tsk… we must give them as much space as they want. The princess might decide to take a walk out here again during those times she get tired from being cooped up inside the castle."

"Are you saying that they're going to do it here too if no one's around?" the voice was full of incredulity.

"Didn't you see for yourself that they had almost done it?" another responded, eyes rolling and tone flat.

"Err…"

"My point is, we are to just leave them alone so wherever they go, they would be free to get down to it… if they ever feel like it. Because the more they do it, the higher the chance of the princess getting pregnant. Do you get now?" Zolan sighed. "Do you still need more explanations?"

"Well, I do think you're absolutely right."

"Now you go fetch Elias. That guy must leave too."

"Aye, aye," Levy lazily replied.