Cain's face was the same apathetic as usual, however, Luke's scornful and lazy smile was now replaced with a sinister one. His face darkened and his demeanour became much colder filled with menace.

Out of the three, Archie Herondale was the first to break the silence. In spite of knowing that Cain had his reasons for exposing his dad's location, he was still angry that Cain's actions could potentially endanger his dad's life. Even if he was trying to warn Luke and make the story more realistic, he had gone too far.

What kind of ally was he to throw his dad into danger? How dare he? Anyways, water was already spilled, all he could do now was to cooperate with the Dragon as there was no way he would support the Lion.

"Hmm, dad seemed to really like the place. It's just that Ribekia is so far away," he concentrated his gaze on Luke, gave him a wink and continued slyly, "I also heard the women there are the real beauties."

Luke simply snorted at his intentions. Seemed that that old geezer was truly in Ribekia. But judging from their actions it seemed like it was nothing important. Or else why would they so openly talk about his location? Or maybe they were actually aiming for this? Was this a trap? A diversion tactic? Whatever it was, he wasn't going to make blind guesses.

"Oh, believe me, I know. Have been there quite a few times and can confirm the rumours personally. You know what? Instead of sitting with us and doing boring business you might as well visit the place personally."

Archie just gave a small chuckle at his 'suggestion' and shook his head with a pitiful expression on it. He made it seem like he dearly wanted to go there but he couldn't allow himself the luxury. As people were engrossed in the biting talks between those two, no one noticed how Cain's gaze had darkened and his eyes carried a scornful glint in them.

'Huh, beauties? Everyone fades in front of my Queenie. But if Luke is still not convinced and is so dead set on going there it's not like I mind. As if I would allow him to get winds of my Queenie. Anyone who dares to have designs for her deserves death. Seems like I need to rush Kalix to come back.'

"Can we talk business?" Cain finally spoke up. He was never generous with his words when with others. The only time he would talk and even have the patience to explain was when the matters concerned her. And though related to her, he couldn't afford the mistake of acting out of character and speaking his true thoughts. He couldn't afford to be careless.

"Sure," came Archie's single word reply. He was more than happy to s.h.i.+ft the topic of the conversation. And this way of doing things would make it seem that his dad being in Ribekia was but a small matter. Seemed like Cain knew what he was doing.

"So then what do you have for us, dear Herondale heir?"

Luke's voice was sarcastic. He was actually a bit p.i.s.sed. Their tactics could have two completely opposite interpretations and he was burning to learn which one was the case.

At least the pieces started falling into places: finally Archie could feel gaining control of the situation once again. He needed to keep the focus now. Moreover, the trial was something his family had painstakingly thought of. It was his high time now. He was too excited to cause problems for the Lion but he couldn't be too obvious about it.

"Why the rush? How about we have a few drinks before we start?"

"No," Cain's monosyllabic response talked louder and clearer than round-abut rejections. He wasn't going to waste time with two unrelated and irritating people. After all, every second here with them was a second less with her.

Luke on the other hand was a well-known alcohol lover. In front of him was the young master of the oldest family alive that had the best wine in the world. He wasn't in a rush and this was an opportunity to annoy Cain who always seemed to be in a rush. How could he miss the opportunity? With a wide smile he said,

"Sure, I wonder what drinks the young master has for us."

Archie was actually feeling on edge because of the bomb Cain had dropped. His dad had trusted the emperor selection matters to him but he was really not the best for this. It was no secret that he was a carefree heir, it was his big brother Mark who usually took care of such matters. But now he had to accompany his dad to Ribekia for the surgery. He really hoped they would be back soon. He had no desire to spend more time with the apathetic and cold Dragon and the l.u.s.tful and sarcastic Lion. He wanted to put a carefree appearance for the front but was in reality more than happy to follow the wishes of the Dragon.

Hiding all his thoughts, he gave Luke a meaningful smile and motioned the butler to bring the wine. As soon as the wine was brought and Luke and Archie took their gla.s.ses while Cain refused to drink. Taking in his stance in the matter, The Herondale heir finally started talking,

"The trial my family designed is actually not hard at all. As you know we hate b.l.o.o.d.y businesses so what we want you to do is quite simple and straightforward. There are three tests in the trial and the one who wins two of them will be the one we give our vote to."

Hearing his words Luke couldn't help but sneer. He made it sound so rightful and unbiased but obviously their conditions were going to be disadvantageous for the Vallauris.

Cain was also clearly aware of Luke's thoughts and he could easily guess the objective and the logic behind the Herondale trials. Every judge was supposed to give a trial of their own.

The old emperor's trial tested whether they could be compa.s.sionate despite the environment they had grown in. It involved their precious person: his objective was to see whether they were capable of human emotions; capable of loving. Cain won him over because he had Siana who was more important than the world to him. Luke, on the other hand, had failed because he didn't know anything about treasuring someone other than himself.

After both candidates gave a sign for the Herondale to continue, he inwardly heaved a sigh of relief and started,

"I won't give you information on the next two a.s.signments as they are not mine to talk about. All I can say is that my brother will a.s.sign the second task and my dad will a.s.sign the third in case you are tied after the second one." He stopped for a moment and taking a deep breath went on solemnly,

"My task for you is to find clues on the group of the drug dealers who shook the underworld three years ago. As you know, this 'Black lily' group appeared under the pretense of small-time drug dealers but they actually wrecked havoc in the South and killed hundreds of people. They even managed to steal cla.s.sified information from several families and clans: mine included. They disappeared right after but until now we have no information whatsoever about them. The only thing my family managed to find was a photo of two of their members. I will give you the photos and you will have 15 days to find any clue about them. If you fail the first task you cannot proceed to the second one and it will be left completely to my family's own decision whose side to stand on."