I Can Tame Everything!-Chapter 45: Changing sides

"Your Majesty, I heard Princess Vivienne also has a gifted ability," Rex voiced out.

The princess reluctantly spared him a glance at her mention. "Aspects are just that, Aspects. Strength is all that matters," she asserted, looking at him in a displeased manner.

Then glanced at her father and grumbled in an annoyed tone, "Father, do you think bringing a child to the Verdant Forest is a good idea? He'll die in just a few hours."

Having understood his daughter's first remark about Rex's bird, he subtly shook his head and began,

"Haha, Vivienne, Rex's Aspect is unlike anything we have ever seen. He will be very helpful in obtaining many resources in the Secret Realm... including Purebloods,"

The king explained, but then raised his brows as if remembering something. He looked at Duke Asselin for a brief moment, then glancing at Rex, he questioned as if his answers mattered alone.

"Right, which house will you be representing in the Secret Realm, Rex? Since you're an orphan and at the right age, I suggest you should participate in the Secret Realm," the king said in a casual tone.

"Secret Realm?" Rex repeated the same words with a bewildered look.

The king smirked; however, he masked it quickly with annoyance. "Did Asselin not mention anything about Secret Realm?" he questioned, narrowing his gaze, showing clear disappointment.

But before Rex could even reply,

Asselin stepped in after reading the room. "Haha," he laughed awkwardly and began, "I've already informed Rex that he will be representing House Walterius, Your Majesty. You don't have to worry about him not participating," the Duke said, pressing on Rex's both the shoulders firmly.

Does he think he can pressure me? I think this is a good opportunity to change sides,

Rex thought after seeing the Duke's brazen gesture of pressuring and pushing him around while trying to scare him.

Rex noticed the king was looking at him favorably. So he finally decided to change sides and get out of the Duke's grasp, while pretending to be the same clueless kid.

"Huh? Sorry, Your Majesty, Duke Asselin didn't mention anything about Secret Realm," he said meekly, looking at the king, flashing an innocent child's look.

The Duke grumbled nervously, "Your Majesty, I have already adopted Rex as my son," he said without hesitation.

Asselin knew, if he didn't push in here, the golden goose he found might slip away from him, so he continued to press the king, "Pleas—"

And at the mention of Rex being adopted, Princess Vivienne showed a shocked expression; however, King Edmund skillfully suppressed it while raising his hand, he gestured for the Duke to stop mid-sentence as he began.

"Duke Asselin, since this young man stated that he doesn't represent any factions, don't you think we should directly ask him?" the king rasped out coldly.

"Or did you find him from somewhere and are forcing him to work for you?" the king's voice hardened like steel.

The Duke's jaw tightened as he replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, let's make him decide," and agreed unwillingly.

The king nodded and glanced at Rex with a bright smile, quickly transitioning between expressions.

"Since you don't have any representatives, are you willing to represent the royal family? We can give you enough... protection," he said, looking at Rex in a deadpan expression while hiding a faint smirk.

What do they mean by representing and the Secret Realm? Wasn't I here for the forest? Rex thought.

However, seeing three gazes look at him intently, he immediately decided, while replying innocently, "Yes, I would be happy to represent the royal family," and added,

"In fact, it hasn't even been two days since I met with Duke Asselin."

"Good, good," the king praised while tapping on Rex's shoulder.

The king wouldn't have pressed Duke Asselin normally, but to him, Rex was someone he couldn't afford to lose.

It was clear in everybody's eyes that Rex was talented and no less of a genius when compared to Princess Vivienne and other geniuses. And on top of that... his Aspect.

There was no way any sane person would not want him on their side.

But that wasn't even the most shocking part. If one were to know that it had not been even 10 days since Rex had left 'that' small forest, and he was already at Ascender – 3 stars, they would certainly be shocked to their core.

"Your Majesty, I think I'll take my leave," the Duke grumbled emotionlessly, yet his eyes flickered with hate. He bowed down slightly and quickly walked away. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"Duke Asselin, worry not, you will be rewarded handsomely for finding such a talented young man," the king said and nodded as Asselin left...

"Now, let's do what we've come here for, Vivienne," the king said, looking at his daughter. "Please bring out your beast. I want to test Rex on his appraising," he said.

Vivienne sighed and looked at Rex. "Let's see what your Aspect is, and why Father had to go out of his way to snatch you away from that Duke," she huffed.

And turned around. "Follow me. Let's test you in the training ground," she said, while walking towards the same place she was just training on.

Rex looked at the king with a wry smile, who nodded and began following his daughter. Rex sighed and followed suit.

"Nyra!" Standing on the training ground, Princess Vivienne shouted, looking at the open sky.

Rex and the king stood beside each other, and after some moments...

Without any sound and just three jumps, a sleek, obsidian-black panther dashed down skillfully onto the training ground. Silver runes threading beneath its fur. Its claws shone like forged blades, giving it a silent and deadly look.

The panther went toward Vivienne and nudged her legs from behind as its scrutinizing gaze lingered on Rex and Arcane. "You called, Vivienne?" it questioned in a rough voice.

On the other hand, Rex's gaze didn't flicker with scrutiny like the panther's.

Instead, he marveled at the beast before him. To Rex, each and every beast was fascinating.

Without hesitation, he checked its status, and a familiar panel flashed before his eyes.