True Alpha's Chosen Mate-Chapter 304: There are more things to learn

Sven was a strange guy. It was almost amazing how he knocked Paris out in just a single blow on his nape. Paris wasn’t someone who was easily knocked down. The only person I knew who was capable of doing that was the insufferable Lucien and the duke, my father.

Because of my authority, no one came after Sven. It was a spar, and they were both in a training ground. So I was simply imposing the rules since whatever happened on the training ground, the people fighting in it, would bear zero responsibilities. That included severing someone’s limb or even death.

So, being knocked out was something mild. But since Sven was a werewolf, discrimination among the knights was not surprising. I didn’t do it solely for Sven’s sake, though. I did it as a Highmore who could decide on the spot, and I didn’t want more casualties.

If the knights ganged up on Sven, I was certain more unconscious bodies would pile up on the training grounds. That came clear to me after witnessing Paris’s blackout, plus the gloating of the duke while telling us how Sven took down his elite soldiers without a problem.

In the end, everyone was dismissed.

Sven went to wherever he would go to kill time, while I went to Paris’s room, where they carried him to rest. I stayed in his room, sitting on the armchair next to his bed, and remained silent the entire time.

’Paris’ temper had been growing worse by the day,’ I thought, recalling the days that had gone by since the news about Lucien returning. ’He’s walking in trouble himself.’

A shallow breath slipped past my lips for the umpteenth time. Paris and I were close, yes. However, our relationship wasn’t as normal as other siblings — whatever normal was meant to be. What I meant by that was I couldn’t really voice out all my concern to him as he might take it as rude.

All I could tell him were the normal warnings of him being careful, but that was it. I couldn’t stop him or meddle with his life decisions, no matter how stupid and reckless they were.

My hands balled into a fist as I gazed at them that was on resting on my lap. ’I should’ve stopped him still,’ I thought, my jaw tightening. I was so complacent about his capabilities and, although it was hard to admit it, I underestimated Sven myself.

All this time, I believed Paris was simply bullying Sven, not knowing Paris was simply exhausting himself. Although it didn’t seem Sven had fought back, it was safe to admit he was someone strong. I didn’t know if he was stronger than the duke, but he was someone capable.

"Ughh..." My train of thoughts stopped when I heard Paris grunt. "My head — ah..."

"You should rest more," I said, watching him stand upright while massaging his nape where Sven struck him.

Paris raised his head and looked at me with a frown. "What are you doing here?"

"Killing time, obviously?" I answered sarcastically, arching a brow as I leaned back comfortably. All the worries I had for him faded until there was no trace left in my eyes anymore.

"That bastard..." Paris clicked his tongue, used by my sarcasm already.

"Paris," came out a cold voice, waiting for him to look in my direction. "You’re stupid."

"What?"

"It’s embarrassing to lose a fight you pick, that’s what I am trying to tell you." My expression was distant and unsympathetic, fluttering my eyelashes ever so tenderly. "You should know when to acknowledge that there are people who are stronger than you. There is more room for improvement, as you are still young. You won’t improve if you cannot accept the fact that there were other people who are better than you."

"Hah..." he scoffed in ridicule, but I was unfazed.

"I admit you’re strong, Paris, even stronger than me in terms of strength. However, do you know why I’m ranked second?" I continued, tilting my head to the side. "That is because I use my head, brother. We are naturally born powerful, but not smart. If only His Grace is looking for someone who is strong, then he should’ve acknowledged all his children. But alas, there’s only a few who had dined with him."

"Those who were foolish to think they can get His Grace’s approval just by slaughtering everybody else is enough. They were wrong," I added as a matter of fact. "That’s not what he was looking for. He needs someone who is exceptionally strong, or smart enough not to bring shame to our clan. You know what happened to those who forgot the rules, Paris."

There was a moment of silence in the room after I spewed my words. It may sound harsh for someone who just woke up from being knocked unconscious. However, this was the only way I could voice my concern without blowing off my facade.

Someone needed to tell Paris before he could commit a grave mistake and lead to the unthinkable. He was still my brother, after all, and the only one I truly cared about. I didn’t want to lose him.

Just as my lips parted once again, we heard a knock on the door.

"Ninth young master, His Grace had summoned you to his study room," said the voice of a man outside, making me clutch my hands into a tight first, looking at Paris straight in the eye.

"Ah, damn it..." he breathed out, ruffling his hair in irritation as we already knew what would happen. But Paris didn’t show any sign of fear or anything aside from annoyance. He arched a brow and glanced at me.

"I’ll be fine," he said and snapped his tongue while dragging his butt out of the bed. "I understand now, so don’t worry. I’ll be fine... at least, he wouldn’t kill me."

I bit my inner bottom lip, watching him stretch his neck with his palms on it. "Tell His Grace I’m coming, so don’t think of knocking on that door once again!" he yelled even before a knock would come through.

Paris then cast me a look and smirked wryly before strutting towards the door as if nothing bad would happen. I didn’t watch his figure walk away, but I listened to his footsteps and the sound of the door opening and closing until all I heard was nothing but silence.

This was the reason I was angry.

Although nothing major happened, I knew that once the word about Sven knocking Paris out reached the duke’s ears, Paris would be in trouble. After all, that still falls into the category of bringing shame to the clan.

"I feel sick..."