Chapter 401
Chapter 401
Then, Jonathan led Beatrix and Mabel into a Bentley limousine, which was driven by Walrion.
Aurora and Solorel, who were already inside the car, were joined by Jonathan, Beatrix, and Mabel across them.
The limousine was remarkably spacious. Despite accommodating so many occupants, it didn't feel crowded at all.
The car was headed to the Dietrich residence.
An hour later, the convoy finally arrived at the magnificent Dietrich residence, which would be Jonathan's home in the future.
After they entered the castle, Solorel took Jonathan to his residence first. It was a mansion located behind the ancient castle that featured a living room with golden silk threaded carpets, quaint bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining hall, and even a small indoor swimming pool. The swimming pool had transparent tempered glass above it, which could change color. If it was too sunny, the glass would change into a shade of dark green.
There was also a garden outside the mansion.
Considering that it was the residence of the King of Gulden Vampir, it was undoubtedly quite luxurious.
The building had many rooms, and the place was more or less a palace. With a simple wave of his hand, Jonathan decided, “From now on, you will stay here, Mabel and Beatrix.”
Since Mabel and Beatrix didn't mind such unimportant things, they had no objections. Moreover, they wouldn't be sharing a bedroom, not to mention that the scenery and environment there were excellent.
Mabel said, “Even if I stay here, it will be occasionally only. I still have many matters to tend to back in the country.”
Jonathan also realized that he couldn't keep Mabel by his side all the time.
“Once you're done with all these things, I'll return to my master's side,” Mabel added. Têxt © NôvelDrama.Org.
Jonathan couldn't help but feel a tinge of melancholy. Eventually, everyone around him would have to go their separate ways.
When Mabel and Beatrix saw Jonathan's gloomy expression, they hurriedly came over to cheer him up. Mabel said, “With the advancement of technology nowadays, we can quickly reach each other even if we are thousands of miles apart. You can still use your phone to contact us. If you need us, we will come right away.”
Beatrix agreed, “That's right!”
Solorel smiled and said nothing. As a man who possessed remarkable political wisdom, he would respect Jonathan's decision.
“You may attend to your matters here, Your Majesty. If you need anything, just let Walrion know. I will also arrange for your belongings at Protector Condominium to be sent over as soon as possible,” Solorel said.
“Very well!” Jonathan replied.
Solorel left at that.
After Solorel's departure, Jonathan went to the master bedroom.
The master bedroom boasted a bathroom, a separate toilet, and even a private balcony.
Everything was so luxurious.
Nevertheless, as he looked around the room, the material comforts didn't evoke much emotion in him.
Interestingly enough, it occurred to him that the wealth and power he possessed were something that many people would strive for their entire lives but struggle to attain.
He hadn't relied on his parents for anything. Everything he had currently was built from scratch.
This made him feel a sense of self-worth.
Not long after Jonathan and the others arrived at the palace, Walrion arrived.
Walrion now showed great respect toward Jonathan. Upon meeting, Walrion bowed as he said, “Lunch is ready, Your Majesty.”
Walrion's humble attitude filled Jonathan's heart with the desire for power.
Being a king carried certain risks, but it also offered many gratifying aspects.
Jonathan smiled subtly. Naturally, he wasn't going to make things difficult for Walrion by mocking him as he wasn't petty. Chuckling, Jonathan said, “Try not to hold a feast that consists of human parts like you did last time. I don't think I can stomach it.”
Embarrassed, Walrion replied, “Rest assured, Your Majesty. The feast will be Chanaean cuisine completely.”
“Okay. You can wait outside first. We will come right after.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Walrion replied before exiting respectfully.
Jonathan felt an extreme sense of satisfaction in his heart. The benefits and feeling of being respected by others that came along with such power could indeed inflate one's ego.
Just then, Mabel approached Jonathan with a smile. “How is it, Your Majesty? Doesn't it feel good to be
all high and mighty?”
Embarrassed to admit it directly to Mabel, Jonathan merely chuckled.
Mabel continued, “But I still have to remind you that everything comes with a cost. You are expected to give back after having all these benefits. Prince Solorel and Leahra both hope that the vampires would become stronger under your lead. It may not be about dominating the world, but the clan must have the ability to at least protect themselves. Besides, only the strong are respected within the clan. If you want to maintain your position as the king, you have to prove that you are strong enough.”
Jonathan nodded solemnly. “Don't worry, I understand.”
Mabel's intention was only to remind him, so she said nothing more after he responded.
After Beatrix emerged from her room, they all went out together.
Walrion was already waiting outside. Upon seeing everyone, he led them to the dining room.
Only Solorel and Aurora were in the dining room.
Upon seeing Aurora, Jonathan and the others were instantly reminded that the trio had unscrupulously stolen their spatial rings.
The spatial rings were so exceptional that Jonathan hesitated whether he should return them.
After some thought, he thought he should be more generous as a king. After all, there were things that should be obtained as gifts rather than stolen goods.
Facing Aurora, he said, “Come to my place later, Ms. Aurora. I will return you the spatial rings.”
Aurora hurriedly replied, “Your Majesty, it is an honor for us to have the spatial rings in your possession. Please don't mention it again.”
Solorel added, “The whole clan belongs to you, Your Majesty. You can have whatever you want. Isn't there an old saying in Chanaea that goes, 'There is no place that is not the king's land under the heavens, and there is no person who is not the king's subject on the land'?”
Jonathan felt extremely good. Prince Solorel sure has a way with words!
However, Jonathan wasn't that shameless. “In that case, how many spatial rings that are currently not in use do we have, Prince Solorel?”
Solorel paused for a moment and then replied, “We still have ten in stock!”
That's not a lot! Chuckling, Jonathan continued, “Take all of them out later, and give Ms. Aurora and the other marquises one each as compensation. You can leave the rest for me.”
Solorel smiled faintly. Showing no hesitation or reluctance in his eyes, he turned to Walrion beside him and said, “Bring over all of the spatial rings that we have.”
Walrion replied, “Yes!”
Jonathan knew that the spatial rings were valuable items, but he wasn't thinking of using so many of them himself. Instead, he thought he could use them as favors in the future.
Seeing that Solorel opened up about the spatial rings so easily, Jonathan had the urge to ask him how many other valuable items were in the inventory.
Nevertheless, he did not speak his mind because he couldn't possibly ask Solorel directly. He would only ask about it afterward.
After that, everyone took their seats.
When Aurora remained standing instead of taking her seat, Jonathan said, “Please have a seat as well, Ms. Aurora.”
Aurora immediately replied respectfully, “I cannot sit with you, Your Majesty.”
Jonathan said, “You can.”
Aurora was about to refuse Jonathan again when Solorel intervened. “Since His Majesty says you can, you shall take a seat, Aurora.”
Aurora didn't say anything more and sat down.
Although everyone addressed him as the king and treated him respectfully, Jonathan could see that it was because of Solorel's authority.
If Solorel decided that he was displeased with Jonathan, he only needed a simple command to get rid of him.
In that case, Jonathan would probably be torn into pieces in the blink of an eye.
However, Jonathan wasn't too discouraged by it. After all, he had just arrived and didn't have much foundation yet.
On the table were a variety of dishes which were mostly Chanaean cuisine.
Not long after, Walrion approached Solorel with a troubled expression on his face. “Your Highness, Mr. Langston said that we can't take all of the spatial rings even if it's your command. We can only take a maximum of three rings!” Walrion whispered.
Jonathan, who was listening from the side, had a feeling that it was not a simple issue.
Clearly, to the vampires, the spatial rings were extremely precious treasures that were hard to come by. That was why the person in charge of the inventory wouldn't release all of the rings even if Solorel gave the order.
“Mr. Langston?” Jonathan was slightly puzzled. “It seems that you haven't mentioned him before, Prince Solorel.”
Solorel was frowning slightly when he heard Jonathan. He immediately smiled as he explained, “Your Majesty, you may not be aware, but Mr. Titus Langston is one of the elders in the clan. However, he suffered serious internal injuries during the Eastern Invasion over twenty years ago and has not fully recovered since. Hence, he is now rather peculiar and unwilling to interact with others. I was afraid that he would be too bored, so I let him manage the inventory. Considering his temperament, I didn't want him to offend you, so I didn't let him come along although he should have.”
Smiling, Jonathan replied, “I see. Since the elder refuses to release the rings, let's forget about it.”
Solorel glanced at Jonathan and saw that he was smiling. However, he couldn't guess what the latter was thinking.
Not daring to show a hint of negligence, Solorel immediately added, “Your Majesty, since you have spoken, the entire clan must obey. How about this, Your Majesty? I'll go to where the inventory is kept for a while. You can have your meal first. I'll be back in no time.”
Chuckling, Jonathan said, “I'm not hungry at the moment. Why don't I accompany you to take a look?”
Solorel paused for a moment before replying, “All right, if Your Majesty wishes to go.”
Since Jonathan wanted to go, Mabel and Beatrix had to follow suit naturally, considering they were now his attendants.
In truth, Jonathan just wanted to see how Solorel would handle the problem and the extent of his determination.
Since Titus was a tough nut to crack, Jonathan had to go and see for himself.
If Solorel successfully obtained the ten spatial rings, it would serve as a deterrent and show the entire clan his determination.
This was Jonathan's actual objective since he could only rely on Solorel for everything, as his foundation was nonexistent at the moment.