Chapter 418

"Who the hell is this now?" Jareth growled, his jaw clenched in frustration.

He cursed himself and Thaddeus for rushing into this unprepared. They hadn’t brought enough manpower to deal with someone of this caliber.

Back in Elmsworth, even the mayor wouldn’t dare cross him. But here? A mere general was nothing.

"You’re a grown man, yet you panic like a headless chicken at the slightest challenge."

Elvis smirked, the cigarette between his lips bobbing as he spoke. But his grip on the gun was iron-tight. "I don’t care who’s coming. We’ll handle them all."

"Fair enough."

Jareth nodded, then snapped, "Who’s a headless chicken? You’re the damn chicken!"

Elvis just whistled, unfazed. "Even if I am, I’m still at the top of the pecking order. I outshine you any day."

Jareth seethed, unable to argue or fight back.

Just then, Evadne and the others noticed the entire parking lot had been cordoned off.

Rows of royal guards in crisp uniforms flooded the area, lining up with military precision.

The general immediately stepped aside, saluting with rigid formality.

"Well, well," Elvis mused. "Looks like someone important is making quite the entrance."

"From the looks of it, royalty," Cassius muttered darkly. "And given the corruption here, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re protecting the very people we’re after."

His hand on Evadne’s shoulder was warm, steady. "Don’t worry. No matter who shows up, I won’t let anything happen to you."

Evadne covered his hand with hers. "We face this together. I’m not a little girl anymore—I can protect you too."

Cassius smiled, pride softening his sharp features. "Right. Our little girl has grown up."

The sleek black limousine rolled to a stop. Guards rushed to open the doors with practiced reverence.

Two figures emerged—one from each side.

From the left stepped a striking woman in an embroidered blue silk gown, radiating wealth and authority.

"Your Highness, the Duchess!"

The crowd dropped to one knee in unison, making the scene feel like something out of a historical drama.

Then, the woman on the right appeared.

Elegant. Regal. Her pristine white dress shimmered under the dim light, a diamond brooch glinting at her chest—a birthday gift from Alexander three years prior.

She treasured it dearly.

Seeing the Duchess and the woman walking hand in hand, the general paled and bowed deeply.

"G-Good day, Madam President!"

He never imagined the Duchess was close friends with the wife of Helgen’s president—so close they seemed like sisters.

"Debby!" Evadne gasped, her eyes welling up.

Cassius and Elvis stiffened in shock. "Debby?"

"Evadne." Debby’s voice trembled as she looked at her family. "Cassius. Elvis."

The Duchess gasped, covering her mouth. "They’re your family? No wonder you insisted on coming! It’s wonderful to meet them!"

"I’ve always wanted to bring you to Skyrim," Debby said softly. "But I never expected our reunion to be like this."

Composing herself, she strode forward.

As she passed the general, her warm gaze turned glacial. The man who’d been so arrogant moments ago now shrank under her presence.

Power. Authority. It radiated from her, demanding submission.

The general’s legs wobbled.

He never dreamed the wife of Helgen’s president was connected to these "criminals."

"Debby, why did you come alone?" Evadne rushed to her, frantic. "You and Alexander are high-profile targets. You should have guards!"

She’d only asked Debby to pull strings with the royal family—not come in person.

"I couldn’t stay away after hearing what happened." Debby cupped Evadne’s face, her own eyes glistening. "Are you hurt? Is everyone okay?"

"We’re fine. But Thaddeus—" Evadne bit her lip hard.

"Dr. Bright’s nephew is with him," Cassius cut in, jaw tight. "He’s one of the best. Thaddeus will pull through."

Debby exhaled in relief. "Good. With him there, Thaddeus will be fine." She wiped Evadne’s tears. "You always said he was unbreakable. He won’t die before giving you the grand wedding you deserve."

Evadne flushed. "Who said I want to marry him?"

After a quick exchange, Debby turned her icy gaze to the police chief. "Your Highness, my family came here for a peaceful vacation. We didn’t expect such a... warm welcome from your chief of police."

The chief’s teeth ground together, sweat beading on his brow.

The princess’s voice dripped with displeasure. "Chief Leonard, why have you surrounded my guests with armed men?"

"Your Highness, they broke our laws and killed our citizens!" Leonard stood his ground. "It’s my duty to arrest them!"

The princess had no real political power. He gambled that the authorities wouldn’t side with foreigners over their own.

"Citizens?" Debby scoffed. "The man they caught isn’t even from this country. And those shot were murderers protected by arms dealers. You turn a blind eye to their crimes yet dare to accuse us?"

Leonard choked on his words.

The princess deliberated, then said coolly, "Chief Leonard, kneel and apologize. Then assist in extraditing the real criminal."

Evadne’s eyes lit up. She squeezed Debby’s hand—they’d won.

"Not bad for Debby’s best friend," Jareth remarked, impressed.

Elvis smirked. "Since when are you two so close?"

Jareth glowered. "She’s Evadne’s friend, so she’s mine too."

Meanwhile, Ward sat in the car, his face red with panic.

"Your Highness, I was following orders!" Leonard refused to kneel. "This matter should be decided by the king!"

"Whose orders?" the princess pressed.

Just then, a man in royal attire approached and bowed.

"Who’s that?" Evadne whispered.

"The king’s personal secretary," Debby murmured. "Low rank, immense power."

The princess arched a brow. "Have you brought the king’s decree?"

Leonard smirked, confident the king wouldn’t upend decades of political balance for outsiders.

The secretary’s face turned grave. "By order of His Majesty, Chief Leonard is hereby dismissed and arrested for corruption, collusion, and dereliction of duty."

Silence.

The king had acted—for them?

The princess shot Debby a discreet thumbs-up, making her blush.

Ward nearly fainted.

"I was following Colonel Eden’s orders!" Leonard wailed, dropping to his knees. "He pressured me!"

The princess’s expression darkened.

So did Evadne’s and Debby’s.

The situation had been defused—thanks to Debby’s influence.

As Helgen’s first lady and close friend of the queen, her word carried weight. With recent diplomatic ties between their nations, the royals couldn’t afford to slight her.

When Leonard was stripped of his badge and dragged away, his legs gave out completely.

The queen embraced Debby before leaving, her eyes wet. "When will I see you again?"

"Soon," Debby promised, wiping her tears.

"You’re always busy."

"But we’ll always find a way."

Watching the limousine vanish, Debby sighed.

"I’m jealous," Evadne teased, linking arms with her. "You and the queen are so close."

Debby tapped her nose. "You’re the one surrounded by loyal friends, devoted subordinates, and a man who’d die for you."

Evadne’s heart skipped at the thought of Thaddeus.

"But the queen?" Debby smiled wistfully. "She only has me."