Alex turned at Eva. "What, do I need to use charm to get these two? One's a broke princess who always comes around for free food, while the other isn't much different—comes to eat and sleep. They're just losers."Eva glanced around, a heavy sigh escaping her lips.What Alex said wasn’t far from the truth.Janica, the second princess, had a reputation that she was constantly bullied by her elder sister, Princess Atossa.And then there was Lucy Southerland. She wasn't a first princess either, and her notoriety as the "Sleeping Beauty" who was too lazy to lift a finger kept people at a distance.“So, this is the camp of losers,” Eva finally managed to say. “Fake Alexander Kingsley, a second bullied princess, and an unwanted princess. Well, it makes sense now.”“Same with you,” Alex added. “You're the black sheep of the Sharp family, always looking for trouble—not like Ava. That’s why they sent you here, right?”Eva's face flushed red. His words hit too close to home, striking a nerve she

Eva’s breath caught in her throat, but she nodded quickly. “All right, I’ll give you 2,000. Just stop hitting Alex.”“Deal,” Maladin laughed, a cruel grin spreading across his face. Each bottle could be worth at least $200,000. If he has 2,000 of them, that means he’s already pocketed $400 million!“Stop, all of you! He’ll die if you keep hitting him.”The men halted their assault, stepping back as Alex crumpled to the ground, his body battered and bruised.Eva rushed to his side, her hands trembling as she touched his bloodied face.“Take him,” Maladin commanded, and two men moved forward to drag Alex away.“Wait,” Eva called out desperately. “You promised me.”Maladin turned to her. “Yes, I promised. But you’ll have to send me the 2,000 bottles of the best wine first before I release him to you,” he said, his voice dripping with smug confidence.“I’ll have my aircraft parked outside the Academy. You have four hours to get the wine. If I don’t get it in time, Alex will die.”With a w

"Wake up!"The sharp command sliced through as the prisoner door creaked open with a loud crank.Alex barely had time to register what was happening before a rough kick jolted him awake.The ropes around his wrists were still tightly secured, binding him.He was roughly yanked to his feet by the guards and pushed toward the cargo door, where others were still unloading the wine crates.The cool morning air hit him as he stumbled, trying to keep his balance. Without a word, they shoved him into a waiting truck.“Father,” Maladin called out, his voice dripping with arrogance. “What do you think we should do with this Alexander Kingsley?”Saladin’s voice responded through the phone. “Play with him in the youth streaming video or podcast. Let the people know they shouldn't be afraid of the Empire.”“Yes, Father,” Maladin replied, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.He knew exactly what his father wanted—to use Alexander as a tool to gain favor with the younger generation, to inci

Nova descended into chaos.Fear and confusion buzzed through the streets as news of the Empire’s invasion spread like wildfire.Alex understood that victory in war wasn’t just about military strength—it was about winning the hearts and minds of the people.If the Empire had attacked Nova without cause, the citizens would have condemned them as greedy tyrants, eager to expand their dominion.But by allowing himself to be kidnapped, Alex had shifted the narrative.Now, the blame fell squarely on Saladin, whose reckless actions had provoked the Empire’s response.The citizens of Nova had no choice but to direct their anger at Saladin.The Empire was merely responding to an act of provoked aggression.And it was Saladin, the marshal who had brought ruin upon them.As Alex was guided with respect toward the King’s palace.Inside the grand hall of the palace, the atmosphere was tense.Ministers and important figures of Nova gathered, all eyes on Alexander Kingsley as he entered.They bowed

“What kind of logic is that?!” Saladin yelled, his voice echoing through the grand hall.His fists clenched tightly as his eyes darted between the Empire soldiers. “If the Empire attacked us, wouldn’t we already be dead? What more is there to ask?”Yet, the Empire soldier raised his weapon aiming it straight at Saladin, ready to strike.“I will not ask for the second time,” Christopher growled.“You will follow us to interrogation willingly. I promise we will not kill those who are innocent. But... if you resist, we don’t need to talk anymore, do we?”“I am the king!” King Arthur shouted with anger and fear. “You cannot do this to me!”“Not anymore,” Christopher sneered, raising his hand lazily, as if dismissing Arthur’s claim entirely.“Take them to the interrogation room. If they refuse to cooperate, you know what to do.”Without hesitation, the Empire soldiers surged forward, their boots pounding against the stone floor as they grabbed Saladin, King Arthur, and the others, dragging