Chapter Eight

Arthur, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally took a step forward. His movements were deliberate, and his eyes, calm yet piercing, locked onto Collin's. Amanda, standing beside him, felt a slight tremor in the air, though Arthur remained very composed.

The dangling chandeliers above cast a mild glow over the scene, but the tension between them was far from soft. Every eye in the room began to shift in their direction, whispers rippling through the banquet hall. Amanda’s parents, who had been standing nervously a few feet away, froze, sensing the danger of the situation.

Collin’s sneer grew wider. “Oh, look at this,” he said, a chuckle bubbling up from his throat. “The poor criminal Son in law is trying to be a hero now. I’ve had about enough of you, now back off.” His voice lowered as he stepped closer to Arthur, his breath brushing against Arthur’s face, filled with arrogance. “Do you know who I am? Do you have any idea what I can do, I am Collin Kelly the first son and only child to the president of The Alpha Group. It's one of the most prestigious businesses in all of Eldrida". 

Arthur didn’t flinch, standing his ground, but Amanda could sense something changing in him. He wasn’t just defending her—he was making a statement of dominance. 

“I know exactly who you are..." Arthur replied coolly, his eyes narrowing slightly. His voice was low, steady, and dangerous. “But if you ever lay a hand on her again, Collin, you'll regret it.”

Collin cracked up in laughter, amused by the warning. His hand jolted forward, gripping Arthur’s collar in an aggressive gesture. The surrounding guests gasped, several stepping back, while others watched with wide eyes. Arthur still didn’t react, but Amanda could see the subtle tightening of his jaw.

“I could end you right now,” Collin intoned, pulling Arthur closer. “With one call, I could have you thrown back into prison, and no one would blink an eye. You’re nothing more than a worthless criminal, parading around like you belong in this world.”

Amanda's fists clenched at her sides, anger and fear dancing around in her belly like butterflies. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could respond, the heavy sound of boots on marble echoed through the hall. The double doors at the end of the room burst open with a sharp bang, and in stormed a man with a presence that commanded immediate respect.

Ten Ashure, Arthur’s second-in-command, strode into the hall, his sharp eyes scanning the situation. Behind him, several elite security guards followed, moving with precision and purpose. The entire hall seemed to freeze as they approached.

Collin’s grip on Arthur faltered for just a second, and Arthur calmly pushed his hand away, stepping back. The tension in the air shifted dramatically. Ten Ashure moved to Arthur’s side in an instant, standing tall and ready. Without so much as glancing at Collin, he turned and saluted Arthur sharply.

“Sir, yes sir!” Ten Ashure’s voice rang through the hall, and his men immediately followed suit, saluting in unison. The formality and respect were unmistakable.

Amanda’s eyes widened in confusion. Her heart raced, her mind spinning. Sir? The words echoed in her head. She had known Arthur for some time now, but never had she seen anything like this. The man standing before her was calm and commanding, but who was he, really?

Collin, too, seemed momentarily stunned by the display. The smug grin that had been plastered on his face slowly faded, replaced by an expression of confusion. He struggled against the guards, trying to regain control of the situation, but it was clear that something had shifted. The power dynamic had flipped.

“W-what the hell is this?” Collin spat, his bravado faltering as he looked between Arthur and the guards. “Who do you think you are?”

Arthur’s eyes didn’t leave Collin, his gaze hardening with each passing second. “I've known you for sometime, through reputation alone of course, lucky you we've never met before. You’ve made a habit of threatening people weaker than you,” he said, his voice low but powerful. “But today, Collin, you’ve made a mistake.”

Ten Ashure stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his weapon, though he made no move to draw it. “Sir,” he said, his tone more urgent now, “we need to secure the area. The council awaits your presence, and the situation outside is escalating.”

Arthur nodded slightly, his eyes never leaving Collin’s face. “Take him,” he ordered, his voice filled with authority. “Make sure he doesn’t cause any more trouble tonight.”

Collin’s eyes widened in panic as the guards moved to detain him. “Wait!” he shouted, struggling uselessly against their grip. “You can’t do this! I’m Collin Kelly, son of the president of Alpha Group! Do you have any idea who you’re messing with?”

Arthur stepped closer, his voice now a deadly whisper. “You’re lucky I’m in a forgiving mood tonight. But if you ever touch Amanda again, there won’t be a second warning.”

The guards dragged Collin away, his protests growing fainter as he was escorted out of the banquet hall. The room, now rid of his presence, felt lighter, though the tension still hung in the air. Arthur turned to Amanda, his expression softening as he approached her.

Amanda, still in shock, took a step back, her mind racing. “Arthur… what just happened? Why did they call you ‘sir’? Who are you?”

Arthur sighed, running a hand through his hair. He had hoped to avoid this conversation, but the time had come. “Amanda,” he began, his voice gentle, “this is what I've been trying to tell you all thus time, now I'm done talking... It's time I show you .”

“Show me?” Amanda pressed, her suspicion growing. “I’ve known you for so long, but this... this is something else entirely. Why do these men treat you like... like you’re some kind of—”

“Warlord,” a voice boomed from behind them. Amanda turned to see Ten Ashure, his presence even more imposing now as he stood tall and resolute at the entrance. His ceremonial uniform gleamed in the chandelier lit hall as he walked with purpose toward them, his eyes locked onto Arthur.

“Commander Arthur,” Ten Ashure said, his tone respectful but firm, “the council awaits your presence. They’ve been briefed on the situation. It’s time.”

The room fell silent once again, the weight of Ten Ashure’s words sinking in. Amanda’s heart pounded in her chest as she turned back to Arthur, her voice barely above a whisper.

“You’re the Warlord?” she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief. “All this time, that’s what you've been trying to say!”

Arthur met her gaze, the truth finally out in the open. “Yes, Amanda,” he said softly, “I am.”

Amanda felt the floor beneath her shift as the reality of his words hit her. The man she had trusted, the man she thought she knew, was far more than she could have ever imagined. And now, everything had changed.