Chapter 210: Erika’s Anger

Chapter 210: Erika’s Anger

Jacek lay in bed deep into the night unable to sleep after his dreamy rendezvous. He jumped with surprise as his phone on the nightstand lit up and started buzzing.

He grabbed his phone and answered it, “Hey Dad. It’s late. What’s up.”

“An emergency meeting is being held in the conference room. Be there in five minutes.” Jarek then hung up without awaiting a response.

Jacek put his phone down and softly said, “An emergency meeting at 3am the night of my wedding? This had better be good.”

He got out of bed and put on a pair of gym shorts and a tank top before heading to the conference room within the villa.

He entered into a dimly lit room with the overhead lights off but table side lamps on, and he took his seat. He looked around seeing leaders from around the world, all present to attend the wedding. Jarek, Karasu, Lady Starfallen, President Hammond, and...

Suddenly the door flung open as an irate Erika entered the conference room. She wore a silk white robe with a floral pattern, and her face was contorted with pure anger.

“This had better be good!! It is the morning of my wedding!!” Erika walked up to the round table and noticed Jacek, “This meeting should be masters only! How dare you invite my groom on the day of my wedding for me to see! This is terrible luck! You are all my guests in my empire, and you all dare to offend me... on my wedding day!!!”

Erika gave a loud ‘Hrmph’ and sat down at the table eyeing everyone with dagger-like gazes. Her gaze landed on Jacek last, and she frowned and shook her head at him with disapproval.

Jacek raised his hands to his chest as to indicate ‘It wasn’t my idea’.

Jarek raised his voice to quell the commotion, “Forgive me, Master Sage.” He looked to her, and she scowled at him too even. Nonetheless, he continued, “It is not my intent to offend you, and I apologize for this intrusion of tradition on your wedding day; however, I have received news that will require all of our deliberation in regard to whether this wedding can take place or not.”

Erika pushed her tongue into her cheek before lashing out, “Nothing will stop this wedding.”

Jarek ignored her sharp tone and continued, “I have received news from the Holy Light Empire that Michael has been found dead within his own vault along with Eric Vand of the Vand Family.”

President Hammond’s body experienced a visceral jump as the news hit him. He even began to tremble.

The entire table was stunned and shocked by the news; however, Hammond’s overstated reaction was noticed by everyone present.

Jarek nodded to him, “President Hammond, sir. Is there something you wish to share with us?”

Hammond gulped and leaned forward with his elbows on the table, “I was warned this would happen.”

Lady Starfallen furrowed her brow, “Warned that Michael would die? By whom? Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

Hammond had a look of bewilderment as he responded, “Oh I think you’ll understand why once I tell you.”

She eyed the room, and Jarek turned to Jacek, “Do you agree, Jacek? This is your wedding too.”

Jacek was frozen with indecision as he thought, “Do I tell them about my dream? Would they even believe me? They would surely brush it off as a total dream. It may even have been Constance, anyways. Telling them would only enrage Erika further... if she knew I had a wet dream about Xenia on the eve of our wedding...”

Jacek cleared his throat, “I see no reason to stop our wedding. Months of planning and preparations have gone into this. People are traveling from across the globe. Delaying our investigation into Michael’s death by a single day will not cause harm, and as Erika says, any malintent would be foolish at such an event with all of us present.”

Erika looked at Jacek and smiled for the first time, “Thank you, Jacek.” She then wiped the smile from her face and looked around the table, “Anything bad that happens at my wedding can be attributed to the bad luck of me seeing my groom on the day of my wedding! Not Xenia fucking BloodStar!”

Erika scowled as she turned and stomped out of the room slamming the door behind her.

The remainder of the table sat in silence until Jacek said, “I will have her bridal party smooth things over with her in the morning. This is a very special day for her, and she wants it to be perfect. She will acknowledge Michael’s death as a tragedy as soon as our wedding is over. As crass as it sounds, she does not want to be upstaged.”

Jarek nodded, “We understand son. It’s okay.” He took his seat again, and said, “So the wedding is on. But first Gregory, then Peter, and now Michael... who will assume rule over the Holy Light Empire now?”

Hammond chuckled, “Dare I say democracy?”

Karasu laughed, “The Holy Light Empire citizens respect power. Why not Nero?”

Lady Starfallen smiled, “Nero is a suspect at the moment, is he not?”

Karasu quickly responded, “Then allow King Ramses and Queen Zara to annex the Holy Light Empire. They would love to keep Nero in check, I am sure.”

Jarek shook his head with a smile, “Ramses and Zara have enough on their plate keeping their own empire in order as it is. They couldn’t even make it here tonight due to ‘unusual activity’ on Khan Island, but they assure me they will be present tomorrow.”

The room was met with silence until Jarek continued, “I would throw John Vand’s name into the mix, but he is apparently privy to all of this. Though it sounds like maybe he is experiencing some kind of mental break.”

Hammond nodded in agreement, “My gut tells me he lost a lot of money in the war, and he is mentally unwell.”

Jarek clapped his hands, “You all heard Erika. This can all wait until after the wedding. Let’s get some rest and enjoy ourselves tomorrow before picking this back up.”

Everyone smiled and nodded in agreement as they stood from the table.

As everyone dispersed, Jarek stopped Jacek, “I am sorry, son.”

Jacek shook his head, “Don’t worry about it, dad. It was the right thing to do. Erika will soon forget all about it once she sees how beautiful and perfect her wedding is tomorrow.”

Jarek smiled, “Come on. Let’s get some sleep. Her beautiful and perfect wedding hinges on your good rest.”