Page 129 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

“We’re gathered here because each set of royals was affirmed and titles upgraded. We earned our uprise in society at Leighton Royals University because we followed a set of rules and expectations that are never revealed until the next rank advancement.”

Rules and expectations.

“Ruthless Maidens have perished before. Despite how we feel about our current Maidens, it’s our duty, whether Ruthless, Deviant, or Savage, to protect what we’ve claimed as ours, even temporarily,” he stresses with passion. “The moment a Maiden has become so cynically inclined to leave this world on her own accord and not one of a foreign party or the very royals that ruin her means those set of men have failed. Particularly, the leaders themselves.”

We stand there, absorbing Matteo’s words.

“Domino failed his Ruthless Kings. He allowed Eva to feel so unworthy in a moment of peril where her life was in jeopardy and approaching the lines of death itself that she took it upon herself to put a gun to her head.” He states those words with an even tone to hide whatever must be running through him.

“Our purpose as Kings, Lords, or Heirs is to find a Maiden who can take it all for us. A Maiden who will go through the trenches for us, sick bastards in our element. That we’re worth the suffering and risks to keep fighting for, even if it means risking herself in the process. If the Maiden loses sight of that end game or no longer sees her value in her royals’ lives, they have failed.”

“So…” Ishya quietly whispers. “You’re saying your brother lost his shot not because of what he did to his Maiden or ownKings, but because his Maiden, Eva, tried to kill herself due to his actions.”

“Exactly,” Matteo answers. “That’s why he can beg for all he wants. He won’t get that title back. He’ll never earn the title of Ruthless King again. The only title he can attempt to gain is Savage Heirs.”

Theo and Sia look at one another.

“Which can only occur when we’ve completed our years at Leighton Royals University,” Theo emphasizes. “Savage Heirs of Redemption is the only set of royals that allow past and failed Ruthless Kings and Deviant Lords another shot.”

“Meaning…” I look to Theo but can’t imagine him being either. He’s not psychotic looking like Keir and most certainly doesn’t give a Ruthless vibe like any of my Kings.

“Yes,” Theo answers and smirks. “I was part of a set of Kings whose Maiden perished, and we endured accelerated graduation,” he reveals. He masks his face just as quickly, but I caught the hint of sadness that twinkled in his eyes. “Funny to admit, our Ruthless leader’s brother is in your set.”

“Wait. You mean Ares,” I whisper. “Meaning…Warren… I mean, Aries?”

“Dolcezza.”

I pause what I want to say to look over to see Zander strolling through rose bushes, looking as happy as ever.

“Oh God,” Keir groans and actually hides behind Theo. “Get me away from that psychopath!”

“Look who’s talking,” Theo dryly notes but decides to stay his ground as Zander approaches.

I notice the slight tension in Matteo’s stance, making me realize any element of comfort that was once there with this set of people is gone.

Not to say he dislikes Zander’s presence, but maybe he’s not comfortable.

No, it’s something else. I just can’t put my finger on it yet.

Deciding to meet him halfway, I move from Matteo’s side, knowing he may not like me doing that, but I don’t want Zander to interrupt us if it goes against some sort of rule.

“Zander. Aren’t you going to get in trouble?” I offer as I meet him and notice the water bottle in his hand.

“Nah. They would never punish me,” he declares with pride and doesn’t hesitate to lean in and kiss me tenderly. “I was losing my sanity being apart from you.”

“Why do I feel as though that’s some sort of lie?” I offer with an eyebrow raise, causing him to laugh hysterically.

“Okay, I was stalking you this whole while, but I figured I’d have to briefly intervene to remind the world of my claim.”

“Remind the world of your claim?” I repeat the words as I think about it, making me wonder what he means.If he’s stalking, that means he probably watched everything happening, which means…“Are you jealous?”

He shrugs. “Maybe.”

I sigh dramatically and give him a look.

“Zander Benedict. We’re having a meeting with fellow royals. You can’t be waltzing in here and interrupting because you’re jealous.”

“But I brought you water,” he says with puppy eyes.

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