The media release went out with a confirmation from the Alaric's office that there was, in fact, a human king who was very much alive. We were waiting to see what kind of reaction would be sent our way, the waves were only just starting to ripple.

Jameson confessed to murdering the grandparents, under orders from one of Alaric's former adversary Hendrick. He was the man that had betrayed Alaric's parents, murdering his father and wounding their mother enough that she did not survive for much after she gave birth to Alaric and Nisha. Alaric was not surprised that Hendrick was behind this.

The reasons were obvious. Hendrick didn't want anyone taking an opposing and equal role to him. It was called operation Reggie as in regicide. Operation Reggie endured due to an associate of Hendrick's, someone that had survived the great cull after Alaric was named king. His name was Rueben Stirling and Jameson said he was the one that paid Lockhart to kill Henley. Originally he was supposed to be given the assignment but when I took it and they realized that I hadn't killed him, the plan was revised to try and take him down before he got to safety.

When Lockhart changed what he was supposed to do, it altered a lot of things. Jameson surmised that it was only a matter of time before Stirling sent out the orders for Lockhart's death if he hadn't already done so. Then, he'd go underground until the time was right. It would happen, Jameson said that Rueben Stirling wanted the vampires to rule everything. He didn't want the humans to have a leader and he believed that Alaric was too lenient.

Jameson told Alaric that he did not have anything to do with the father or the mother's death and was not aware that there was a son. He also added that he didn't know if Hendrick knew about the child either but surmised that if he'd known, the kid would have died with his mother.

Jameson tried to demand leniency because he was only following the orders of his leader but Alaric bit back, stating that there was no war, no conflict, and these people were only trying to live their lives. They did not deserve what Hendrick or Stirling had demanded and realistically, Jameson didn't have to follow the orders. He could have refused. The consequences would have been high and extreme but in the end, he was still paying the price for it.

When Jameson saw the name appear on the troublemaker's list, he knew that he had to notify Stirling. Jameson collected information, fudged a few things and ensured that Henley met the requirements for being added to the termination list. Then it was just a case of approval and Lockhart could do what he had been asked.

As for Welling, he was just a pain in the ass. I'd hoped that it was a crime but Alaric rudely refused to charge Welling for it.

"I don't believe it," Mom grumped.

Following the terse words through the corridors, I found her in the study, looking at a large map with Asa.

"What's wrong?"

"Damned Alaric's being a smart ass again."

Mom stepped aside to let me look at the map. It was the edge of this province and what would be mine. Well, I suppose is mine now that I'm taking up the role of leader.

Between the two areas was a narrow strip of land that went from the state controlled land to the edge of the southern badlands.

"He's created a corridor to use." Asa offered.

"Well, I guess that's one way to do it. At least you're not going to get him banging on the door trying to take over the land again."

Mom huffed and turned to face me.

"Claudia, it's state controlled land and these two areas are principalities."

"So?"

"Your highness, what your mother is trying to say is that there are rules for each of the different types of landholdings. Because this is a principality and is ruled by a royal family, anyone from the state controlled land has to seek permission to enter this land. The same applies when we travel."

"But I've never got anyone's permission before."

"That's because you were on a hunting permit which negates all rules so that you can travel freely to do what is asked of you. As a member of the royal family, you have to gain authorization to enter government land which is handled by the office staff."

"Okay, so I have to get staff."

Mom gave me a look of weariness and suffering. Yeah, I'd warned them that I was not up for this life yet no one listened.

"Claudia, this little patch of land means that you have to ask permission to cross over it to enter this province. Alaric can be a complete bastard and deny it and keep you in your own province if he wants to."

"But he wouldn't do that, would he? Alaric only wants access to the south."

With a shrug, mom sighed and began rolling up the map.

"I don't know. He's bending and twisting this to suit his own needs, yet again. My borders have not been altered, he's keeping to the agreement but has turned it to cut a fraction of land away from your area."

Leaning on the desk, her eyes narrowed.

"Asa, do you remember that,"

"Yes," He interrupted, sounding delighted.

Then he scuttled off to the door at the rear of the room. Mom smiled wickedly.

"I'd be lost without him. You would do well to find yourself someone reliable like him."

"Maybe I'll just poach Asa."

"You go ahead and try it; see how far you get."

We chuckled, turning to Asa when he walked back into the room with a thick document folder.

"I have a file for all the things that I know that I will want at a later date."

Flicking through the pages, Asa stopped and put the document on the desk so that we could see it. Before me was a map that showed the border of this province and what would be mine. There was no corridor, no state controlled land and one beautiful signature below the notation that said the border would not be altered.

"Copy it and send it to Oliver. State that this corridor has altered the border as shown in this agreement and is a violation of said agreement. Then you may go on to say that if he wishes for a passage to the south then he may have this corridor but it is not to be state controlled, it must remain in Claudia's control. She will collect a tax every time he seeks to use the passage and if he has a problem with that then suggest that he comes here to renegotiate the agreement."

"Yes, your highness."

Asa began to move but mom stopped him.

"You can advise Alaric that the south has been claimed by King Henley Dalievinpo who will also be collecting a tax, should the great vampire king wish to enter his land."

His lips twitched with a wry smile and a firm nod.

"I would be delighted to form a letter for you, your highness."

"And I cannot wait to read it."

Me too. It was just too good. I watched with a lot of amusement as Asa drew up the claim documents as well as a map with a long red line from one end of the land to the other. At each end, he drew arrows down which meant everything from that point onwards. Alaric was going to be seriously annoyed and I know for a fact that my mother was loving every single second of it.