Diana's gaze pierced through King Daymond as she thundered:
"Daymond! Tell me how an assassin could strike in your palace with you and your men present? Your protection is meant to be impenetrable! Was it on purpose—to assassinate my son? I demand an answer!"
Daymond replied, "We have started to investigate and—"
Diana, with a chilly grin on her face, interrupted, "Save your breath. Your investigation will remain just that—an investigation. Why don't I make you investigate forever? From now on, if even one of your children steps outside this palace, they might be next. There might be a child who could—or might—be assassinated in return."
Daymond and the other ladies were shocked at her words. Daymond's face turned red with anger as he snapped, "Are you threatening me?"
Diana replied with equal fury, "I am! What are you going to do about it? Fight me? I will destroy your palace before you can even begin to fight back. Someone dared to touch my son under your watch. Tell me, what am I not capable of doing? What would I have done if my son had been crippled—or killed?"
Daymond was filled with guilt and frustration. He was ready to fight it out if it meant protecting his family and his people within the palace. He was preparing himself for a face-off against Diana—but this time, he knew he'd have to go all out.
The queen also realized that if they started fighting now, things would become far worse. They already had an opposing kingdom waging war against them. She was just about to confess her mistake when someone else spoke up.
The person who broke the tense silence was the third concubine, Alicia. She said, "Everyone calm down. I have a suggestion. I already talked it over with Ray before Diana arrived. He said he's willing to let this go—if we give him the things he's demanding. He asked for three things before coming here: land, crystal stones, and privileges. If we can grant him these, then Ray said he would convince his mother to withdraw."
Ray looked at Alicia, and she looked back at him. They shared a wordless agreement. Alicia understood very well—after witnessing Diana's motherly love—that only Ray could calm her down. Ray understood this too and nodded at her.
Diana noticed the unspoken exchange between Ray and Alicia, but she wasn't going to let things go so easily. However, King Daymond and his wives began to calm down upon hearing Alicia's suggestion. Daymond said, "That is manageable. I can give all that."
Diana, however, added, "My son asked for land and crystal stones—then it has to be a land of mine filled with crystal stones. The Lunar Echo Mine will do. It's also close to the Walker family. And as for the privileges—he is to be allowed to learn the sword technique related to the Sword Force."
Daymond's face twisted in displeasure. He was about to object when Diana cut in sharply, "That is the least you can do—unless you want me personally investigating and causing chaos with your children."
Daymond sighed and agreed. Alicia and the other ladies also sighed in relief. But the queen felt regret, as the Lunar Echo Mine was actually under her control. It seemed Diana had suspected her from the beginning.
Then Alicia brought out a paper for Daymond and Ray to sign. Diana read the entire document, making sure there were no problems, and only then allowed Ray to sign it.
Afterward, Alicia told Rena to escort Diana and Ray to Alice's courtyard. She would join them after having a conversation with the king and the other ladies.
Once Diana and Ray had left, Daymond looked at Alicia and asked, "I've received some information about Ray being backed by an inventor. Tell me about that."
"I didn't even get a chance to catch my breath after coming back from Martin's shop," Alicia said. "First I had to deal with the queen, then Ray had to face her son, then came the assassination attempt, and now this—it's all been so overwhelming. My heart nearly stopped when Ray said he called his mother!" Alicia grinned on purpose while looking at Elizabeth.
Then Alicia continued, "Let me take you back to the part where we visited the inventor's shop. When Rena and I went with the kids, the inventor Ricky Martin's wife, Lydia, invited us to see an amazing invention her husband had made. When we arrived, Ricky came out—not to greet me or Alice, but specifically to greet little Ray, a six-year-old child. Apparently, Ray gave him the idea that sparked a major insight."
"After that, we were informed that Ray is now a member of their guild—and he's the one who named their group the Inventor's Guild. I saw how every inventor invited Ray to their individual shops. I don't know what they talked about, but it was certainly shocking."
"At one point, Ricky mentioned that Ray invented something so important that, once mass-produced, it would shake the world. Ray hasn't mass-produced it yet, so there's been no public announcement. When I asked what it was, Ray simply said it's still in process and can't be mass-produced at the moment."
"To think the Montclair family tried to take down an inventor like that!" Alicia scoffed, glaring at Elizabeth. "I bet he won't sell any of his inventions to people like you."
Daymond then asked, "Is the product Ray created related to communication? Is that why Diana arrived so quickly?"
Alicia went silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Yes, it is related to communication—and according to Ray, it can't be copied."
Daymond's eyes gleamed with newfound intensity. He was eager to discuss this with Robert. Alicia noticed the look in his eyes and chose to ignore it—she had already made her deal with Ray. After talking for a little while longer in the meeting, Alicia excused herself, saying she had guests to attend to.
Before she left, she informed Daymond of what she intended to give Ray, and he gave her full permission to do as she pleased.
Once Alicia and the other ladies had left, Daymond gave an order to his men: "Invite Duke Robert Walker to the palace immediately."
Daymond now wanted that communication device—more than anything.