Looking at Alaric''s face, Lucas muttered. "Let''s discuss this in my study."

    Alaric nodded in understanding.

    He then looked at his mother, squeezed her hand, and gave her a reassuring smile. "I''m alright, mom. These are just minor cuts."

    Maria exhaled a long sigh. "Let''s go to your father''s study. I''d like to hear the situation as well."

    "Alright." Alaric nodded. Letting her know what had happened wouldn''t be an issue. She was also smarter than both him and his father combined so she might offer a better solution.

    Elena quietly followed them.

    She could sense that something big was about to happen, but she tactfully remained silent.

    A moment later, they arrived at the study room.

    Alaric and Maria entered, while Elena remained outside.

    Lucas saw his wife entering with Alaric, but he didn''t say anything.

    He eyed his son and pointed at the chair in front of his desk. "Sit down."

    Alaric obediently took his seat, while Maria sat next to him.

    With a deep look, Lucas muttered. "What happened?"

    Alaric furrowed his eyebrows as he recounted the whole situation.

    "When we were about to leave Ryvaad, Sir Warrick sensed..."

    "...We deliberately led them to an open area to force them to come out..."

    "...I don''t want to see anyone get killed so I decided to use an isolation tactic by forming a defensive formation centered around Sir Chulmo and Sir Bernard while Sir Warrick and I would deal with the stronger mercenaries..."@@@@

    "...In the end, we successfully eliminated the mercenaries and we even managed to get evidence that helped us identify the person who hired the mercenary group."

    "I''ll send someone to assassinate-"

    Alaric''s words were suddenly cut off by his mother.

    "Hold on!"

    The father and son turned their gazes to her.

    Maria shook her head and said. "There is no need to assassinate him."

    "But mom!" Alaric frowned at her words.

    "Listen to me first." Maria gave him a look.

    Alaric took a deep breath and decided to hear her out.

    "The first thing we need to do is go to Ryvaad and show this document to Baron Nathan. Once he learns the truth, we will have a justified reason to ask for compensation for the damages his son has caused and Liam won''t be able to reject if we demand for a trial by combat!" Maria''s words stunned both father and son.

    "That''s a sound plan, but what if Liam would deny the accusations and reject the trial?" Alaric was fairly certain that Liam wouldn''t admit his crimes that easily.

    "He might do that, but Baron Nathan is not a foolish man. I know what kind of person he is. This document alone is enough to convict his son so he would definitely agree to our demands." Maria replied.

    "Yes, you''re right, but this could still damage the relationship between our households." Lucas scrunched his eyebrows.

    Maria nodded. "That''s true, but..."

    She suddenly smiled and said.

    "There is a way to strengthen our alliance even after this incident."

    Lucas and Alaric stared deeply at her.

    "They mentioned that their daughter is interested in our son. Why don''t we send them a marriage proposal? Of course only on the premise that they agree to our demands." Maria snorted.

    Alaric stared at his mother in admiration. She had actually come up with that plan in just a short amount of time.

    "Alright. Let''s do as you say. So what should we do first?" Lucas was also impressed with her idea.