**3rd Person POV**
Lord Lowell would have to be a fool not to have sensed that he had managed for the first time to annoy Princess Alison. He left the dining hall with no added encouragement but his presence had soured the mood at the table. Harlin was glad though that Lowell had revealed his not-charming side to his aunt whom he had been trying to hint for the longest time that Lowell was not a friend of the palace.
“Has he no respect? How did the servants let him come this far?” questioned Charlotte, disgusted by the behaviour she had just seen. Such a thing would have never happened in Emily or Dagen's palace. She had always maintained that Aunt Alison was too soft on the people who worked for her.
“I will certainly have a word with them, I am so very sorry, Charlie,” said Alison in return. The truth was since she had assumed power as a proxy she had not wanted to meddle too much. She had done her best to get her people out of the economic drought they'd been in due to the George thing but she had neglected to assert political presence. She realised now how that would be dangerous for Harlin when he took over because people like Lowell had reduced the royal family to a mere symbol.
She had not seen it before but Lowell interrupting her when she had a private guest had made her sense that she needed to ensure the royal family was respected.
“You need to do something about that,” replied Charlotte who could not bear insolence. Harlin said nothing but he was glad he finally had someone on his side. At least Aunt Alison would listen to Charlotte even if she would not listen to what he had to say.
“Believe it or not, my hands are tied,” sighed Alison.
“What if they're not? There is a royal order that bans balls and celebrations after dark except with your consent. Lowell could be arrested for throwing this party,” suggested Harlin. He saw a window of opportunity and he was not going to let it go unexplored. He had been itching to reprimand Lowell but he had never got the chance. The man and his entire family behaved as though they were above the law and it was time to put an end to that.
“You attended his niece's wedding two days ago…”
“He is allowed to host just one ball a month; this is the fourth he's holding.”
“His family is very powerful. After all that this pack has been through, the people do not deserve to be caught in the middle of a power tussle,” replied Alison. She understood that when powerful people fought only innocent people suffered the consequences.
“You won't interfere directly; we just need to tip off an overzealous officer of the law,” suggested Charlotte. Harlin loved Charlotte for ideas like this.
“Okay, okay. I guess that can be arranged but what we have discussed does not leave this room.”
****
“This is preposterous, Alison. Imagine me, spending a night in jail?” quipped Lowell. He was so angry that he had forgotten his charming facade. Alison's face though had been drained of colour. Had Lowell just addressed her by her name with no respect for her title?
“Excuse you?” she quipped beyond annoyed by the blatant disrespect. She could not believe that she had encouraged Harlin to be friends with Lowell.
“Your Highness, please forgive my mistake but you must understand…”
“And you must understand that when I issue an order I expect my people to follow it,” returned Alison with unmatched anger.
“With respect, Your Highness. You were aware of my wife's birthday celebration,” replied Lowell.
“I was not aware you were inviting half the noble ministers. You had quit a crowd at your party last night, didn't you?” asked Alison.
“Your Highness, did you have me arrested?” Lowell was sensing a different vibe from Alison. He had never known her to be annoyed with him before. Her attitude was new to him.
“I did not but I am relieved to know that those that enforce my policies do so without respect of person,” commented Alison. She had never seen Lowell look so disoriented and without a pomp air about him; she had to admit that it was satisfying.
“They have done a little more than enforce your policy; My father will withdraw his support for Prince Harlin's trip and the food aid you're giving to those displaced by your father's actions,” spat Lowell. His blood was boiling. He was not used to not getting his way. Out of the blue, he had been arrested the previous night and all his explanations about his person had fallen on deaf ears. He had been locked up in a jail with no bed or chair and an infinite number of ticks. He had scratched his body until it was bruised all over.
“Is that a threat?” asked Alison. Up until now, she had not realised that the Lowell's believed that the royal could not survive without their money. She had a faint idea now why Lowell had thought he had the guts to barge into a private family dinner. Somehow, it had gotten into his head that he owned the royal family.
“I hope that it does not come to that, Your Highness but every second I remain here adds to my anger,” returned Lowell.
“It takes about a week to process prisoners; there's a trial and all that… I will put in a word to speed things up because of your person,” Alison said in a calm voice as though she had yielded to him. Lowell looked pleased with himself.
As Alison walked away from the cell she told the officer who was responsible for the jail, “Make sure you are thorough with the paperwork.” What she had really meant was that he could take as long as he needed to before releasing Lowell. She was going to make sure that Lowell paid for the things he had just said to her. No one threatened the royal family and got away with it.