The silence was tangible as they sat waiting for his father to speak. For Joshua it hung in the air much like his dread every time his father called for Ryan. The king barely glanced at Joshua before his eyes swept over those present in the hall, stopping only twice. The first for Ryan who stared resolutely at Joshua from the other side of the table, the second, was when the king looked over Joshua's shoulder at Alithis who had stopped behind his chair. Joshua held his breath as the king's eyes seemed to search Alithis. Whether the king found what he was looking for or not he did not show. Instead, he chose to set the letter down on the oak table before him.
"Queen Maeve has refused our offer for peace. She has done nothing but force us into action." The kings voice was strong betraying nothing as he spoke to the council before him. Murmurs broke out from mouths of Nobleman, whispering through the air, and drowning out any sense of ease that had previously existed in the already tense room.
"We should prepare our stores. We must ensure we have enough to last us if we come under siege." A Noble cried through the voices.
"Are you mad we should attack first."
"We should ally with other kingdoms we can't beat the witch on our own."
"We should exile you, you coward- "
Joshua stopped listening and instead looked to where Ryan was trying to disappear into his seat. Joshua could only sigh and roll his eyes, 'maybe they were wrong.' He thought slightly turning to meet Alithis' toxic green eyes off to his right. Alithis stood leaning against his chair, without a care for the shouting Nobles, he seemed to be enjoying watching them argue as if he were watching a performance by a particularly interesting jester.
"Silence!" The kings voice broke through the arguing Nobles dragging Joshua out of his thoughts. Oh, how he'd much rather be doing something meaningful like saving a lady or fighting the beasts of the land. Instead, here he was watching men argue over the simplest question in the world.
"We cannot beat the witch head on, this we know. We will need to do it some other way." The king said, he grasped his hands together before him, his eyes dead. Joshua thought in that moment he looked every part the sinister ruler he was rumored to be.
"There must be something we can use against her, father." Joshua said. There was no way they could just surrender to the enemy.
"She is stone cold. She holds nothing dear to her. Trying to hold leverage against a witch is like trying to put out a fire with oil." The king's advisor, Eren, scoffed. Joshua could not help but roll his eyes at the rat like man.
"Don't be such a child, she can't be that bad. I say we cut off her trade and food to starve her kingdom." Joshua said. Crossing his arms as a smug expression rested on his face. "Hell, I'll even lead the men for you."
"Don't be dumb, you're the child here your highness."
"I am not a child." Joshua growled putting his hands onto the table none too gently and glaring at Eren. In that moment Joshua wished looks could kill.
"Enough Joshua," The king snapped, "We could slaughter them all and she wouldn't care. She may not be bound by feelings, but she is bound by her beliefs in Satatera."
The room grew quiet with his words. The weight they carried laying heavily over them. Joshua had heard that name before. Satatera, the supposed goddess who had cursed his brother with a gift. Joshua had scoffed at the prospect of such a thing originally when he was younger, but now the signs grew with each day as his brother defied the laws of nature.
"Your Majesty, you can't be serious." Eren said.
"I am completely serious." King Leon replied.
"But your majesty, you as well as I know that- "
"Silence! I will not tolerate this blatant disrespect. We all know there is only one course of action. We will sacrifice the traitor."
Joshua glanced up to Ryan whose eyes were fixed upon Alithis, glancing to his right he could see the man holding his chair onto the chair with more force than necessary. For the first time Joshua saw Alithis show something other than the twisted joy he always wore. Instead, his eyes were dark and posture stiff. Glancing away Joshua remained as still as possible. Trying to ignore the suffocating feeling Alithis gave off as he watched his father decide upon the fate of their kingdom.