The King sat there, his expression twisting in frustration as he struggled to think. He had never encountered anyone who dared to challenge him like this, and the fact that it was a new Royal made it even more unbearable.
However, as Akane stood there, her eyes still blazing with fury, something about her words had struck a chord with the audience. They had grown tired of the King's autocratic rule, and the fact that Akane had the courage to stand up to him had earned their admiration. They began to cheer wildly, clapping their hands profusely.
Lars and Genichiro looked on in complete amazement, both simultaneously thinking about how amazing Akane was.
As the cheers of the audience died down, the King slowly rose from his throne, his face contorted with anger. He knew that he could not deny Akane's request without risking an uprising, and so he took a deep breath and reluctantly gave in.
"Very well," he said through gritted teeth. "If that is what you demand, then so be it." He unsheathed his sword and tapped each of Akane's shoulders with the flat of the blade. "I hereby dub thee a Knight of the Kingdom."
The audience erupted into cheers once more, and Akane stood there with a triumphant grin on her face. She had stood up to the King and won, and in doing so, had earned the respect and admiration of the people.
Akane basked in the glory of the moment, closing her eyes and tilting her head back as the sound of the cheers echoed around her. For the first time since she arrived in this world, she felt a sense of belonging. The audience's adoration was intoxicating, and she reveled in it, letting it wash over her like a wave.
The cheers continued to echo throughout the throne room, Akane basked in the overwhelming feeling of admiration and love that the audience was giving her. She could feel the energy of the crowd, the warmth of their praise, and it made her heart swell with pride and confidence. This was the moment she had been waiting for, the moment when she could prove herself and show everyone what she was truly capable of.
As she looked out at the sea of faces, Akane couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging. This was where she was meant to be, where she could shine and thrive. The idea of returning to her old life, with its dull routine and limited opportunities, seemed disgustingly suffocating.
Soon, the applause died down, Akane looked out over the sea of faces before her, feeling a sense of euphoria that she had never known.
She knew that this was what she was meant to do with her life. Her family, her best friend, her old life, none of that mattered. All that mattered was this, this admiration, this love. As long as she continued to get it, that's all that mattered.