[Hadlata] Inside the royal palace, a routine meeting was being held to discuss this year's tax issues. King Basel was promptly informed by an attendant—that Archbishop Nord was waiting outside the hall, with matters of utmost urgency to discuss.
Before King Basel could respond, Harold spoke with a chuckle.
"It seems the outcome of the war has been decided! Where is Duke Kriman? Hasn't he returned with the others? Could it be that he is still in the Earl's territory, slaughtering those hidden mining slaves?"
As he spoke, Harold turned his head proudly to look at his younger brother Hattar, expecting to see a face full of impotent rage, but was unexpectedly met with Hattar's smile, which seemed to congratulate him on becoming the next king.
The attendant kept his head down and did not reply to Harold's questions.
"Let him in," King Basel said gravely, his sharp senses telling him from the attendant's reaction that things were probably not as simple as they seemed.
