Inside the king's office, Luke and the King, Enoch Von Romanus were seated across each other.
Contrary to most rooms, the office was simplistic. Floor, walls, and furniture made of dark oak, a single high arched window illuminated the room, reveling a simple bookshelf, with a single painting, depicting some sort of battle, hanged across the shelf.
Under the painting, a crimson sword was exposed in a stand, even sheathed, it emanated a majestic aura.
The king noticed Luke's subtle gaze.
- you are curious about the painting?
He flinched at the king's question with a puzzled expression.
Enoch took a sip of his drink before answering.
- Although you were looking at me, your pupils sometimes made subtle movements towards the painting. An impressive skill for a 14-year-old.
'He's sharp'.
Taking his slice as confirmation the king turned his gaze to the painting.
It showed a blonde-haired man holding the unsheathed crimson sword, leading an army against a pale skinned man.
- This painting decipits the deciding battle of the vampiric war, many years ago, the man holding the sword was the 3rd king of the nation, Darius Von Romanus. He perished during that battle along with the vampire lord, leaving only that sword along with a will.
Luke surrendered himself to the urge to ask.
- What did it contain?
- Nothing much, it simply asked that no successor made changes to this office as it was one of the few things left behind by the founder. It also stated that a seal was placed on the sword due to being too powerful.
The king had a difficult expression on his face. On the surface he understood why the sword was sealed, he could fell that it was strong despite the seal, but on the inside, he couldn't help but feel angry, as it would have been a great help during one of the most troubled times of his reign. The great continental war.
The silver haired boy noticed the king's gaze and decided to shift the subject.
- That is a wonderful story your majesty, but I don't believe you brought me to reminisce the past.
He calmly drank his tea while staring directly into the king's eyes. Even when facing the authoritative gaze, he did not blink.
Enoch let out a small chuckle.
- you are correct Young Duke.
he crossed his hands, resting his chin on them he spoke with a serious tone.
- Before I state the reason I called you, let me ask you a question. What do you think of you father?
'What do I think of my father?'
Luke didn't have any major interaction with his father, especially after the deal he made with him. To Luke he was someone who was shuddered in mystery despite clearly acting like someone who was always on the hunt for power.
He pondered for a minute before answering.
- To me he is someone who isn't satisfied if he isn't at the top.
Enoch nodded, agreeing to Luke's assessment.
- Yes, although he keeps an appearance of someone who doesn't care about anything, except himself, he managed to acquire enough power to stand against royalty.
- You mean the noble faction.
- Correct.
He stood up, slowly making his way towards the painting.
- I don't know how but in such short time, he managed to get most nobles on his payroll. He even eliminated the spies I had planted in their houses.
After the great continental war, king Enoch took advantage of the losses to reformulate the law to lower the power of the nobles, but they managed to retain some degree of authority. In order to keep them in check, he planted spies in the most influential houses, Using the information, he slowly diminished their influence.
- Normally I wouldn't be worried, since I still have control of most of the military strength, but My sources informed me that he's been secretly in contact with the Verus family.
The Verus family. One of the 4 dukes of the kingdom, who have a fame of producing may successful businessman, from a simple tea brand to magic tool R&D, 80% of the companies present in the kingdom have some sort of relation with the Verus family.
Due to the economic power they possessed, the previous king made a deal with the family, exempting them from any type of taxes and in return, they must keep residing in the kingdom and be neutral in any type of internal conflict.
- It's not uncommon for them to engage in trade with other nobles, but the timing is too suspicious. Nothing should happen for now, but if I leave them alone, they will overpower the royal family.
He turned to Luke with a serious expression.
- Now, do you understand why this concerns you?
Luke responded without hesitation.
- You want me to act as a spy and inform you of any of my father's suspicious movements?
It wasn't a far stretch thought, judging by how he laid out the current situation and the mention of the elimination of his spies further solidified Luke's deduction.
But the king shook his head in denial.
- There isn't much you could bring me if I selected you to be a spy, considering you father's personality. No What I want from you is to become the next head of the house.
- What?
Luke raised an eyebrow at the King's words, maybe its because he was unaware of his circumstances in the family but unless he completed the task his father was going to assign him, he has zero chance of becoming the head.
Aside from being behind his siblings in terms of potential and achievements, Luke had no interest in becoming the head, not only he lacked the skills to manage an entire territory due to his education being cut short and he wasn't too keen in taking the responsibility.
Luke took a deep breath before responding.
- Your majesty may I ask why are you telling me to become the head?
- I did not made this decision out of nowhere Luke Argenti, I had my eye on you for some time now. Although I can't place spies in your house, its impossible to block rumors, thanks to it I was aware of you and your family's circumstances to some degree. I only decided to go through with this plan due to my daughter informing me of how you rescued her and formed a plan to defeat her kidnapper.
Pointing his had at Luke he continued.
- Despite facing an opponent way above your capabilities, you kept a calm head, making full use of both your and my daughter's abilities to achieve victory. Even if you had to use force to make her listen to you, alas desperate time desperate measures.
'She didn't hide anything, dammit.'
- I understand your reasons your majesty, but why didn't you offer this to my siblings, ash they have a lot more experience and are guaranteed to reach great heights in the path of magic.
- Its simple.
Enoch Looked at Luke with a slight smile on his face before continuing.
- Their mentality.
?
Seeing the boy's confusion, he elaborated.
- From what I have gathered you interacted more with your mother than your father, which is evident in the way you behave. I also heard from some servants who worked at your mansion that you never expressed a hunger for power, as if you only wanted to live a quiet life, contrary to your older brother and sister.
'So that's why he chose me'.
Due to his brother showing the same power-hungry tendencies as his father, there was a possibility that they would also convey a higher position once they took control of the family, something that the king wanted to avoid.
- It seems that you understood my intentions, of course, there are some variables Like your potential as a mage but I believe you can make up for that with your intelligence. Should you accept my offer, you will have the full support of the royal family to make this a success.
Enoc sat down, starting at Luke with even more intensity.
- So What's your answer, Luke Argenti.