"Your majesty, we petition for the death of the prince". One man voiced out, sitting on the right side of the table, amidst other such important personnel sitting with him.
"That is right Your Majesty. The prince has gone out of control and it is only a matter of time before his curse gets to us all". A different man voiced out, sitting by the left side of the first man that spoke.
The king sitting at the head of the table sighed with exhaustion.
The high-ranked nobles who were seated with him all came up with ideas, voicing out their intentions and narrowing it all down to having the prince executed.
"Grand Duke Vinicius, what do you think about their claim? Is passing on judgment to the prince the priority right now". The King questioned the man seated by his left-hand side.
The room went silent as all eyes were on the grand duke, waiting for him to respond.
"No Your Majesty. There is a different matter that should take priority over what judgment is to be passed down to the prince".
"Really?". Said the king, with sarcasm. "And what would that be". He added, trying to back the grand duke into a corner.
"Investigating how the assassins infiltrated the palace grounds, Your Majesty". He responded, raising his chin confidently as his pupils remained stagnant.
"You heard him!". The king's voice raised as his eyes wandered to the centre of the table.
"Assasins infiltrated the palace grounds. They were under the radar without alerting any of the guards' awareness and made an attempt on my life. Yet... what you are all worried about is punishing the prince?! Tell me my retainers, is this treason I sense looming around". He posed such difficult questions to their faces.
"Your majesty! Who would dare?". Says the old man on the right, sitting opposite the grand duke.
"That is a question I wish to know as well, Duke Grosskon". The king responded to the man, stoicly.
"Is Your Majesty implying that the appearance of the assassin might be linked to anyone in this courtroom". Grand duke questioned.
"You tell me Grand Duke. How else are we to explain their ghostly appearance in the palace? Or that they even dared to dress as one of the royal guards". Exclaimed the king.
"How is all that to be possible without them getting any external help". The king retorted.
They could tell what the king was insinuating without him having to dictate it for them. It's easy thinking.
Emedia political authority is controlled by two influences. Normally it should have been one, but the authority of the royal household had declined with time, allowing the household of the grand duke control over half of the nation's authority.
Now! Control is shared between the two powerhouses, the royal house and the grand duke's house.
To strengthen the authority of the royal house and gain back control is the reason why the king fought valiantly to procure diplomatic ties with the Imperium.
Not only will the alliance better Emedia's economy, it will also pass on credible authority to the royal household.
If that happens? The grand duke's household will lose the authority they have amassed over the years. Their influence will gradually deteriorate, creating an opportunity for the king to swallow them whole.
The grand duke could not allow that. He won't just sit back and watch his family's authority fall under the control of the king.
Hence his reasons for sending the assassin were to disrupt the occasion and prevent diplomatic ties between the Imperium and the Emedia royal house.
! Is what the king thinks happened, the motive and who could have sent the assassin!
Of course, his thoughts are further disrupted by the intervention of Historia and her getting injured in the midst of it all.
Rumours have been told of how the grand duke favours his only child and would do anything to keep her safe. The king cannot think of that same grand duke putting his daughter's life in danger for the sake of satisfying his bottomless greed.
"Your majesty, I have an idea". The grand duke spoke, breaking up the heavy mood.
"On behalf of your suspicion, I shall take it upon myself to fish out the culprit responsible for bringing in the assassins. And in the meantime, you are to handle the situation concerning the prince". He suggested.
"You would have me leave a task like that to you? Do you realize what that means?...".
"That I am to take full responsibility in the case that I am unable to bring in the culprit. I am well aware Your Majesty".
The king thought carefully about it. This is a dangerous game the grand duke is setting himself up for, one that could end up blowing up on his face when care isn't taken.
For what is he willing to take such high risk? That's right, it is so he can demoralize the authority of the royal family before the delegates of the Imperium.
"I will settle the issue with the prince at a later date. Finding out the culprit is more important".
"I agree on that Your Majesty, but postponing the prince's punishment does not sound like a wise option".
"How do you mean". The king questioned, with his eyebrows furrowed.
"The prince should have died from the moment he was born. He shouldn't have been allowed to live this long, yet he did". The grand duke explained.
"He managed to save us from the assassins, but we are not to forget that he did so using his cursed powers. As we all had witnessed, his powers had grown considerably since the last time he unleashed it. If we are to leave him to continue to grow, he will be an eventual threat to the kingdom and her people".
"And it's not just the kingdom alone". He added.
"Proceed". Urged the king, sensing his hesitation to speak further.
"The delegates of the Imperium also witnessed the powers of the prince. It is no doubt that they will report to the Imperial when they get back. The Imperium loathe the existence of such accursed beings as much as we do. If we are to keep the prince alive, wouldn't that be a testament to testing their patience?". He says.
"Wouldn't that show our willingness to go against their belief? Your Majesty". He called out as he continued.
"If we are to maintain our relationship with the Imperium as well as show them that we prioritize the safety of the kingdom above anything else, we have to eradicate all accursed beings. Even if they are the fruits of the royal house". Declared the Grand duke, audaciously.
...
He seated there alone in the office after the departure of his cabinet. He was silent, deep in thought.
The door opened and in came a fully armored man with a broad sword hanged on his waist.
"The officials". The king questioned.
"Not in sight, my king". Responded the armoured man.
"Grefon". The king called out with a heavy, solemn tone.
"Your majesty".
At the call of his name, the guard went on his knee, showing his unwavering loyalty to his master who had grown weak of his burdens.
"I am asked to kill my son... My own flesh and blood. What am I to do".
"Your majesty, you have to be strong. The people of Emedia needs your strength in times like this".
The king got up. He walked to the window, turning his back to Grefon.
"Where do I seek my strength from Grefon? I am powerless, I am but a puppet king at the mercy of his cabinet".
He was saddened. He thought back to a time, to a moment when he was but naive of the burden the crown brings.
"My own flesh will die because I am not strong enough to prevent it. That is the undenying truth Grefon". The king says, his will determined.