Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Giles' worries quickly became reality.
Shortly after the military parade ended, King Rodney XVIII summoned the resident envoy of Giles in Crystal Glare to the royal palace and berated him harshly, listing all of Giles' past acts of disrespect toward the royal family.
Without receiving any instructions from Duke Greedy Wolf, the envoy could only endure the king's scolding in silence. But after venting his anger, Rodney XVIII suddenly demanded that Giles personally come to Crystal Glare to admit his guilt.
The royal scribe dutifully recorded the scene.
At the start, Giles' envoy, Patterson, walked slowly into the audience hall, his head held high and expression haughty.
Ever since the "peace" between the royal family and Giles had been established, Patterson had been stationed in Crystal Glare, responsible for maintaining contact with the royal family. Relying on Giles' power, Patterson had always carried himself with this air of arrogance in the royal capital.
Everyone knew that the royal family was powerless against Giles. Though Giles himself couldn't directly challenge the royal family either, the fact that the supposedly superior royal family was in such an awkward position made many believe that they had already lost.
Inside the audience hall, ministers, royal advisors, and high-ranking officials stood on both sides. Patterson soon noticed an unusual atmosphere. His keen senses quickly detected that everyone was looking at him with stern and hostile eyes.
"This is no way to treat a guest," Patterson grumbled internally. He had always considered himself a guest in Crystal Glare, not a subject under the kingdom's rule—his loyalty belonged solely to Duke Giles.
As he approached, the shadow of the throne loomed over him, and the oppressive atmosphere grew even heavier.
Bang! A loud clash of hard objects echoed through the hall as the ceremonial officer struck the ground forcefully with his scepter.
"Kneel!" The officer's commanding voice resounded through the hall.
In Aldor's noble etiquette, kneeling was not a common practice—it was reserved for significant occasions, such as vassals swearing fealty or seeking forgiveness from their liege.
"What is happening today?" Patterson's mind was in turmoil.
In all previous summons, he had never received such "courtesy."
The king would usually exchange pleasantries with him, ask about Giles' well-being and his own health, and even discuss interesting happenings in Crystal Glare.
But today, the atmosphere was as chilling as an ice cellar.
It was clear that Rodney XVIII was targeting him—or rather, targeting Giles through him.
"Kneel!" The ceremonial officer repeated sternly as Patterson hesitated.
Suppressing his inner turmoil, Patterson tried to maintain a calm expression. "Your Majesty Rodney XVIII, may I ask what has happened that would cause the envoy of Lord Giles to be treated with such disrespect? Is it the slander of vile men or the schemes of the envious that have caused a rift between the royal family and the southern territories?"
From the ranks of the kingdom's senior officials, a figure stepped forward—Earl Merlin, who coldly declared, "It is your master, Giles, who has committed the unforgivable crime of treason. And as his envoy in Crystal Glare, you must bear responsibility on his behalf."
The sound of heavy footsteps filled the hall as imposing royal guards marched toward Patterson. Two of them grabbed his shoulders with immense force, pressing him down.
Patterson realized that resisting would likely lead to dire consequences.
Furious, he declared, "I will report today's events to Lord Giles in full detail!" Then, with a loud thud, he dropped to his knees.
The throne reflected a cold glint in the firelight as King Rodney XVIII ran his fingers over its armrests, his sharp gaze fixed on Patterson.
He spoke sternly, "Three hundred years ago, Giles' ancestors swore an oath of loyalty to the royal family in this very hall. Perhaps they never imagined that their sacred vow would one day be broken by their own descendants."
"Your Majesty, this is slander! Lord Giles has always been loyal to the kingdom!" Patterson argued in his master's defense.
"Loyal to the kingdom?" Rodney XVIII scoffed. "He raised an army against the royal territories, drove out the other southern lords, and used military force to resist when the royal army marched south. Is this what you call loyalty?"
"Oh, perhaps he is loyal—to Aldor as ruled by Giles, if his ambitions succeed. But certainly not to Aldor under the rule of Rodney. Am I wrong?"
Faced with the king's stern questioning, Patterson lowered his head and remained silent.
"Has the northern wind frozen your tongue?" The king's voice echoed so forcefully that even the birds outside the audience hall were startled. "Or did Giles never prepare you for this situation, leaving you unsure of what to say?"
The sound of the royal guards' chainmail clinking filled the tense silence. Rodney XVIII gestured toward the Lord Chancellor, who unrolled a scroll and began reading aloud—a record of Giles' crimes, listed one by one. Beyond the offenses the king had already mentioned, there were many others, filling an entire thick book.
"The royal family has decided to turn against Giles!" Patterson concluded bitterly. However, he hadn't expected things to escalate so drastically, to the point where he was publicly humiliated.
Once the reading was finished, the king spoke coldly, "Though Giles has committed crimes that are difficult to forgive, as a merciful ruler, I do not wish to resort to force immediately. Listen carefully, Patterson."
Hearing this, Patterson glanced at the king, trying to find any trace of hesitation in his young eyes. Perhaps the king was just bluffing to intimidate him?
But he found nothing—Rodney XVIII's eyes were filled only with unwavering determination and cold indifference.
The king continued, "If Giles personally comes here to admit his mistakes, I will still grant him a dignified end."
"What a joke!" Patterson scoffed internally. Giles might come, but he would certainly bring an army with him.
"My lord will never accept such absurd slander!" Patterson declared. "He will uphold the sacred traditions of the past and defend his rights through just means—including force—no matter who stands in his way, even if it is you, Your Majesty."
"So, he is determined to stand against the royal family?" Rodney XVIII's voice remained icy. This response did not surprise him—in fact, it was precisely what he had wanted.
"Very well. Then he can explain himself to the royal army!" The king declared. "I will send troops south to capture this so-called Duke Greedy Wolf and transport him to Crystal Glare in chains!"
The king's stance showed no signs of wavering. In the end, he ordered Patterson to be expelled from the palace.
The events of this audience were meticulously recorded and widely disseminated through newspapers and other publications.
Before long, the entire kingdom knew—King Rodney XVIII was preparing to take action against Giles in the south.
(End of the Chapter)
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