The Duke of Ethwer’s commanding voice echoed through the grand hall, silencing the chatter among the nobles.
“Do you not see our presence?” he demanded, his tone filled with authority. “Or has our family’s strength been diminished in your eyes?”
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances, feeling the overwhelming aura emanating from him. His reputation for fierce loyalty and unmatched prowess in battle was well known, and the air grew tense as they realized they had underestimated his influence. The room, once filled with self-promoting voices became quiet.
Suddenly, a man in his thirties, with long black hair and piercing dark eyes, grinned confidently.
His voice rang out clear and bold, “Your grace, if only family strength mattered on the battlefield!”
A shocked silence fell over the grand hall. The nobles exchanged wary glances, their unease palpable as they realized the count’s audacity.
Whispers rippled through the crowd, with some muttering in disbelief, “Is he not simply challenging the authority of the dukes?”
The tension in the room thickened, as everyone held their breath, waiting to see how the king and dukes would respond to such a blatant provocation. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, as alliances and rivalries threatened to shift with the count’s bold challenge.
Julian was taken aback as he listened to the count boldly challenge the authority of the dukes. Questions raced through his mind:
Who is he? How does he have such audacity to speak like that in front of all these powerful nobles?
The atmosphere in the grand hall felt charged, and Julian couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and concern. He marveled at the count’s confidence but also wondered what consequences might follow such a brazen act.
The nobles around him also seemed uneasy, glancing at one another, as if trying to gauge the potential conflict.
Everyone in the hall could feel the intense aura radiating from the Duke of Norish, making the atmosphere tense and heavy. Just as it seemed like a confrontation might erupt, the king raised his hands, signaling for calm. The Duke of Norish retracted his aura easing the tension in the room.
With a chuckle, the king addressed the assembly, “Well, if it isn’t our beloved Count of Nesther!”
Julian’s eyes widened in shock as he heard the king reveal the count’s identity. Count Nesther governed one of the richest and most powerful cities in the kingdom, and his reputation preceded him.
Unlike other counts, he was a formidable figure, having reached the Arch Mage realm. However, due to the presence of four established duke families, his rise to the rank of duke had been denied.
Despite this, his power and influence were so significant that he was often treated as an equal to the dukes, which made Julian’s heart race with a mix of awe and intrigue.
The Count of Nesther bowed respectfully, a confident smile on his face.
“It is my honor that Your Majesty has remembered this humble servant’s name,” he said with a calm and eloquent tone.
The other nobles in the hall exchanged whispers, admiring his ability to remain composed even in the face of tension.
“He is as well spoken as always,” one remarked, while another added, “His confidence is unmatched.”
Julian listened intently, the count’s charisma and confidence clearly set him apart, making him a figure of both admiration and caution within the royal court.
The king chuckled, clearly entertained by the Count of Nesther’s boldness.
“Then who does the Count of Nesther wish to lead an army?” he asked, leaning forward with curiosity.
The hall fell silent as all eyes turned to the Count, waiting for his response.
With a confident grin, the Count replied, “Your Majesty, I believe that true strength lies not just in lineage but in capability. I propose that we select a leader who embodies both skill and the will to inspire our forces, someone like Duke Alden Easvil.”
However, the atmosphere in the grand hall shifted as the other dukes exchanged wary glances. They knew that the Easvil family already held significant power, being the lineage of the Grand Duke.
If Duke Alden were to lead the army and achieve victory against the Kingdom of Apollo, it would only strengthen the Easvil family’s position, making it nearly impossible for the other dukes to compete for influence and recognition.
Whispers of concern spread among the nobles, as they began to ponder the implications of the Count’s suggestion. Some wondered if they should rally behind the Easvils to ensure a united front, while others contemplated how they might counter this growing threat to their own status. The tension in the room was visible and everyone awaited the king’s response to the Count’s bold proposal.
The queen’s voice cut through the tension in the room, filled with disdain as she questioned, “Why do you suggest the Easvil family to lead? Have they bought you?”
Her words hung in the air like a heavy cloud, and the nobles fell silent, taken aback by the sharpness of her criticism.
Julian felt a wave of anger and disbelief wash over him. How could the queen speak about her own family with such contempt?
He glanced at Alden, who kept his head down. The sadness was clearly visible in his eyes. It pained Julian to see his father, a man of honor and strength, being disrespected in front of the court.
The atmosphere shifted once more, as whispers began to circulate among the nobles, questioning the queen’s motivations and the future of the Easvil family in the kingdom’s politics.
The Count of Nesther, unfazed by the queen’s harsh words, replied with calm confidence, “Your Majesty, there is no family with as much credibility as the Easvil family, which houses the powerhouse of the Grand Duke.”
His voice resonated through the hall, asserting the strength and influence of the Easvil lineage.
The nobles shifted uncomfortably, caught between their loyalty to the royal family and the undeniable power the Easvil family held. Julian felt a surge of pride mixed with frustration; it was clear that the queen’s disdain was misplaced.
The count continued, “In these troubled times, we need a leader with proven strength and wisdom. The Easvil family has both, and I believe they can guide us to victory.”
