Chapter 160: Proving Her Worth
Lord James’s brows furrowed with concern, questioning Anna’s demand, "That is a bold claim. Your Majesty, do you absolutely agree with this?"
King Kyden met Lord James’s inquiry with unwavering conviction, recounting his personal experience.
"From my very first encounter with Lady Raychard, she displayed an exceptional command of the language. Her fluency surpassed anyone I had ever conversed with. Not only that, she effortlessly explained a rare word during our conversation, a term even I, myself, was unfamiliar with. I consulted senior scholars who confirmed both its accuracy and definition. They mentioned it belonged to a high-level form of the Ro’an language, one seldom used."
Lord James countered with a hint of scepticism in his voice, "It appears, Your Majesty, that you have already developed a favourable disposition towards her."
Resolute in his commitment to fairness, the king dismissed any notion of bias.
"I assure you, Lord James, my judgment will not be swayed. Let us grant Lady Raychard’s request and allow our best scholars to test her proficiency. This way, we can quell any doubts and satisfy all concerns."
Recognising the potential pressure on Anna, Lord Grey voiced his concern, "Shouldn’t she be given time to prepare? We cannot expect her to perform under such scrutiny without proper readiness. Even those who sit for language examinations require months of preparation."
A small smile formed on Lord James’s lips, his expression suggesting a hint of amusement or intrigue.
Lord James addressed the king, his tone suggesting a willingness to proceed without delay.
"I believe there’s no need for her to prepare anything else. Lady Raychard expressed confidence in her abilities and requested the test herself. Considering the significance of this decision and the title at stake, perhaps it would be best to proceed as she desires. Your thoughts, Your Majesty?"
King Kyden nodded in agreement with Lord James’s proposition.