Chapter 79
Betrayed by Blood~
The king’s inner court reeked of tension. All the council members were gathered around. King Alaric sat at the head of the long table, his knuckles pressed against his temples, his eyes dark with fury. Cain’s insolent words echoed in his head repeatedly like a mocking chant.
"How dare he," Alaric muttered under his breath, though the words were loud enough to send a shiver down the spines of the councilmen seated before him.
"My king," one of the advisors began, his tone carefully measured and calm, "Cain’s words at the summon were... bold, but perhaps it is wise to—"
"Bold?" Alaric’s voice lashed through the room like thunder, his chair scraping back as he stood abruptly. "He undermined me. In my court. In front of my people. Do you call that bold, or do you mean treasonous?"
The advisor hesitated, swallowing hard. "Sire, Vehiron’s resources—"
There was a knock at the chamber doors, the sound rippled sharply through the already tense room. The king’s gaze snapped to the door, a nasty scowl on his face.
"What now?" Alaric barked out angrily.
The doors creaked open, and a nervous messenger stepped inside, clutching a sealed letter in his trembling hands. "A message, Your Majesty," he stammered. "From Vehiron."
"Bring it here," Alaric commanded impatiently, his tone clipped.
The room held its collective breath as the messenger scurried forward, placing the letter in Alaric’s hand. Alaric tore it open, his eyes scanning the contents. With every word, his expression darkened, his grip on the letter tightening until the envelope crumpled in his fist.