Chapter 69: A King’s Burden
King Noor IV, his expression a mixture of relief and stern concern, led the way from the palace garden.
The procession included the ragged group of rescued individuals, still dazed by their sudden change in fortune, and the attentive Royal Guards who flanked them.
They moved through corridors, the silence broken only by the shuffle of tired feet and the clink of armor, eventually arriving at a grand palace hall.
Inside, Queen, Eric’s mother, was already present, her posture betraying her anxiety. The moment her eyes fell upon Eric, safe and relatively unharmed, the regal composure she usually maintained crumbled.
She rushed forward, her silks rustling, and enveloped him in a tight, trembling embrace. Eric returned the hug, a wave of relief washing over him as he felt the familiar comfort of his mother’s presence. He had been gone for what felt like an eternity.
As the rescued people were ushered further into the hall, it became subtly apparent that the Royal Palace was operating with a diminished contingent of its usual Royal Guard complement.
Eric also noted the absence of his two older brothers, as well as the Prime Minister and several other high-ranking ministers who would typically be present during any significant event within the palace.
He knew the reason: the King had initiated a massive, kingdom-wide investigation into the nobility following Sir Karlos’s treason.
This unprecedented operation, designed to root out further betrayal and secure the kingdom’s stability, was a considerable drain on Estoria’s resources, pulling manpower from even the capital.