Chapter 257: The Royal Conference (2)
Having transformed from a suspicious madman into a righteous informant, Keter peacefully ended his day in the infirmary.
Meanwhile, though the royal palace appeared calm and quiet, a serious debate was unfolding within.
“I can’t believe Duke Lerkin has declared his royal candidacy.”
“I didn’t even know there was truly a king consort. He didn’t look particularly special either.”
Having escaped from the island, Duke Lerkin attempted to head straight into the capital, but on the way, he encountered several patriarchs held up before Her Majesty’s Bridge. Most didn’t recognize Lerkin, but a few did. And once they knew who he was, they had to show their respect.
“Hello, Your Majesty the King Consort.”
Lerkin was, after all, Queen Lillian’s husband. Unless they were a duke of equal rank, failing to show proper respect was tantamount to violating the royal law.
The nobles, who had only heard rumors about the king consort, were surprised to see him in person, not only because of his sudden appearance, but because he seemed so ordinary. Yet beneath that mundane exterior was a man overflowing with confidence and ambition.
“It is no coincidence, but destiny, that I meet you upon setting out to become king! And destiny only brings misfortune to those who resist it. Will you not join me so that this nation may prosper and grow strong?”
None of the patriarchs present was impressed by his hollow rhetoric. They awkwardly declined, but to their surprise, Lerkin neither clung to them nor seemed disappointed.
“Accepting destiny is never easy. But remember: though destiny itself is inevitable, it is humans who shape it. And as human hearts shift with emotion, the longer you delay, the colder my own feelings may grow.”
His confidence was almost delusional, like someone convinced that he was. The nobles couldn’t fathom the source of this certainty and grew uneasy. Lerkin had appeared right before the royal conference and inserted himself into the princes’ struggle for power.