"Your Majesty, the matter regarding the mayor who escaped, the death of the magistrate, and the chief of the guards...it was Prince Alaric’s negligence. He fell into a trap set for him when they were in Ranuva. The soldiers were plagued with a stomach sickness that weakened them, and the bandits did not spend much effort in rescuing the prisoners."
"Useless! Idiot!" King Heimdal glared at Prince Alaric.
The prince stood tall, his spine a pillar of confidence, and his head raised high as he cast a steady glance at the king. His obsidian orbs, sharp and resolute, were filled with a quiet determination. "I am quite certain Father was aware of the mastermind behind this treachery," he declared. Alaric’s voice, though laced with respect, shimmered with a subtle tension, hinting at deeper undercurrents beneath the calm surface.
The king and the Justice Minister looked at each other briefly.
King Heimdal snorted. He did not reply to Alaric but shifted the topic: "I heard that you also advised the generals not to proceed with the attack when it was the best time to do so. If they listened to you, then the soldiers are still camping at Hainai at this time." King Heimdal’s voice was laced with anger.
Lara frowned. It was obvious that the king hated Alaric.
"If I may, Your Majesty," General Odin’s voice was deep and respectful. "It was Prince Alaric’s warning that caused us to change our plans. We were prepared during the ambush at Meander Pass. Otherwise, we would have been sitting ducks, given the strategic position of the ambush." He threw a quick glance at the eldest prince. "It was also he who fought with us in Calma, despite his injuries."
General Odin wanted to add that Prince Alaric’s presence has boosted the morale of his soldiers, but he knew better. The two princes were also there at the command center in Hainai. Wouldn’t he be insulting them if he said that it was just Prince Alaric?
Alaric’s loyal soldiers, lined up at the far end of the courtyard beside the entrance, perked up when they heard General Odin stand up for their prince. Agilus’s eyes misted. It was not often that someone would bravely take the side of their prince. He gave General Odin a thumbs-up.
King Heimdal sat thoughtfully upon his throne. The other generals and the entire Northem army respected General Odin. Refuting his words would surely create dissent among his soldiers.
He stood up from his throne and approached the platform’s edge. His three sons were standing below. When his gaze landed on his eldest, a flicker of hate crossed his eyes. He did not make any attempt to hide it.
"Considering Prince Alaric’s contribution to the last war, which offseted his negligence on the Calma case, I hereby decree that Prince Alaric will be assigned to guard the borders between Northem and Zura. He will also be granted Calma and the other eleven towns along the River Praya as his fief. He will depart for Calma in two months."
The king’s loud and deep voice reverberated through the walls of the Justice Hall. Many of the soldiers and generals were stunned. Alaric’s soldiers, however, were rejoicing. To them, it wasn’t a punishment but a reward. It meant freedom, far from the scheming and intrigues of the capital.
Prince Alaric looked down, the corner of his lips curled up a little bit. "I accept the king’s decree and thank him for his wise decision." His voice, though flat, has a trace of elation in it.
King Heimdal glared at him. Why did he feel that his hateful son welcomed his verdict? Shouldn’t he be sad and beg him to take it back? He did not have time to ponder. He had another important announcement to make.
King Heimdal made his announcement before his ministers, important nobles, generals, and heroes of the last war.
"Today, I stand before you to unveil the future of our kingdom. With a heart filled with both pride and reverence, I announce that the heir to the throne is none other than Prince Reuben, my cherished firstborn with the Queen. His presence embodies the hopes and dreams woven into the very fabric of our kingdom, and I am confident that he will carry the legacy of our lineage with grace and strength." The king announced in a formal tone. "We will hold a formal banquet in a week for the official announcement."
A resounding wave of applause echoed through the sunlit courtyard, filling the air with an electric energy. Prince Reuben’s heart swelled with joy, his smile broadening as he cast a triumphant glance at Prince Alaric, whose face remained expressionless.
With an air of undeniable confidence, Reuben strode toward the stone platform, where his father awaited him, regal and commanding. The crowd continued to cheer, their excitement palpable in the warm morning air.
He bowed deeply and said in a respectful tone. "Thank you, Father, for your trust. I will not disappoint you." Then he looked at the crowd below him, the corner of his mouth almost reaching his ears because of his broad smile.
His gaze landed briefly on Prince Alaric before drifting to Lara, and his eyes brightened. He was now the crown prince, and soon Lara would be his princess consort. Life was so good.
General Odin’s brows furrowed. He did not like the way Prince Reuben looked at his daughter, as if she was prey. He was also disappointed that Prince Alaric was not the crown prince. He was the most qualified among the princes.
Lara noticed the shift in her father’s mood. "Father, why are you distressed?"
General Odin leaned and whispered, "I think that Alaric deserved to be the crown prince. He is a great warrior on the battlefield, not just a general in name."
"Hmm. I thought the king’s decision was good." Lara said casually, glancing at Prince Alaric, who was looking back at her, amusement dancing in his obsidian eyes.
"Huh?" Odin was confused. What did his daughter mean by that? How could it be a good decision? Calma was ten days away from the seat of power. Since it was the border, it was naturally not peaceful there.
Lara, who noticed her father’s confusion, added, "Calma, I surmised, is at the center of Northem, Zura, Estalis, and Westalis. Am I right, Father?"
"What do you mean by that?" General Odin asked with a furrowed brow.
"Nothing, Father. I just thought Calma is a good location."