After Steveren's apology, the hall was immersed in a dense, tense silence, where the air seemed as heavy as lead.
Kaizen almost choked on his food when he noticed the look Xisrith was casting at Steveren.
The butler, who stood at the edge of the table, watched the scene with a mixture of surprise and concern.
Steveren, with his serious countenance, seemed to bear the weight of Xisrith's words. He looked away after apologizing, turning away for a moment from the intense eye contact.
Xisrith stared at Steveren for a moment, seeming to assess the sincerity of his words. Her gaze, a mixture of caution and resolution, finally gave way to the tension that was overwhelming her. She let out a controlled sigh and loosened her grip slightly.
"Right... I believe you're being sincere, Your Majesty, but will you at least tell me why you rejected us?" Xisrith asked.
At that moment, Steveren's eyes rose again and he frowned. "I rejected you? Wait, what exactly are we talking about?"
"Of course it's about you not accepting my village's request for official recognition and protection. What else would it be about?"
"Request? I thought you were angry that I did nothing to protect the people of the capital during the attack." The King said.
Before the uncomfortable atmosphere could stretch any further, Kaizen finally decided to intervene. He cleared his throat, capturing everyone's attention, stood up and then began to speak in a quiet but firm voice.
"Your Majesty, allow me to clarify this matter. In the past, the Village of Drakenvale, of which Xisrith is a part, made a request to the Kingdom of Tretidian for official recognition and protection. However, this request was rejected, but I believe that since it has been a few months, this request was not rejected by you but by Niah, your ex-wife, who was occupying the throne at the time due to your comatose condition. She probably took the decision not to grant recognition so as not to strengthen the kingdom's own army."
As Kaizen spoke, Xisrith kept his gaze fixed on the King. Relief and confusion mingled in her expression as she tried to assimilate the truth behind the denial of her village's request.
Steveren looked at Kaizen with a mixture of shock and understanding gradually settling in his eyes. He seemed to process the newly received information quickly, because his expression went through a series of subtle changes until it finally stopped in assent.
The King then broke the silence following Kaizen's explanation, his voice laden with a mixture of regret and guilt.
"I was unaware of this event, and I am sorry for the pain it has caused your village, Xisrith. If I had been aware at the time, things might have been different."
Xisrith lowered her gaze for a moment, her fists relaxing on the table. She sighed, letting go of some of the tension that had consumed her until that moment. "I understand, Your Majesty. I... appreciate your sincerity, I didn't know you were so ill as to be in a coma."
The silence in the room seemed less heavy now, and a small smile curved the butler's lips, which also showed relief at finally understanding the situation.
"It may not mean much now, but I ask you to accept my apologies, Xisrith," said Steveren. "If there's anything I can do to make up for this situation, please let me know."
Xisrith looked up at Steveren, his eyes reflecting confidence. "Although the past cannot be changed, acknowledging the circumstances is already a significant step."
"And to imagine that Drakenvale needed help... You've always been so strong, resilient and isolated that I would never have imagined anything like this." Steveren said, putting his hand to his mouth. "However, this could be an opportunity to forge a new alliance, what do you think?"
Kaizen sat down at the table. "Unfortunately, that won't be possible. A few weeks ago, I formed a partnership with the Kingdom of Vrikhodour."
"I see..."
Steveren leaned back slightly in his ebony throne, his hands crossed over his lap as he looked at Xisrith with a thoughtful expression. "It is regrettable that the opportunity for a direct alliance is no longer available," he said, his voice laden with genuine regret. "But diplomacy is a game of many pieces, and perhaps we can find other means of collaboration."
Xisrith nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on the King. She could see the change in his tone and posture, a sign that he was willing to make peace somehow.
"Xisrith, you mentioned an imminent threat, tell the king about it..." said Kaizen, shifting the focus of the conversation into more pragmatic territory and related to their initial objective in going to the palace.
"Threat? I'd like to know more about that..."
Xisrith looked around the table, aware that the words she would share could shape the relationship between her village and two of Midgard's largest kingdoms. She then began to report on the tension on the borders, mainly between Vrikhodour and Tretidian, but also in Mibothen.
Finally, Kaizen nodded, agreeing with Xisrith's words. "If I may, Your Majesty, I believe we need to unite our efforts and resources to face this possible war scenario. If the Eye of Hermodr is already attacking without favorable circumstances, nothing would stop them in a scenario of war between three great kingdoms."
The butler, who had remained silent, intervened respectfully. "Your Majesty, the possibility of a strategic collaboration could be explored. The descendragons' unique skills and strengths, together with Tretidian's resources and expertise, could form a formidable alliance, especially if Vrikhodour accepts as well."
Steveren nodded with a serious look, his thoughts clearly immersed in the possibilities.
...
Edited by: DrHitsuji
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