The infuriated Elven King snapped his head toward Kael as if certain that the dragon lord would share his sentiments.
But Kael just looked bored.
Worse, he looked interested in other, more important things, such as fiddling with his aide’s fingers like a man on a mission.
But with King Arlen’s expectant look, the pacified dragon begrudgingly had to stop.
So, with the kind of casual cruelty that stopped clocks and breathing, he said, "I proposed wiping out your entire clan because the law allows it, but that was apparently excessive, so he made concessions for your benefit."
Concessions for your benefit.
Riley thought that the golden lizard was really good at hitting where it hurts. He could even see the blood draining from the king’s face.
Sure enough, the Elven ruler was this close to frothing at the mouth.
"At this rate," the king burst, voice raw, "shouldn’t you just kill us? If it’s like this, why not just cut to the chase and call for our immediate execution?"
After all, the Elven ruler was correct when he added, "Wasn’t this worse than death?!"
Riley almost had to applaud the honesty.
Ah. See? He still understood politics.
One might ask, why would this be worse than death?
It’s simple, really. It’s because, for a man hellbent on leaving a stellar legacy after a long rule of feigned greatness, nothing would likely be worse than being known as the House that fucked it all up.
In truth, it wouldn’t be evident right away, but save for the monetary compensation, everything else would result in a major weakening of Elven influence and threat level. They’d likely go from predators to prey.
The real damage would be structural.
A house that could not wield magic openly for 125 years would lose strategic weight and threat. How great would it be to live like humans for at least 125 years?
Perhaps it would do them a great deal of good to experience what it was like to live like mortals. Who knows, maybe they’ll learn a thing or two about insulting some of the pettiest beings in Eryndra.
Publicly informing everyone that the Elves don’t have the Moonveil Codex was like telling the others that the fiercest spells were currently held by someone else, so how bright would they shine in the eyes of those who sought to weaken them?
At the same time, it would increase the threat level of the MBE while protecting its reputation after they decided to use black propaganda earlier.
Moreover, having them as a guaranteed member of the Accords, that would have no room to negotiate, would be the dream of any aide, as they happened to be the most difficult ones to deal with.
Elves and their pompous asses.
Obviously and fortunately, not all elves were like that, but that’s also precisely why they deserve better leaders. And why their children deserve to know the truth.
Riley could go on about this, but instead, his voice cut across the royal outrage. "Your Majesty, the rest of us suffered slowly. So, why would you be granted the easy way out?"
The king’s shoulders rose in fury and disbelief.
"Your Majesty, you know, there is not much suffering in death," he said. "In the end, it is those who are left behind who suffer the consequences. So, how could you be allowed to die just like that?"
Riley considered that, then pictured Prince Finnian sitting alone with the consequences. If the Elowens were wiped off the stage, Finnian would be the one to inherit the wreckage. Would he, the only sane child in that family, pay for his family’s crimes?
King Arlen opened his mouth, ready to shout, but the words caught in his throat.
It was those eyes.
For all his power and years, he suddenly felt small—like prey caught under a hunter’s gaze. The human’s calm stare was unflinching, sharp enough to silence him before he even spoke.
So instead of roaring, all he managed was a broken question. "Why was it for a period of 125 years? How can it be that long?"
Riley didn’t even look fazed. "In truth, it should’ve been longer," he said evenly. "It was supposed to match the amount of time you stole from everyone when you decided on a lockdown for your own benefit."
He leaned forward slightly, voice still calm but carrying enough weight to crush pride. "So, considering how long you were planning to keep all of us trapped, imagine how long you should be without choice in the matter. Even those five centuries we’re giving you look extremely gracious, don’t they?"
He wasn’t wrong. The real calculation was cruelly fair.
In truth, there were 122 confirmed rescues, and when Riley added Lily, himself, and Kael—all direct victims—it became 125. One year for each life stolen, scarred, or nearly destroyed. Imagine, just one year.
But Riley didn’t intend to tell them that. It would be too careless if he spoke of secrets they could possibly use as leverage.
"Your Majesty," he said instead, tone deceptively polite, "considering that I’m currently twenty-five years old, and the current life expectancy of humans happens to be about 125 years, I think it’s only right to ask for those few years back. After all, your wife was quite determined to curse me for life."
The king’s voice cracked as his composure snapped. "Do you even hear what you’re saying?!"
His hand slammed against the table. The sound rang through the chamber, sharp but meaningless—because the table didn’t even tremble.
If it had survived Kael’s "gentle" taps, it would certainly survive this old man’s tantrum.
"Yes," Riley replied smoothly, "I hear it perfectly. In fact, perhaps it’s you who needs to hear the recording of your wife’s very fruitful conversation again?"
The king’s face reddened with fury.
"But more importantly," Riley went on, his tone now almost cheerful, "I hear something else. Out of your extremely long life, I’m only asking for a small portion of it. And I’m also hearing how generous we are, since we’re allowing you to pick one adult who can retain their magical abilities. That way, House Elowen can still perform its duties."
"One?!" King Arlen shouted. "How could one be enough?! Do you have any idea how much work it takes to govern Silvara?!"
Riley’s polite smile cracked. "Ah, really? Then, Your Majesty," he said, voice rising in cold disbelief, "do you not know how hard it is to govern Eryndra? Then, to fix Silvara’s issues, did you forget how you demanded that Dragon Lord Kael work alone?"
"!!!"
It was a perfect hit.