David knows that Arthur has changed, but he never imagined that Arthur would go to such lengths—to conceal his lack of evidence about the assassination attempt just to lower their guard. It was a ploy, a calculated maneuver to bide his ti while Duke Richard was occupied defending Elysia. What unnerved David the most wasn't just Arthur's deception but the patience he now wielded, a trait that was once foreign to him. This wasn't the impulsive Arthur he rembered, this was soone who had mastered the art of the long ga, soone who was willing to wait and plan until the perfect mont to corner him.
David's gaze shifted to Richard to see if Richard truly is aligned with Arthur that is in front of him. He studied the Duke's deanor, searching for any telltale signs of hesitation or dissent. Richard, however, stood with the quiet composure of a man fully committed, his expression unreadable yet resolute.
After carefully surveying his surroundings, David turned his attention to the docunt outlining the conditions Arthur had presented. As he read through its contents, his unease deepened. The terms were harsh, leaving him at a severe disadvantage. But David knew he had no choice. Refusing the agreent would likely an his imdiate death, and his dukedom would face an assault from both Arthur and Richard. Swallowing his pride, he raised questions about the clauses he didn't fully understand, receiving curt but clear explanations. With no other option, he reluctantly signed the agreent.
Arthur watched the quill's final stroke with satisfaction. Internally, he mused, This world's contract-binding artifacts are truly a marvel. With their enforcent, I have no reason to fear secret betrayals from the dukedom. They're bound to uphold their end, no matter what.
Arthur's thoughts shifted to the circumstances that had aligned in his favor. I was fortunate that both dukedoms were in a desperate situation and had no choice but to agree to the absurd terms. Richard's hand was forced when Elysia attacked, and he had no choice but to rely on the kingdom's aid. If not for these fortuitous events, convincing them might have taken years—years I couldn't afford to lose. Even introducing sothing as crucial as progressive taxation could have been delayed by two or three years without their imdiate cooperation.
Satisfied with how events had unfolded, Arthur composed himself and addressed the room.
"From this mont onward," Arthur began, his voice steady and commanding, "no one here will speak a word about Ashenfell's involvent in the assassination attempt. It will be as if nothing ever happened. Additionally, as per the agreent, both dukedoms are to fully support my decisions if it benefit the kingdom and comply with my orders without hesitation."
The great hall fell silent, save for the rustling of fabric as all present—both dukes and guests—bowed in unison and spoke in a unified chorus, "Yes, Your Highness. We will not speak of the assassination attempt to anyone."
Arthur nodded, the flicker of approval in his eyes betraying his satisfaction. "Good," he said.
The conversation continued for a while, carefully navigating their respective situations. Both sides avoided carelessly divulging any vulnerabilities, but the tension was palpable. David, despite his best efforts, couldn't shake the feeling of inferiority. He had been the one to orchestrate an assassination attempt, yet here he was, outmaneuvered and effectively subdued.
Arthur didn't let the opportunity to assert dominance slip by. With subtle but pointed remarks, he reminded David of the gravity of his actions. "It takes courage to take responsibility for one's mistakes," Arthur said, his tone deceptively cordial. "Acknowledging your errors is the first step toward rebuilding trust."
Though the words seed forgiving on the surface, but David felt the weight of their underlying ssage: You owe everything now, and I won't let you forget it.
After so ti, Arthur shifted the tone of the discussion. Rising from his seat, he addressed both Richard and David with a composed authority. "Since you have both agreed to abide by the new rules and taxation system I will be implenting, I would like to formally invite you to a banquet, where I will announce and introduce so of the new rules and tax system that I have told you about," he announced. "It will be held in approximately two weeks. Invitations will be sent tomorrow to many of the kingdom's most influential nobles and citizens. I trust you will make ti in your schedules to attend."
David and Richard exchanged glances. The weight of Arthur's words settled heavily upon them. It wasn't just a banquet—it was a statent. They both understood, with dawning clarity, that Arthur intended to use them as a stepping stone for his political strategy. By showcasing their allegiance at such a public event, Arthur would send a clear ssage to the entire kingdom: the two dukedoms were now firmly under his control.
The implications were staggering. If the nobles and influential citizens saw Richard and David standing beside Arthur, they would see resistance is futile. It wasn't just a banquet; it was a masterstroke of political theater, designed to solidify Arthur's authority and suppress any lingering dissent.
Realizing this, David couldn't suppress a bitter thought. He's not just uniting the kingdom—he's centing his power so thoroughly that no one will dare to challenge him again.
Richard, more pragmatic, nodded solemnly. "Of course, Your Highness," he said, masking his unease. "I will ensure my schedule is clear for the occasion."
David followed suit, forcing a polite smile. "It will be an honor to attend," he said, though his voice lacked conviction.
Arthur inclined his head, satisfied. "Excellent. Then I look forward to seeing you both there, also let's end this for today" he said, his tone final.
Richard cleared his throat and spoke before leaving the great hall "If I may, Your Highness, I would like to apologize for my daughter's behavior during our last eting. Her actions were out of line and entirely unforgivable. Since then, I have taken steps to ensure she understands the gravity of her conduct and behaves with the decorum befitting her station. I humbly request your forgiveness for her indiscretion."
Arthur's expression remained neutral as he replied, "I've already put the matter behind , Duke Richard. There's no need to dwell on it or offer further apologies."
A glimr of relief passed over Richard's face. "Thank you, Your Highness. I am deeply grateful for your understanding," he said, bowing his head slightly. Then, after a pause, he added cautiously, "I do, however, have a humble request I'd like to make, if you would permit it."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "If it is within my power to grant, I will do so," he said, gesturing for Richard to continue.
Richard nodded, his posture shifting slightly as if bracing himself. "With your permission, before we return for the banquet in two weeks, I would like to leave Olivia in your care," he said carefully.
Arthur's gaze sharpened, though his expression remained unreadable. "Your daughter?" he asked, his tone even but probing.
"Yes, Your Highness," Richard confird. "I believe spending ti under your guidance will serve as an invaluable experience for her. She has much to learn about diplomacy, governance, and the responsibility of leadership—qualities you possess in abundance. I am certain that under your tutelage, she will grow into soone who can contribute aningfully to the kingdom as well as for the dukedom."
Arthur leaned back slightly, his sharp eyes studying Richard's face. His mind raced, weighing the implications of the duke's request. Is he trying to forge a stronger bond between the Dukedom of Luke and through Olivia? Arthur mused. It's a clever move. Having her here could serve as a gesture of loyalty—or perhaps even a veiled attempt to monitor more closely. Still, this arrangent might not be entirely disadvantageous.
He considered the potential consequences. Olivia's presence will undoubtedly disrupt so of the plans I intended to execute in these two weeks. But if I were to refuse, it might be seen as overly rigid or even insulting to Richard's overture. For just a few weeks, I can manage.
Having made his decision, Arthur straightened slightly and replied, "Very well. I will agree. However, I won't be teaching her directly. If she's content with simply observing my work and learning by watching, then she is welco."
Richard's bowed his head deeply. "That is more than sufficient, Your Majesty. Thank you."
Arthur nodded, signaling the end of the discussion. Shortly after, the guests in the great hall began to disperse, their murmured conversations echoing in the vast chamber as they departed.
anwhile, in the guest quarters assigned to Duke David, a quiet tension filled the room. A mage, one of David's trusted confidants, hesitantly broke the silence.
"Sir," the mage began cautiously, "are you truly at peace with how things unfolded today?"
David let out a bitter chuckle, his voice tinged with frustration. "Do I look as though I'm happy with it?" he snapped. "The terms were absurd—outrageous even—but I had no choice. The situation was a perfect trap, and I walked right into it."
He leaned against the edge of a table, his hands gripping the surface tightly as he vented his frustration. "If Arthur had launched a war against us the mont he found out about the assassination attempt, we might have had a chance to fight back. A slim one, perhaps, but a chance nonetheless. But no—he waited. He bided his ti, ensuring he had all the leverage before forcing to sign those conditions."
David's voice grew quieter but no less bitter. "And he did it flawlessly. He avoided any significant loss on his side, not a single soldier wasted, and orchestrated the perfect scenario to bind into his plans. Even I despite of having many experience would not be able to plan out this kind of flawless plan." David sighted, "He's not the sa man I once underestimated. The rumors about him changing? They didn't do justice to what he's beco."
The mage hesitated before speaking again. "Do you think there's a way to turn this to your advantage?"
David looked up, his expression dark. "Not yet. Right now, all I can do is play along. But rest assured, I will not remain a pawn in Arthur's ga forever. When the opportunity arises, I'll find a way to tip the scales back in my favor."
At the sa ti, in the guest quarters assigned to Duke Richard, he found his daughter, Olivia, seated by the window. The soft glow of the evening light bathed her in a warm hue. She turned as she heard his footsteps, her brow furrowed in curiosity.
"Father," she began, her voice laced with both relief and suspicion, "you're finally back. What do you discuss there?"
Richard closed the door behind him and walked toward her, his movents deliberate. "Olivia," he said, his tone calm but firm, "the matters discussed are confidential. I cannot share them with you." He paused, allowing his words to settle. "However, there's sothing else we need to address—sothing that concerns you directly."
Olivia tilted her head, her expression shifting to one of cautious anticipation. "What is it, Father?"
Richard's gaze softened montarily, though his resolve remained unshaken. "We will be returning to our dukedom tomorrow," he began, "but you will not be coming with us."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Why not?" she demanded, her voice rising slightly.
"You will stay here, at the palace," Richard explained. "During these two weeks, I want you to observe and learn from King Arthur. By the ti we return for the banquet, you should have gained valuable insight into how he operates."
Olivia's shock quickly turned to frustration. "Why would you do this, Father? You know I don't like Arthur. And why are you pushing toward him again? He already rejected the marriage proposal once."
Richard's expression darkened, his voice growing stern. "This is not about marriage, Olivia, and it's certainly not about your personal feelings. This is about survival—our survival. Arthur has changed. He is no longer the man we once knew or underestimated. He's cunning, calculated, and dangerous. In just a short ti, he has maneuvered us into a position where we are little more than pawns in his ga."
Richard added. "I'm sending you because I trust you, Olivia. You're sharp, capable, and more perceptive than you realize. I need you to observe Arthur, understand his thods, and establish a connection with him. Whether you like it or not, maintaining a strong connection with Arthur is crucial."
For a mont, silence hung heavily in the room as Olivia grappled with her father's words. Finally, she let out a long breath, her shoulders slumping in reluctant acceptance. "Fine," she said quietly. "I'll do it."
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