Chapter 163: In The Open
Yeren shifted in his chair instinctively, only suffering a few splatters on his boots.
Aldrich was at her side, moving quicker than his own shadow while the other council mbers watched with amused expressions on their faces.
"I think she is with child." Rodick leaned to whisper to Plutte. The latter nodded in agreent, his vicious gaze fixed on her.
Aldrich began patting her back and the retching slowly ceased.
Then, the infuriating man produced a handkerchief from his coat and helped her wipe her lips.
"Forgive ." She rasped. "I didn’t an to make such a ss."
Falstaff waved high in the air nonchalantly. "No need to offer any apologies, dear girl. Such things cannot be controlled."
A look was exchanged between the n and they burst into laughter.
"Let
escort you to your chambers." Lord Bronan began saying.
"Thank you... but I can find my way myself."
Yeren watched her closely as she half swayed, half walked out of the room. Her guard reached her before she got to the door and scooped her into his arms on Yeren’s orders.
Everyone in the room watched them disappear behind the door before a sense of normalcy returned to the chamber.
"Take your seat, Lord Bronan." Yeren said, his voice icy.
A few maids rushed in with cleaning tools and rid the room of the ss within minutes.
What was wrong with her now? She couldn’t possibly be with child, could she?
"As I had been saying, before... well, we all know what happened. I disagree with the transfer of ownership. Other forms of retribution can be explored."
Plutte leaned his chin on his palm. "Besides, owning a land cos with many responsibilities that I humbly doubt a woman can handle. Maybe a little portion of the land can be given to her to build a small cottage and live a content life with her sister and her..." Plutte trailed off.
Yeren remained silent. He just kept twirling the quill between his stiff, slender fingers.
"Since when did any of you care if property is well taken care off. The Stenly lands are currently untad and have not been used or kept since they were seized. And I must add that none of you, especially Lord Redmare, even though he is currently not present, do not pay much attention to catering to your estates. We have to give her the benefit of the doubt... or else the land would waste away."
Lord Bronan who had looked so lost in his concern cleared his throat and said, "The King makes a fair point. I can even take it upon myself to assist her since I intend to make her my bride."
And when he said that, his eyes t Yeren’s across the table.
Yeren felt his fingers on the quill stiffen and tighten their grip, but other than that, he gave them no other reaction.
Falstaff stared at him longer than the others, though the man never dared to et his gaze.
If they were hoping to get a reaction out of him...
But to think that he would let Lord Bronan anywhere near Claire and her residence... not to talk of wedding her.
"Shall we cast..."
"By all ans, Your Grace, give her the land." Another voice chid in from the doorway.
Yeren glanced up leisurely, his jaw twitching slightly.
"You’re late, Lord Redmare."
Redmare had the nerve to grin at him.
"Forgive , Your Grace. A few pressing matters kept
away." Taking his seat, he added, "I heard of the success of the trial as well. Long live the King of Reden."
The others seed to glance at him for... guidance, he had to notice.
"Long live the King of Reden!" They chorused.
"We were about to cast votes before you arrived, Lord Redmare. You might as well join us."
Then, he pulled out a coin and kept it on the fair side.
The rest of them pulled out their coins.
And they were all fair.
How intriguing.
Weren’t they the sa people that were against the transfer of ownership to the Stenlys?
"Very well. I will have Lord Malrick draft up the deed." Yeren said.
Nods of approval passed through the table.
"The next matter to be discussed is Town Square that has been yet to be built and the funds that have been taken for such a purpose." His eyes fell on Redmare.
Redmare didn’t even flinch, as though he had been expecting him to bring up the topic.
"Why do you not tell us all where the large amounts of coins paid to you are going, Lord Redmare. Because," He let his gave roam over everyone present. "I inspected it myself, and found the Town square to be nonexistent."
That was when it seed to settle on the blasted man that he had been caught in the act.
"If you don’t give
a substantial explanation this instant, I will have you thrown in the dungeons, and all your lands would be confiscated by the Crown as paynt for all the coin wasted on a futile project."
At his words, the guards that seed to have previously lded into the walls of the chamber stepped forward, their hands on the hilts of their swords.
"Your Grace, you are simply overreacting. I have the coin, I have just been waiting for the perfect weather and for..."
"For how many months? This castle was constructed in fair weather?" Yeren cut him off to ask.
How dare he say he was overreacting?
"And... and fear of the Rogues, Your Grace. Perhaps, you are coming to such a quick conclusion. Spare
another year and the Town square will be rebuilt." A thread of desperation crept into the man’s voice.
But Yeren wasn’t falling for it.
"In that case, seize him." Yeren said without batting an eye.
His guards stepped forward to seize him but Redmare shot out of his seat.
Even Yeren hadn’t expected him to do such a thing.
Then, he bolted towards the parapets.
The n ran after him, even Yeren joined the pursuit.
But it was too late.
Redmare flung himself over.
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