Chapter 259 Prologue - Book 2 (1/2)
Prologue – Book 2
As Riftan Calypse entered the banquet hall, all the parrot-like chattering of the people died down Anatol’s lord exuded an overwhelly eerie aura of intimidation as he strode across the hall full of tension
A mix of intense curiosity, fear, and ad discreetly at his face filled with indifference The ladies covered their blushi+ng faces with their fans, whispering things in each other’s ears while the men silently held their breaths in a mix of fear and astonishment
The first time he set his foot in Drakium Castle, not one noble had the intention to accept a beast who dared to enter their territory However, now is a different story Those who have rejected him and even openly insulted him are placed in a situation where they must fend for themselves
Riftan Calypse rose into one of the ed strong allegiances with the lords of the Southern continent and is currently expanding his influence spherically to the northern and western regions The momentum of rise was so parabolic that even the eastern nobles who tried to interfere with it had long since surrendered
The younger nobles were scraht while the more conservative ones silently retreated to the hall’s corners
Despite that, Riftan did not bat an eyelid to the people’s reactions He strode straight to the end of the hall—towards the arched door without sparing a glance at the people ere looking curiously at hiet a chance to talk to him When he reached the door, he spoke in a dry tone to the servant as guarding it
“I have come here to see His Majesty Announce my arrival”
The servant immediately ran into the room to relay the announceranted and Riftan strode into the roo behind hi leisurely on a velvet-lined chair greeted him with a crooked smile
“You’re late Is it because there’s no need for you to gain my favor anylanced at the congratulatory gifts piled beside the king’s seat
“I think the other vassals have established enough prestige for the royal family even if you exclude ht to slack off on your obligations”
The king grumbled with a frown and motioned for Riftan to sit on the chair opposite his As he sat down, a servant ilass of wine Ruben was first to take a sip from his cup then continued to speak like a troubled child
“Today is the last day of celebration I was half-resigned into thinking that you ht that it would be better forRuben raised an eyebrow at his cold reply Riftan’s eyes were looking down at the glass of wine and continued his words in a cal into thatthe Crown Prince’s birth, shouldn’t we avoid having any bloodshed?”
The king shook his head at Riftan’s violent words
“Oh heavens Isn’t knocking out all the Duke of Croix’s teeth enough?”
The king leaned deeper in his chair and sighed deeply
“Haven’t you already intih to threaten the Duke of Croix Looking on the other side, the duke’s momentum could not be compared to what it was before He’s now older, more nervous, and paranoid His health had declined by h the Duke won’t adainst his neck, he is terribly afraid of you It’s not unreasonable for him to feel as such after all the threat you’ve said to him Didn’t you recently send a box with human necks inside to the Duke of Croix?”
“Those were the necks of all the assassins he sent”
Riftan responded indifferently
“I just gave him back what I received”
“You’re slowly killing thefilled his cup again as a smirk crept on his lips
“I think it would have been o”
At the king’s sarcastic remark, a cold flame flashed over Riftan’s distant eyes The incident was not so to joke about for Riftan, he is re with Anatol’s declaration of war against the duke Riftan held his glass of wine tightly as if to suppress his boiling temper and harshly delivered his words
“I didn’t know that His Majesty cared so much for the man In the past ten years, didn’t His Majesty use all sorts of tactics to bring down the Duke’s influence? Evenon a battlefield, was used by His Majesty as a weapon to hurt thatsy to subjecttorture over thatRuben’s lips, his face hardened, and he set his glass down roughly,sound
“Will you finally let the o if I kneel in front of you?”
“There is only one thing that I ask of you, Your Majesty”
Riftan spat out his words
“Please do not ever intervene between ain if His Majesty steps forward and mediates between that ht now?”
“I’laring bewilderingly at hi breath
“Even if you don’t growl at ain I ain I have no intentions ofbehind s like war or trial”
Then, the king drank his wine in one breath and looked at Riftan’s marble-like face as if to read his lect your duty as a vassal citing your hostility against the duke, it will be a different story You are now a reputable lord who represents the southern region If you neglect your obligations to the royal family, the loyalty of the other nobles towards the royal fahts who are worshi+pping the incarnation of Uigru”
“……”
“Froreat deal of whatever you do and the words that come out of your mouth I am very concerned about what your reluctant attendance to the Crown Prince’s birth celebration will look like to the nobles”
“…A late this once”
Riftan’s lips twisted cynically
“I have no intentions of having an ill-relationshi+p with the royal family If that is what His Majesty is worried about, then let reat ht ordained by His Majesty That fact will never change”
The king’s golden eyes lingered on Riftan’s face as if trying to detect a lie in his words After a ’s posture relaxed and he let out a dry laugh
“If that is so, you should let the people know Show the the birth of the Crown Prince”
“…I’ll doraised an eyebrow as if his answer did not please hiue and waved his hand at hiht You may leave now”
Riftan bowed his head at the king then went out to the banquet hall once again Then, everyone in the roonored their glances and entered the arched door situated at the left side of the hall
In the dos, nobles dressed in silk and fur were gathered and conversing with each other Princess Agnes, as the lead of the conversations, was in the center and s him