***
Nicholas was relieved when he found out that almost all of his maternal relatives knew that he had lycanthropy. It felt like the first layer of the heavy cloud that had filled his chest all along had just disappeared.
Now that he turned to look at his paternal relatives, they were all silent and looked surprised. Nicholas didn't know what to say. At this moment he could only stare at them with hopeful and anxious feelings.
After a while of waiting, one of them sighed then nodded and conveyed his support to Nicholas. Before long, the others also said the same but there were still some who looked displeased.
Nicholas thanked them wholeheartedly. He was quite satisfied with the outcome of the family meeting.
After learning that most of his family supported him, he felt even more courageous. He decided to hold a big meeting. The meeting was attended by the queen, the dukes, the ministers, and all the dignitaries of the kingdom.
During the meeting, the security around the palace was tightened. Everyone who had accepted the invitation to attend the meeting was seated in chairs that were neatly arranged at the side of the rectangular table in the center of the room.
They were wondering what the king wanted to talk about to bring them all into one room. The invitation they received only mentioned that the king would discuss a very important matter.
After everyone had sat down neatly, Nicholas began to open the meeting and said a few words of welcome to those who had been present in the room. Before getting into the main discussion, Nicholas first took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Right now he was feeling very tense.
Everyone who saw the tension on the king's face glanced at each other and became more and more curious about the important things the king wanted to convey.
Feeling better, Nicholas spoke again. "I called this meeting because I wanted to make a confession to all of you."
"A confession?"
Everyone looked at Nicholas questioningly. Nicholas didn't necessarily say he was a lycan. He recounts what happened to him 13 years ago in detail so that those listening could understand the situation.
He was bitten by Alpha of the lycan pack who kidnapped him and he became a lycan forcibly. For a few moments, the atmosphere in the room became very quiet.
Very very quiet.
Everyone was silent. Everyone is shocked. They need time to believe their own hearing. Nicholas glanced at his mother for two seconds then closed his eyes for a moment.
"I already told you that I am actually a lycan. Now, I want to know what your decision will be. If you have any objections to being led by a lycanthropy-affected king, you are allowed to cut ties with Riga and you will not receive any consequences," he spoke calmly.
Nicholas cast a glance around the room before he continued his words, "However, if you decided to stay loyal to me and accept me as I am, I'm will feel grateful and I can show you that I will live up to your expectation of a righteous and just king."
Nicholas' confession completely shocked those in the throne room. Some of them were silent and lost in their own thoughts and some of them glanced at each other as if asking 'what do you think?' or 'what's your decision?'
"I need your decision as soon as possible," Nicholas said. He wanted to quickly find out who was truly loyal to him and who wasn't. Besides, he couldn't waste much time because the decisions of those higher-ups would affect the government.
If any of them wanted to sever ties with Riga then Nicholas had to quickly find a replacement who would fill their posts. If a lot of people decided to leave, then it means a massive shift would take place and it would take quite a lot of time.
When the enemy found out that chaos was taking place within the government of Riga, then they would not miss the opportunity to attack and bring down Riga.
"After I thought about it, I decided to remain loyal to His Majesty and will continue to dedicate my life to serving Riga," said Lord Baden.
He was one of the ministers to finally break the silence. He also became the first person in the room to convey his loyalty to the king.
"I don't know about you guys but I don't think the king is to blame in this case," he added.
"Sorry for my impudence, Your Majesty, but I want to ask you something and your answer will determine my decision," said a man with maroon hair on the left side.
Nicholas looked at the maroon-haired man. "What is it, Duke Marchell?"
"When Your Majesty turned into a lycan, are you still able to control your consciousness, Your Majesty? I mean are you able to recognize the people around you well? I hope you will answer my question honestly and I hope you will not be offended by this question."
The question asked by Duke Marchell represented almost everyone's mind there. This question made it difficult for them to make a decision.
They knew the lycan as a monster who liked killing humans. If the king couldn't recognize them when he became lycan, then they wouldn't be able to follow the king because that would be tantamount to attempting suicide.
"If the king can't control his conscience then it's been a long time since we've heard the news of deaths or missing persons in this palace, but that's never been heard of and has never happened. Doesn't that answer your question, Duke Marchell?" said Lord Baden.
"I'm sorry but I didn't ask you, Lord Baden." Duke Marchell looked disdainfully at the minister sitting across the table.
"I think what Lord Baden said is true," said another minister.
"But why is His Majesty only making a confession now?" The man on the other end spoke up and was rebuffed by the man sitting on the right side of the table.
"If you were in Your Majesty's position, would you admit this? I'm sure you would never do that."
"This is a serious matter."
"Well. You are right, sir."
Soon, the room became noisy. The meeting attendees started expressing their opinions. They argued back and forth and all wanted to say something.
"Everyone please calm down!" said Nicholas but his voice just passed like the wind.
NOW!
The noise that sounded like a swarm of wasps became silent as Nicholas was forced to hit the table hard.
"Can I talk now?" asked Nicholas looking at everyone there.
"Please forgive us, Your Majesty," said Lord Baden.
Nicholas, who had stood up, sat back down and looked at Duke Marchell.
"Thanks for asking," he said. Nicholas took a deep breath and then explained that when he turned into a lycan, he didn't lose consciousness at all. He remembered everyone and he recognized everyone well. The lycanthropy turned his body into a lycan but did not change his mind into a beast.
"If you think I'm going to attack you like a mad savage dog, I swear it won't happen," Nicholas explained. He added, "Do you still have any questions, Duke Marchell?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"Then what is your decision?"
"I will remain loyal to you."
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