Before the sun break, everyone in the Maganti Empire had already been working busily, just like the previous days. The Maganti had been welcoming every new day and bidding the sun farewell without a king. For an empire as large as the Maganti, having no official emperor would eventually become a problem.
Ismael had been obviously selected as the next emperor not just by his birthright, but also because every side supported him. Starting from the church, the surviving nobles, and the common people. The only forces who were still reluctant in this discussion were the Valiente Group, as they believed Roman should become the emperor.
And thus, it was today's agenda in the royal court that was held in a private chancery where every important individual in the empire had gathered. However, since Roman had attended for the first time after many meetings of absence, a piece of news rattled most of them except the third prince.
"Your Highness..." called a member of the Valiente Group, who was also originally a nobleman before Joaquin's order to silence him. "What are you...?"
"That is my decision." Roman, who still wore his full armor from head to toe, spoke with resolution. "That is my last order to the members of the Valiente. Since this beautiful country is welcoming a merciful emperor, there is no need for the Valiente to exist."
The seventh prince scanned the faces around the wooden oval table. His eyes lingered longer on Ismael on the end of the table, before shifting his attention to the members of the rebel group present in this room.
"I am stepping down and dissolving the group. Valiente was formed to fight for our freedom and resist the oppressors. We had already achieved our goal, and continuing its existence with the rise of the new emperor will eventually create a problem." Roman planted his hand on the table and rose from his seat. "I... we had fought side by side with the church and the third prince. And even if I am retiring, I asked you to continue to assist His Majesty and aim for the goodness of our land and people."
Roman slowly faced Ismael's direction, placing his fist across his chest, and then bowed.
"I acknowledge Ismael, the third prince, as the emperor of this great country, and wish nothing but success in his governance," he announced, something Roman needed to do to show his support to his brother. "May you bring peace in this land and make it great again."
Ismael pressed his lips into a thin line and nodded. He had expected this from Roman, not because he asked him to. If anything, Ismael also agreed with the Valiente group. That was why there hadn't been someone who ascend the throne until now because of that. However, Roman had already told him he wanted to retire even before the revolt.
Actually, Roman wanted to be announced dead as part of their deal so he could live a new life following Violet. But that was deemed impossible with the Valiente forces, and their capability to start a problem with Ismael's succession to the throne. That was why the seventh prince joined this meeting for the last time and do his duty as the royalty and the head of the rebel group.
After Roman expressed his support to Ismael, he faced everyone carrying a dignified air around him. Some of his men were still stunned by the news of his retirement and the disbandment of the group.
"If anyone objects to this order, then I will deem it as treason." He placed his hand on the sword clinging to his side. "Anyone who is courageous enough, then allow your swords to speak."
Silence followed Roman's remarks while he exchanged looks with his men in the rebel group. They might be audacious towards the third prince and Ismael had practiced maximum tolerance. However, they respected Roman, and his words were absolute.
In the end, those who initially opposed Ismael's succession to the throne could only back down and follow Roman's wishes. After all, Roman was right. The Valiente Group has formed because of the royal family's exploitation of the farmers. It grew into a large organization because of Joaquin's wicked retaliations. But now that this country was welcoming a new king, the name Valiente must cease to exist along with the previous monarch.
"The third prince is a good man," Roman reassured after a minute of silence, watching his people raise their heads at him. "I trust him. Give him a chance. Open up your hearts to him, and you will understand why I, the church, and the people support him in inheriting the crown."
The seventh prince nodded encouragingly at his people, confident these people would soon understand what was special about Ismael. He then turned to Ismael and tilted his head down, sitting back on his chair to continue the meeting, as this was the last time he would sit with them.
Modesto, who was sitting on Ismael's right, cleared his throat. "Now that was settled, we can hold the succession of the throne in two days. For the last time, I asked if anyone objects to this decision?" he looked around, waiting for anyone to raise any objections. When a minute had passed with nothing but silence, he rocked his head.
"Then, that's settled." Modesto then set his eyes on Ismael. "Your Majesty, was there anything you would like to say?"
"There is." Ismael slowly rose to his seat, his eyes glossing over everyone. "I am aware actions speak louder than words, but I vowed to put the people of the Maganti Empire before myself. I may lack on many things, but what I do not lack is my beliefs about this country's people."
"However, there is only one thing I would like to hear your approval of and I sincerely wished to get everyone's support on this." He paused to allow them to take everything in as this was a serious matter he needed before succeeding the throne. However, just as his lips parted, a knock caressed his ears.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m