Meanwhile…
Conan was pouting while sitting on the large couch in the prince's quarters. His eyes scanned the people in the room; some of them were servants standing on the side while the rest were nobles occupying the other seats.
"Your Highness, the fire that happened in the queen's palace a few nights ago raised a lot of concerns in the association," said a bearded man with genuine alarm in his countenance. "Even though the palace tried to cover up the truth, many were not satisfied with the reason. They think the queen was losing her mind!"
"If I were you, watch what comes out of that mouth," Conan warned with a poker face. "The palace walls are thin."
The bearded man immediately shut his lips, almost covering them with his hand.
"Give me the names of those who are pressing the palace with already answered questions." Conan dropped his hand that was propped on his jaw. "I guess it was better if I invite them to the prince's palace to offer them enlightenment. The Queen had a lot more pressing matter to tend to, after all."
The three nobles who were allowed a private audience with the prince looked at each other. They didn't speak a word, knowing many things could happen if they pointed fingers at anyone. Seeing their reaction and silence, Conan scoffed while shaking his head mildly.
Ever since Aries ascended the throne, Conan also reclaimed his title as a prince. Many were dissatisfied with this, but Conan reclaimed his title rather easily because everyone was focused on Aries at that time. It was the same as how the Grimsbanne's reinstatement.
Conan also had to thank Maximus IV, though. The latter had already cleaned up the royal palace of the members of the royal family. Some of their sisters were sent to marry into noble houses or convents, forfeiting their royal titles. Others were sent on an expedition, and that was the last time they heard of those princes. In other words, Conan was the only person in the palace who had royal blood in him.
He had all the right to be in the position he was in right now. Therefore, Conan easily gained a bit of power in this unbridled power struggle within the palace walls.
"I understand many of you chose to follow me due to the royal blood in me, regardless of my relationship with the Queen and Abel Grimsbanne." Conan cleared his throat, tapping the armrest to get his guests' attention. "I appreciate your trust and the faith you put in me. However, that didn't mean I will directly oppose the queen just because she had no royal blood in her."
"I know her," he continued, stressing his remarks as if to drill that fact into their little heads. "From an unbiased point of view, she is the best person ever to sit on that bloody throne. If only you give her a chance just like how you had given me — even though I didn't ask for it — you'll understand my sentiments."
The nobles couldn't help but frown and lower their eyes. Conan and Aries were two different people, and their situation was entirely different from one another. Conan had royal blood, and as the saying goes, blood was thicker than water. Many believed that Conan's return to his post was the start of his enlightenment of what was within a royalty and their obligation to the mainland.
Meanwhile, Aries was an outsider. The queen got to where she was now because she was as cunning as a fox. Not many were aware of the real reason behind Aries's marriage with Maximus IV. Hence, many saw her as a seductress who meticulously planned to covet a power she shouldn't have.
It was almost amazing how one could contain or twist the information on the mainland. The people here would usually believe what they heard first, after all. From here, one had a clear idea of what kind of reputation the Queen had in the territory.
"Relay my word to the association," Conan broke the silence before it could dominate the prince's quarters. "If the association truly supports me, then have faith in the queen, and I guarantee you this land will be untouched throughout her reign."
"If you have no other matters to raise, you are dismissed," he added, waving dismissively. Conan glanced at the servant standing in the corner, signaling him to escort the guests out.
A deep exhale slipped past Conan's nostrils as his guests and servants left his office. He unbuttoned the button of his collar, pushing himself up. Conan marched to the open window, standing before it to take a breather.
"No wonder His Majesty enjoys pressing his ministers' nerves," he muttered, taking a deep breath with his eyes closed. "They deserved it — except me."
Conan almost forgot to live a life of royalty, as he had lived with Abel in Haimirich for many years. He used to yap at Abel every time, but now, he sort of understands the man. Even if a person was in power, there were those people who would challenge that authority.
"Hah… I want to go home, buy all the best attire out there, and focus on settling down." Conan slowly reopened his eyes, mumbling about the things he almost forgot since the incident two years ago. As soon as his eyes fell on the greenery outside the prince's quarters, deep lines appeared between his brows.
"Miguel Rothschild…" came out a whispered, narrowing his eyes, staring at the man walking in a direction. Conan watched Miguel hop over the low fence to get on the palace's track.
"I wonder if Her Majesty is right," he wondered. "Or you're just another nuisance that needs to be silenced."
The night of the coven was approaching, and everyone was on the move. Just like Conan, Aries, Abel and the Grimsbanne, and the Raven, Miguel was certainly up to something.
"I hope you don't disappoint." A glint flickered across Conan's eyes, as his expression turned icy.
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