The King's Court

XLIII

"Magandang gabi," sabi ko sa kanila nang tumingin sila sa gawi ko. I gave them the sweetest smile I could muster and I wasn't really expecting them to return the warmth.

However, to my surprise, the two Dukes smiled in my direction. Not the kind of smile that is forced for the sake of business. Not the kind that is done because of the presence of the Queen. At that moment, I knew these two men were at least kinder than Eris. 

"Magandang gabi, Evelyn," they both said in unison. 

Tiningnan ko si Lorence nang tumikhim siya at uminon sa kanyang baso. 

Why do these men sound like they are familiar with Evelyn? 

One reason popped into my head and I immediately shook it off as soon as it came. There is no way Evelyn would have slept with these two men. 

I gave Lorence a look of silent question but she did not meet my gaze. I could see a hint of a smile attempting to curve her lips but that was it. She's making fun of my confusion, isn't she?

"It's been so long since we have done this kind of...event," said Duke Vance. He was the one who peeled his gaze away from me first and turned to the Queen. Duke Havill, on the other hand, turned to Nikolas and our other companions.

"Greetings," said Duke Havill. Nikolas dipped his chin in response. 

Biglang tumayo si Lorence mula sa kinatatayuan niya at tiningnan kaming lahat. She stood with that authoritative grace as he looked us in the eye one by one.

"You may be wondering why I suddenly called you here on such short notice," Lorence started. All of our attention went back to her. She then went on, "For years, we have lived in constant fear. It was what drove our past rulers to make this great Kingdom. It was fear. Fear to be dominated, fear to be overruled, fear to be defeated. But we shall break the cycle now.

"The war that occurred was a tragic event that resulted in the loss of countless lives. As someone who was raised to eventually take the throne, I was taught that understanding the art of war was crucial to being a good ruler. However, I now realize that this was a flawed belief and I allowed myself to be misled for far too long. I regret my past ignorance.

"However, one person changed how I look at life. She changed my perspective on how I should rule my subjects. That is how I came to the decision to stop the cycle and break the chains that tied us to the old ways." 

The hall fell silent as Lorence's gaze landed on me, and she smiled.

"I have decided to make peace with Visaris and planned to do trade with them. For this, I need your full support."

Nanatiling tahimik ang paligid. I think I might have been holding my breath. Nang tingnan ko si Nikolas ay kalmado lang siyang nakatingin sa gawi ni Lorence. Leon was the same. I think it's me and Mark who are very nervous about this dinner.

As I listened closely, I heard the clinking of cutlery being placed down and realized it was coming from the two Dukes. They stood up and turned towards their Queen, then placed their fists over their hearts. 

"Your Majesty, we are loyal to you and this Kingdom. We believe that war only brings misery and offer our full support in your decision," spoke Duke Havill.

I felt like something was lifted off my chest. The anxiousness I felt before this dinner was slowly going away. I stared at Nikolas as he stood from his chair. 

He exuded an air of authority that seemed to come naturally to him. Even on foreign soil, he carried himself with the confidence and status befitting of his position. It was almost as if it was ingrained in him from birth, rather than something he was intentionally projecting.