Lean

XX

WARNING: Major character death ahead

TAEHYUN

The council chamber of Mirage was adorned with decorations and paintings of past battles that shaped the history of the realm. The council was made up of Lee Hangmin, Park Juwon, and Kim Hyunwoo, each representing one of the royal houses of Mirage. Noticeably absent was Choi Minjun, who Taehyun had locked up in a dungeon awaiting trial. The presence of his council members was also shared with his closest advisors. While they didn't have any voting rights, Taehyun at least wanted them there to let them know what his plans for the future of Mirage would be.

A few short days ago, Taehyun was selected by the council to become the new king of Mirage. Today, he would be crowned and a special ceremonial feast would follow. He would no longer be the lord of the Kangs, he was now king of all of Mirage. His new title was King Taehyun of House Kang. The name didn't roll off the tongue easily, because Taehyun felt like he didn't deserve the title. He didn't petition the council to become king, but if he wasn't selected, he would've had to. He had a promise to keep. His bannermen fought a tenacious and bloody war to see him assume the throne.

One of his advisors was his mother, who had just arrived in King's Coast after following a ways behind his caravan during the war. Junhui served as another one of his advisors. Taehyun even crowned him the top knight in his royal king's guard. Mingi was selected as another member of his king's guard and was also present. Yeosang, though not a member of his king's guard, was another one of his advisors. Taehyun had reluctantly added him, fearing the backlash if he didn't select him to serve as an advisor. He hadn't been able to deal Yeosang a proper punishment for how he disobeyed his orders multiple times during the war. Unfortunately, it was likely too late.

Noticeably absent was Huening Kai. Taehyun had always imagined that Huening Kai would be his right-hand man the day that he would take over Frostholm. Now, he wasn't here to see him become king. Taehyun clenched his jaw to distract himself from the sadness and the lump forming in his throat. Kai should've been here, and Taehyun felt at fault for the way he passed.

"My lords," Taehyun begins at the head of the table, swallowing hard as all of the eyes in the room fixed on him.

He knew that the lords of the royal houses of Mirage just saw him as a kid. Taehyun was determined to change that, starting today. He might've seemed like just a kid to them, but he defeated House Choi, the strongest and wealthiest group of forces he had ever seen. Now, he would become their king.

"I thank you for your trust and confidence in selecting me as your new king," Taehyun says, a hint of pride in his voice. "Today marks a new era for Mirage, an era for peace. We've suffered too long from power plays and destruction. Mirage was formed to be a cohesive realm, not with bickering houses and war."

He pauses, surveying the faces of the council members and his advisors. "The way we push Mirage into the future is through forgiveness and peace offerings. That's why today at my crowning ceremony, I will announce that House Choi will be issued a full pardon for their war crimes, excluding Choi Minjun."

The council members exchanged worrisome glances, the weight of Taehyun's words settling over the council room. The air grew tense and Taehyun shifted on his feet, realizing that his idea wasn't well received amongst his council members or his advisors.

Junhui and Mingi, though disappointed, sat calmly next to his mother. Next to them, Yeosang was growing red in the face, his eyes burning a hole through him. What Taehyun was about to say next would upset him even more.