The Red King [Book II]

XXXII

The door slammed open with Alex's arrival. He didn't miss a beat, his legs eating up the jewellery-polished tiles, gouging himself into the meeting, the surprise interrupting whatever muffled ravings he'd heard outside.

ㅤThe two senators were leaning forward on their seats, feet planted under their knees and shoulders tense, scowling as Alex passed by them. Opposite, Fletcher stared at the floor, chin tucked down, and Alex was surprised to see Llwyd had since joined him, his arms defensively crossed.

ㅤAlex sat between them, linking his hands between his knees, looking the two red-faced men in the eyes. He waited for the click of a servant closing the door behind him.

ㅤHe did not smile.

ㅤ"I didn't realise senators took protocol as a suggestion. Shall we drop titles too, or just manners?"

ㅤ"I do hope your entrance was louder than your purpose, Your Grace," the older of the gentlemen spat—a Populist, denoted by his badge. "Breaking protocol is insulting, isn't it?" His age-stained teeth were bared. "It's almost as outrageous as overstepping the law."

ㅤAlex nodded. "You don't disagree with me. I'm glad we're so accommodating as hosts that you feel so comfortable in our palace. How lucky for you. If abiding by the rules you lot set and neglected is worthy of insult, you could only imagine the words I have for intruding senators who overstep their station."

ㅤ"You sarcastic litt—"

ㅤ"This isn't productive," the other senator spoke—a Conservative. "We're not here to speak to you, Duke. We're here to speak to your king."

ㅤ"Oh, our king?" Alex said, brows raised. Fletcher shifted beside him. "If you're here for our king, why is your conversation gracing Sir Fletcher and Lord Llwyd Straton?"

ㅤ"Indeed," Llwyd concurred, rubbing his jaw and grating on his stubble. "They must be thoroughly confused."

ㅤAs patient as Alex was, he felt like he was yet again cleaning up after James—bearing the consequences of reckless action without the other man present to take responsibility himself. He'd known the mess James' announcement would cause the moment he'd heard it. Manipulating archaic tradition for modern action was unprecedented for a reason; the Curia would never allow it.

ㅤSo he didn't understand why James expected they would.

ㅤ"I am confused, thank you, Lord Straton. Why, indeed, are we not sat across from King Julian right now? Is he too busy to abide by democratic process? Busy with what, I'm not sure, considering we've not filed a motion to dethrone him."

ㅤThe threat hung in the hot air, but Alex allowed the beat to pass, and Llwyd didn't undertake him. He recognised the older senator, who was threading an irritated hand through his greying beard. Not just a Populist, he was a minister in their cabinet. Ulric Scollfyld. This meeting wasn't as impulsive as portrayed. Something about it was strategic.