Chapter 45 - So Called Proposal

"Your Imperial Majesty, why won't you accept this proposal? As you know, the rum-"With a slam on the table, Elliot glared at Chief Malzan, who had finally shut his mouth. Elliot wasn't in a great mood this morning, and the other council members noticed it except for him.

"What do you think of me?" Elliot asked Chief Malzan as he stood away from his chair and made his way towards him. "Do you think I don't know about it? If I were you, stop bickering and shut your mouth if you don't want me to cut your tongue off." Chief Malzan couldn't do anything but stay silent and embarrassed of his own action. Still, he thinks that Elliot didn't need to go that far and say it a nicer way.​​

Yves sighed out loud as he placed his hand in front of him, then said, "Don't you think your proposal is too over?" The other council members who were on the side of Chief Malzan glared at Yves as he continued, "We already won the war. What would benefit us if we let Princess Emelia leave? As you know, she's the last royalty of the Redodel Empire."

Elliot didn't say anything as Yves has spoken his mind already. The stupid proposal Chief Malzan thought of was to let Emelia free as she held no threat to them anymore. But despite that, there are still powerful people from the Redodel Empire who are still alive. Though it didn't seem like it, Elliot thinks of Emelia as a threat but kept her since she would be useful in the future. For now, Emelia is a toy.

The council members know that the black knight of the Redodel Empire was still alive. But it didn't scare them as he didn't have an army. That's what they think, but there are many people who despise the current emperor. Those people are part of the anti-royal, and the leader of it is the Marquess of Aquas. Who is supposed to be part of the council but then was vetted out.

"I don't want to be rude, but then Your Grace, aren't you siding by His Imperial Majesty just because you are his cousin?" Asked Count Fredrik, who did not once get frazzled by Elliot's aura. Yves looked at him in disappointment and answered, "What makes you think so. Are you saying I'm not in my right mind? I'm stating facts that are true."

Count Fredrik, a man who sided with Chief Malzan as he loved money and power. It isn't rare to see a greedy man like him but what makes him a bit different is that he isn't a coward, unlike other nobles. His dark green eyes shined as if he was the most powerful man in the world, but he knew he isn't.

"I didn't say anything, Your Grace. I'm just simply trying to say, isn't it unfair?" Count Fredrik raised his brow as the corner of his lips slightly raised. Yves started to the point he made Count Fredrik uncomfortable. "What makes you think so? I have the time to listen all day," Yves flashed a smile to him.

"I heard that His Imperial Majesty has come to like the princess," Said Count Fredrik as the other council members gasped out loud and looked at Elliot, who had closed his eyes. The silence was Elliot's answer making the council members believe Count Fredrik. "If that's not the case, then why won't you set her free?" Asked Chief Malzan after regaining his confidence.

"Then let me ask. Do you want another war to rise?" Asked Elliot as he opened his eyes and sat back on his chair. "If we set the princess free, what do you think will happen? Will you take responsibility? Because I doubt you would, Chief Malazan," Elliot said as he looked at Count Fredrik.

The council room once again was filled with silence while Elliot continued to feel disappointed with the council members. If he had the chance to replace them, he would, but then it was part of his father's verdict to leave the council as it is.

Not all-powerful nobles are part of the council, and those who are in the council are mostly corrupted with greed. His father, the late emperor, was a good leader however, he was too kind. Too kind to the point he didn't know the council was filled with people like Count Fredrik. It's sad to say this is the world everyone lives in.

"See if you would propose then take responsibility for it. Only three out of seven of you who are in the council took responsibility for it. I must say you people are nothing but garbage," Said Elliot as he nodded his head, then Yves, who said, "The meeting ends here. If I were you, reflect on your own actions, and His Imperial Majesty hopes not to see this kind of mistake again." Though Yves doubted it would happen again since it was Chief Malzan.

One by one, the council members left the council room, leaving three people, including Elliot and Yves, in the room. "That man never changes," Laughed Count Vincent and continued, "I remorse about the past, and you've changed a lot, kid."

"Master, don't tell me you didn't listen earlier, and I'm not a kid," Elliot sighed out loud and couldn't do anything since this how Count Vincent had been since long ago. "Yet you called me master. How does that make a difference?"

Count Vincent Belos, the person who taught Elliot and Alan how to use the sword and making them one of the best sword wielders in the empire. He also treated Elliot and Alan as his child since his wife couldn't bear a child. Not once did he consider getting another wife because he truly loved his wife. For him having Elliot and Alan is a product of his happiness.

"Master is master. That fact won't change," Elliot scoffed and continued, but this time, the happy time was over. "Were you able to find their hideout?" He asked Count Vincent, who shook his head, then said, "I'll be honest here. Whoever their mastermind is, they are smart, not reckless. They know what to do, and it's annoying."

"You mean Duke Henry of the Redodel Empire?" Asked Yves.

"Who knows? I'm not sure of myself either," Count Vincent said, letting out another sigh as he stretched his arm forward and stood up after. "But I