CH 298

Trudge, trudge.

Theon’s steps inside the east palace turned to the King. Then, perhaps because he felt different than usual, his gray eyes trembled a little.

“The Duke was executed today.”

“…”

“Finally, the one who turned the Kingdom into chaos… the one who made Your Majesty like this, has been caught.”

Theon’s voice trembled slightly as he continued his words.

Although he repressed his rising emotions and spoke calmly, he couldn’t hide his bloodshot eyes.

“So you need to get back your energy. You need to criticize me for only being able to do this much in political affairs. Until when are you going to look like this… sob… Dammit.”

Theon’s trembling fingers turned to the King in a slow motion.

Kyle, who was behind him, looked at him silently.

“Your Majesty… Please… Please don’t leave even us.”

It was impossible to find any warmth in the King’s hands.

Soon after, the shallow breath that had struggled to go up and down gradually subsided.

The King’s movements, even the smallest of them, stopped in an instant.

Thud.

The wrinkled fingers fell helplessly on the bed.

The great star that shone and toppled the Stellen Kingdom lost its shine.

So vainly. To the point where the years that passed were overshadowed.

***

The King’s funeral was over. The nobles and royalty who came from all countries each expressed their condolences and comforted the royal family of the Stellen Kingdom, who were filled with sorrow.

The chaotic Stellen Kingdom also gradually came to rest, and everyday life returned to normal.

Except for one thing. The prospects of the future that came with the empty seat of the king.

And, as the interest in the next king, Theon, rose, the seat next to him that remained vacant.

The number of people who wanted to take the position of the Queen of the Stellen Kingdom was gradually increasing.

It was only natural, seeing that Princess Ariel of the Libert Kingdom, who was a strong candidate, had fallen out of sight.

“The Generson family from the Hancock District have requested an audience.”

“Is that so? How many young ladies are there in the Generson family?”

Theon, who was looking at the papers, asked in an uninterested voice.

Then, he put down the fountain pen he was holding with a thud, vividly revealing his displeased mood.

Theon’s cold gaze quietly turned to Mason.

“Ahem…”

Mason cleared his throat in vain and left behind his answer.

Soon after, he twisted his mouth and then spoke in a formal voice.

“It’s just a request for an audience. I heard that they came all the way here from a faraway region to meet Your Highness, so don’t be like that and meet them once…”

“I’m not getting fooled anymore. It’s not the first or second time a meeting is arranged like this. Let me see, is it a niece from a maternal uncle this time? How dare you lie to your master? Don’t you have work to do?”

As expected, his master was quick to notice.

How did he notice he put his close friends among the audiences with so many people…

Mason lowered his gaze as he saw Theon smiling with his arms crossed.

“But… Many people are wondering who is going to sit next to Your Highness when you are crowned as the king. The people of the Kingdom, as well as the surrounding countries, are looking forward to the new queen.”

“I think you know who’s going to sit next to me?”

“… Count Serdian has not given an answer for many days already. You know what that means, don’t you?”

“Well, are you saying I was rejected as a future son-in-law?”

He had a tendency to get people in trouble.

Knowing that well, Mason bowed his head and bit his lips silently, knowing exactly what he was asked.

As he said before, Count and Countess Serdian returned to the Stellen Kingdom at the same time as the King’s funeral.

Proudly, while receiving everyone’s welcome. Not only that, but the scene of Count Serdian crying in front of the King, who had turned into a cold body, was truly astonishing.

Even though he was the king who treated himself and his family so badly and coldly, the Count’s long-standing loyalty seemed to have made him forget all his humiliation.

At the same time, Miss Ayla, who previously stayed in the royal palace and served Theon, also returned to the newly rebuilt mansion.

‘How have you been?’

‘I have been at ease because of the grace Your Highness has bestowed on me.’

‘That’s a relief. That being said… After the funeral, I want to have a separate meeting with the Count.’

‘Is it… May I ask what the reason is?’

‘I would like to talk to you about my future with the young lady of the Serdian family, Miss Ayla. Please don’t refuse.’

Mason, who recalled that time, muttered, ‘That’s all that was said.’, and pouted his lips.

Whether he had failed to control the volume of his voice, he felt a fierce gaze directed at him.

“If he waits this long, it’s no different from refusing.”

“…”

Theon’s fierce gaze reached Mason.

At that time, he thought it was maybe because there was no time to think, but the fact that there was no movement even when the situation was quite settled made his intentions clear.

It was an obvious ‘refusal’.

He was refusing to give him his daughter. That’s what it meant.