The entire throne room fell into a void of utter silence. In it, even the drop of a pin would seem ear-shatteringly loud. Each and every person present tensed up, and all the guards were like coiled vipers, ready to attack at a single command.
Aric’s words were, well, heavy to say the least, but his audacity was even far more profound. He had walked into the palace alone and accused a king in front of his court of planning treason and rebellion.
[Conquest notification]
[The Lord of Meisterfort is shocked by your actions.]
[The Countess of Lorin is afraid | Susceptibility increased by 5%.]
[The third Royal Guard has become wary of you | Danger increased by 5%.]
[The King of Byzeth is intrigued by your actions.]
A flurry of panels began to materialize and surround Aric.
Aszer leaned back in his throne, his head leaning to the side on his left hand as he regarded the fourth prince with a blank expression.
"Hmmm... That’s a bold accusation, fourth prince... Especially one to make all alone."
"Accusation?" Aric scoffed. "Let’s cut the charades. Was your ambition supposed to be a secret? If it was, it was quite terribly kept... But we both know you’re a smarter man than to keep loose secrets, no?"
"Where are you heading with this?"
Aric smiled at the king’s question. "Where? Well, I already said what I wanted to know: What gave you the audacity to contemplate rebellion?"
Aric turned to the rest of the court.
"You have a great plan, but the emperor is no fool. Why do you think he hasn’t yet sent a march to level your kingdom? Others might not conceive it possible, but he can see your trap as clear as day. As for how the trap works... that’s something only I have managed to figure out."
The king tilted his head. "Is that so? Then if I kill you, the knowledge dies with you, and everything should be fine."
"You need to listen better, Aszer," Aric spoke his name, disregarding respect. "I alone figured it out, but that doesn’t mean I alone have this information. If I am not in places I am supposed to be at the times I am supposed to be there, not only will the emperor be given full information on your plan, but he will also be informed that you have the blood of an imperial prince on your hands."
Aszer stayed silent a moment, glancing at his council before turning back to Aric.
"What will that change? You have figured it out already. In the end, a battle with me would be a battle with the Northrenders, and all I will have to do is sit and watch Valeria crumble. We both know the men of winter will not lose."
Aric gazed at the king, smiling slightly.
"Perhaps they won’t, but when they fight two empires, what then? And what if that second empire controls far too many divine sacred beasts for comfort?"
"What do you mean?" Aszer asked, muscles tensing.
"Come on, you’re a smart man, no? The Drakens don’t know it yet, but it’s you who have taken their business. And even if they did find out, they would consider if it’s worth going to war with Valeria," Aric raised his hand. "But what happens when the Valerian emperor gives you up on a platter? Will the Northerners defend you against two empires?"
"We both know the answer to that question," Aric finished, grinning from ear to ear. They were playing a deadly game of chess in that moment, and the king seemed to have made blunder after blunder.
"What do you want, Valerian?" Aszer asked, his face now betraying his fury.
"Great question. In the end, that is always what it comes down to... what I want."
Aric began to take slow steps, approaching the throne.
"What I want, your grace," Aric looked directly into the eyes of the king, "is for your rebellion to succeed."