Following Ezrel’s directions, Çiçek and the maid organized the office for the meeting with their allies. The simple room was now exquisitely decorated. In the background, bright red curtains draped the windows, accompanied by a majestic palm tree. A velvet high throne chair in black and gold sat in front of the windows. Near the throne was a small table resting with the Santa Maria aquamarine on top of it. Sunlight poured into the room through the window, illuminating the gemstone. Refracting the light, shades of blues painted the walls, creating the illusion of crashing waves. Finally satisfied with the room, Ezrel nodded and dismissed the servants.

Closing the office door behind him, he walked down the stairs to join the royal couple in the small garden. A floral fragrance filled the air as the birds chirped joyfully. They were enjoying a cup of tea under the warm sun. Malak who noticed him first smiled.

“Your Majesties,” Ezrel greeted politely as he tilted his chest forward.

Kian nodded in acknowledgement, after placing his cup down.

Ezrel straightened up. “Sire, it’s time.”

Kian nodded once more before turning to Malak who was nibbling on a sugar cookie. The latter smiled and put the snack down.

“I’ll see you tonight.”

Kian hummed and placed his hand on Malak. “I just hope everything goes as planned,” he sighed.

“Who will dare defy you?”

“Albimbert and his cronies?” Kian raised an eyebrow teasingly.

Malak chuckled. “Enough, you’ll be late. Go show them who’s the boss.”

“I certainly will,” the red-eyed demon kissed Malak’s hand before heading inside.

Ezrel helped Kian put on his formal clothing in his chamber. A few days ago, a tailor came to measure and customize his outfit. No cost was spared, and only the best fabrics were used. Watching himself in the mirror, Kian put on his black gloves. Red eyes pierced the mirror as he observed his black outfit. It was the only colour on his body.

With one glance from his master, Ezrel understood his thoughts. Alone, he walked into the office and only stopped when he reached the Santa Maria. Hovering his hand about the aquamarine, he poured magic into it. The stone already contained the right frequency, so connecting all of them only took a few seconds. As he drew back his hand, the gemstone shined and reflected the images of nine of the Lords and Ladies of the Bazahian Kingdom. Using the Santa Maria, the holograms produced by the stone were lifelike.

“I greet the Lords and Ladies of the Kingdom,” Ezrel announced as he tilted his head forward.

“Ezrel Melromas,” Lady Yaren Eris purred with a sly smile.

“Your presence here means only one thing,” Lord Nash Stroude from Tessazalut added with his piercing gaze.

“His Majesty is back,” Lord Rirdris completed.

“It’s an honour to be recognized by all of you,” Ezrel answered while looking up at the different holograms.

Lord Asani Adesida from Vrocaster snickered. “Being treated so respectfully by his Majesty’s mad dog is a first.” Ezrel smiled but didn’t answer, which annoyed the young Lord. The latter clicked his tongue and leaned back in his chair.

“Ezrel Melromas, where is his Majesty,” Lady Lælia Drusus from Bamunz asked dryly.

“His Majesty wished to thank you for coming. I do hope you have a good explanation for all of this… mess,” Ezrel warned as his vermilion eyes shined with a predator’s gaze.

Silence took over the room as none of the governors dared to speak. They were well aware of Ezrel Melromas’ twisted personality. He was a wolf in a sheep's clothing. Ezrel convinced that his message had been received, smiled politely at the guests. Turning his back to them, he opened the office’s door. Kian, who had been waiting, entered the room. The nine Lords and Ladies immediately kneeled as he approached the high throne chair. Without saying a word, Kian sat down and watched his subjects carefully.

“Rise,” he commanded.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” they all answered in unison.

“We are glad to see you alive and well,” Tessazalut's Lord added sincerely.

“I know you are. But it seems this feeling isn’t shared by all of you.”

Another heavy silence took over the room. None of them dared to speak as their King was staring down at them.

“Lady Eris,” Kian broke the silence. “It was very generous of you by providing us with the Santa Marias.”

With her tuan shan, she delicately covered the bottom half of her face with it. “I was honoured to serve my king,” she sweetly answered.

“Upon regaining my throne, I will reward you generously.”

Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she kneeled. “Thank you for your generosity!”

Despite knowing what she was planning, Kian nodded. It had been almost three hundred years since he left his kingdom unattended. He didn’t expect so many changes to occur. But a part of him also expected it, but just not to this extent. While a handful of them were trustworthy, he couldn’t relax his grip. Casrum's Lord was a self-made merchant, who achieved great wealth and was afterwards promoted to the title of Lord. Kian always knew about his greed and aspiration. It was his own mistake for allowing him to live this long.

“Your Majesty,” Lord Rirdris called. “Rumours talk about a certain Morganite Saint and his three ravens. Is he, perhaps-”

Kian’s eyes pierced Nulundarar’s Lord. Regretting his question, the latter shut his mouth. However, it was already too late. These few words spiked the other Lords’ curiosity. Kian carefully observed Lord Ebbe Derichs and Lady Amina, who ruled over Elraurt and Ushurbil respectively. As they fidgeted, he was convinced that they were aware of the rumour. Elraurt, Ushurbil and Nulundarar were neighbours. It wasn’t surprising they heard about it. They, however, didn’t voice their opinions.

“These rumours I have heard it too,” Lord Adesida pushed as to test the boundaries.

“Did you?” Kian drawled. “What are they about?”

“That…” the young Lord of Vrocaster hesitated while eyeing Lord Rirdris.

“I’m waiting.”

When he got no answer, Kian proceeded to the next subject. Vrocaster’s Lord relaxed as he dodged the bullet. While Kian wished to punish the man, he couldn’t, not yet. He needed all the men at his disposal.

“Now that we reacquainted ourselves, I want to know how Serik Albimbert claimed the throne,” Kian asked, his tone hardening. “With the nine of you here, it would have been simple to repel a mere money whore.”

“Alidakovi, Acrilas and Cizras allied with Casrum. In the pretext of transporting goods to the capital, they managed to mobilize an important amount of men and weapons. When we heard about their attack the next day, it was already too late,” Lord Stroude explained shamefully.

“Right after Albimbert’s ascension to the throne, many Lords pledged their allegiance to him. In order to prevent a counterattack, he instituted many new laws and raised taxes,” the Lord of Nulundarar added. “Our people were starving and suffering, we couldn’t invest all our gold into the military.”

“Please, stop with your excuses,” Lady Eris chuckled as the others glared at her.

“I imagine it is easy for you to say. You worked with the enemy.” Lord Rirdris argued angrily.

She rolled her eyes. “It’s called negotiation. In exchange to keep our borders safe, Nuzan will be exempt from the increase in taxes and monthly investigation. Thus, I have one hundred thousand men ready to fight.”

“What about the border we share with Aisakar?” Lord Stroude asked.

Nuzan’s Lady smiled behind her tuan shan. “Enough to keep it unbreachable.”

The Lord of Tessazalut grunted before turning his attention to his King. “Your Majesty, fifty thousand men and two hundred warships are at your disposal.”

Seizing his opportunity to shine, Ginargzar’s Lord quickly contributed. “The number of men I could offer to his Majesty is scarce, but my forges will never cease burning.”

Kian smiled at his subordinates’ enthusiasm. One after the other, everyone offered to contribute to the cause. Despite her often quiet manner, Aislin Sloanei from Kirakzar also took advantage of the opportunity.

“You shall all be rewarded for your efforts and sacrifices,” Kian calmed them down before it could escalate. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. In the following nights, I plan to claim Zakhar Zeytsev’s head.”

“Your Majesty, this is dangerous! Please let us assist you!” Lord Stroude stood up, ready to travel the continent.

Kian raised his hand. “No need. I already am in Acrilas. Killing the man will not be difficult,” he answered confidently. “But whose responsibility will it be to manage the territory?”

Although he asked, Kian was staring at Lord Rirdris. With Ashi and Bamunz in the way, Nulundarar was the biggest territory next to Acrilas. Giving the right to oversee the city to either Elraurt or Ushurbil was not an option. They were nothing more than minor Lords hiding behind Rirdris's shadows.

“I-” Lord Adesida started.

“Know your place and keep your mouth shut,” the Lady of Bamunz interrupted harshly.

“What?!” he roared furiously.

Unfazed, she explained as if he was a child. “You would never be able to properly oversee Zeytsev’s territory without Ashi and Bamunz’s interferences.”

“The only thing I need is to crush anyone standing in my way.”

Lady Drusus’ eyes gleamed dangerously. “Is this a declaration of war?”

He smirked and leaned toward her. “I have never refused an offer like this before. I-”

“Observe your manners! You’re in the presence of his Majesty!” Lord Stroude snapped suddenly as his cheeks reddened in anger.

While Lady Drusus didn’t react to the reprimand, Lord Adesida clicked his tongue before crossing his arms. Kian’s head was leaning on his hand as a growing headache began to form. Gathering all nine Lords in the same room was a mistake. The need had never arisen before, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

“Enough, I have decided. Lord Riridris, I command you to oversee Zeytsev’s territory until I regain the throne.”

It was obvious to everyone that he didn’t like Kian’s decision. With his coffers almost empty, there wasn’t much he could do. In his mind, he wasn’t the best candidate. However, he could not disobey unless he wanted his title and land revoked.

“I obey your will,” Lord Rirdris kneeled as he accepted the task.

“Good, Lady Eris will provide you with men and coins.”

Their eyes met before they acknowledged their king. If they were dissatisfied, they didn’t show it. Yaren Eris kept hiding behind her tuan shan only showing her eyes while Ekzu Rirdris only talked when necessary. While they continued to discuss the number of men and coins required, Vrocaster’s young Lord grew restless. Before the meeting could conclude, he went to his knees.

“After we successfully annex Acrilas to Nulundarar, let me prove my worth by taking over Ashi and Khar.”

Kian stared at the hologram of the young demon created by the Santa Maria. Ezrel had provided him with a profile of the Lord. Being roughly two hundred years old, he inherited his father’s title. The latter died while trying to protect the capital against the Society of the Silverlight. In that night's chaos, there were many casualties, including Malak. Adding to that, Vrocaster also had to appoint a new lord. By mere impulse, Kian handed the young Adesida the title. In retrospect, he was too rash.

“Your father was a capable man. In consideration of his loyal services, I will allow your wish,” Kian answered after a moment of thought.

“Thank you, your Majesty!” Lord Adesida thanked them with a smile. “I’ll not waste this opportunity!”

“It is great to have enthusiasm, but are you aware of the consequences if you fail?” the king asked with a raised brow.