One-Eyed Monster

This applause caught everyone’s attention, as they had been so absorbed before that they forgot a royal member was sitting among them.

”Your Highness!” Everyone bowed to Charles.

”Please continue, continue. I’ve always wanted to know what that secret letter was about bringing me here, and I’m still unclear. Could you give me a hint?”

”Your Highness, mind your manners!” the elderly housekeeper quietly reminded Charles.

”Oh!” Charles suddenly realized he was not sitting properly and quickly straightened up, waiting expectantly for a response.

”Your Highness, the secret letter was orchestrated by me. My purpose is for everyone to clearly see today’s Enthronement Ceremony!” Benjamin bowed.

”Ah, what’s wrong with the ceremony? Without this Enthronement Ceremony, wouldn’t everyone be unable to come to Xinbal? Hahaha.” Charles chuckled, having taken quite some time to return from distant Burstan.

”If it were an ennoblement of duke or prince, I wouldn’t have gone through so much trouble to gather everyone here. This time, it is the King’s Hand being enfeoffed, something unprecedented!”

Charles yawned, showing no interest in the enfeoffment.

”Kuyi Tulan of the Alchemy Workshop, the one who drove away his own mentor, has risen to become the King’s Hand within two years—this is clearly abnormal!”

”The Imperial Council is thus rendered defunct; the enduring council of the Kayne Empire becomes obsolete starting today! If we do not act, this Empire will...”

”Master Secretary, some words are better left unsaid!” Rostov halted Benjamin from continuing.

”So, the purpose of calling everyone here is to discuss whether this Kuyi-whatever is qualified for enfeoffment?” Charles furrowed his brow, trying to guess the intention.

”Your Highness, I sent letters to every royal member; I originally thought Princess Juliette would come, but unexpectedly, it’s you who came.”

”Oh, that’s quite normal. My sister is pregnant, so she’s unable to come.” Charles’ words left everyone present shocked.

That Princess Juliette is pregnant again is indeed a significant event since the child could potentially be the heir.

The current king is still young and childless; Prince Charles, on the other hand, has been impractical his whole life, over thirty without offspring, leaving only Princess Juliette for the future of the royal line.

”What’s going on? Why do you all have such expressions? Go on, continue!” His Majesty, Prince Charles, was surprised by everyone’s reaction, not understanding the ramifications of the information he shared.

”Your Highness, how could you disclose such private matters so freely!” The elderly housekeeper whispered, apparently caught off guard by Charles’ lack of discretion and tendency to blurt things out.

”Hmm? What’s wrong with saying it!” Charles seemed nonchalant.

”This is significant news; whether it is good or bad depends on our discussion results!” Benjamin resumed his speech.

”Master Secretary, I’m uncertain of your letter’s true intention. Everyone has already spent significant time coming to Xinbal, and if it’s merely to discuss whether the Alchemy Workshop deserves this, we might as well disperse!” Rostov remarked sternly.

”Governor Rostov speaks correctly. My intent is merely to have everyone see through Kuyi Tulan. The Empire needs you and should not fall into the hands of the Alchemy Workshop!”

”Master Secretary’s concerns are valid. Indeed, the disaster I mentioned exists; the North Shore will not easily relinquish legitimacy. Put your mind at ease, Master Secretary!” Lady Masta knocked her cane, expressing her stance.

”Bistal will not become just a proving ground for the aggressors either!” Lord Popovich agreed.

”And us as well!” said Governor Alaba of Lucita, firmly aligning himself with Benjamin’s side.

”If everyone is of the same mind, then naturally Star Court will cooperate. However, I want to know how everyone plans to deal with the Alchemy Workshop and how to reduce this imperial military force!” Governor Lena seemed to have a dissenting opinion.

”What are they discussing if not that Kuyi-whatever?” Charles quietly asked his housekeeper, evidently perplexed by the scene unfolding before him.

”Your Highness, just listen in slowly...” The housekeeper found it difficult to directly state they were conspiring against the Alchemy Workshop since opinions seemed divided.

”What we must do is take back the council, not diminish the Empire’s power.” Benjamin corrected Governor Lena.

”Gentlemen, my Star Court is not the North Shore, nor Bistal. There is no pressing threat from the Mantai Empire nor sneak attacks from the Vero people at your places. Bistal is inland; for the Mantai to reach it, they’d have to pass Star Court first. The northern part of the North Shore is surrounded by a vast ocean, making it difficult for pirates to approach the high-walled city-states of North Shore. You are not harassed by external foes, so naturally, you do not realize how crucial the Alchemy Workshop is to our border security!”

”Governor Lena speaks the truth; my Luona is also troubled by foreign threats, with our borders gradually eroded. The alchemical array and potions from the Alchemy Workshop have clearly been instrumental. Without them, our losses would be severe!” Rostov added.

”Are we to be entirely dependent on one Alchemy Workshop in the entire Kayne Empire?” Benjamin continued, clearly unfriendly toward the opinions of the two governors.

”The Empire depends on all major organizations. We cannot exclude them due to the prominence of the Alchemy Workshop. I believe all major organizations should unite with it; only then can the Empire grow stronger!” Rostov continued.

This response was something Benjamin had not anticipated; he thought that Rostov of Luona would be the first to oppose the Alchemy Workshop, given past rumors of discord, which he now realized were unfounded.

”Our discussion is about how to reclaim the council’s authority, not targeting the Alchemy…” Popovich was interrupted by Charles.

”So you are discussing how to handle the Alchemy Workshop. I shall not partake; you all should know that my Burstan lacks competitive power, aside from the Dark Cabinet. You ought to send a secret letter to the Cabinet Elder. I won’t be accompanying you!”

With that, Charles stood up and headed towards the main door.

But as he reached the entrance, he suddenly turned back, frowning, ”Involvement in this conspiracy, I suppose I should use the back door?”

This left Benjamin utterly bemused; he bowed to Charles: ”Your Highness, as you wish.”

”Rest assured, I won’t utter a word!” Charles smiled and exited through the back door.