Shattered Sanity

(The next day, Western Capital, Alaric Ironveil’s POV)

”Your Grace! I swear, you seem to grow more handsome every time I visit you.”

Prime Minister Vinicius remarked cheerfully as he entered the banquet hall of the Western Palace, spreading his arms in greeting as though he were meeting an old friend.

Duke Alaric Ironveil smiled at the compliment, extending his hand towards the Prime Minister as the two men exchanged a firm handshake.

”I appreciate the kind words, Prime Minister, although I’d much rather hear them coming from a beautiful lady than from a man like yourself.”

Alaric joked, earning a hearty chuckle from Vinicius, who appeared thoroughly amused by the Duke’s response.

”Hahaha! Well, Your Grace, I suppose I cannot blame you for that. Although I must say, your sense of humor hasn’t changed in the slightest.”

”Neither has your habit of flattering everyone you meet.”

Alaric replied with a grin, before gesturing towards the dining table that had been prepared for his guest.

”Come, Prime Minister. You’ve traveled a considerable distance to visit me, and I’d be a terrible host if I made you conduct Imperial business on an empty stomach.”

”How very considerate of you, Your Grace.”

Vinicius replied, accepting the invitation as the two men took their seats opposite one another, while servants began bringing out the first course and pouring wine into their goblets.

And although Alaric maintained a pleasant expression throughout the exchange, he remained curious about what had prompted the Prime Minister to visit him so suddenly.

After all, Vinicius had not personally traveled to the Western territories in nearly five years, and Alaric doubted that the man had suddenly developed an interest in renewing their friendship.

”Ah, before I forget, Your Grace, His Majesty has sent something for your son.”

Vinicius remarked, setting down his goblet as he gestured towards one of the attendants accompanying him.

The man stepped forward carrying an ornate wooden case, which he carefully placed beside Alaric before withdrawing.

”Some of the finest Thunder Extraction Herbs available within the Imperial Apothecary.”

Vinicius explained, watching as Alaric opened the case and examined the medicinal herbs arranged neatly inside.

”His Majesty was informed that the young lord was still recovering from his injuries, and he sincerely hopes these herbs will assist him in regaining his former strength.”

Alaric studied the contents briefly, recognizing their considerable value before closing the case.

”His Majesty is far too generous.”

He replied, offering the Prime Minister an appreciative nod.

”Please convey my gratitude to the Emperor. I’m certain Gary will benefit greatly from such precious medicine.”

”Of course, Your Grace. And if I may, His Majesty also wished for me to extend his heartfelt condolences regarding the terrible incident at the Imperial Academy.”

Vinicius continued, his expression becoming considerably more solemn.

”What happened during Black Week was an unforgivable tragedy, and His Majesty genuinely regrets that such an incident was allowed to occur within an institution under Imperial protection.”

The Prime Minister paused.

”He offers his sincerest apologies to House Ironveil, and wishes to assure you that every possible effort is being made to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

Alaric listened attentively, although Drew’s warnings from the previous day remained fresh within his mind.

’So now he’s sending expensive gifts and apologies.’

The thought crossed his mind briefly, although he made certain that none of his suspicions appeared upon his face.

”You’re too kind, Prime Minister, and so is His Majesty.”

Alaric replied, inclining his head respectfully.

”I will graciously accept his gift, although there is certainly no need for the Emperor to apologize for something beyond his control. The Academy has its own administration, and I understand that the investigation is still ongoing.”

Vinicius nodded approvingly.

”Your understanding is greatly appreciated, Your Grace. His Majesty has always held House Ironveil in the highest regard, and he would be pleased to hear that you have taken such a reasonable view of this unfortunate incident.”

”Naturally. House Ironveil has served the Empire faithfully for generations, and I see no reason why that relationship should change over a single tragedy.”

Alaric replied, raising his goblet slightly before taking a sip of wine.

The Prime Minister smiled at those words, although he did not immediately pursue the subject any further.

Instead, Vinicius turned his attention towards the meal, complimenting the quality of the food before asking about the recent harvests across the Western territories.

For the next half hour, the two men exchanged pleasantries concerning trade, military expenditures, and several minor disputes involving merchants traveling between the Western and Central territories.

Alaric answered each question politely, occasionally offering a joke or sharing an amusing incident from his court, while Vinicius appeared perfectly content to maintain the friendly atmosphere.

Yet beneath the pleasant conversation, Alaric could not shake the feeling that the Prime Minister was carefully choosing his words, waiting for an appropriate opportunity to introduce the true purpose of his visit.

And eventually, after the servants had cleared away the first few courses, that opportunity arrived.

”Your Grace, there is actually something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

Vinicius began, setting his utensils aside as he reached for his goblet.

”Of course, Prime Minister. Ask away.”

Alaric replied, leaning back slightly in his chair.

”It’s merely a hypothetical question, so I hope you won’t take any offense.”

Vinicius continued, offering a courteous smile.

”Suppose Riven Dawnriver is found guilty during the upcoming Imperial hearing, and Duke Drew refuses to accept the judgment handed down by the court.”

He paused, watching Alaric carefully.

”How would House Ironveil respond in such a situation?”

For several moments, Alaric remained silent.

He had expected the subject of House Dawnriver to arise sooner or later, although he had not anticipated Vinicius approaching it quite so directly.

’So that’s why you’ve come all this way.’

He thought, recalling Drew’s warning about the Emperor expecting his loyalty.

Vinicius was not particularly interested in his opinion regarding Riven’s guilt. What he wanted to know was whether House Ironveil would support the Imperial throne if the situation escalated into open conflict.

Alaric considered his response carefully, knowing that an outright declaration of loyalty would leave him with very little room to maneuver should the trial prove questionable.

Yet openly expressing doubts about the Imperial Court would be equally foolish, particularly when he still possessed no concrete evidence supporting Drew’s accusations.

Eventually, he placed his goblet upon the table and looked directly at the Prime Minister.

”If I am convinced that the verdict is correct, then naturally, I will stand beside His Majesty.”

Alaric replied calmly, as Vinicius maintained his pleasant smile, although there was a brief pause before he responded.

The Duke’s answer had been courteous enough, but its implications were impossible to misunderstand.

’If he is convinced.’

Vinicius repeated the words inwardly, realizing that Alaric had deliberately attached a condition to his support.

Had the Duke wished to reassure the Imperial throne of his unwavering loyalty, he could simply have declared that House Ironveil would respect whatever judgment the Imperial Court delivered.

Instead, he had reserved the right to determine for himself whether that judgment was justified.

And although Alaric had not explicitly stated that he might refuse to support the Emperor, his carefully chosen words had told Vinicius everything he needed to know.

”Of course, Your Grace.”

Vinicius replied after a moment, his smile remaining perfectly intact.

”Justice is precisely what His Majesty desires, and naturally, the Imperial Court would never condemn Riven Dawnriver without sufficient evidence.”

He raised his goblet slightly.

”I’m certain that when the hearing concludes, the truth will be made clear to everyone involved.”

Alaric nodded.

”I know, Prime Minister. I’m not worried.”

He replied casually, reaching for another portion of food as though the matter required no further discussion.

For a brief moment, Vinicius appeared inclined to continue questioning him, although he ultimately decided against it.

There was little to be gained from pressing a Great Duke who had already made it clear that he was unwilling to commit himself unconditionally.

And Alaric, for his part, had no intention of revealing that he had met Drew Dawnriver only the previous day, much less discussing the accusations his old friend had made against the Emperor.

Instead, the two men returned to their meal, allowing the conversation to drift towards less controversial matters as the servants brought out the remaining courses.

Their laughter remained cordial, their words respectful, and neither man allowed the slightest trace of hostility to disturb the pleasant atmosphere.

Yet beneath all the noble etiquette and carefully exchanged compliments, both understood that the meeting had failed to produce the reassurance they had been seeking.

Vinicius had arrived hoping to secure House Ironveil’s unconditional support for the Imperial throne, only to discover that Alaric was unwilling to promise anything beyond his respect for a fair judgment.

And Alaric had hoped to leave the meeting with some indication that the Emperor had no intention of dragging the Western territories into his growing conflict with House Dawnriver.

Instead, the Prime Minister’s carefully worded question had only confirmed that the Imperial Court was already preparing for the possibility of war.