Chapter 914: Punishment Without a Plan ( 914 )

Three days later.

King Kimar sat on his throne, towering above the long table where his gathered nobles waited.

The hall buzzed with outrage, nervous glances, and the shuffling of expensive robes.

The latest reports had arrived. The nobles’ complaints followed swiftly.

"Your Majesty! Armand has gone too far. Garius refused to support you, now he’s conquered Arjam outright!"

"Yes, Your Majesty. He dares move his army to seize Arjam. Has he forgotten he’s merely a count?"

"We demand intervention! Today it’s Arjam, who knows whose land he’ll covet next? My territory borders Arjam. What’s to stop him from eyeing my lands next, or Turka’s?"

Kimar’s jaw tightened, lips pressed to a thin line as he forced himself to remain composed.

How dare that lowborn upstart provoke my kingdom like this? That bastard Garius. Now he dares move like a sovereign, seizing lands right under my nose, ignoring my authority, making a mockery of my throne.

The nobles are restless. If I let this pass, I’ll lose not just Arjam, but the respect of every lord and vassal in my domain. The royal council will see me as weak, unfit. Garius must be put back in his place before his ambition poisons the rest of the realm.

"Your Majesty, we strongly urge you to send a formal warning and demand an explanation from Count Garius!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, Armand’s autonomy and military strength do not give him the right to seize Arjam!"

The nobles crowded the long table, voices overlapping, frustration mounting in the grand hall.

King Kimar leaned back upon his throne, fingers lightly tracing his chin. He raised his hand with deliberate calm, and the room fell silent.

"We are all well aware of the strength Garius commands. Do not forget how my late brother, King Edmund himself, once marched against Armand, and suffered defeat. Are any of you truly suggesting we amass our banners and wage war upon Armand again?"

The question lingered, heavy and cold. No one dared speak.

Kimar’s gaze swept the chamber.

An uneasy silence spread through the hall. Not a single noble dared meet his eyes.

Kimar’s lips curled with thin amusement. "Even if we were to combine the full might of our houses, I doubt we would have the slightest chance of victory."

One noble, emboldened by anger, began to protest, but Kimar silenced him with a simple lift of his hand. The king’s posture was utterly relaxed, yet his presence filled the hall.

"We are gathered here not to test my patience with outbursts, but to deliberate the matter of Garius’s insolence and consider what punishment is fitting. Do not forget your place, nor mine. I am the King of this kingdom."

His words echoed, and the chamber fell into uneasy stillness, each noble suddenly very aware of the crown before them.

"Anyone who dares show disrespect in my presence, or speak as if to oppose your king, will be declared an enemy of the crown and punished without mercy." Kimar’s tone was calm and even, his eyes cold. "Let none forget their place."

Inside, Kimar’s confidence swelled.

None of these nobles would dare stand against me. If any try, I’ll use the royal forces or invoke the law to crush them where they stand.

The room was silent. Every noble at the table sat rigid, not a word of protest.

At the far end, the Marquis hid a faint smirk behind his hand, unmoved by the king’s warning.

Heh... these lowborn lords forget their own weakness. Barking the loudest, but powerless. Me? My loyalty to His Majesty is never in doubt. Arjam’s problem is none of mine, too far from my lands. Besides, I already claimed two provinces beside my own. Once this is over, His Majesty will surely grant me the title of Duke.

He folded his hands, concealing his ambition as the king’s gaze swept the hall.

"Rather than barking your frustration here like headless dogs, try using your heads for once. If you truly wish to punish Garius, then find a method that doesn’t involve throwing yourselves into a war you cannot win."

His gaze slowly scanned the chamber.

"Lord Garka. Lord Turka."

"Y-yes, Your Majesty?" Both stood awkwardly, their backs straightening as sweat gathered on their brows.

Kimar exhaled faintly and tilted his head.

"You brought this upon yourselves. Fighting over Arjam like rabid animals... when the smarter path was to split it. Half for Turka, half for Garka. One takes the east, the other the west. Simple. Efficient. And most importantly, quiet."

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

"But no. You two were too busy stalling and waging war on each other, and in that time Armand took everything. So, whose fault is it?"

The two lords bowed their heads, silent.

Kimar turned his attention back to the council, voice sharp. "Now. Let us move to the main topic. I want to hear your suggestions, what is the best way to punish Garius?"

He waited, letting the tension stretch across the chamber.

None of the nobles spoke. They simply glanced at one another, searching for an answer that wasn’t there.

Kimar’s expression hardened.

"No one in this council has any suggestion on how we should punish him?"

The silence stretched. No one dared to meet the king’s eyes.

"And yet I’ve heard plenty of barking and shouting, demands for Garius to be punished, and now, none of you even know how?"

Still, no response. Only the tense shuffling of nervous men.

The Marquis remained composed, concealing his satisfaction as he rose to his feet and bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty. If I may?"

Kimar’s mood shifted, a smile flickering at his lips.

"Ah~ Any suggestion from my soon-to-be Duke?"

The Marquis straightened, head held high.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust and generosity. It is more than I deserve, and yet I am honored by your favor." His tone was the picture of humility, every word carefully measured.

The Marquis let his gaze sweep the chamber, pausing just long enough on each lesser noble to remind them of their place. A thin, satisfied smirk touched his lips.

"Your Majesty, I do have a suggestion, though, I must confess, it may be rather personal in nature." He bowed his head with feigned humility. "If it pleases the crown."

Kimar nodded, the gesture deliberate and regal. He rested his chin lightly on his knuckles, eyes narrowed in thoughtful approval.

"Very well, Marquis. Please, enlighten this council with your wisdom."

(End Of Chapter)