Chapter 134
The study was silent.
Too silent.
Lord Bracken stared at the letter lying on his desk.
His hands trembled.
Then—
Crash!
The crystal glass shattered against the stone fireplace.
Wine splashed across the wall like blood.
"No..."
His breathing became ragged.
"No!"
He grabbed the letter again, reading it for what felt like the tenth time.
His Majesty King Lucian and Lady Aurora Ambrose are to be married...
His vision blurred with rage.
"Impossible."
His voice echoed through the room.
"She was supposed to hate him."
He slammed both hands onto the desk.
"Everything was falling apart!"
"The mine collapsed."
"The Duchy was ruined."
"Owen had no money."
"He was supposed to fail!"
His chest rose and fell violently.
Instead...The palace had found another solution.
Not through the treasury.
Not through politics.
Marriage.
Bracken laughed bitterly.
"So that was your plan...Owen."
He finally understood.
The Duke had never intended to beg.
He had simply protected Aurora long enough for the King to choose her.
Bracken swept every document from his desk.
Books crashed onto the floor. Candlesticks toppled over.
Nothing remained standing. Everything he had spent years building...Was slipping through his fingers.
The door opened cautiously.
"My Lord..."
One of his remaining servants stepped inside.
"What?"
The poor man nearly flinched.
"The nobles are already celebrating the engagement."
Bracken slowly turned.
"They're calling Lady Aurora..."
The servant swallowed.
"...the future Queen."
Something inside Bracken finally snapped.
His eyes darkened with pure hatred.
"No."
He spoke quietly. Far more terrifying than shouting.
"I will not allow Eleanor's daughter......to wear a crown."
The servant's blood ran cold.
Bracken stepped toward the window.
His reflection stared back at him.
Older.
More tired.
More desperate.
"If I cannot destroy the Duchy......then I'll destroy the wedding."
His lips curled into a cold smile.
"And if Owen Ambrose stands in my way..."
His hand slowly tightened into a fist.
"...then Owen dies."
The great hall buzzed with conversation.
The announcement had spread before the meeting even began.
Some nobles smiled.
Others whispered behind closed fans.
A few openly looked displeased.
Lucian entered wearing the royal robes of state.
Theo walked a respectful distance behind him.
The conversations immediately ceased.
Lucian took his seat upon the throne.
"Ladies and gentlemen."
His calm voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"I trust everyone has received yesterday's announcement."
Several nobles nodded.
Then one elderly lord stepped forward.
"Your Majesty."
"You intend to marry Lady Aurora Ambrose?"
"I do."
Another noble frowned.
"May I ask why?"
Lucian answered without hesitation.
"Because I love her."
The court fell silent.
One lady actually dropped her fan.
Several younger nobles exchanged surprised glances.
Love?
A king had spoken about love?
An older duke cleared his throat.
"Your Majesty...Forgive my bluntness...But is this truly wise?"
Lucian looked directly at him.
"I believe so."
Another noble stepped forward.
"The marriage would strengthen the kingdom."
A third disagreed.
"It would make House of Ambrose even more influential."
"The Ambrose family is already the strongest ducal house."
"They would become stronger still."
Murmurs spread throughout the chamber.
Lucian allowed them to speak.
He listened.
Really listened.
Only when the room became quiet again did he stand.
"When I became King......I promised to place the kingdom before myself."
His gaze swept across the chamber.
"This marriage does exactly that."
Several nobles nodded thoughtfully.
Lucian continued.
"The Grand Emberforge Duchy has always protected this kingdom."
"They mine, the iron that arms our soldiers."
"The gold that strengthens our economy."
"The steel that protects our borders."
He paused.
"When tragedy struck...They stood alone."
His voice became firmer.
"Lady Aurora carried that burden."
"At fifteen years old."
"She rebuilt hospitals."
"Protected families."
"Opened schools."
"Created employment."
"Saved lives."
He looked toward every noble in turn.
"If that is not the kind of woman worthy of becoming Queen......then I do not know who is."
Silence filled the chamber.
Even those who disagreed found themselves unable to argue.
Finally...
An elderly noble slowly rose.
"I opposed this marriage."
He bowed respectfully.
"I withdraw my objection."
One by one...
Others followed.
"I support His Majesty."
"So do I."
"House Lancaster supports the Crown."
"The Duchy of Riverwatch supports the marriage."
"The Barrett family offers its congratulations."
Within minutes...
Almost every noble had voiced their approval.
Theo quietly smiled.
Months ago...
This same court had questioned Lucian's judgment.
Today...
They respected it.
Lucian sat once more upon the throne.
For the first time since becoming King...
He felt as though he truly deserved the crown.
He had not forced their loyalty.
He had earned it.
Far away...
Lord Bracken stared into the darkness.
The kingdom was preparing for a wedding.
He...
Was preparing for war.
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