CHAPTER 473: AS POWERFUL AS HIM

Murray, especially, lowered his head to mask his annoyance and fury at the man,

’Look at this old fool!’

He did not bother to curb his thoughts at all, considering that some of them could read and listen in on minds. Therefore, a handful of the elders, including the one who had spoken, heard his thought utterance and their embarrassed expressions were priceless. Their flushed eyes flickered anywhere but forward.

A few shifted awkwardly as though they hoped the ground might open and swallow them whole. They could not fault the Fae, who had shielded his mistress as he should but could only swallow their grievances.

In fact, they even felt that they should thank Murray for that action back then because they wouldn’t have been standing there seeking this if Shelby was no more.

Then, as if on cue, Currey’s eyes flicked up briefly, searching the faces before him,

His voice was soft, laced with an almost theatrical humility. "I can’t help you on this," he said, shoulders drooping in an exaggerated slump. "I’m only an assistant."

The act was convincing, from his downtrodden tone to the regretful sigh that followed, but not to those watching. They knew better. This was the same Fae who had come in with his master.

From what they had learned from Brian, he had his master’s ear at every turn. He wasn’t just any assistant; he seemed like His Highness’ right-hand man. However, no one said anything, but the silence was telling. They all knew; he wasn’t unwilling because he couldn’t help—he was unwilling because he simply didn’t want to.

Still, what could they do?

Absolutely nothing

"The decisions... the orders... they came from higher," Currey continued, his voice low, thick with remorse. "We...we only follow..."

A bitter chuckle escaped him, and he coughed roughly. "If you seek the actual decision-maker... the one who can give the final nod... it is not I. You must seek the main hand behind it all. You all know of whom I speak, I believe,"

One of the other Fae behind him turned their face away, trying to mask his expression that was getting darker and angrier by the second.

"Y-ou!"

Another started before the speaker was shushed and interrupted,

"We understand."

"Could we at least seek an audience with His Highness?"

"I don’t believe you can. He missed his wife, and we have never interrupted their time together-"

"So, do you expect us, old Fae, to wait around-"

"THAT IS YOUR BUSINESS!" Murray threw all pretences aside,

"You tried to kill his bonded one! Even if you have not anyone bonded, you know what happens when such a union forms! The sheer audacity you have to come here seeking for his audience like some entitled freak. You should be glad that your heads are still attached! You do not even try to seek forgiveness, but come here spouting nonsense!"

Murray glared at them in pure dissatisfaction. He wished he could tear them apart and display his anger, but even he knew that it was also stemming from his frustration from what he felt were his failures.

Just when the tension was thick enough to choke on, Brain stepped forward to try and mediate.

His robes were simple but dignified as usual, but at the same time, he looked like he could pass out from the mere whisper of a wind.

Years of seclusion and being with just books and other mediums of knowledge had tempered his voice to be calm yet authoritative, "Enough," Brian said gently, raising a hand, palm outward.

He cast a measured glance at the Murray and then Currey. Brain knew that at the least Murray was more than met the eye, as when he compared the man in the dungeon versus this one, it seemed like two individuals whose power difference was a vast ocean.

Brian silently thanked his curious and discerning self, which drove him to engage with this young Fae. Brian then turned to address the others. "We are not here to play roles or wear masks. If there’s to be any hope of resolution, we must speak plainly and, as he said, with a lot of diplomacy, as we are at fault..."

Some of the old Fae opened their mouths at the same time, perhaps to protest, but Brain’s gaze pinned them silently. Then again, Brain turned to Currey,

"You may call yourself ’just an assistant,’" he continued, tone neutral but heavy with implication, "but we all know your words have weight... when and if you choose to use them."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the group, making Currey stiffen, but before he could retort, Brain’s words took him by surprise,

His eyes swept over the rest. "Now, elders, if you’ve come to ask, then ask. If you’ve come to beg, then beg."

His last words seemed to be addressing both sides, "... But do not insult anyone with half-truths and feigned helplessness."

No one spoke.

For a moment, all was still. The shame, the power plays, and the buried guilt from the old Faes all hung suspended in the air,

"Erm, it’s not like we did not try, but there is no one to take the throne now, and we all saw what happened in the past when Prince Syla tried to take the throne. He barely survived with his life clinging to a thread afterwards."

Nods of agreement went through them once more,

"Our forefathers thought it wise to make every single royal who would ascend the throne go through a series of tests. We all know them, and we had seen Prince Roman go through them.

No matter their lineage, power, or charm, every royal must go through this sacred rite. We all know it’s not just a test, but a living, breathing journey, hidden deep within our forbidden forests, a place untouched by time and known to shift and mould itself to the heart of its challengers. Therefore, no two challenges are ever the same.

The Test of Resilience for Prince Roman was the harshest....’ Illusions of his deepest fears rose from the ground: Who would have thought it was only his loved ones? Prince Roman was the best of the best, and I don’t believe that we will ever see one like him. Ever!

That is why I believe that his son will be no less than him. The test of resilience relating to the family is the most difficult to pass, as one has to see beyond the illusion to do this, and that takes a lot, but Prince Roman did it in mere moments. Walking through such things without breaking down takes almost all of one’s willpower.

His Test of Courage, wisdom, and all the others were the same. It was unheard of the for one Fae to complete all the tests in a day as it usually took a lot out of a person even to complete it in months, but Prince Roman did.... in a day!

So, seeing and feeling a part of him still with his only son tells us the boy is as powerful as his father if not better."

"That does not temper down your actions though.... Are you not protective of your females? But you tried to kill off his female and his youngling in her womb as well.... At this time, I would be more worried about how to seek that forgiveness and placate Her Highness as well, than talking about how competent His Highness is. The fact that he can do it does not mean that he will do it!" This time, it was Murray again.

"Back in the throne room earlier, you had that audacity again to ask, ’Who will take the throne?’ I don’t know if years of living have muddled your head or something!

But you should also understand when you have been turned down. His Highness clearly told you back there that he only cares about his wife and not-"

"But he is Prince Roman’s son.... Is he not?"

"That does not change anything, even if he was born of Prince Roman!"

"So, what do we do now?"

"Let them rest.... We’ll leave as soon as His Highness gives that cue...."

"But-"

"I think any reservations you have is besides the point. Just pray to your heavens that he changes his mind on his own... for we all know how much he cherishes her. To say that she is his life would be belittling that point."

It was true that back in the throne room, Ian had turned them down without hesitation. He only had one task in his mind, and that was to take care of his wife and the new baby that was coming in.

The old Faes exchanged glances and then started retreating one after the other because they knew that they had to re-strategize if they wanted to get onto Ian’s good side. As they turned to leave, one of them said to the brothers,

"His Highness already completed the tests for the throne... so at the moment, he is truly the only candidate, but I understand your concerns and appreciate your suggestions.... We’ll work according to that."

Then hesitating a little, he added, "We would appreciate it if you could tell us a bit of what the masters like, so we may use that to help apologize and get on their good side."

This time, Murray nodded, even though he couldn’t help but frown and ask himself, ’When had His Highness undergone such a test? He only got here...’ Then he strangely looked at the one who had spoken,

’Are they getting too muddled?’

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