CHAPTER 215: REJECTION

Lucas straightened his back and let his gaze sweep calmly across the vast throne hall. The atmosphere already tense with curiosity and veiled disdain. He drew a slow breath, then spoke clearly, his words directed toward the old counselor.

"I come before Her Imperial Majesty," Lucas said with composure..."My king wishes to extend not just goodwill, but something greater. We are here to open talks of a lasting alliance between Valerion and the Empire of Lechia."

For the briefest moment, silence held the air, heavy and sharp. Then it broke.

Soft laughter erupted, low at first, but quickly growing into a ripple of chuckles and muffled mirth that echoed through the chamber. Nobles exchanged smirks, and several envoys leaned toward one another, whispering with grins on their faces. A handful did not even bother to hide their amusement, letting the laughter escape freely as though Lucas had spoken nonsense.

Even Prince Khan’s smirk twisted into an outright grin. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction, the corners of his lips curling upward as if he had just been handed a personal victory without lifting a finger.

The sound grated against the solemn walls of the hall, and it took only a single, thunderous shout to silence it.

"Silence!" The counselor’s voice boomed like a sudden clap of thunder. His eyes, sharp as blades despite his age, swept through the crowd with a cold glare that cut through their laughter like steel. Those who had been smirking quickly lowered their gazes, chastened by his authority. The air grew heavy once more, every trace of laughter choked back into silence.

The counselor turned back to Lucas, his expression grave. "You will speak," he said firmly. "You have the floor. Commence with what you came to declare."

Lucas inclined his head ever so slightly, unfazed by the mocking stares he had just endured. His voice remained calm, his words deliberate. "An alliance between Valerion and Lechia would not be without purpose. We do not come to beg. We come because we have something of value to offer, something that will strengthen both kingdoms if joined. Together, we can rise stronger than any kingdom standing alone."

The crowd stirred again, though this time the laughter was gone. Instead, there was the rustle of robes, the shuffle of feet, and the quiet exchange of doubtful whispers.

The counselor, however, did not indulge the suspense. His face remained stern, and his voice, though not loud, carried with finality. "Xavier Alden of Valerion," he said, "Lechia is not interested."

A hush fell over the hall.

The old man continued without pause. "Lechia stands far above Valerion in strength, wealth, and influence. An alliance is formed between equals, not with those who reach beyond their place. Valerion may be growing, yes, but it is not yet on our level. To speak plainly, what you suggest is beneath the dignity of this court."

The words were a stone dropped into still waters, and the ripples of reaction came swiftly.

Prince Khan’s smile broadened into a full smirk of triumph. He leaned slightly back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, utterly pleased at the dismissal. The gleam of satisfaction in his eyes was impossible to miss.

The nobles and envoys shifted in their seats, some exchanging smug looks, others suppressing quiet chuckles that threatened to rise once more. They did not care to hear what Valerion had to offer. To them, the rejection had already closed the matter, and the idea of such a "lesser" kingdom daring to speak of alliance with Lechia was laughable in itself.

Lucas stood at the center of it all, the weight of their dismissal pressing in on him from every corner. Yet his expression did not falter. His lips did not twitch, his shoulders did not stiffen. His eyes remained steady, calm, and unreadable.

Around him, the silent mockery lingered, but no words left his mouth. Not yet.

Lucas did not falter. His posture was unwavering, his voice clear as it carried across the throne hall. "With all due respect," he said, his words sharp enough to cut through the stale atmosphere, "you dismiss Valerion too quickly. An alliance with us would benefit Lechia more than you realize. We hold knowledge of something that would change the tide of things...knowledge that could alter the balance of power across kingdoms and empires."

Murmurs erupted immediately. The gathered nobles shifted in their seats, curiosity pricked even against their better judgment. A few narrowed their eyes, others leaned forward, but the air was still heavy with skepticism.

The counselor’s expression, however, did not change. He remained seated with his hands clasped before him, his gaze fixed steadily on Lucas. When he spoke, his tone was unyielding, almost dismissive. "Bold words," he said, his voice low but firm. "But words all the same. Knowledge is only valuable if it has weight behind it, and I see nothing here that convinces me your kingdom carries such weight."

Lucas’s jaw tightened slightly, but his expression stayed calm. He glanced briefly toward the veiled figure seated on the throne, the Empress herself. She had not moved. Her presence was commanding, her aura suffocating even in silence, and though Lucas had faced cultivators of immense strength before, the quiet pressure she radiated was unlike anything he had encountered.

He looked at her only for a heartbeat, his eyes respectful, careful not to linger. Then he returned his attention to the counselor. "You may think it is only words, but I assure you, Counselor, Valerion’s knowledge is no joke. It is real, it is potent, and it will one day shake even the strongest empires. You speak of strength, wealth, and influence. We offer something beyond those...something that cannot be measured so simply."

The counselor’s lips curved into something close to a faint smirk, though his eyes remained cold. "And yet, you expect us to listen to these claims with nothing to prove them. Lechia does not entertain fables, nor does the Empress waste her time with empty promises."

A ripple of laughter traveled quietly through the crowd again, though this time it was not as open as before. The weight of the counselor’s authority was enough to keep them subdued, but their eyes carried the same mocking glint.

Still, Lucas did not step back. His voice came steady once more. "Ridiculous or not, it will remain true. I have spoken what I came to speak. Whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, that is upon you. But when the tides shift, do not say Valerion never offered a hand."

His words left the chamber simmering with tension. Nobles muttered under their breath, some annoyed, others intrigued. Prince Khan sneered openly, shaking his head as if to say Lucas was a fool wasting precious time.

All the while, the Empress remained seated. She did not speak, did not shift, did not even so much as raise a hand. Her gaze, hidden beneath the veil, lingered on Lucas longer than it had on anyone else. He could feel it, the weight of her eyes pressing against him, though she gave no indication of her thoughts.

Lucas stole another glance in her direction, brief, respectful, and careful. He did not dare stare. He could only wonder what she thought of his words as the hall held its collective breath, waiting for her or her counselor to bring the matter to its next turn.