"Other governors are outraged about

    the Guise family''s execution without

    trial. With multiple ministers and

    senators arrested on bribery

    charges, the entire government is on

    the brink. There''s talk of a coup

    d''état."

    "They''ve been plotting this since the day I took the throne," Alex said darkly.

    "What are your orders, sir?"

    Alex paused, thoughts churning, calcting moves like a grandmaster.

    "Our country has thirteen states. Six are loyal to us, one remains neutral, and six

    are firmly in the grip of the old regime. Their corruption runs deep."

    He leaned back, eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

    "Paris was dominated by old-regime influence. They acted as though they were

    kings of their own state. Taking down Guise sent them a message—war is

    inevitable."

    "Yes, sir. They''ve already begun mobilizing troops," the secretary confirmed

    nervously.

    A fierce, dangerous smile curved Alex''s lips. "Then let''s give them a war."

    Minutester, governors from across the states were assembled in an urgent

    online meeting with the king''s spokesperson.

    "Honorable governors," the spokesperson began firmly, eyes sweeping over each

    face on the screen. "I am here to convey the king''s decision."

    The king has reviewed Kingswell''s detailed reports about Guise''s crimes,

    documented extensively across the nation. He has approved processing Guise

    ording to thew of our country."

    Suddenly, a heavy-set governor mmed his fist on the table, fury twisting his

    features.

    "That''s a damn lie! The entire Guise family is already dead—ughtered before a

    single judgment was made!"

    The spokesperson calmly raised his hand, quieting the uproar.

    "Let me be clear. This tragedy urred solely because Alex, a high-ranking officer

    from Kingswell

    "Gilbert Guise assaulted Sophia, Alex''s ex-wife, triggering his personal vendetta.

    The king had nothing to do with the Guise family''s death. This is Alex''s doing

    alone."

    A governor''s eyes narrowed sharply. "So the king is cutting his losses and

    throwing his own man to the wolves? Convenient."

    "Think whatever you want," the spokesperson replied firmly.

    "The king believes in upholding thew. Alex acted without royal consent, so he''ll

    be expelled from Kingswell and stand trial for his crimes."

    Anger erupted from another governor, fists mming the table. "That''s

    uneptable! The king must answer for this!"

    The spokesperson''s voice turned cold.

    "Governor, the king made it clear he follows thew. Alex alone is responsible for

    his actions. You cannot demand ountability from the king for a crime he never

    ordered. Alex will face justice."

    Another governor sneered bitterly. "And let me guess—you''ll quietly release Alex

    The spokesperson smiled coldly, eyes glinting with a challenge.

    "I have no idea what conspiracy

    you''re dreaming up. We trust in our

    justice system. If you genuinely

    believe in thew, wait and watch.

    But if you seek revenge for Guise,

    leave the king out of it. Go after Alex

    directly."

    A governorughed darkly, shaking his head. "So Alex bes your scapegoat.

    His life won''tst long, will it?"

    "Alex is solely responsible for

    Guise''s fate. You''re all free to think

    or act as you wish regarding him.

    However, I strongly advise you not

    to do anything rash—like killing him

    without a trial. That would make you

    tyrants, no better than an uwful

    government."

    "Incredible," a governor scoffed. "The king still protects him."

    "You''re dead wrong," the spokesperson shot back.

    "The king is protecting all of you governors, whom he deeply respects. Alex,

    however, is no longer under that protection. He''s be a rogue element."

    "If you pursue him, he might just hunt you down—one by one, state by state,

    and you could end up dead, just like the Guise family."

    Silence fell like a heavy nket, dread spreading through the governors. The king

    had cornered them perfectly.

    Without a legitimate reason, they couldn''t stage a coup. Their problem had just

    be Alex.

    Each governor felt the chill of fear creep down their spine. The king had thrown

    them a dangerous bone.

    If they wanted to raise hell over Guise, they''d have to go through Alex—and

    chances are, Alex would crush them without mercy.

    This time, the king had washed his hands of it all—cleanly, wlessly.

    ---