The King's Lover Chapter 553: Unanimous

Caius sat on his high throne while the lords sat in a semi-circle below him. Thomas stood by his left-hand side and Maximus stood behind him. Both had swords tucked into their belts.

He could feel the tension in the air, and clear displeasure filled the gazes of the lords. He knew the reason for that, but he truly didn’t care about their feelings. What he cared about was this meeting.

He would have preferred that the meeting didn’t take place and that he could decline the offer, but his hands might actually be tied in this situation.

The lords were bound to see this as a good thing, but all he could think about was that the conniving old man was plotting something again. An archaic man like him should have died a long time ago.

"Your Majesty," Rylen said with a low bow. They met eyes briefly before he turned towards the lords. "My lords, thank you all for making the journey on such quick notice."

Caius leaned back in his seat. He grabbed his chin and rested his elbow on the armrest. He was running out of patience with his cousin, but he was willing to wait until he couldn’t anymore.

It was an approach that would likely turn the lords and Lystern against him, and he wanted to avoid it until he had no choice, but it wasn’t a plan he was opposed to. He would do everything to make sure Rose was by his side as his Queen.

"His Majesty received word from Wresthal three days ago, and we are gathered here to dis—"

"Before that," the Marquis of Stonegate stood to his feet. "Your Majesty, permit me to address the house." He bowed.

Caius squinted his eyes. He had half a mind to decline. He had a feeling what the lord was about to say would not only be disrespectful, but it was likely about Rose.

"Carry on. It better be important."

"It is, Your Majesty," he said. "I assumed it was only a rumor. People can’t help but spread gossip, but Your Majesty did marry a peasant and gave her the late Queen Catherine’s crown. Your Majesty, this goes against the doctrine of Velmount."

Caius raised his free hand to his mouth and let out a yawn. "Is that what was so important that you interrupted Prince Rylen?"

"Your Majesty," Edric yelled with wide eyes, looking appalled.

"Lord Edric," Prince Gayle cut in, much to Caius’s surprise. "His Majesty is allowed to have more than one wife. His first wife is a princess of Lystern; surely that is enough."

"She is pregnant!" he yelled in horror.

"Her Majesty, Queen Caira, has been pregnant for far longer. There is really no reason for concern."

Caius studied his uncle as he spoke, but he truly couldn’t see what he was trying to do. How did supporting Rose benefit him? He had always stood on the sidelines, but now he was blatantly stating his approval.

Edric Harington turned to the rest of the lords. Some shrugged while others didn’t meet his eyes, but the Baron of Edenville seemed particularly pleased.

As expected, Rose was from his town; he could curry favor with the King through her. Edric was expecting at least some resistance from the lords, but it seemed only he had a problem with their union.

"Anything else, Lord Edric?" Caius didn’t hide his displeasure.

"No," he whispered and bowed. "I apologize for the interruption. Prince Rylen, please continue."

"As I was saying, His Majesty received a letter from Wresthal that he would like to send his youngest son to Velmount as the late King once did. As we all know, the King of Wresthal, His Royal Majesty Vodnik, has five sons, but rumors have it that his youngest son, Prince Vance, has a high chance of succeeding him."

"We have no reason to refuse," Lord Nicholas chimed in. "With the constant attacks we have received from Galdoris, strengthening our alliance with Wresthal should deter them."

"Yes," Lord Charles added. "It would be hypocritical to refuse."

"Galdoris also has a strong alliance with Wresthal," Lord Leopold said. It was his first words since he stepped into the throne room. "As much as I would prefer to take revenge after what was done to His Majesty, I am not opposed to peace. We really have no reason to refuse."

Caius kept his gaze on the lords as they all shared their opinions and why this was a good idea. He already suspected that this was how it would go, hence why his hands were tied.

Unfortunately, the lords did not realize that despite Galdoris’s hatred towards them, they had never actually attacked. But Wresthal had been attacking them even before his father’s death, using Galdoris as a cover.

"Can we vote on it?" Prince Rylen’s voice broke through the chatter.

The votes were unanimous. Everyone seemed to agree that accepting the young prince into Velmount was the right thing to do.

"Your Majesty," Prince Gayle suddenly said. "Do you not agree?"

"I never said that, Uncle."

"No, you didn’t. I apologize for the assumption, but Your Majesty didn’t say anything on the matter."

"This is not a decision where my sole input holds more water than the rest of the council. The arrival of the youngest son of the King of Wresthal, the future King, is bound to shape our future with Wresthal."

"Yes, that is why this is important," Nicholas added, nodding his head and looking at the rest of the lords, who also followed suit.

"Indeed," Caius replied.

"His Royal Highness, Prince Vance will arrive in less than two weeks. I shall send a reply to Wresthal before today ends to let them know of our eagerness to receive the son of King Vodnik."

"Thank you, Prince Rylen," Caius said. "Now that that has been dealt with, shall we start with you, Lord Edric? What reports about your town do you have for me?"

The worst part was over, but the long part was only beginning. He wished his wife would be nice enough to interrupt, but Rose would tell him to do his job.