Kylie's face was still streaked with tears, her eyes swollen from crying.
When Salvador woke up, his first words were an order for her to leave.
At that moment, everyone present was left stunned.
After a long moment of stunned silence, Kylie choked up and said, "I won't leave. I'll stay here with you, Your Majesty."
"Escort the queen out," Victoria ordered, her voice hoarse but filled with authority.
Kylie had been here as long as Victoria had, waiting for Salvador to wake. She was nearly frantic with worry, but she had to stay composed—there were too many ministers kneeling outside, and she couldn't let them lose their sense of direction.
The officials had initially knelt outside in the bitter cold. Upon her arrival, Victoria had asked them all to wait in the outer hall inside the main palace. However, they had stubbornly refused to rise, insisting on staying in their places.
As long as Salvador remained unconscious, they would kneel.
After the royal physicians finished their examination, Victoria moved closer, silencing them with a gesture before saying softly, "It's all right now."
She squeezed her son's cold hand, her own trembling despite her effort to control it. The chill of his skin ached her heart. Even with all her strength, she couldn't stop the shaking.
Salvador, weak and drained, croaked out a question, "How is Lord Wright?"
"He's fine. When he tried to ram himself into the pillar, Mr. Lloyd rushed in to block the blow. Lord Wright slammed right into Mr. Lloyd's face and knocked two of his teeth out," Victoria replied. She forced a light laugh. "Now Mr. Lloyd can barely speak without air leaking through the gaps."
Salvador didn't believe her. His voice was hoarse, heavy with exhaustion. "I want to see him."
If there were any officials from the Oversight Department making an Oathbound Plea, then he was a blind, foolish king.
Before he lost consciousness, the last thing he saw was a sea of blood. He feared Irvin had already died.
Victoria immediately gestured for Davis and Irvin to be brought in.
A moment later, Jeremiah entered with the two of them. They knelt before Salvador, crying for his health. Their voices were hoarse with sorrow, especially Irvin's, who had already fainted once from his grief.
Irvin crawled forward, wracked with guilt, tears flowing freely from his eyes. "Your Majesty, it's my fault! I've committed such a grave sin! I deserve to die for it!"
Salvador hadn't reprimanded Irvin for his actions, but he had heavily rewarded Davis for saving Irvin's life.
Irvin slapped himself hard over a dozen times, continuously begging for forgiveness, crying until he almost fainted.
Meanwhile, Victoria had stepped out to face the court. It had been some time since she had directly addressed the officials. As she took her place at the head of the assembly, it reminded everyone of the time when Sigmund was seriously ill, and how she had stepped forward to take control of the situation.
Victoria's face was stern as she chided them, "The royal physicians say His Majesty has been deeply worried about the war and troubled by the rebellion, which caused the heat in his body to build up, leading to his physical condition worsening.
"Recently, His Majesty did leave the palace late at night to visit Hell Monarch Estate. However, he didn't go to see Commander Sinclair. He went to visit Mr. Spencer. Mr. Spencer doesn't attend court or visit the palace, so His Majesty personally visited him to seek his advice on the war at Southern Frontier and Victory Pass, as well as the new policies about to be implemented.
"His Majesty wanted to hear Mr. Spencer's opinions, but his visit unfortunately caused wild rumors to spread. Rather than quelling them, you've all indulged in them. It is deeply disappointing that none of you made efforts to clarify the situation or prevent the absurd gossip. Instead, you all took part in it."
Salvador had coughed up blood, and Victoria's disappointment was palpable.
All the court officials were terrified. They bowed, their heads hanging low, begging for forgiveness with voices full of regret.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Her Graceful War Song
What happens to the other chapters, I've been waiting to read more of this story, the character's and the screening are fantastic, very intriguing story...
Next chapter please, what's happening...
Very captivating novel....
Both content and context are very intriguing, the writer style of pulling out characters in their unique ways are profound,I have recommended this book because it's very captivating...