Chapter 36

"The situation is worse than what you've described." The Marquis said. However, before he could continue any further, Duke Lum and Selestia just arrived beside the trio of Marquis, Viscount and Baron.

"Marquis Tasmodius. This is my daughter Selestia." Duke Lum spoke with a powerful voice. The Marquis quickly offered his blessings.

After repeating the ceremony with the Viscount, Father and daughter turned towards the young Baron.

"Baron Mith. Word of your administrative achievements have reached my ears." The Duke said, however, Locke noticed an almost imperceptible change in the Duke's expression.

"I'm honoured by your recognition, Lord Duke." Locke bowed in respect.

"This is my daughter. You two would be peers in the future. Get to know each other better." Duke Lum said, but there was something clearly off about his expression which he fixed quickly.

Locke and Selestia made some soft talk before the young lady left to greet other nobles.

Locke turned back to the Marquis and Viscount. "If I may not overstep my boundary, is there nothing that can be done about the disaster?" He asked.

"The Kingdom's mages and the best Templars are on the job." The Marquis said. "Looks like the show is about to start." He suddenly turned and said.

Locke turned his gaze and saw that Duke Gainsbraith had taken the podium of the Ballroom. Then without any warning, he activated his ability.

Suddenly everyone could hear the Duke's voice inside their head. Duke Lum turned around with an angry glare.

"Gainsbraith? What exactly are you doing?" He roared, however every Noble in the Ballroom could hear the sound of Gainsbraith in their head.

"I apologize for stealing the stage, but I need to deliver an important news. Following First Prince Chordus' wishes I am forced to inform the Nobility that the King is no more!" Gainsbraith authoritatively announced using his telepathic ability stressing particularly on the last bits.

"My Word!" Everyone screamed in surprise. Slowly panic began to set in. "The King is dead?" Murmurs began to echo around as everyone became agitated.

Locke silently turned his gaze towards the Marquis whose attention was on Duke Gainsbraith. "The King actually died, huh. Duke Lum has a huge mess on his hands now."

Hearing that, Locke discerned a sinking feeling in the atmosphere of the participants. Duke Gainsbraith's motive to announce the news in this overbearing manner was very suspicious and clearly a Diktat put forth by the First Prince. In the process, Gainsbraith had exposed where his loyalties lay Even Duke Lum, who was going to explode at Gainsbraith in anger was stunned by the consequent declaration.

"The first prince desires that the country face no further inner turmoil. While we are protected by geography, our neighbours are just biding their time. The swifter the succession is, the quicker the internal instabilities can be resolved. Prince Chordus is staking a claim onto the throne, by divine birthright as the eldest son!" Gainsbraith telepathically boomed in everyone's minds.

"Now, now. Don't be so hasty. Prince Factus hasn't exactly consented to a direct takeover." The war general Duke Breave interrupted. He did not raise his voice, because if he did, the entire room would be paralyzed by his Legacy ability. "Prince Chordus might be the eldest, but he was never looked on favorably by the King. Also, it is more than about the King's wishes, but the stability of the throne! Prince Factus proposes a test that all the princes can clear to find the best suited to be King!"

"I think we need to calm down. The passing of the King is a grave matter and cannot just be hastily acted upon. The choice of the successor should be based on consensus. Prince Dictus foresaw such an event and asked me to relay that since all consequential Nobles are visiting Lum City, it would be convenient to hold a ballot of confidence from the Nobles without any external influence." Duke Methis was not one to be left behind either.

Immediately three factions with three methods to handle the matter rose. The Nobles were panicking, because they were afraid to cast their eggs in the wrong basket. They had been blindsided by the news, and were looking around for clues. Most were looking towards their direct Lieges, to see their positions.

Duke Claithe and Duke Lum simultaneously asserted their presence.

"This is neither the time, nor the place to discuss matters of the crown. The matter can be discussed in the capital." Duke Lum calmly tried to diffuse the situation.

The three Duke's, however, could not come to an agreement. They had already revealed their factionalism wide open for the world to see. Any maneuvering now was a matter of light or death.

Duke Claithe stood up. "The three Princes have caused enough ruin with their thoughtless infighting." Claithe's voice was like a powerful lion's roar. His body immediately began to reveal intense hostility, which put the other Dukes into a defensive position.

"Claithe, don't be impudent!" The three Dukes responded together. Claithe simply bruhed off their attempt at intimidation like a breeze. He was a Great Knight, one of the most powerful men in the Kingdom.

Lum finally intervened with his magic. A powerful bubble separated the four offending Dukes. "Calm down everyone." He said quietly.

"We are Dukes. We are the next line of defense when the King falls. It is our responsibility to peacefully decide the next heir." Lum's magical voice was a calming presence. "However, this matter cannot be conducted here. This is my Duchy, not a marketplace."

Duke Claithe added on to that. "You can't just shock the nobles into giving into your faction. This requires thoughtful deliberation of our choices. We also have to consider the position of the Temple on the matter of the successor."

Locke sighed. Duke Claithe and Duke Lum had relied on their personal strength to bolster a case for peace, which made Locke realize the diplomatic strength of sheer power.

"With the passing of the King, we five Dukes will hold counsil and make decisions by consensus, asis the law." Duke Lum said calmly. "Next week, we shall convene at the capital to deliberate on this issue."

"Gainsbraith, Breaves and Methis, you three have ruined my daughter's coming of age ceremony. I hope you are prepared for the consequences." Lum further added. "This party is finished!"

Locke turned towards the viscount. "What consequences?"

"Ha..Duke Lum might probably refuse to craft magical artifacts for them." The Marquis interjected.