Chapter 348

Down the hall from the throne room was a set of double doors. At the center of it was a golden lion with large rubies embedded into its eyes. Inside one would find the finest silks embroidered with gold, and priceless art draped upon the walls.

At the back of the room stood an attendant with a flushed face. In front of her was a spread of delicacies from across the land. All of this food for one man who will likely pick one thing, and leave the rest for the flies.

Light was peering into the room from an open door leading to a balcony. If Edward were to peer into the city below he would see beggars upon the streets. They were doing everything possible to ward off the hunger pains as he drank from his chalice casually enjoying the sun.

There was a knock at the door that drowned out the slurping noises around Edward's waist. The servant answered the call and saw Roderick waiting. Hearing the voice of the commander the elven maid halted briefly.

"Did I say stop?" Edward glared.

"S-sorry." The maid was promptly pushed down.

"Come back later." Edward shooed Roderick along while taking another sip.

"The Queen demands your presence," Roderick said as his eyes stayed on the hall.

"Can't it wait?" Edward sighed.

"She knows," Roderick stated.

Edward halted the maids head and pushed her aside. He promptly pulled his trousers up and turned to face Roderick. There was an enraged look in his eyes, and the servants in the room began to quiver.

"What did I tell you?" Edward asked in a cold tone.

Edward dashed forward putting a blade to Roderick's throat. Roderick didn't flinch from the blade and did nothing as a trickle of crimson slid down his throat. Edward gave a gag order upon his return and tried his best to forget those events. Just hearing about it was enough to send him into a frenzy.

"It was Sullivan who opened his mouth," Roderick stated.

Edward examined Roedrick's eyes momentarily before sheathing his blade. He turned to finish getting dressed with the help of his servants. During this Edward hurled a used rag towards Roerdrick to clean up.

"Don't forget who this kingdom belongs to." Edward declared.

Roderick bowed before returning to the hall.

"I'll be back in a little so be ready," Edward ordered his servants.

The woman nodded and began to undress as Edward slammed the doors. He strutted down the hallway mumbling to himself. When the throne was in view Edward noticed the irritated look on his mother's face.

"Anything you wanna tell me?" Eliza glared.

"Can we skip the games mother?" Edward asked.

"Fine." Eliza stood from her throne and approached Edward.

Eliza quickly backhanded her son as blood trailed down his lip. He turned back with an irritated look but did nothing in response. The history of Kirkwall's throne is one filled with blood, and Eliza was the sole cause.

Since Eliza's ascension, there has been zero unrest within their kingdom. The reason for this was how she took the throne. Eliza was the only girl out of seven siblings, and last in line for ascension. A couple of well-placed blades and poison rearranged that.

That alone was a reason for the people to fear Eliza, but once that memory subsided a reminder was given. Any time a civilian would speak out about policies they were executed in the town square. This punishment didn't stop with them, and all known associates received a similar fate.

This caused people to rethink their current companions. Out of fear of being next they began to police one another. They believed these actions could buy them leniency if someone in their family ever spoke out.

'I can't wait for you to go senile.' Edward spits blood towards Sullivan.

"Your appearance was meant to be a formality, but now we're experiencing retaliation." Eliza scolded.

"Was I supposed to stand around, and be disrespected?" Edward asked rhetorically.

"That's exactly what you do!" Eliza shouted before seizing Edward's collar.

'I knew this would happen.' Roderick just watched patiently.

"You come back here and think it out with a level head! Then you form a strategy to get revenge on your terms not there's!" Eliza scolded before releasing Edward.

'You ancient bitch.' Edward fixed his shirt.

"Now they will be expecting an attack, you foolish little boy." Eliza sighed.

The Queen was disappointed that this is the heir she was stuck with. Eliza returned to her throne and motioned for a fresh table of food. After receiving a new chalice of wine she motioned a few guards to approach.

"Haul him to the dungeon." Eliza gestured at Sullivan.

"Wa-wait a second."

The guards quickly seized Sullivan by the arms and started dragging him away. Eliza only got a small portion of the story from the overheard rumors. In order to properly assess the situation, she had Edward start from his arrival.

For obvious reasons Eliza was focused on security, and allies of the kingdom. Hearing about Mephisto's involvement, and a personal appearance from Shen was enough to unsettle her. When news of the Pendragon's arrived she wasn't surprised, but learning they shared a table with the Long family was another matter.

'How can a new kingdom possess this much renown?'

"I still don't see a cause for retaliation, and that old man wouldn't break bread with warmongers." Eliza tapped her table impatiently.

"That's when that bitch made a scene and broke off the engagement. After tha..."

Thunder boomed as a heavy sword dropped next to the throne. Edward's carefree attitude was quickly swept away as panic took over. In his entire life, he's only witnessed that expression a few times, and when it appeared bloodshed followed.

"We just received news of wedding preparations right?" Eliza's hand was twitching close to her blade.

"Y-yes your majesty." The maid bowed her head.

The servant knew her head could roll at any minute, but still, she refused to look. Not long after the answer, the guards returned. Eliza rapidly seized the handle and swung in their direction. A flash of lightning struck them as blood erupted in the hall.

"You were following orders but the rest should've opened their fucking mouths," Eliza declared.

"I was g-gonna tell you, but I forgot." Edward apologized.

"Clean this mess up," Eliza ordered.

"Right away your grace." The maid quickly went to work.

"Continue," Eliza demanded.