Court Matters

=> Leave wherever you are, use the return scroll and come back to the empire immediately.

=> Strange is something going on.

=> Don't ask me questions and come.

'This guy...does he think he's the boss.'

"Who did you receive a message from?" Courtney asked.

"Shaw...he said we should return immediately, using the return scroll."

"Does he know how expensive that thing is...he wants us to use it." She complained.

"It must only mean there is something dire going on," Neju said and brought out a brown paper from his inventory. Courtney also did the same and they both tore the paper and disappeared.

... ... ...

Leon alongside every other noble walked gently into the throne hall, after reaching each took a side and bowed as the queen entered and went on to sit on the throne. They afterwards raised their heads and the long-awaited meeting started.

"I have called this meeting for a reason, I have plans to fill the two important seats of the executive parliament that are missing." The Queen started.

"Your majesty, are talking about the seat of the minister of defence and the minister of Justice." Count Vladimir said.

She chuckled, "I suppose we have other seats that are unfilled in the executive..."

He bowed his head and said nothing.

"However your majesty, finding worthy people is not an easy task, especially the minister of defence, all our kingdom's army would be in possession of such person and his military strength would even be greater than yours the queen, which is why the late king held this position to himself." A tall and bald man said. He's identified as Marquis Preston the minister of finance.

"I know Marquis Preston, it's a very delicate position which is why I have someone perfect in my mind."

They all murmured as she concluded as though they knew what she was about to do.

The large door of the throne room suddenly opened and someone gently walked inside.

Leon looked at the person and observed the expression on the queen's face.

Her expression turned from corny to grim, by that alone he could take a correct guess of the person whose presence changed the entire room.

White-haired, even his beards were white, a proof of his old age. He bowed to the Queen.

"To what do I owe this pleasant visit." The queen said.

"An emergency meeting has been summoned who am I to refuse the monarch's order, even though a letter was not dispatched to me. I still can't ignore that the kingdom needs my service as the prime minister."

"Ah, that... I wasn't trying to bother you. You are getting old and your body is getting fragile, it'll be selfish of me to ask you to serve the kingdom even with your old age. I was even thinking of revealing you of your duties and giving you an honorary title someday." she said, wearing a subtle smirk on her face.

The hall murmured and went silent as Duke Sharr began to talk.

He chuckled a bit before starting, "It was just like yesterday when your majesty was given birth to, I am delighted to see that you have grown into a capable monarch." He said.

"Of course, I'm my father's daughter after all." She replied.

Leon gulped, 'This is a fight of words and glares, as expected... it's not fit for me.'

"Your majesty my spies in the Romel empire has informed me of something that we need to be concerned about." Duke Sharr said.

"And what might that be?" She asked.

"It seems, Glasgow has given a petition to the empire to assist them with troops."

Her expression switched again, this time it was serious and straight, "...Duke Sharr?"

"I am sure of what I am saying your majesty, the war between Glasgow and us has always been a silent one, it seems they are trying to give it a voice now. We may have to go to war with Glasgow anytime from now."

Leon watched Lia tighten her fist. 'Must be hard...she has been put in a difficult position...shall I step in...'

"Then I believe this is a time that the appointment can't be put off."

Everyone in the hall turned their attention to Leon. Duke Sharr, whose eyes were closed although slightly opened his eyes.

"What do you mean Duke Blind?" The queen asked.

'I must admit I'm not comfortable with being called Duke Blind, it's not like I thought I was going to become a Duke when I was choosing the name.' "What I mean is, we need someone to put order to the military, perhaps even increase its strength, isn't that the work of a Defence minister. And to put as an addition, I think no one is no fit for the job than I am."

Duke Sharr chuckled, "I admire the new Duke's confidence is admirable, as expected of someone that is referenced as the hero of the kingdom."

"I believe his words carry reasons..." The Queen said to him and looked over to her right where Leon was standing. "...continue Duke Blind."

Every time the name Blind was pronounced Leon was dissatisfied but wasn't important that his dissatisfaction should be expressed. He bowed to the Queen and slightly stepped forward. Duke Sharr who was standing in front of the Queen turned towards him.

"The late king who was the former Duke of Tirianae was threatened and occasionally lost to the Ungar orcs, and so did other nobles including Count Vladimir who couldn't use Tirianae as a trade route because the orcs continuously kidnapped his goods and people. I put a stop to the tyranny of the king by defeating him, I defeated the Ungar orcs and they are now under my command. I believe I have proven my capabilities."

"Serving the country as a minister of defence takes more than defeating orcs and saving the kingdom dear new duke."

"Duke Sharr, I'd appreciate it if you stop referring to me as new duke," Leon said, glaring into Duke Sharr's slightly opened eyes.

Duke Sharr smiled softly, "Of course, Duke Blind."

'Not that it's better but at least I'm not being looked down upon.'

"I agree with what Duke Blind has said, I cannot think of any other person more worthy." The Queen said.

"If my Queen thinks so then I must also propose that I have a worthy nomination for the office of Minister of Justice."

The Queen immediately flinched which did not go unnoticed by Leon.

"The office of minister of justice you say?" The Queen asked, being taken aback and not expecting Duke Sharr's suggestion.

"I think Duke Fullerburg is the best fit for that position." Duke Sharr said.

"Duke Fullerburg has always been one to not be interested in matters of the court, how are you sure he will accept it. If it was not that I also agree he is a man that even his livelihood upholds justice." She responded. 'Duke Fullerburg will never accept an official position because of that incident.' she thought in her mind.

"I am glad we see eye to eye on this matter, I have taken my time to convince Duke Fullerburg. With the appointment of these new positions the inner state of our kingdom will be stable all that will be left is a war to win."

The Queen's eye widened as the door opened again and a figure walked into the hall, stopped behind Duke Sharr and bowed to her.

'The judiciary parliament are the only ones on my side, I don't know how Duke Sharr managed to convince the man who swore to my father not to take a governmental position, but it's safe to assume that he is now with the power faction, which means if I appoint him I might as well be losing the entire judiciary parliament...' The Queen looked at Leon. She sighed, '...I must have gone crazy, I'm making a decision I shouldn't be making...'

"It's nice to have you back in court Duke Fullerburg, I look forward to your assistance just like the times you used to assist my father." She said.

Duke Fullerburg bowed, "It is with great honour that I served your father and with such honour, I shall serve you too."