A crack within the family

- You're really lucky they didn't attack you. - he nodded understandingly. – So, have you found a solution to the problem of magic disappearing?

Rick tilted his head slightly to the side and looked around the room, making sure that no one but a couple of guards and the king were in the throne room anymore, before returning all his attention to the king, who remained in tense expectation.

- There is a solution and it is here. - he patted the pocket of his trousers, which contained a velvet pouch. – But for this you must order your guards to leave the premises.

He met the sharp gaze of both guards, who took his words with hostility. Where has it been seen that they could allow a defenseless king to be alone with an outsider without their presence?

- This is absolutely impossible! - One guard intervened, stepping forward with obvious aggression in his movements and voice.