57 — Royal Banquet (4)

Lucian sat on the seat beside the king, uncomfortable under the occasional glances filled with evident disgust from the crowd of nobles.

I hate this.

He thought, lowering his gaze to the floor.

"Lift your head, Lucian," the king commanded, causing Lucian to jerk his head up, eyes wide.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" he replied, wary of having committed yet another 'mistake.'

"Look at them. See how much they hate you?"

Lucian remained silent, unsure how to respond.

[Does this old man really want me to say: I can see how much they hate me?] Keal scoffed in his mind. [Why not kill him? You could become king easily.]