Chapter 22 - Unveiled Tensions!

Still in the main corridor of the royal ship, Arthur, stood still, veins prominent on his face. – What did you say?! – he questioned, turning his eyes to face her, unable to believe she had said.

Hera approached him, her hand trembling as she placed it gently on his back. – Just listen to me. – she whispered, her voice quivering. – Forgive me for what I said just now, at the meeting and at the party. I shouldn't have said those things, I acted like a child. Please, forgive me... 

Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued. – Please don't do this to me. Forgive me. Don't be cold with me again. I don't want to lose what we had. It has been so good lately, I don't want to lose that... – Hera said, hugging his waist tightly.

Arthur, with his back still turned to her, sighed deeply. – I'm not mad at you, Hera. – he began, his voice steady but tinged with frustration.

– I don't have time to deal with jealousy. I've already told you that you'll be my wife and most likely my queen. I've assured you that Merlin means nothing to me. Yet, you still chose to be so childish and disobedient, responding to her petty and annoying behavior. – he said, his words were cold and controlled, each carefully measured.

Without another word, Arthur walked away to his room, leaving Hera standing in the corridor. 

"Another blunder I committed... But that girl annoys me..." Hera thought, watching Arthur leave. – Arthur...– she whispered, the weight of regret heavy in her voice.

...

The next afternoon, Arthur rode towards the entrance to the capital of Cyrus, leading Lancelot, Persival, and Galahad. – The army is waiting for our signal outside the city. If things don't work out, we will destroy everything! – he exclaimed, his cold tone and eyes full of bloodlust confirmed his words.

Lancelot, Persival and Galahad exchanged glances, riding on horseback. – Yes, sir... – they replied in unison.

…

In Camelot, at the stern of the royal ship, Alexia, gazed out to the sea and sighed. – I'm thinking of helping in the war and then traveling the world again... – she said, the sea breeze lifting her golden hair.

Hera, smiling at her, replied. – Don't let your mother and the queen hear that, least of all the king...

Morgan, looking up at the sky, added. – I doubt that the Treadway family will accept your departure. You're one of the few women of marriageable age... 

Alexia crossed her arms and turned to them. – Exactly, that's one of the reasons why I don't want to stay here. I don't want to marry someone I don't love...

Mayara, frowning at Morgan, asked. – Did you just say the Treadway family? You talk as if there are others besides the five of you... – crossing her arms as she stepped closer to Morgan.

Princess Morgan, responded. – I said, I doubt that the patriarch will accept it.

Ambrose Ashura, smiling at Morgan, remarked. – These little games don't match your pretty face... – causing Morgan to crack a smile.

Trying to maintain her serious posture, Morgan raised an eyebrow. "Damn it! I slipped. I shouldn't have said that." she thought, trying to deflect.

Hera, mimicking Arthur's cold and penetrating gaze, looked at Morgan. – Tell us, Morgan! Don't beat around the bush! – she ordered, staring at the king's cousin.

Phoenix Ashura, with a face full of curiosity, added. – Yes, tell us! Your delay only increases our curiosity... – tapping her on the shoulder with a cynical smile.

Princess Morgan Treadway, sighed, running her hand over her face. – I shouldn't even say this. But alright, in reality the Treadway house was never on the verge of extinction. What was about to disappear is the royal lineage of the Treadway family. – she declared, taking a deep breath.

– The five of us are part of the royal lineage, but there are hundreds of other members. There are even the elders of the Treadway family, they are the ones who call the shots in the house. It's like a secret organization. Not even the king himself knows this, so I ask you to keep quiet, or the elders will have you all killed... – Morgan continued, with a nervous posture.

Everyone fell silent, some searching for words, others froze in astonishment.

Princess Alexia Aesir, realizing the seriousness of Morgan's words, fainted.

Hera's gaze fixed on Morgan. "This complicates everything... Marrying Arthur was already challenging with his stubbornness, but now with the elders involved?! " She asked herself, her worry evident in her eyes.

"His stubbornness is already something else, now this?!" Hera murmured, her mind racing with the implications.

Ambrose Ashura raised an eyebrow at Morgan, a hint of concern in her voice. – You're the one who's going to get into trouble with the elders, Morgan. 

Phoenix Ashura, Ambrose's sister, chuckled at Morgan's desperate expression. – Yeah, I would have kept quiet. But you had to open your mouth...– she teased.

Morgan, with veins on her face, retorted. – YOU CYNIC, YOU WERE THE ONE WHO MADE ME TALK!! – she screamed, the fear of being killed for breaking the Treadway family's confidentiality made her face red and her hands tremble.

Hera, staring out at the sea, thought aloud. – Now this... Selena must be having the moment of her life traveling with Arthur... – a vein appearing on her forehead as she whispered.

Eleanor, besides Hera, with her hand on her belly, traveled on her thoughts as she noticed Hera's whispers. – Hmm...? Did you say something?! – she whispered in Hera's hear.

…

The aristocrats and elders of the kingdom of Cyrus gathered in the central house of Aldair, the capital of the kingdom of mines. 

The splendor of the precious stones used for the construction of the house and the fine linen, gold and diamond garments of the aristocrats and elders showed the wealth of Cyrus.

Arthur stood before the kneeling aristocrats and elders, a sword in his hand, his presence commanding and menacing as always.

– I'm glad you're British. – he declared firmly, his intense gaze sweeping over them. – This kingdom belongs to my ancestors. They paid for these lands. – the king's voice was steady and authoritative, leaving no room for doubt.

– You are free to continue living here. The only thing that will change is the fact that now I Am the Lord of the Cyrus Mines! – Arthur's voice echoed through the room, like the sound of many rivers, and with the dark effect of a death threat, it left everyone trembling.

Jarvis, behind the king, dressed in a white and gold kimono, looked at the aristocrats. – Let's go to the mines... – he ordered the elders, trying to calm the king's thirst for blood.

…

The next morning, in the Central House, Arthur, dressed in an elegant black kimono with red features, sat in the main chair with Lancelot and Persival standing behind him. He listened to the kingdom's reports.

Jarvis Sun, standing in front of a table, read a papyrus to the king. – As far as I have been able to ascertain, the mines produce the equivalent of one hundred thousand emerald bars, thirty thousand red diamond bars and one hundred thousand tons of gold bars, apart from precious metals, utium, adratium and other minerals...

Arthur, looking at a duke, demanded. – Are these data true? – his gaze was intense look.

The Duke of Aldair, in white robes embellished with diamonds, gold and emerald earrings, and gold rings on his fingers, stood in front of Arthur with his head bowed. 

The duke felt the king's deadly gaze upon him. – Yes, they are, Your Greatness... – he whispered, his trembling voice barely audible. "Every moment in front of him is life-threatening..." he thought, sweating.

Arthur, scrutinizing him, then looked at the other elders and aristocrats. – You know what happened in the United Kingdom. Don't lie to me. It annoys me and it's disrespectful!