Nikolai had already noticed it. The way Darius had directly called him by his name and not by his title.
A blatant act of disrespect toward the royal family.
If he wished, Nikolai could have made a grand fuss over it, forcing Darius to kneel and accept punishment.
But… but!
This damned devil feared no one!
Instead, it was the king himself who feared angering Darius just as one would fear offending the god of death.
Nikolai forced down his rising frustration, swallowing his pride and fixing a perfectly polite smile onto his face.
"I want to marry Xion," Nikolai's voice was laced with smug satisfaction. "Even His Majesty has given us his blessing. See?"
With an excited gleam in his golden eyes, Nikolai waved the royal decree. The satin scroll was encased in a decorated gold cover. Its presence alone signified the king's absolute authority.
"No one can deny His Majesty's will." His smirk deepened. "Not even you."