At that moment, it was as if Ambrose had finally found the perfect reply to what the State Chancellor had just proposed. He sat straighter, cleared his throat, and spoke in a tone that echoed across the chamber.“Why would you ask a child to undo an issue of this magnitude?” he said. “We are talking about something that concerns the entire province, and the Crown Prince is just fifteen.”He gave a short, incredulous chuckle and then continued with a measured calmness.“I mean no disrespect to the Crown Prince, but let us not pretend. He would never have been given that position if he were not the son of the Crown Consort.”There were audible shifts in posture around the room. Some ministers lowered their eyes, unsure whether to show approval or concern. But before the moment could stretch further, the State Chancellor spoke up.“Right. Thank the gods you understand hierarchy at last,” he said smoothly, looking directly at Ambrose. “Because you seem to forget. You keep pushing this ide

“Of course,” Prince Rian replied, tone cocky, lips curled with smugness. “It’s not like I’m saying all of this to please you.”The entire court heard the sarcasm dripping from his words. Everyone knew—whether they acknowledged it or not—that Rian had been feigning politeness in Asher’s presence simply because the Ruler was watching. He didn’t truly respect the Supreme General. He tolerated him, and even that tolerance was a performance.Rian had always been a spoiled child, a product of his privilege. His uncle was the State Chancellor, and his mother—the Crown Consort—stood just beneath the Ruler himself. From birth, Rian had never lacked power, comfort, or attention. Everything had been handed to him.In contrast, Prince Rowan, though older, was cautious. Always cautious. He lacked the innate aura people expected from a future Grand Prince, but he tried his best to fit the mold. His mother was also one of the Ruler’s wives, and his grandfather—Ambrose—was the Left Chancellor. Both w

When it seemed as though the Ruler was about to respond to his son’s reckless outburst, Asher’s calm voice intercepted the moment like a sharp breeze.“That’s no way to speak to your father and your ruler, dear Crown Prince.”The tone was smooth, almost sarcastic—too calm to be polite, too restrained to be respectful. It cut through the hall like a slow knife.Rian’s jaw tightened as he turned, glaring coldly at Asher. He was livid. That cocky tone—how dare this man speak to him like that? Who did he think he was?“I know they all argued to tell me what to do,” Rian growled through clenched teeth, more to himself than to anyone. “But you? You’ve got some nerve.”The Ruler’s eyes widened—equal parts fury and dread. He could already feel it, like a storm gathering behind Asher’s calm expression. His hands gripped the arms of his throne, unsure whether to intervene or watch the unraveling.The State Chancellor grew visibly agitated now, sensing the edge of disaster. This wasn’t just some

The Ruler blinked. He had assumed she would come out — what? He was surprised.Then, slowly, the courtier raised her presence and continued in a shaky voice. “Your Majesty... it’s a mess out there. She—she just barged in and asked me to report to you.”The Ruler stared, confused, trying to piece together what was going on. What in the world was the Crown Consort doing now?The State Chancellor, meanwhile, wore a deepening frown. First, he’d had to endure the shame of Asher humiliating the Crown Prince, and now this? He had strictly warned the crown consort, his recalcitrant niece not to act. And now, she was challenging Asher.Of course she knew the person that tormented her son was Asher. He was even more surprised and confused about how she had found out what was going on in here. Just then, Rian collapsed to the floor as if hearing that his mother had come to save him had drained all the last strength he had. A moment of weakness, perhaps. Or maybe a tactic.Morgana briefly glance

“You’ve gone mad!” the ruler thundered, his voice carrying across the open court grounds. “Demanding the general’s head? Have you lost all sense, Crown Consort?”The words cut through the murmuring crowd. Ministers froze. Guards tensed. Even the wind seemed to still.Still Asher didn’t behave like they were arguing about him. He was too calm for the erupting chaos. Only someone like Morgana would know his silence meant more. But just when no one expected it — the Crown Consort fired back.“No,” she hissed, taking a bold step forward. “You’re the one who’s gone mad!”A gasp rippled across the court.Asher brow furrowed in anger. The crown consort was raving mad. “You let a complicit stranger — a man who had no business near the palace — lay hands on your own son!.” Her voice cracked, rising with fury. “And you stood there.”Her eyes were wild, but her words were sharp, precise — spoken with the pain of a mother and the defiance of a woman pushed too far. “If I hadn’t heard what was h