Garius’s smirk lingered as he rose slowly, his movents unhurried yet carrying the weight of presence that turned the chamber’s murmurs into silence. One hand rested lightly upon the table, the other folding behind his back as he stood in flawless noble posture. His gaze swept the hall.
"Ah... so we speak of law now?" His tone was smooth, courteous, but beneath it carried a steel that pricked at every ear.
"Then let us speak plainly. You would place the letter of the law above the spirit of the crown? You would asure duty only by parchnt, not by heart?"
He let the question linger, his smirk deepening as his eyes settled first on Duke Kimar, then slid across the other nobles.
"In that case... allow to remind this council, with the Keeper as my witness, that law does not bow only to crowns and votes. By the Right of Arms, written into our code after the war none here have forgotten. One vote may carry more weight than a hundred. Not by whim. Not by gold. But by proven legitimacy."
The chamber stiffened, silence pressing down like a stone. Several nobles shifted in their seats, their earlier smirks fading. The Keeper of the Royal Law lowered his eyes, but gave a slow nod.
"This Right was not granted lightly. It was written in recognition that strength, when wielded to safeguard rather than to destroy, has legitimacy equal to any crown. And you all know well its origin. It stands still, unchanged, unbroken. It does not fade with ti, nor yield to convenience."
He lifted his glass, tilting it slightly so its surface caught the chandelier’s light.
"So, my lords... if we are to weigh law above all else, then let us not forget all the laws that bind us."
A ripple of unease spread through the chamber. The marquises exchanged nervous glances.
Duke Kimar’s smirk lingered, though his words ca smooth and polite, each syllable dipped in subtle mockery.
"My~ Count Garius... are you implying that the voice of this council carries no weight? That the vote we cast, by law, by custom, by duty, ans nothing? That the crown may be dismissed so easily, as though it were no more than a bauble?"
The nobles stirred, so nodding faintly in agreent with the duke’s accusation, emboldened by his poise.
Garius’s smirk never faded. He inclined his head slightly, the picture of calm courtesy.
"Ah, pardon , Your Grace. Perhaps you did not hear clearly. I have already said, I do not concern myself with who wears the crown. Whether it rests on your brow or another’s, it is no burden I covet. The laws and burdens of the Human Kingdom’s throne do not bind my people as tightly as you imagine. To , the crown itself is a trinket, not a prize."
Kimar leaned forward slightly, his voice silk over steel. "Then tell us, Count Garius, why invoke the Right of Arms? Why drag such a law into this chamber, unless you seek to force war where peace has been written? Is that not what you suggest?"
Garius chuckled softly, lifting his adamantite glass and setting it back down with quiet precision.
"War? No, Your Grace. I desire no such thing. I have said it once, and I shall say it again. I have no quarrel with the council’s decision. Let the crown fall where it may, it is no concern of mine. Yet, since this council insists upon law, then I too will abide by it."
His gaze swept deliberately across the chamber before settling on Princess Kliatana. His smile sharpened, though his tone was still calm, still courteous.
"Thus, I exercise what is mine by that sa law. My right to call for a private discussion with Her Royal Highness, Princess Kliatana. No more, no less. Should this council attempt to deny even that..."
He paused, his smirk deepening as the silence grew heavy.
"...well, let us say it would be most regrettable, if I were compelled to rember that the law grants other rights as well."
The air tightened. The Keeper of the Royal Law lowered his eyes to the to in his hands, saying nothing, and the chamber grew very, very still.
Alf bowed lightly at Garius’s signal and moved with asured steps toward Princess Kliatana, leaning down to deliver his master’s ssage in a whisper ant for her ears alone.
anwhile, Garius brushed a hand down the front of his coat, every movent calm, composed, and deliberate.
His gaze swept the council, lingering not with hostility but with the refined weight of courtesy.
"Honorable council mbers," he began smoothly, his voice steady, polite yet edged with quiet authority,
"I have no wish to quarrel with the decision you have cast. The crown, as I have said, is not my pursuit. But regarding this matter of marriage... I must be clear."
He inclined his head slightly toward Kliatana’s seat, his smirk faint but cutting.
"Whatever Her Royal Highness decides in private discussion, I will stand behind. And should her will be denied or twisted, then, by the Right of Arms, written and sealed into our law, I shall ensure that decision is upheld. Surely none among us would dare be seen as the first to dismiss the law."
The words fell softly, but the chamber heard them as if thunder had rolled through. A ripple of unease crossed the nobles’ faces, so shifting in their seats, others stiffening as the reminder settled into their bones.
Without waiting for their reply, Garius turned, his steps slow and unhurried.
As he passed Javier, he paused, glancing down at his youngest son with a faint smile.
"You wish to follow," he asked lightly, "or remain here with this gathering of... bloated n?"
Javier smirked, straightened, and bowed just enough to show respect.
"I will follow you, Esteem Father."
A glint of approval flickered in Garius’s eyes.
"Hmm. Good."
Kimar sat with his usual composure, one hand resting lightly on the armrest, the other toying with the rim of his goblet. His eyes half-lidded, his smile faint, but inside his thoughts turned sharp and deliberate.
So... he plays this card to remind us of law. But... I know he won’t draw it.
I know him. Garius despises war. To him, war is nothing but waste. Wasted grain, wasted steel, wasted sons who should be tending fields instead of feeding crows. He loves his people far too much to risk them for a crown he does not even desire.
Kimar’s smirk deepened a fraction, his eyes glinting.
The vote has been sealed, the crown is already mine. Whether he respects it or not, the council has spoken, and he will not overturn their will. He never would. He respects order too much, even if that law lean against him.
But what does he plan with my niece?
What could he seek from her? What bargain?
But one thing is certain, no matter what Garius whispers, the throne belongs to .
Because the law binds it. Because the votes have chained it. And above all, because Garius will never plunge this kingdom into fire for the sake of ambition.
He loves his people more than he loves victory. And that... will always be his weakness.
( End Of Chapter )
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