Chapter 149. Returning to the Royal Capital, the Arrangents of the Kroll Royal Family
On the journey back, William saw an unending stream of Knight Orders advancing toward Iron Skull Fortress. The cold gleam of their armor stretched into a continuous line beneath the sunlight, carrying a tension that could not be mistaken.
Half a month later, he finally arrived at the Kroll Royal Capital. He first sent the accompanying Knight Orders back to the manor to rest and reorganize, while he himself rode Darwin straight into the capital and landed steadily before the palace gates.
After sending Darwin off to rest at the Dragon Nest, William headed directly for the Throne Hall, wanting to see Kroll II at once.
The mont he reached the hall, he heard a noisy round of arguing coming from inside.
“Your Majesty, His Highness William has already co of age. By custom, it is ti to choose a consort for him. This concerns the continuation of the royal bloodline.”
“Our kingdom’s princess is exceptionally beautiful. She ought to be considered first...”
William halted in his tracks. From the sound of it, he could vaguely tell that the voices belonged to envoys from various kingdoms.
He pushed the door open and entered. Kroll II sat upon the throne, his brows tightly furrowed. Faced with the barrage of suggestions below, his face was full of helplessness.
When he saw William enter, Kroll II seed to let out a sigh of relief and was just about to speak when one of the envoys interrupted him.
“Your Majesty, look, His Highness has returned at the perfect ti. Why not take this opportunity...”
“Silence.”
At last, Kroll II’s expression darkened, and anger entered his voice.
“What ti do you think this is? The trouble on Silver Oakleaf’s side still hasn’t been resolved, yet you still have the leisure to prattle on about this?”
The hall instantly fell silent. The envoys exchanged glances, not daring to say another word.
Just then, Prince Kande strode in quickly and bowed to Kroll II.
“Your Majesty, everything has been prepared.”
Kroll II waved a hand. “I know. You may all withdraw first.”
Though the envoys were unwilling, they could only leave resentfully.
Only father and son remained in the hall, along with Prince Kande. Kroll II rubbed at his brow, then said to William, “You’re back. You must have had a hard journey.”
“Father.” William stepped forward. “I’ve already seen the situation at Iron Skull Fortress. As for Silver Oakleaf...”
“Not that for now.”
Kroll II cut him off, his tone complicated.
“You’ve just returned. Go and rest first. As for Silver Oakleaf and that helm, I’ll explain it to you in detail later.”
He glanced toward the hall entrance.
“You should also take those envoys’ words to heart. After all, your talent needs to be passed on. I’ve already prepared things for you in your palace.”
William nodded in acknowledgnt. Had his father prepared so sort of life-saving guard for him?
He turned and left the Throne Hall. As he walked down the long corridor, the prosperity of the Royal Capital remained unchanged, yet the air still seed filled with the oppressive feeling of an approaching storm.
When he returned to his palace, William was slightly startled. There were nearly twice as many maids in the palace as usual, all of them neatly dressed, their eyes carrying a cautious, furtive curiosity.
Before he could speak, several maids stepped forward and bowed.
“Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered that you bathe and change your clothes first.”
William’s heart suddenly sank, and he instantly understood the aning behind his father’s words, “go and rest first.” He frowned and looked at the head maid standing at the front.
“Who is in the inner hall?”
The head maid’s expression changed slightly. She instinctively avoided his gaze and hesitated, unwilling to speak.
“Speak.” William’s voice turned colder, and his eyes were sharp as blades.
In the end, the head maid could not withstand the pressure. She lowered her head and murmured, “It is... Lady Zoe.”
William froze.
Zoe?
He ignored the maids gathering around him and pushed open the doors to the inner hall.
Zoe was sitting by the window. When she saw him enter, she sprang to her feet at once, a blush rising to her cheeks, though her expression also held a trace of embarrassnt.
“Zoe.” William strode toward her quickly, urgency in his voice. “Were you... were you forced into this?”
Zoe bit her lip and avoided his eyes. “No.”
“I’m asking you.” William pressed on. “Are you willing?”
Silence fell over the inner hall. Only the wind outside the window blew softly past. Zoe slowly raised her head.
“Your Highness, I ca of my own free will.”
William looked at Zoe and stared at her for a long mont. In the end, he nodded.
“Then I’ll go bathe.”
Zoe’s cheeks turned as red as ripe apples. She gave a soft “Mm,” then turned her head aside.
A few hours later, the sky gradually darkened.
William quietly sat up and looked at Zoe sleeping beside him. Her brows were faintly knit, as though she were having so uneasy dream.
He carefully moved off the bed, afraid of disturbing her. After washing up briefly, he headed for his father’s Study.
Outside the Study, an Attendant was already waiting. When he saw William arrive, he pushed the door open directly.
“Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting for you inside.”
When William entered the room, he saw Kroll II seated behind the desk, reviewing morials. The candlelight cast faint shadows across his face.
For a mont, William did not know what to say. He could only stand quietly at one side.
After finishing the morial in his hand, Kroll II closed the docunt, looked up at him, and spoke first.
“Zoe’s matter was arranged by .”
He paused, then added, “I also asked Mary about it, and she agreed.”
William clenched his fists and said in a low voice, “Father, you...”
“William.”
Kroll II interrupted him, his tone heavy and serious.
“The Kroll Family makes no distinction between eldest son and legitimate son. The Ancestor has already given his order. Whoever can inherit your talent will beco the next king.”
He stood up, walked to William’s side, and patted him on the shoulder.
“The matter of Silver Oakleaf is only the beginning. There will only be more troubles in the future. The kingdom needs a stable succession. It needs descendants who can shoulder responsibility.”
William remained silent. He understood what his father ant, but...
“Zoe is a good girl.”
Kroll II’s tone softened sowhat.
“You two grew up together. You know each other well, and her talent can also beco a source of support for you.”
William looked up at his father and saw that his eyes were full of expectation and gravity.
He drew a deep breath, then slowly nodded.
“I understand, Father.”
Kroll II smiled in relief.
“Go on, then. Treat Zoe well. I have already officially issued a decree and invested her as your consort. As for Silver Oakleaf, the matter is very complicated. When the Ancestor arrives tomorrow, I will tell you more.”
William acknowledged him, then turned and withdrew from the Study.
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