Third Arc (Fallen Heart) – 259. Bloodline II
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Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 259. Bloodline II
The guest's murmurs echoed through the hall like a distant storm, filled with a mix of understanding and uncertainty. What Angel had said resonated as an undeniable truth. The legal complexities, intricacies of royal bloodlines, and the interplay of power were not lost on those gathered.
Angel, despite King Gervis's banishment and his adoption of the name Moonfall, couldn't escape the fact that the Reinheart blood ran through his veins. Legally, he retained a legitimate claim to the throne of Asteria. The fact that he could hold the Guardian Sword during the previous night's revelry was a potent symbol of his lineage and birthright.
However, the situation was far from simple. The dynamics of succession were intertwined with the very essence of the Reinheart legacy. Angel, once an outcast, was now a contender for the throne, a revelation that sent ripples of uncertainty through the assembled nobility. The ambiguity surrounding his status, a mixture of acceptance and reluctance, hung in the air like an unspoken question.
The implications of Angel taking drastic action against King Gervis were clear, and the hall buzzed with the unspoken questions that lingered in the air. The potential fallout from such a move was fraught with challenges.
The longevity of King Gervis's rule had solidified a base of loyalists, and any abrupt shift in leadership had the potential to spark a rebellion. The kingdom was accustomed to King Gervis's authority, and the sudden vacuum left by his removal could lead to chaos. Not to mention Ilex was dead.
Moreover, the idea of one individual ruling two kingdoms raised eyebrows. The nobility pondered the feasibility of Angel maintaining fairness and justice across both kingdoms. The complexities of governance, diplomacy, and balancing the interests of two distinct territories added a layer of uncertainty to the situation.
If Angel were to absorb all of Asterian territory into the Euphorion domain, questions arose about the fate of the Asterian noble families. Would they be incorporated into the Euphorion hierarchy, or would their autonomy be maintained? The delicate dance of power and influence in Asteria couldn't be easily dismissed or overridden.
"Now both of you are silent," Angel's voice cut through the tension, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. His gaze shifted between King Gervis and Ophelia, calculating the impact of his next move. The weight of their silence spoke volumes, and Angel was well aware of the difficult position he had put them in.
King Gervis, seething with suppressed anger and wounded pride, felt the walls closing in. This was a worse humiliation than any he had faced before. The eyes of foreign nobles, witnesses to his fall from grace, bore into him. Swallowing his pride, he took a deep breath, a heavy sigh escaping him. The weight of the crown he had worn for years felt heavier than ever.
"Please forgive my crime, King Angelus," King Gervis uttered the words with a gravity that echoed through the hall. Each syllable carried the burden of defeat, and it was a bitter pill to swallow. His previous kneeling in submission in the last battle felt easier; this was surrendering not just power but dignity, acknowledging Angel's authority before an audience of other rulers.
The hall hushed into a somber silence. Even the flickering torches seemed to dim in response to the weighty moment. For King Gervis, survival had become the ultimate goal. This was a plea not just for himself but for the kingdom he had led, a desperate attempt to salvage what remained.
"Forgiving you after what you did is a fancy thing, King Gervis," Angel's voice cut through the air like a blade of ice. His eyes, once filled with a glimmer of amusement, now held a stern resolve. The weight of the crown sat heavy on his head, and the responsibility of a decision that could shape the fate of two kingdoms rested on his shoulders.
Ophelia, her voice laced with desperation, pleaded, "It's a fancy thing, Your Majesty. But can you give it as payback for what I did to you in the past?" Her words hung in the air, a delicate dance of hope and regret. She tried to strike a bargain, the desperation in her eyes revealing the depth of her realization.
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