Chapter 29: Furious King
The royal court session started after their King made his announcement. Though everyone was excited to know who their Queen would be and the possibility of them becoming a member of the royal family, they still had a lot of time for the dream to come true. So, all the Dukes and the Ministers concentrated on the discussion they were having currently.
"Minister Kline, how is the situation at Ketrioke? Is King Percival still adamant about waging a war against us?" Kieran raised the issue troubling everyone, especially Minister Kline, for a long time.
Ketrioke, which belonged to Rothnia, shared its borders with their neighboring kingdom Angra, ruled by King Percival. Percival was a cunning and vicious ruler who did not hesitate to kill the innocent to get what he desired. And what he desired was the throne of Rothnia. To him, nothing was better and more desirable than occupying the throne of the largest kingdom in the world.
And to do so, Percival had despatched his men to Ketrioke to create trouble for Kieran, compelling him to give all his attention to Ketrioke. But he did not know that Kieran had already discerned his plan of double attack and had taken measures already. He was now waiting for Percival to fall for his trap before Kieran gave his enemy a big blow that would destroy him for life.
"Your Majesty," Minister Kline stood up, his face calm and composed. He seemed relieved, and from his countenance alone, Kieran realized that the situation was under control. "King Percival is currently lying low, waiting for an opportunity to strike at us. We have already shifted the people of Ketrioke away from the borders towards a safe area. King Percival will not be able to reach them, and our army is waiting for their attack. We are now observing the situation vigilantly."
Minister Kline reported the situation, and Kieran nodded at him, impressed by his quick thinking and meticulous work. He smiled at him in appreciation. "Minister Kline, make sure that no innocent is hurt. We must protect our people first. I will deport more soldiers to Ketrioke for your assistance."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I promise that no innocent will be hurt." He sat down as soon as he finished speaking, and immediately after, Duke Balker stood up and bowed at the King.
"Your Majesty, I have a problem to report to you."
"Go ahead."
"The Magistrate of village Sayre sent me a message that people have gone missing under suspicious circumstances, and we cannot find their whereabouts even after searching for a long time. Nobody knows what happened to them and where they have gone, Your Majesty."
Kieran leaned forward as soon he heard the problem. He raised an eyebrow, anger bursting through him when he realized what was happening. He clenched his fingers, his eyes turning completely black, stunning everyone in the courtroom. His sudden change in demeanor terrified everyone, and they stared at him in horror, unable to believe what they saw.
Kieran was not an ordinary man, and everybody knew about it. He had never hidden his powers from them. Yet, he had never entirely shown what he was capable of. To the world, he was inhuman, a devil but also an angel who safeguarded his kingdom, caring for his people day and night. He only showed them his calm side, completely hiding the monster in him. Never had they seen his real, furious side.
Now that the Ministers and the Dukes saw such a horrendous sight, they could not control their fear. Their apprehension only rose as time passed.
The courtroom turned chilly, and the men started to shiver in fright and the cold. The fire in the torches began to flicker loudly, casting demonic shadows on the floor. The apparent changes around them petrified the court members all the more, and they were just short of running away from the place, from the man who had instilled terror in their hearts for him.
Duke Seymour was mortified to see the changes in his King, although it was not the first time he witnessed them. Only he had seen his King's anger and knew what would happen if he unleashed his rage. Chaos would erupt, leading to destruction everywhere.
Seymour calmed his erratic heartbeat before he stood up. "Please calm down, Your Majesty."
Kieran lifted his furious face and glared at Seymour, sending chills down the old man's body. He could not stop his heart from thumping wildly in fear, and just like the others, he too wanted to escape from the place. But Seymour knew only he could calm his King and stop his rage. Only he could control his furious side from unleashing his wrath and destroying everything. So he stood still, bearing with his undeniable fear.
"Please calm down, Your Majesty. Please." He almost begged as he tried to pull out the calm King the world was familiar with. "You cannot unleash your wrath now, not when our Queen is waiting for you."
As soon as Kieran heard Seymour talk about his Queen, his Irene, his fury vanished instantly. His eyes and face returned to normal. His red eyes stared back at the man who dared to stand before him and appease him brilliantly. The angry beast in him, which wanted to drink blood, sat quietly, not making even one sound. Kieran's eyes twinkled, his sudden shift shocking everyone again.
Barely a moment ago, he was like a raging monster, ready to rip off everyone's head who stood in his path. But now, his countenance had changed completely, and he had returned to his usual self. But, unfortunately, this change in his personality only made them fear him more, instead of alleviating them and they looked at their own King in wary.
Kieran closed his eyes and imagined Irene's alluring face before he opened them again to stare at his Council of members. "I apologize for my behavior. I lost my calm for a moment." He ran his eyes across the room, sending his silent apology to everyone personally, and eventually, his men calmed down.
"How many people have been reported missing, Duke Balker?" Kieran returned to the issue and fixed his attention on the man trembling in his place.
"Your Majesty, the Magistrate reported eleven people to have been missing, all women."
This time, there was no visible change in their King's expression and everyone sighed in relief.
"Inform the Magistrate to wait for my orders. I will look into this matter personally." Kieran ordered, and Duke Balker sat down.
"Is there anything else?" Kieran asked calmly, and nobody spoke a word. "In that case, the court is dismissed. Have a good day, everyone." He wished before he walked out of the room, with the two guards opening the door for him while Seymour followed him out immediately. Even though his King had not given him any instructions, he knew what the King wanted. And right now, he wanted to speak to him in private.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone