Bab 479: The Bitter Truth [2]

The King stood motionless, his face a mask of stunned disbelief. But his eyes burned with raw, unfiltered killing intent, directed squarely at Adrian. Yet Adrian neither flinched nor blinked. He stood his ground, his posture relaxed, his smirk intact, as if daring the King to act.

"That's right," Adrian said, his voice smooth and unbothered. "I also know who Aurelius's real father is. And I know the truth about you: that you were nothing more than a temporary king—a placeholder—until Aurelius turned eighteen."

The King's lips parted slightly as though to retort, but no words came. The weight of Adrian's words seemed to press down on him like an iron chain.

Adrian stepped closer, his expression one of mock innocence. "Would you like me to tell the whole story, Your Majesty?" he asked, his voice laced with mock politeness.

And he didn't wait for a response.