Chapter 264: A Power Vacuum

The council turned as one to see High Magus Edric burst into the room.

He had a look of anger on his face, his fists clenched tight.

He strode into the room, then moved to the seat opposite the First Premier, taking his rightful place on the council.

Thomas was angry, but didn’t let it show on his face. Who had leaked the meeting to the High Magus?

The man had been at the border, but had teleported back to the capital when the news had reached him. And now, he was here to ruin the carefully laid plans.

“What is this I hear, Thomas?” Edric snarled. “Treason?”

Thomas rocked back in mock shock. But that didn’t mean he still wasn’t truly surprised. Of all the ways he’d expected Edric to push back, this hadn’t been first on the list.

“Treason?” Thomas said loudly, taking control of the council room before Edric’s words could take root. “That’s a harsh word for trying to stabilize the kingdom.”

“Is that so?” Edric leaned forward, a hard look on his face. “Then why am I hearing things about a regency council?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, Edric, Princess Ines is incapacitated. Our kingdom is left without direction in this time of great needs. The demons still push against our shield walls, and now, the capital of our great kingdom has been reduced to naught but rubble. What better time than this do you suggest we need to be directed.”

“And what do you think your jobs are?” Edric shot back. “Why do you think the council exists?! FOR SITUATIONS JUST LIKE THIS!” He roared.

Everyone in the room rocked back, taken by surprise by his yell.

Edric didn’t stop. Instead, he looked around the room, meeting the eyes of those who would look at him.

“Have you guys forgotten? Or do you need me to remind you?” He snarled. “Camelot has always been ruled by a king! We had no council. Right until the war broke out with the demons.”

“It was your families who rose up. Who pressured Cillian after his father died. Who threatened him with his own throne.”

His next words were whispered.

“It was all of you who told him that he was disposable. That you had a replacement. That there was only one way to keep his position secure.”

“To install a council to lead the nation if something like the rebellion ever happened again. If the capital was ever attacked again.”

He straightened, stretching his hands. “Look around you, Thomas. This is what the council was created for.”

He leaned forward, meeting Thomas’s eyes. “And any attempt to install a sovereign authority over an heir who has reached the age of majority is nothing but treason.”

“So, I’ll ask again.” He spoke through a clenched jaw. “Why am I hearing of a regency council?”

Silence filled the room. Everybody was looking between Thomas and Edric with bated breath.

Thomas was fuming inside, his rage almost boiling over, but he made sure none of it spilled over to his face.

This was exactly what he’d been trying to avoid when he called the meeting before the Magus could return. But the man had made it back in time.

He was indeed right. The council had been created for this purpose. But it was also true that the council had the right to form a regency council.

However, Princess Ines was over the age of majority.

He could try to argue that since she was currently incapacitated, a claim for regency could be made. However, since the attack hadn’t even been up to twenty four hours, there was still hope that she would wake up.

And right from the moment Edric made accusations of treason, he immediately destroyed any leg Thomas had to stand on.

So that left only one thing for him to do.

He cleared his throat, looking around at the other occupants of the round table. “I fear I have been misunderstood.”

“And since the High Magus is confident that the kingdom needs no more leadership than what is available to it, the agenda for a regency council has been withdrawn.”

Edric nodded, not breaking eye contact with Thomas. “Good.”

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The meeting soon ended shortly after, and Edric left, not waiting for anyone who wanted to speak with him.

This was not the time for that. He had more important things to take care of.

As he walked through the halls of the palace, his mind went over what had just happened.

Thomas had just tried to legally seize power from the ruling family. The question was whether it had been to ensure his own survival or for more nefarious purposes.

At this point in time, it didn’t matter. The important thing was that he’d been able to stop it.

If not for the absence of two important figures to counterbalance Thomas, this would not have happened.

Arthur Kael and Lord Ross.

Both had died last night against the dragon, leaving behind a power vacuum on the council. A vacuum he’d have to seal.

He soon arrived at the Princess’ chamber, nodding at the guards posted outside before entering.

“Lord Magus!” The servants in Ines said in surprise, rising to their feet.

He ignored them, striding to the bed.

Laying on it, looking like she was merely sleeping, was Princess Ines. However, unlike a sleeping person, her breathing was incredibly shallow.

“Where was she found?”

“In the ballroom.” One of the servants answered immediately. “She’s been like this since then.”

He nodded. Why had her condition acted up again last night? What had gone wrong?

He pulled out a potion from his spatial ring, then tilted Ines’ head, pouring the potion into her mouth.

Then he placed a hand on her chest and cast the necessary spell.

The potion in her mouth transformed into steam, sinking deep into her chest.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then every pane of glass in the room, the windows and the mirror, shattered.

The servants screamed in shock, wondering where the attack was coming from.

Then Ines gasped awake.

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