Chapter 100: Chapter 100: The King’s Decision

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Before things could escalate to forceful measures, Claudia stepped in.

She bowed on one knee and said,

“My King, if you give me permission, I have something to say.”

The furious King Magnus paused and looked at Claudia, curious.

“Speak!”

Claudia straightened her posture before continuing,

“As the person who has watched over Princess Mariana for years, I can say with certainty that she would not choose wrongly.”

King Magnus and Queen Lysandra frowned.

“What are you trying to imply, Knight Claudia?” King Magnus asked.

Claudia looked at Maria before replying,

“This Adonis Kingsbane is not just any bastard’s son. He has a grand destiny, and it is far above kings and emperors.”

King Magnus and Queen Elenora looked shocked and in disbelief.

“Don’t speak nonsense, you ignorant knight,” Lysandra barked. “You are just trying to confuse the King and Queen. There is no such person with a destiny above kings and emperors in this age. That kind of destiny only belonged to the Sword God Ascalon and the Evil Emperor Emperion in the Age of Gods.”

“Exactly,” Claudia echoed. “I personally witnessed his growth and transformation. He has become a Level 20 Swordmaster within just four months, and his true power is unfathomable. He hasn’t lost a single battle so far, even in the recent Rising Star competition at the Academy, where he became the champion with overwhelming strength.

He is charismatic, strong, and possesses a grand destiny. So it is my sincere suggestion that you think this over and give this relationship a chance. You can build alliances anytime, but you cannot find such a son-in-law in this lifetime.”

Lysandra’s calm composure finally cracked.

Her eyes narrowed with sharp hostility as a surge of anger rose within her chest.

“Enough!” she snapped thunderously.

The sudden outburst startled several nobles.

Her calm, regal mask was gone.

In its place was fury.

“Have you all lost your senses? You are seriously considering the words of a mere knight over the stability of two kingdoms?”

Her sharp gaze swept across King Magnus and Queen Elenora.

“This is not some trivial matter of personal preference. This is politics. This is power. This is the future of Fernis and Gratis.”

“And you would throw all of that away… for a boy?”

Her lips curled with disdain.

“A bastard, no less.”

Queen Elenora’s expression tightened. But this time, she did not immediately agree.

That alone made Lysandra’s anger increase.

She turned toward Mariana, her eyes burning.

“And you, foolish Princess, do you even understand what you are doing?”

Her voice grew harsher.

“You are not some ordinary girl chasing childish love. You are a Royal princess. Your choices affect nations.”

Mariana stood undeterred, replying: “I understand that.”

Lysandra scoffed, “No, you don’t.”

She turned back to the throne.

“My King, my Queen, this is exactly why decisions like these cannot be left to emotion.”

“If this continues, the alliance between our kingdoms will weaken. Enemies will take advantage. Stability will crumble.”

“Is that what you want?”

Despite her words, King Magnus did not respond immediately.

His gaze shifted from Lysandra to Claudia, then finally to Mariana.

His expression was no longer purely of anger.

There was thought now. He was considering seriously.

Queen Elenora, too, seemed conflicted.

Her eyes rested on her daughter. Not as a ruler, nut as a mother.

And that alone made Lysandra feel her control slipping away.

Her nails dug slightly into her palm.

“They’re breaking…” she realized.

That realization only fueled her anger further.

“You cannot be serious, Magnus. You would risk everything for uncertainty?”

King Magnus finally spoke,

“We are not agreeing, Lysandra. But we are considering.”

Lysandra’s eyes gaze squinted. Those words struck harder than any blade.

Her expression turned.

“Considering?” she scoffed.

The word itself sounded offensive to her.

“You are considering rejecting a royal alliance… for a boy whose future is nothing but speculation?”

“You two might have forget potential means nothing without power. Destiny means nothing without proof.”

She pointed toward Mariana.

“And love is the weakest foundation of all.”

Mariana’s clenched her fists.

“You’re wrong.”

Lysandra smiled mockingly, “Oh? How so?”

Mariana took a step forward, saying,

“Love is the reason people fight. It’s the reason people become stronger.”

“And it’s the reason I won’t back down.”

The hall fell silent once more.

King Magnus exhaled slowly.

Queen Elenora closed her eyes briefly.

And Lysandra stood there fuming. She absolutely cannot let go of this alliance.

The silence after Mariana’s words stretched on for several long seconds.

King Magnus remained seated, his expression unreadable. His fingers rested on the armrest, no longer tapping, but his gaze remained fixed on Mariana. There was no anger now. Only thought.

Careful, heavy thought.

Queen Elenora glanced at him, then at her daughter. Her eyes softened slightly, but she said nothing.

Claudia stayed on one knee, still and composed, though even she could feel the weight of the moment.

Finally, Magnus spoke,

“Mariana.”

Mariana straightened instinctively.

“Yes, Father.”

He looked at her for a long moment.

“You are willing to stand against your duty for this boy?”

There was no hesitation.

“Yes.”

Her answer was firm.

Magnus turned his gaze toward Claudia.

“And you… you are willing to place your honor as a royal knight on him?”

Claudia lowered her head slightly.

“Yes, My King.”

Again, no hesitation.

Magnus leaned back slightly in his throne.

The hall remained silent, waiting.

Then he let out a slow breath.

“Very well.”

The words were simple.

But they changed everything.

Mariana blinked, almost as if she hadn’t heard correctly.

Magnus continued:

“If this boy has truly earned such conviction from both of you…. then he is not someone I can dismiss without seeing him myself.”

“I will meet him.”

Mariana’s heart skipped a beat.

Relief surged through her so suddenly that she had to steady herself.

“Father…”

She didn’t know what to say.

Claudia’s shoulders relaxed slightly, though she remained composed.

Queen Elenora looked at her daughter again, this time with a complicated expression.

She was both concerned over the Kingdom, curious about the boy, and bore something close to hope.

But not everyone shared that reaction.

Queen Lysandra’s face had gone completely ugly.

“Foolish! This is foolishness,” she said sharply.

Magnus turned his gaze toward her.

“I just gave my verdict. Please restrain yourself. This is not your Kingdom.”

Lysandra took a step forward, clearly frustrated now.

“Magnus, you are risking a political alliance for the sake of curiosity?”

Magnus did not raise his voice.

“I am making an informed decision.”

Lysandra’s lips tightened. “This is a mistake.”

Magnus did not respond. That silence alone was enough.

She understood that she had lost control of the situation.

Her eyes flicked toward Mariana. Then Claudia.

Then back to the King.

“Very well,” she said coldly.

“If that is your decision, then I have nothing more to say. I’ll personally see you regret your choice.”

But her tone made it clear. She was far from finished.

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the hall.

Her steps were sharp, controlled, but filled with anger.

The large doors closed behind her with a heavy sound.

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The palace corridors outside felt colder.

Quieter.

Lysandra walked quickly, her expression dark.

The servants she passed immediately lowered their heads, not daring to meet her gaze.

Once she reached a more secluded part of the palace, she stopped.

A shadowed corner.

Her calm mask finally cracked.

“Fools,” she muttered under her breath.

Her nails dug into her palm.

“All of them.”

Her eyes burned with anger.

“They think they can gamble with something like this?”

She let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

“A boy; a bastard; and they’re willing to hesitate over a royal alliance. ”

“No.”

“If they won’t protect their own kingdom… then I will protect mine.”

“If this alliance weakens… then Fernis becomes vulnerable.”

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

“And a vulnerable kingdom can be broken.”

“Let them entertain this fantasy.”

“I’ll make sure they regret it.”

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