Despite understanding the danger, despite recognizing the invisible leash tightening around them, both he and his sister felt something deeply unsettling “Gratitude”.

They were thankful for having been chosen.

They understood now what it meant to be overlooked, what it would mean if another power gained access to that knowledge instead. The thought of being excluded was far more terrifying than the risk of stepping into the trap itself.

It was horrifying how everything felt like their own choice. Every decision, every conclusion, seemed born of their own will, yet a closer examination revealed the truth. They were being guided, gently but inexorably, along a path already laid out for them.

They saw it clearly.

And still, they had no choice but to follow.

The secret at the heart of it all was something they could not afford to lose.

After a long moment of contemplation, Nwadimma broke the silence.

“We need Mei,” she said quietly. “Now more than ever.”

Nwadiebube frowned at once. To him, Mei had already served her purpose. She had delivered the message intentionally or not. There was no need to keep her close any longer.

Nwadimma shook her head, dismissing the thought before it could fully form. “Her value has increased, not diminished, brother. She may be unaware of the game being played around her, but tonight has shown us something important.”

Nwadiebube listened in silence as his sister spoke, his expression darkening with each word. He did not like how easily her reasoning dismantled his own instincts. To him, Mei had already served her purpose, revealed too much, stepped too far out of line. She was a liability now, not an asset.

Or so he had thought.

“Think of it this way,” she continued calmly. “Mei is not just a pawn. She is a message. A living one.”

Nwadiebube exhaled slowly through his nose.

“She believes she is acting on her own ambition,” Nwadimma went on, “but tonight proved otherwise. Her master did not need to appear before us, nor did he need to threaten us openly. He allowed her to reach conclusions on her own, knowing she would bring them to you. That alone tells us how confident he is.”

Confident enough to reveal his hand just a little, because he knew they could not afford to turn away.

Nwadiebube clenched his jaw. “So you’re saying he wanted us to know.”

“Yes,” Nwadimma replied without hesitation.

Silence fell between them again. The fire crackled softly, its warmth doing nothing to ease the cold settling in Nwadiebube’s chest. He had spent years building his kingdom into a force that even the godlings had to acknowledge. And now, with a single unseen move, someone had reminded him just how fragile that power truly was.

Human power had a ceiling.

And he had just glimpsed what lay beyond it.

“We cannot discard Mei,” Nwadimma said at last. “Not now. Her value has increased, not diminished.”

Nwadiebube finally turned to look at her. “She has already given us everything she knows.”

“That is precisely why she is useful,” Nwadimma countered. “She believes she has failed tonight. That she has revealed too much. Which means she will try harder to prove herself to you, and to her master.”

She stepped closer, lowering her voice.

“And more importantly… she has taken a liking to you.”

That, more than anything else, made Nwadiebube stiffen.

“Emotions are flaws,” he said flatly.

“They are leverage,” Nwadimma corrected. “Her master understands this. Now so do we.”

She met his eyes, her expression sharp but not unkind.

“Your relationship with her increases her worth in his eyes. A favored pawn is always shown more of the board. Through her, we may learn how he thinks, how far his reach extends.”

Nwadiebube looked away, his gaze drifting back to the fire. He hated how logical it all was. Hated even more that he could already see the path unfolding before him.

The discussion between the siblings ended that night, but the atmosphere within the palace began to shift almost immediately. Days passed after Nwadiebube had asked Mei to leave, days that seemed quiet but were charged with an undercurrent of tension. Then, without warning, he took an action that nearly sent the entire palace into a frenzy.

Under the watchful eyes of the court, he made a formal request to see Mei alone. The mere announcement of this request rippled through the corridors and halls like wildfire, igniting whispers and speculation among nobles, attendants, and servants alike. Every corner of the court buzzed with gossip, each voice adding to the swell of intrigue. Rumors threatened to spill beyond the palace walls, reaching ears they were never meant to reach.

But Nwadimma, ever vigilant and working tirelessly from the shadows, ensured that these words never escaped. Her subtle influence and careful manipulation kept the swirling storm contained within the palace, invisible to the outside world.

Meanwhile, Mei herself was caught entirely off guard. She had been prepared to resist flattery, to steel herself against the king’s attention but when he acted, she found herself overwhelmed by the boldness of his move.

She had thought she had failed. After being sent away, after laying herself bare and vulnerable, she had believed he had rejected her. She had begun to accept the disappointment and dismissal.

But this, the king’s deliberate summons was not a rejection. It was the opposite.

It was a statement.

A bold declaration, both to her and those paying attention: something was happening between them.

Mei found herself overwhelmed with joy and flattery at the respect she was shown. The carriage and escort sent by the king offered her a glimpse of the power and influence she could wield. No longer was she a shadow moving in the night, cautious and hidden, she was now fully in the open, acknowledged and recognized.

For a time, her presence in the palace became almost casual. She spent more hours with the king, their playful laughter echoing through the halls, softening even the coldest corners of the court. Servants and attendants, once accustomed to secrecy and propriety, began to grow used to the sight of the two together, though whispers still lingered behind closed doors.

Even the queen and the rest of the royal family, though already briefed on Nwadiebube’s plans and aware of his calculated actions, found it difficult to maintain calm. There was a tension in the palace that could not be fully masked, an unspoken energy that even the most composed courtiers could feel.

The nobles, too, were unsettled. They watched from their positions of power, unsure of what had shifted in the king’s behavior or in Mei’s sudden prominence. The air was thick with curiosity, speculation, and a subtle wariness.

Weeks passed, and the moment arrived. Nwadiebube summoned all twelve envoys to the palace. Enough time had passed; it was now necessary to meet them formally, to accept their assistance, and to set plans into motion.

The envoys were visibly taken aback by the sudden summons, their curiosity and caution intertwined. Their gazes instinctively fell on Mei. She smiled and nodded at them, a simple gesture, but one with clear intentions. In that instant, it felt as though she had orchestrated the sudden change in the king herself.

To the envoys, it was a sign, their master’s purpose for sending them had not only been acknowledged but was on the verge of being fulfilled. Mei’s presence, her connection to the king, had become a bridge between them and their goal.

And so, one of the most unusual court meetings Nwadiebube had ever presided over took place. Nwadiebube sat tall upon his throne, his gaze sweeping over the gathered envoys, including Mei.

“It has been some time since we last convened,” he began, his voice calm yet carrying the authority of his station. “Our previous meeting ended under less than ideal circumstances. I trust you do not mind my delayed response.”

The envoy with a prominent scar across his face spoke up first, his tone polite yet tinged with amusement. “No apology is necessary, Your Grace. My companions and I took it upon ourselves to remain entertained during the wait.”

Nwadiebube chuckled, the sound warm and unrestrained for a king in full court. “I am pleased to hear it,” he said. “It brings me joy to know that you found enjoyment among my people.”

His eyes shifted toward Mei, softening as they met hers. “One of your companions,” he said slowly, “has managed to convince me of the greatness of your master and the benefits that working with you could bring to me, and to my people. Once I have worked with you, of course.”

There was a pause as the words hung in the air. It was a statement loaded with promise and expectation, a subtle acknowledgment of trust. The envoys exchanged glances, noting the shift in the king’s tone. Mei, meanwhile, felt a quiet thrill at the acknowledgment, not only for herself but for the validation it represented of her master’s plan in motion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep