"Members of the Royal Academy... Lord Rest, Lord Wilhelm Lyubase, and Lady Isis Calvert are entering the chamber!"
An attendant’s voice rang out, high and clear, as the massive doors to the Audience Chamber were thrown open.
In the order their names had been called—Rest first, followed by Lyubase and then Isis—the trio stepped into the room.
The Rosemary sisters accompanied them, walking at Rest’s side. They stepped onto the polished floor of the chamber, both gracefully accepting his escort.
Rest felt a momentary surge of pressure as he looked around. The Audience Chamber was packed with people. Every individual in the crowd was impeccably dressed, their noble status obvious at a glance.
His father-in-law, Albert, had prepared him for this. Those gathered here belonged to the Royalist Faction, the nobles who supported the King and the Crown Prince.
Politically speaking, they were all allies, but their eyes told a different story. They were appraising the newcomers, sizing them up. Even within the same faction, there were hierarchies, rivalries, and internal power struggles. These nobles were trying to determine if the youths who would lead the next generation would be useful assets, future rivals, or obstacles to be cleared.
Aside from his father-in-law, Rest could only recognize a few faces: Duke Crocus, the Prime Minister; Marquis Catleya, the Knight Commander; and the two princes.
As Rest’s eyes met those of Andrew, the Second Prince and Student Council President, the prince gave him a meaningful, knowing smirk.
And then, Rest saw the man on the throne. It was his first time seeing him from such a close distance.
David Aiwood, the King of the Aiwood Kingdom, sat upon a throne elevated several steps above the floor. He was a bearded man with a soft expression. History often compared him to the former King, a notorious tyrant, and David was widely known as a gentle, tolerant, and benevolent ruler.
While the comparisons to his predecessor certainly inflated his reputation, David did indeed look like a mild-mannered man. He lacked a certain aura of overwhelming majesty, but his face was undeniably approachable. Calling a king "approachable" was likely a breach of etiquette, but it was the most fitting description Rest could find.
Upon reaching the foot of the throne, Rest released the sisters' hands and knelt, bowing his head. It was the formal court etiquette that the butler, Dieble, had drilled into him over and over. Beside him, Lyubase and Isis followed suit, dropping to their knees in unison.
Viola and Primula pinched the hems of their skirts and performed deep, elegant curtsies. Despite the differences in their gestures, every one of them displayed the utmost respect for their sovereign.
"Raise your heads," the King commanded solemnly.
Rest and the others looked up while remaining on their knees. From his position below the throne, Rest saw the King looking down at them with a gentle smile.
"You are the young heroes who labored so tirelessly on the Subnock Plain to slay the Master of the Magical Wilds and rescue those trapped during the Monster Hunting Festival. Your achievements are truly magnificent."
The King paused to let his praise sink in.
"It brings me sincere joy to see the youth who will shoulder our kingdom's future growing so splendidly. I shall grant you your rewards."
The King stood and descended the steps, approaching the trio. Rest lowered his head once more, waiting for the King to speak.
"Rest, vassal of the Marquis Albert House. I hereby confer upon you the title of 'Viscount' and grant you the house name of 'Clover.' See that you devote your full strength to the realm as a vassal of the Royal Family."
The King placed the tip of his scepter on Rest’s shoulder.
Rest took a steadying breath and gave the formal response he had practiced so many times.
"My sword shall be wielded for the Royal Family and for the Kingdom. I pledge my heartfelt loyalty to the glorious Aiwood Kingdom."
Because of his rigorous preparation, he managed to recite the oath without a single stumble, despite the nerves fluttering in his chest.
"Wilhelm Lyubase, of the Knight Lyubase House. I hereby confer upon you the title of 'Baron' and permit you to style yourself as Baron Lyubase. See that you devote your full strength as a vassal of the Royal Family."
"My sword shall be wielded for the Royal Family and for the Kingdom. I pledge my heartfelt loyalty to the glorious Aiwood Kingdom."
In the same manner, Lyubase was elevated to the rank of Baron. Isis followed immediately after, receiving her own conferment of peerage.
"To the three of you, I grant territories within the Subnock Plain. The crown shall provide the personnel and funding necessary for reclamation. Strive well for their prosperity."
"We humbly accept, Your Majesty," the three responded in unison.
"Umu... Now, I have a grave announcement to make to everyone gathered here."
The King paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire Audience Chamber. A sharp tension crackled through the air. Every noble present already knew what was coming. They knew why they had been summoned.
"Recently, Marquis Berlio Eiger—a man who was meant to be a loyal vassal of this realm—raised the flag of rebellion against the Royal Family. Accordingly, I hereby officially designate Marquis Eiger as a traitor!"
The chamber seemed to hold its breath as a collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
It was official. Marquis Eiger had been antagonistic toward the crown for years, but he had finally crossed the point of no return.
"The relatives of Marquis Eiger who were residing in the capital have already been seized. The Marquis himself is currently massing soldiers in his territory alongside the nobles of his faction. Therefore, I shall dispatch a subjugation army. Crown Prince Richard shall serve as the Supreme Commander, with Marquis Catleya acting as his Adjutant!"
The King turned his gaze back to the three youths still kneeling before him.
"Young heroes. You three shall also join this subjugation army. Bring the hammer of justice down upon the fool who dares rebel against the crown!"
"Yes, My Lord!"
Rest and his companions accepted the royal command, formally pledging themselves to the campaign.
The deep darkness that had been eroding the Aiwood Kingdom since the days of the Queen Dowager was finally being dragged into the light. The time for the final confrontation had arrived.