289 THE REVOL

Zoe drew in a lungful of air as she cleared her throat. Her eyes look over every guest that was present in that event. 

They have different expressions on their faces. There were some who were smirking at her in contempt . Perhaps as she was seated in the royal family's table. And the others were expressing gratitude to her as they flashed their teeth at her. 

'I have to make this work for Raigon and the King.'

She resolved to herself as she tried to maintain her composure and make it look like everything is alright, even though there were rebellious soldiers outside who could storm in any minute now.

"It is both an honor and a privileged duty to serve the ruler of Terra." 

She bowed down to King Artair, leading the guests to bow down to him also in respect. She was not expecting that but it relieved her somehow. At least she could remind them of their loyalty to the King and to Terra.

As she lifted her head, she noticed a servant approached the King and whispered something in his ear, turning his face into ashen white. His hand grabbed on his arm rest for support.

Zoe continued on with her speech, hoping it would calm the King somehow and give temporary peace to the guests so they will not go into turmoil.

"Under King Artair's leadership, our children and families have experienced peace, tranquility and prosperity. And we will continue to do so in the years to come. I, Asha Lin, humbly pledged my life to the King. And if you do so, please kneel with me."

She knelt down and bowed her head. If there were rebels outside, there could also be here inside. And they might be waiting for those outside to come in. 

However, she wasn't expecting what would happen next. They nodded their heads in unison as every single knee fell down with her. 

Zoe heaved out a deep sigh as she drank in the blissfulness of the guests for the King's longevity and continuous reign in Terra. 

"I hope that if worse comes to worst outside, these people will not betray the King."

She glanced at King Artair who seemed somehow pacified at the people's loyalty to him.

After her speech, she walked forward to the King and bowed before him. Then she stood beside him and led others to cheer for him.

"Long live the King!" 

"Long live the King!" One of them shouted. And so did the others.

"Long live the King! Long live the King!"

As they were shouting, Zoe whispered to the King's ear. "The Crowned Prince is taking care of it, your Majesty. Please request for an intermission number from every table to pass the time. I will come back and report to you what is going on."

King Artair paused for a few seconds. He must have considered the peace of the people inside and trusted Raigon that he nodded his head. 

"Only for a few minutes. If you both won't be back by then, I will personally step outside and settle this matter."

Zoe bowed to him and immediately went outside.

Meanwhile, Raigon stood outside the Castle doors with his sword in his hand, together with the skilled archers of Terra. The other royal combatant guards were in front of them, ready for battle.

Duke Andras' men have already made their way inside the Castle as they have defeated the first line of defense that Raigon has placed beforehand. They were now face to face within the open space at the front of the Castle doors.

"Do you really have to do this to your brother and to Terra, Uncle Andras?"

Duke Andras immediately answered him back. 

"I didn't do this to Terra, nephew. It is you and your Father. They need a savior and here I am."

Those who were with Duke Andras put their hand on their chest in agreement with him. 

Raigon's eyebrows furrowed at his response. Until now, he couldn't believe that someone would dare rebel against the King, a thing that had not happened ever since Terra was built. But he did not imagine that it would be his father's brother and they would blame them for it.

And he was not certain if he was the leader of the rebel group that he had imprisoned just a while back or there is another one. He has no time yet to make them speak up.

"What could we have ever done so wrong that you would do this to us?"

"Anyone of you care to inform the Crowned Prince? Maybe he will listen if it is from your mouth and just surrender the throne to us before there would be any more bloodshed."

Duke Andras jeered at Raigon as he titled his head back, daring them to speak their heart out. To Raigon's surprise, one indeed stepped forward and bowed his head.

"We apologize, your Highness. But we think with your health condition and the King's, you cannot lead and protect us anymore. We humbly request that you give up the throne to Duke Andras."

Raigon was flabbergasted at the man's straightforward response that he couldn't help exclaiming immediately. 

"But aren't we here to celebrate the restoration of the King's health. I am also well. Lady Asha has treated us. And even the Queen -"

He was not even finished with his sentence when Duke Andras interrupted him. 

"Lady Asha, the woman who was the cause of the Great Bloodbath fifteen years ago. And now her daughter is here, causing this chaos. How could we entrust the throne to you when you were both blinded by those women?"

Zoe, who was just eavesdropping, trembled at what Duke Andras just said. 'Mother caused the Great Bloodbath fifteen years ago?!'

And to make things worse, the Castle doors were opened by unfaithful ones that were inside, allowing everyone inside the Great Hall to witness and hear what Duke Andras just said. 

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