A Royal Obligation
Chapter 190: Desperate Kingdoms

Chapter 190: Desperate Kingdoms

King Thaddeus strode through the armory, his eyes narrowed as he inspected rows of polished swords, gleaming spears, and intricately crafted shields lining the walls.

His fingers grazed a dagger’s hilt, a small but lethal weapon, testing its balance with a practiced hand.

Beside him, his trusted advisor, Caledon, maintained a watchful silence, studying the king’s every movement with a gaze that never wavered. Nearby, the general stood at attention, waiting under the weight of the king’s scrutiny.

"General," Thaddeus’s voice cut through the stillness, reverberating against the stone walls. "Are all weapons accounted for?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," the general replied, nodding briskly. "Additional stock has been prepared, in case the campaign extends beyond initial estimates."

Thaddeus hummed approvingly, tracing a finger along the edge of a spear. "Good. I want every detail flawless. Valeidio and Zephyros won’t know what hit them."

As they exited the armory, leaving the general to his preparations, Thaddeus gestured for Caledon to follow. Their footsteps echoed down the empty corridors, each stride carrying a sense of ominous purpose. Even the palace walls seemed to hold their breath, sensing the brewing storm.

"Any sign of movement from Carl?" Thaddeus asked, his voice calm, but his eyes sharp as they flicked to Caledon.

Caledon shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. He remains in his chambers."

Thaddeus’s lips tightened, though his expression suggested he had anticipated this. "And the men I asked you to arrange?"

"They’re on standby. As soon as Carl makes a move, they’ll follow him and uncover where he’s keeping Prince Eirik," Caledon replied, his voice unwavering.

A dark glint flickered in Thaddeus’s eyes, and he let out a low, almost delighted chuckle. "Good. Once I have that prince, the path to victory will be far smoother than even I had hoped."

Caledon remained silent, his gaze subtly shifting to study the king’s face. Thaddeus’s laughter was rare, an unsettling sound that resonated with a predatory glee, reminding Caledon of the lengths the king was willing to go. He had seen that look before, one that heralded merciless, meticulously crafted plans, a look that signaled the beginning of something ruthless.

They continued down the corridors, their passage drawing nervous glances from the guards and servants who instinctively straightened, quickening their steps to avoid attracting attention. Rumor among the staff held that the king’s laughter was an omen, a signal that something dark was on the horizon. And tonight, Thaddeus’s mirth was enough to stir a tense, palpable unease.

At the far end of the hall, a messenger appeared, bowing deeply as he approached. His hands trembled slightly as he offered a sealed letter. "Your Majesty, a report from the spies."

Thaddeus waved him off, taking the letter with a flick of his wrist. Without a word, he turned and continued toward his study, Caledon falling into step behind him. Once inside, Thaddeus dropped into his leather chair, tearing open the letter with a swift, almost impatient motion. His eyes scanned the message, each line sharpening the glint in his gaze.

The room fell silent as Thaddeus read. As he reached the end, he leaned back, fingers tapping thoughtfully against the arm of his chair.

"Prince Kaelix arrived at Valeidio this afternoon to seek an audience with Xavian" Thaddeus mused aloud, eyes narrowing. "And they’ve set off together with a group of men." He looked up at Caledon, who raised an eyebrow, his own expression mirroring the king’s curiosity.

"What do you think of this sudden movement?" Thaddeus asked, his tone calculated, as though testing his advisor’s insight.

Caledon’s brow furrowed in thought, his gaze flickering over the letter in Thaddeus’s hands. "It’s difficult to say for certain, Your Majesty," he replied carefully. "Perhaps they’ve grown desperate in their search for Prince Eirik. It would make sense for them to combine their efforts if they believe time is running out."

The thought of the other two kingdoms in desperation caused Thaddeus to chuckle again, this time even louder. His laughter reverberated through the room, a dark, twisted mirth that caused Caledon’s expression to harden slightly. Though he had served the king loyally, there were moments when even he found Thaddeus’s delight in chaos unsettling.

"That’s perfect," Thaddeus said with a sly smile. "The more desperate they become, the easier our plan works."

"Shall I send word to our spies, Your Majesty?" Caledon offered cautiously. "Perhaps a clearer picture of their movements would be prudent."

Thaddeus dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. "Let them scurry. Our focus remains here. Carl is our key. Ensure he’s watched closely, I want Prince Eirik’s whereabouts uncovered without delay."

Caledon nodded, though he hid a flicker of unease. "Of course, Your Majesty."

He couldn’t ignore the tension building within him, the creeping realization that Thaddeus’s ambitions had spiraled far beyond mere strategy. There was a dangerous obsession fueling the king now, one that went beyond securing his kingdom’s strength and stretched into realms Caledon wasn’t certain he wanted to be part of. Yet, as the king’s closest advisor, he had no choice but to continue on this path, hoping his own restraint could balance the king’s increasing thirst for power.

Thaddeus leaned back in his chair, a self-satisfied grin spreading across his face as he imagined the triumph that awaited him. With Eirik under his control, the alliance between Valeidio and Zephyros would be shattered, leaving both kingdoms vulnerable and ripe for conquest. All he needed was to keep a close watch on Carl and intercept the prince when the time was right.

Caledon, ever observant, took in every nuance of the king’s demeanor, weighing each word before speaking. "Your Majesty, I will personally ensure that Carl is closely monitored. Should he show any sign of movement, I’ll have our best men trail him."

"Good," Thaddeus replied with a sharp nod. "I don’t want any mistakes."

The king’s expression grew pensive, his fingers drumming against the table. Caledon could sense the dark, almost fanatical gleam in his eyes, a hint of the twisted satisfaction Thaddeus seemed to derive from his schemes. And as the silence stretched on, Caledon found himself studying the man he served, wondering if there would ever come a point where his loyalty would reach its limit.

A knock on the door broke the silence, and Thaddeus barked for them to enter. A young servant entered, bowing low, her face pale as she stammered her message.

"Your Majesty, General Brynn requests an audience with you in the armory. He has new information about the stockpiles."

Thaddeus’s face darkened momentarily, as though annoyed at the interruption, but he rose from his chair. "Fine. Tell him I’ll be there shortly."

The servant bowed quickly, retreating from the room as fast as she could, her footsteps echoing in the corridor.

Once the door closed, Thaddeus turned to Caledon, a wry smile twisting his lips. "Do you see, Caledon? Everything is moving in my favor."

Caledon returned a small, guarded smile, his mind racing as he continued to calculate the risks. For all of Thaddeus’s cunning, the advisor knew there were variables beyond even the king’s control, and the slightest miscalculation could unravel everything they’d built.

"May fortune favor your plans, Your Majesty," he replied smoothly, his words carrying the weight of both loyalty and caution.

Thaddeus gave a final nod before striding to the door, his laughter trailing behind him, a chilling sound that lingered in the empty halls.

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