Emperor's harem: Transmigrated with SSS mana talent
Chapter 83: [Flawless setup]

Chapter 83: [Flawless setup]

The scream came from somewhere deep in the court ranks—a noblewoman, maybe—but it was soon swallowed by a rising wave of panic and gasps.

Chairs scraped. Mouths opened and shut without sound.

Kael froze.

Murmurs spread like fire through dry leaves.

"Godsbreaker Mark...?"

"But that’s just a myth—"

"No one’s seen one in centuries—!"

"Why would he have it...?"

The fear was tangible now.

Noblemen leaned in to whisper, women clutched at jewelry or veils, and guards standing by the marble columns shifted uneasily.

One lord nearly stumbled as he tried to rise, eyes darting toward the exits, while another mopped sweat from his brow with a trembling hand.

The Godsbreaker Mark... The very name was like a forbidden scripture spoken aloud—an omen, a curse, a warning wrapped in flesh.

The king raised his hand again, his voice cutting through the panic like a blade.

"It will not be declared to the common people," he said firmly.

"We will not incite chaos across the kingdom. This matter remains within this hall. Let that be known."

Order, shaky and uncertain, returned by the weight of his command.

But another tension stirred, colder—calculated. The other dukes were staring at Kael now.

Duke Thamric’s eyes gleamed sharp beneath his heavy brow.

The Duchess of South turned ever so slightly, chin raised, appraising.

And a murmur ran through a row of lesser nobles, their expressions tightening, weighing possibilities.

Kael could feel it—they were measuring him now. Assessing the wounded heir, the unexpected survivor.

But before their whispers could grow teeth, Kael’s voice rang through the chamber, calm and steady.

"I have the full support of the Divine General," he said.

"And I am more than capable of managing the affairs of House Drenlor."

The name landed like a thunderclap.

The murmurs died.

Several nobles visibly recoiled.

One even muttered a curse under his breath and crossed his chest in a warding gesture.

The Divine General—mysterious, exalted, terrifying. His name held weight even here, even now.

The other dukes pulled back slightly—not in fear, but in calculation.

Not worth making an enemy, their eyes seemed to say.

Then—

The king barked a rough laugh, eyes twinkling with something unreadable.

"You’re truly my son-in-law, Kael," the king said, voice still laced with amusement.

"You surprise me more and more,"

Kael inclined his head with a measured smile, hiding the venom in his thoughts.

’I surprise myself too, old man.’

The silence that followed was short-lived.

"I hereby declare Kaelion Drenlor as the rightful Duke of the Northern Province," the king proclaimed, raising one frail hand.

A ripple of reaction passed through the court, but no one objected.

Not a single voice rose to question Kael’s age, his experience, or the shattered state of House Drenlor.

No murmurs of protest—only the tight, wary silence of people already preoccupied with something far more terrifying.

The Devil.

The Mark.

The godsbreaker.

And behind Kael... the looming shadow of the Divine General, whose name alone had silenced the boldest.

Even the other dukes remained quiet—calculating, but quiet.

The king’s voice echoed once more, signaling the end.

"This court is adjourned."

Around Kael, nobles moved quickly, not with the usual pomp, but with anxious, hurried steps.

The mention of the Godsbreaker Mark had drained all color from their faces.

And then he saw her.

Elara.

She stood alone for a moment near the far end of the chamber, a flicker of emotion passing behind her eyes as she met his gaze.

She gave a single, almost imperceptible nod—half acknowledgment, half something else.

Then she turned and walked away, her cloak trailing behind her like a final word unsaid.

Kael’s breath caught. He didn’t wait. He didn’t hesitate.

Finally.

With silent purpose, he slipped from the milling crowd, ignoring Robin’s quiet call behind him, ignoring the sharp glances from nobles still lingering near the exits.

###

The king sat slumped on his throne, the empty court echoing with the soft creak of his shifting weight.

Only Robin stood near, the shadows thickening around them like the doubt clouding the monarch’s thoughts.

His knuckles tapped lightly on the armrest, rhythm betraying nerves he would never show to the public.

Robin stepped closer. "Your Majesty... what is bothering you?"

The king’s eyes narrowed, still fixed on the grand doors now shut.

"That boy. Kaelion. He’s not simple."

Robin stiffened. "You suspect something?"

The king exhaled slowly, voice lowering.

"There’s something off about him. Too composed. Too clever for someone who supposedly just lost everything. And Morien..."

His voice trailed into a bitter scoff,

"...General Morien dies, the entire Drenlor estate gets wiped out, and this oneboy survives? With the protection of a so-called ’Divine General’? Bullshit, He’ll destroy that house the first chance he gets. Mark my words."

Robin hesitated. "Shall I... begin surveillance?"

The king gave a single nod.

"Yes... spy on Kael. Unseen. Do not alert him. Use all resources necessary. I want every whisper, every movement. I need to know what really happened in House Drenlor."

He leaned forward now, voice almost a growl.

"Something tells me... this Kael is tied to the devil himself."

Robin’s breath caught—his eyes widened, heart skipping a beat.

He stepped forward slightly, voice lowered.

"Your Majesty... as you know, the prince lost the duel. And per their wager, Kael is owed access to all Rank Three Royal Spells. Are we truly going to honor that? Give him that much power?"

The king’s jaw clenched. A tremor of rage flickered behind his aging eyes.

"That boy," he growled, "has barely begun wielding magic—and yet he humiliated my son in front of the entire court.

If I didn’t suspect he was tied to that devil, I would’ve had him removed already."

Robin remained silent, his expression unreadable.

"But no," the king finally exhaled, his voice more controlled.

"Give him the spells. We must not alert him that we suspect anything. Let him feel untouchable."

Robin gave a small bow. "As you command."

It was a flawless setup.

A quiet investigation, the illusion of trust, a trap patiently tightening around Kael’s feet.

If only they’d known Yue floated high above the court’s remnants—arms crossed, barely holding back her laughter as she watched them play right into Kael’s hands.