Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!
Chapter 207: Complicit

Chapter 207: Complicit

Leon gave the guards a look, and they immediately understood.

The ornate doors had been closed, and the guards stood firmly, their expressions unreadable. The remaining guests, high-ranking female officials, exchanged puzzled glances. Lady Seraphina, among them, adjusted her gown, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the room.

Leon stepped forward, his voice steady but laced with a hint of sarcasm.

"Do you know why you’re here?" he asked, letting the question hang in the air.

The officials looked at each other, confusion evident on their faces.

"I thought this was a celebration," one murmured.

Leon chuckled, but there was no humor in it.

"A celebration? Perhaps. But not in the way you think."

He paced slowly, his gaze fixed on the polished floor.

"I’ve recently discovered that just beyond these palace walls, people are living in squalor, struggling to survive. And yet, none of you thought it necessary to inform me."

The officials shifted uncomfortably, some fidgeting with their jewelry, others avoiding his gaze.

"Your role," Leon continued, "was to keep me informed, to ensure I was aware of the issues facing our kingdom. Instead, you’ve kept me in the dark."

Lady Seraphina stepped forward, her tone defensive.

"We assumed you knew, Your Highness. We believed it was your decision to focus on other matters."

Leon stopped pacing, turning to face her.

"You thought I knew? And did nothing?"

Another official chimed in, her voice cold.

"Why should we concern ourselves with those who can’t better their own circumstances? If they want more, they should work harder."

Leon felt a surge of anger but kept his composure.

"Is that truly how you see our people? As lazy and undeserving?"

The room remained silent.

He took a deep breath, recalling his mother’s words, telling him he was nothing without her, how everything he had was because of her.

"The system is broken," he said quietly. "And it’s up to us to fix it."

The Dowager Queen entered the room, her expression stern.

"Leon, what is the meaning of this?"

He turned to her, his gaze unwavering.

"I’m addressing the negligence of our officials."

She frowned.

"This isn’t the time or place."

Leon shook his head.

"If not now, when? I’ve tried to discuss these matters with you before, but nothing changed."

The Dowager Empress stood at the edge of the grand ballroom, her gaze fixed on her son, Leon, as he addressed the gathered officials. Though her expression remained stoic, a storm of emotions brewed within her. She had always known that ruling a vast kingdom came with its challenges, but the depth of corruption that Leon had unveiled was a bitter pill to swallow.

She recalled the days when Leon was a carefree child, oblivious to the intricacies of governance. Over the years, she had watched him grow, hoping that he would one day take up the mantle of leadership with the same fervour she had. Now, seeing him confront the officials with such determination, she felt a surge of pride.

She wondered if she was too hard on him, making him serve Riven. She, too carried part of the blame, he turned out the way he did because she enabled his behaviour. She was so happy that he started to change, and that too, so fast!

However, she couldn’t let her emotions show. The court was a place of appearances, and any sign of weakness could be exploited. So, she maintained her composure, even as Leon’s words echoed in her mind. The officials, once trusted advisors, had failed in their duties, allowing the kingdom’s underprivileged to suffer in silence.

As Leon continued to speak, the Dowager Empress’s thoughts drifted to the countless reports she had received over the years. Had she missed the signs? Or had the officials deliberately kept the truth from her? The realisation that she might have been complicit, though unknowingly, in the suffering of her people was a heavy burden.

But now was not the time for self-reproach. Leon had taken the first step towards rectifying the wrongs, and she needed to support him. She would allow him to lead this charge, to earn the goodwill of the people, and to prove that he was ready to rule.

Behind the scenes, she would ensure that the necessary changes were implemented, hold the corrupt officials accountable, and restructure the governance to prevent such lapses in the future.

---

Riven didn’t move from the food table. Not once. While chaos unfolded across the ballroom and gasps filled the air, his plate was stacked high, and he was halfway through a particularly rich slice of honey-glazed roast duck. He watched Leon from the corner of his eye, lips twitching into a smirk.

Was this pride he felt? Maybe. He could not tell. But he was happy that things moved along and those people did not have to suffer anymore.

Leon’s voice was firm, his words calculated. It wasn’t just about shaming them for their negligence, it was about making them understand that their cushy positions weren’t untouchable.

Riven chewed thoughtfully, his gaze sliding across the room as the officials shifted uncomfortably under Leon’s stare. He could see Lady Seraphina’s lips thin into a tight line, her pride clearly wounded, and others looked equally uneasy. Good. About time someone made them squirm.

When Leon commands everyone to continue mingling, Riven nearly chokes on a grape while laughing.

Mingling? After being publicly shamed?

The move was bold, and Riven could see the reason behind it as clear as day. It wasn’t just Leon being petty, though that was definitely part of it. It was about control. Leon had gathered them, cornered them, and humiliated them.

If he wanted them to dance, they would have to dance, if he wanted them to leave, they had no choice but to leave. Control, that was what it was about.

Letting them walk back into the party with their titles intact was Leon’s way of saying, I own you now. You breathe in this court because I allow it.

Not a bad power move, he could not fire and replace everyone immediately, it would take some time. For now, putting them in their place was enough.