Chapter 245: The Furious King
The Queen Dowager listened quietly, then decisively rejected, “Neither of the two plans is feasible.”
Theodore looked at her and bitterly smiled. “Do you always believe that I am unfit for this great responsibility? So everything I say is wrong? Even my two grand strategies are not as good as your idea of sending a woman who has never been to war, leading three thousand soldiers to face the fifty thousand troops of Zloimond?”
The Queen Dowager noticed the bitterness and dissatisfaction in his tone, and her expression turned serious. “The first plan is idealistic, hoping everything can be arranged perfectly. But while you’re preparing, King Kamari isn’t idle. From the intelligence gathered by Oliver, we know his weapons are more advanced than those of our royal court, and Zloimond is prosperous, with gold mines at his disposal. He doesn’t need to deal with the various complicated affairs we manage; his sole focus is on strengthening his military power. If we give him two years, he will surpass us tenfold. Therefore, we cannot afford to wait. As for the second plan, the content of Oliver’s intelligence is unsubstantiated. The gunpowder depot has been destroyed, and the remark you just made—about the generals not wanting to bear the burden of civil war—will only lead to opposition when privately discussed. No one will agree to send troops, and as for calling a cabinet meeting…”
She gave a faint smile, slowly raised her eyes, and her gaze became unusually cold and stern. “Do you believe that among the civil and military officials in the court, there is no one from King Kamari’s side?”
Theodore was stunned. He had never thought about this.
“If there is no one, then how is it that King Kamari knows everything about the affairs in the capital?” The Queen Dowager continued. “If he is unaware of the court’s current situation, how could he dare to secretly plot rebellion? Our Eryndral Empire, a vast and powerful nation, publicly claims to have a strong military. If he didn’t know the truth, how could he dare to utter a word of rebellion?”
Theodore was left speechless, his thoughts caught off guard. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “Perhaps my plan is not the best, but at least it’s better than sending three thousand soldiers to their deaths under Isolde’s command.”
The Queen Dowager sighed. “Your Majesty, all these years, when have you ever seen me do something without certainty?”
Theodore’s tone softened. “However, this confidence is too unconvincing.”
The Queen Dowager said indifferently, “You are simply afraid of bearing the blame for a defeat. You can blame everything on me. Just say that I ordered Isolde to go to war.”
Theodore raised his head abruptly. “That’s not what I meant. Please don’t misunderstand.”
The Queen Dowager waved her hand, signaling Rowena to clear the room. Rowena obeyed, ushering the people out and closing the door behind them.
“You’ve sat on this throne for sixteen years, and while you’ve grown more and more like a king, you’ve gradually lost the decisive and resolute nature you had when you first ascended the throne. Now, your actions are hesitant, worrying about the people’s opinion of you, worried that the smaller nations will look down on you as the King of the Eryndral Empire, concerned that the officials will think you aren’t a wise ruler. You worry about this, worry about that, and even worry about whether I will be disappointed in you. You rely on old ministers, rarely promoting new talent, but the old ministers, having held high positions for so long, fail to recognize the need for vigilance. They lack the sharpness that new blood brings. The attitude of the court reflects the attitude of the King; what kind of court you have, that’s the kind of King you are. You’re not yet forty, but you’ve grown old—your methods have grown old. You think you’re being stable, think you’re being cautious, but you’re just stagnating, refusing to adapt.”
Her words were extremely harsh. It was also the harshest the Queen Dowager had ever spoken to Theodore since he ascended the throne. The weight of her words was almost too much for Theodore to bear. He opened his mouth slightly and looked at the Queen Dowager in surprise and embarrassment. When he saw her stern gaze, he immediately avoided it and was at a loss.
The Queen Dowager could not bear to see him like this. He was the King of the Eryndral Empire, reigning for over sixteen years with remarkable achievements. Though his actions had grown somewhat softer in recent years, it couldn’t be denied that he was a good king.
She calmed down and said, “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a good heart-to-heart talk. My words may have been harsh, but if you can take something from them, it won’t be in vain, even if it strains our relationship this time.”
Theodore’s face flushed in embarrassment as he mumbled, “You’re right.”
The Queen Dowager knew that he was not convinced. Perhaps, only when good news arrived would he truly reflect on her words. Therefore, she stopped talking and said, “Today is supposed to be a day to pay respects to your mother. Go, don’t make her wait.”
Theodore, eager to escape after such a scolding, quickly left. He could hardly bear the weight of her reprimands.
After he left, Theodore did not go to visit Queen Catherine to pay his respects. Returning to the palace, he threw a tantrum, ordered some wine, and drank a whole pot in one go. He then violently threw the wine pot, causing the servants in the hall to immediately kneel in fear.
Theodore laughed wildly. “I’ve been King for sixteen years, and she says I no longer know how to rule. Am I truly so incompetent?”
“Your Majesty, please calm down! Your Majesty, please calm down!” The palace maids and eunuchs hurriedly tried to persuade him.
“Get out!” Theodore kicked over his chair, his heart filled with a mix of rage and humiliation. The lives of three thousand soldiers, the future resentment of the people, and the mockery of neighboring small nations, all tormented his heart. Yet, in front of the Queen Dowager, he did not even dare to argue. He wondered if he had made a mistake.
After the palace maids left, they hurried to find the queen. Upon hearing that the King had been drinking heavily and throwing a tantrum, the queen rushed over in a panic. Entering the hall, she saw the room in a mess. The King lay on the couch, still dressed, his eyes wide open and bloodshot. Such a sight frightened the queen. She walked over slowly and whispered, “Your Majesty!”
Theodore sat up and cast a cold glance at her. “I didn’t summon you.”
The queen knelt down, her voice filled with sorrow. “Your Majesty, your health is of utmost importance. Please, calm your anger.”
“Calm my anger?” Theodore sneered. “Do I even have anger? Even if I do, I can’t express it. Isn’t it enough that I vented in the court this morning? Do you know what the Queen Mother said about me? She said I’m stuck in my ways, unwilling to adapt, only using old officials and too afraid to promote new ones. But didn’t I appoint Clark?”
“Your Majesty,” the queen said, her voice trembling, “The Queen Mother likely didn’t mean it that way.”
Theodore narrowed his eyes. “If I’m not mistaken, isn’t he the older brother of Isolde?”
The queen knew it was true, but she didn’t dare say anything. She hesitated and murmured, “I don’t know.”
“Someone!” Theodore barked angrily.
A eunuch stumbled into the room, “Your Majesty, this servant is here.”
“Summon Clark and Geoffrey!” he ordered coldly.
“Yes!” The eunuch hurriedly left.
The queen cursed in her heart. If news of Clark spread now, he would probably be in trouble. The Queen Mother had praised him endlessly, calling him someone with true insight. She didn’t know what she had to do now. If the King’s wrath led to punishment, it would be difficult to handle.