Chapter 246: Childish Temper

Clark knew the King had been in a foul mood lately, and he knew why: Isolde had led troops to war. As Isolde's older brother, he had been keeping a low profile, treading carefully. Before the King, he even regulated his breathing and carefully chose his words. Now that the King urgently summoned him, he knew something bad had happened. Furthermore, his father had also been summoned. Though his father was said to have returned to the countryside, Clark knew he had actually gone with Isolde. If the King grew suspicious, he didn't know what to say; this was a crime of deception. There was no time to discuss it with others; he could only rush to the palace.

The King had retreated to the imperial study, which was in disarray. Entering, Clark had to carefully avoid scattered objects on the floor. Servants knelt everywhere. He was unaware that the King had already lost his temper once in his chambers—this was the second outburst. He saw the King seated on the throne behind the imperial desk, his fury overwhelming. Clark’s heart sank, his legs went weak. With a thud, he fell to his knees. “Your Majesty!”

A stack of booklets flew down, landing at his feet. At a glance, Clark knew it was the policy essay he had submitted. His heart sank further, his face turning ashen.

A cold, commanding voice rang out, “Tell me, how does a great nation establish its power? Is it only through war?”

He was speechless. The King's anger stemmed from the war, and he absolutely could not say yes. But half his policy essay was about war.

“Speak!” the King snapped.

Clark’s lips trembled. “Your Majesty… I believe that in certain situations, if we don’t use military force, the nation’s dignity cannot be maintained.”

“What do you mean by ‘certain situations’?” the King asked coldly.

Clark knew any answer would be wrong. After a moment's reflection, he raised his head and spoke frankly, “For example, if Kamari harbors treasonous intentions, amasses troops, and rebels against its superiors, then military action would be necessary.”

The King had summoned him to force a stance. If he sided with Isolde, his career would be over. The King would issue an edict accusing Isolde of misleading the Queen Mother with deceitful words—an offense punishable by death. Yet, Clark had chosen to stand with Isolde.

The King was deeply disappointed. He said coldly, “I thought you were someone who understood propriety and the bigger picture. But since you care so little for your own reputation and future, I am truly disappointed in you.”

Clark, having steeled himself, spoke boldly, “Your Majesty, Isolde marched to war under your imperial decree to quell the rebel king. This is a testament to your wisdom and a declaration to all lands that the authority of the Eryndral Empire cannot be challenged.” With these words, he left the King no room to retreat. In his fury, the King had considered shifting all blame onto the Queen Mother. As Isolde’s older brother, Clark was the perfect person to declare she had deceived the court with reckless words. In that case, the Queen Mother would bear only the charge of political misjudgment. But Clark refused to cooperate.

The King was even more furious. He shouted, “Why has Geoffrey not come to see me?”

Clark replied, “Your Majesty, my grandmother is gravely ill. My father has already taken leave to return to the countryside and arrange a burial site for her.”

It was common for the elderly to arrange their burial sites in advance, especially when gravely ill. Even those in good health often selected a burial plot ahead of time. However, the King seized on this as an excuse. “Your grandmother is still alive, yet your father has already chosen her burial site. Is he cursing his own mother to die early? It’s such unfilial behavior. How can a man like that be worthy of serving as a high-ranking official in the Royal Court?”

Clark knew the King was enraged, and reasoning would be futile. He could only lower his head and plead for forgiveness.

“I will give you one chance,” the King declared. “At tomorrow’s court session, you will submit a formal charge against the County Princess of Cromwell, Isolde, accusing her of deceiving the Queen Mother with reckless words. If you do so, I will pardon your offense of disrespect.”

Clark knew he had committed no such crime; this was a charge the King had decided to place on him. But to accuse Isolde in court—he would rather die. So he bowed low and said, “Isolde marched under Your Majesty’s decree to eliminate the rebels. She will surely return victorious, bringing glory to the Eryndral Empire and reaffirming Your Majesty’s imperial authority.”

The King slammed the table and roared, “Stubborn and defiant! Get out of my sight! Go home and await orders! Without my decree, you are not to set foot in the palace again!”

He had once served closely to the King, but this was equivalent to removing his official position.

In a month or two, Clark had experienced both a rapid rise and a sudden fall. By now, he had grown used to it. Of course, it was a pity. But everything he had was given to him by Isolde, and losing it for her sake was worth it. His only regret was that his ambitions remained unfulfilled.

News of the King’s anger toward Clark soon reached Mystic Palace. The Queen Mother listened in silence, a hint of disappointment visible in her eyes. Naturally, the news also reached Queen Catherine.

Queen Catherine, always indecisive and following the Queen Dowager’s lead, rushed to Mystic Palace that night, sighing endlessly. The Queen Dowager reclined on her couch, gazing at Queen Catherine’s darkened face. In a calm voice, she said, “Why all the sighing? You have never concerned yourself with court affairs.”

“I may not meddle in court affairs, but the King is my son. How can I not be troubled?” Queen Catherine moved closer, looking at her with concern. “Are you angry?”

The Queen Dowager glanced at her lazily and replied indifferently, “What is there to be angry about?”

Queen Catherine hesitated before saying, “I’ve heard everything… and I’m afraid others have as well. This matter concerns you, and people outside must be talking. The King’s anger is understandable. He spent over a decade building his imperial authority, only for it to crumble overnight. It’s hard to blame him for that.”

“What are you trying to say?” the Queen Dowager asked.

Queen Catherine moved even closer. “Why don’t you go to court tomorrow,” she suggested. “Just say that you privately ordered Isolde to lead three thousand soldiers out of Zloimond, and that it was all your idea. That way, the King can save face in front of the civil and military officials.”

After speaking, she noticed the Queen Dowager’s cold stare and felt a chill in her heart. Still, she was unwilling to back down and muttered, “It was your idea in the first place. Why should the King take the blame for you?”

The Queen Dowager’s tone remained indifferent. “If this is what you and your son want, fine. I will go to court tomorrow.”

Queen Catherine immediately beamed with joy. “Really?”

“Really. Go back now,” the Queen Dowager said.

Overjoyed, Queen Catherine left in high spirits.

But the Queen Dowager pressed a hand to her forehead, her expression darkening with disappointment. She was truly disappointed in the King this time. Judith tried to soothe her. “Please don’t be angry, Your Majesty. The King will come to understand in time.”

The Queen’s anger had not subsided. “This empire bears the surname Conway, not Dowager. How long must I wait for him to understand?”

Rowena added, “Didn’t you once say you were waiting for him to have an outburst?”

“This is a child’s tantrum, not the fury of a true King!” the Queen Dowager retorted coldly.

“I don’t understand,” Rowena admitted.