Not a single one of them here bears my good will in heart. Their intentions for me are rotten.
But then again, no one really wants a foolish, young boy as their ruler.
They despise me. They crave the throne I hold, but it is not so easily won. There are ways to destroy my name completely, to turn my people against me, but even those are beyond their grasp.
They could set me up and have me relinquish the throne, but it's risky and could cause them their lives. Even though I'm young and foolish, I'm still their ruler nonetheless.
Who would dare set me up and stand before me to recount my wrongs? It would be their words against mine, their words against a king's.
So, rather than go down that route, they instead want to permanently eliminate me. They wish to kill me. That way, the throne will be open for another candidate. And possibly, my brother.
"How about it brother? You should send them there today," his brother suggested warmly.
"Hmmm....no," Yuval blurted out.
A ripple of muffled gasp chorused from the council members, followed up by soft murmurs. They exchanged glances, whispering amongst themselves while Yuval wore a big smile on his face.
His brother was momentarily taken aback by his response that his response came a bit late.
"W-what do you mean, brother?" He asked, evidently in disbelief as all others present there.
"I mean….I refuse to seize that village and hand it over to you," Yuval smiled, his head tilting sideways.
The system floating beside his head level turned to glance at him, causing Yuval's smile to widen more.
Yeah, I knew you'd look at me like that. No way the previous Yuval would act like this.
"What I mean is…" Yuval continued. "I'll have a thorough thought process about it. For now, leave it on hold."
A wave of silence hung heavy over the room for a while before his brother responded.
"O-oh," he said softly, finding it difficult to digest Yuval's response.
They'd never known him as one who thought thoroughly about things before taking actions.
"But brother—" He wanted to protest but Yuval got up from his chair and cut him off.
"Then I presume this is all for today? I'll take my leave now."
Without hesitation and a glance back at them, Yuval walked out of the council chamber, his garment billowing behind him from the rapid steps he took.
[Ding!]
[You have completed the task. You shall be awarded points]
[+50 points]
At least they give points.
"I had you there, didn't I?" Yuval chuckled to the system that followed him. "The previous Yuval might've been a dumbo but deciding to think about things before taking action isn't so far from what he'd do because even a child is capable of that."
"Tsk! You really thought I'd let myself be punished," he scoffed.
Now, for the people coming to visit me. I know damn well they aren't coming for any good. The council members mentioned me having some issues with them.
If they're still coming for a visit despite our oddities, I bet it's to aggravate the issue and paint me darker.
Was it tomorrow they're coming to visit? Yuval ran things through his head as he walked.
Although how I acted today isn't so far from how Yuval might've acted, it still surprised them to see me act like that.
I want to redeem my reputation but I can't be hasty with it. If I rush too much and act out of character, I'll be the one suffering the consequences.
So, since I've acted a bit wise and not so foolish today, I have to do something that will keep them from doubting and keep me from the system's penalties.
Ceasing in his steps, Yuval turned swiftly to the guard that trailed behind him ever since he left the council chambers.
Do I not even have a personal assistant?
"Gather everyone up in the courtyard," he commanded firmly. "I mean everyone who works in the palace. All excluding my wives."
Without a question, the guard bowed and rushed to carry out the order.
"Something to feed my reputation," Yuval responded with a smirk.
I'll hit two birds with one stone, Yuval grinned eerily as he cooked things up within himself, making the system cast him a side eye.
As he walked down the vast hall draped in rich ornaments, he sighted some figures from afar.
A woman, draped elegantly in fine linen. She moved gracefully with each step she took, accompanied by two maids that walked by either side of her.
They seemed to be engrossed in a conversation, laughing to themselves. But as they neared Yuval and saw him, they went stiff.
Especially the woman. Only a minute ago did she appear graceful, carrying herself with such elegant poise. But the moment she sighted Yuval, she froze in place.
She stiffly lowered herself into a bow before Yuval like the maids, her neatly done hair draped in fine jewelries sliding forward. She trembled, unable to meet Yuval's eyes.
"I greet you my Lord. May your reign be eternal." Her voice was soft, pleasing to the ear.
Before Yuval could question who she was, the system spoke.
Seeing how bad she trembled in his presence and how stiff she appeared, an inexplicable feeling swirled through Yuval.
It was hatred with the first one. Now fear with this one. Dude really built a harem in the worst possible way ever.
Yuval wanted to approach her, to at least soothe her fear, but only a step forward caused her to tremble more, so he stopped.
Just then, the guard he had sent to gather everyone up came in.
"They've all gathered up, your majesty," he delivered.
Wordlessly, Yuval pivoted, turning so swiftly that his garment flowed behind him.
"Take me there," he said.
It appears there's another matter to handle after this, he said as he walked away, side eying his wife.