"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave first." Lakil rose and bowed.
With a thought, Valient took out a special curved disk, placed it on the low table, and pushed it toward Lakil. "This is the token I agreed upon with the Eagle Marquis."
"Yes."
Lakil bent down, picked up the curved disk, took several steps back, then turned and left.
To avoid running into the God-Bestowed Count, Lakil chose to leave through the side entrance.
Having served as one of the Twelve Ministers for nearly a century, he was more familiar with the layout of this palace than Valient, its king.
After watching Lakil depart, Valient rose and instructed the Head Maid beside him, "Clean this place up."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Walking to the center of the hall, Valient looked toward the palace gates. His face showed neither sorrow nor joy, leaving others unable to discern what he was thinking.
After a long while, footsteps sounded. The icy expression on Valient's face vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle smile tinged with excitement. He perfectly played the part of a young man about to meet an elder.
"Bring the bottle of wine Grandfather left behind."
Upon hearing this, the Head Maid standing not far away bowed and headed toward a side hall.
In less than half a month, the Head Maid at His Majesty the King's side had already been replaced twice.
One Head Maid of commoner birth had been transferred to the most remote palace to retire, while another Head Maid of noble birth had been sent back to her original family.
The reason was that they had been unable to adapt to His Majesty the King.
In just one day, she had seen four different faces of His Majesty the King.
When handling state affairs, his expression was