"You—you can't do this."
Prince Tales's distraught voice rang out in the Ballad Room.
But the boy received only the king's indifferent reply, as if this earth-shaking confrontation had already ended:
"Get out."
Tales's breath caught. His fingernails dug into his palms, bringing pain.
No.
It wasn't over yet.
It couldn't end...
Tales took a deep breath and made one final effort:
"That orphan girl. You said she was leverage to force the Western Wasteland to comply, but that was only an excuse—albeit a shocking one."
He leaned forward against the table and said through gritted teeth:
"And as you said, the true leverage is me."
But the king remained unmoved, his expression indifferent:
"Will you leave on your own and preserve your dignity, or wait for the Royal Guard to come in and drag you out?"
Tales did his utmost to ignore the man's words and seized the topic again:
"Without me, Falkenhaus won't go along with you just because you've offered him a way out."
"Without me, the orphan girl from Amore will be worthless in your hands."
But King Kessel had clearly lost interest. He lowered his head and fell into thought again, no longer responding.
Damn it, damn it, damn it.
Seeing how impervious the king was, Tales grew frantic.
"The Duke of the Western Desolation won't let you have your way."
Tales unconsciously raised his voice:
"Since he dared to offer up his leverage, he must have prepared for this. He may even lead the people of the Western Wasteland in a fierce backlash and send the situation spiraling out of control..."
But he was disappointed.
King Kessel still showed no reaction.
"When that happens..." Tales's words halted. He stared at the king, who was deep in thought with his eyes closed, feeling exhausted and