The young man with tightly furrowed brows walked straight to the king's side and leaned in to whisper a few words into his ear.
King Yarogluk's expression changed dramatically at once!
Almost instantly, his face became exceedingly grave.
An invisible pressure filled every corner of the meeting room.
The attending ministers hardly dared to breathe.
The king's expression was even colder than it had been during his earlier argument with Finn List!
Seeing this, Minister of Finance Finn tacitly chose not to speak.
He knew very well when to step forward and refute Yarogluk, and when to keep a low profile, lest he provoke this lion of the north.
Moreover, Finn knew the identity of the young man who had suddenly barged into the meeting room.
He was a royal messenger, responsible for collecting and relaying urgent news from throughout the kingdom.
He held the privilege of seeing the king at any time without needing permission.
Even if the king were making love to the queen, he could enter the bedchamber and deliver his report on the spot without punishment.
Whenever he appeared, it meant that something affecting the kingdom's future had occurred.
Very soon, the messenger informed the king of the news.
Then he straightened his back and stood behind King Yarogluk with neither arrogance nor servility.
"Whew..."
Yarogluk let out a heavy breath.
He raised a hand and tied back his messy lion-like brown hair.
Then he picked up his cup and took a large gulp of ale.
The drink moistened his throat and suppressed the irritation in his heart.
After gathering his thoughts, he raised his head and looked solemnly at the ministers seated around the round table.
Then he said, word by word, "Something has happened."
"The prophecy left behind by the former kings of the