Aitandinburg, the palace council chamber.
It was not the large chamber, but the tiny one near the edge of the palace.
Yet everyone knew that this small chamber was where the fate of Aetandin, and even the entire Northern Continent, was truly decided.
Any order issued from here could affect the lives of millions upon millions of people.
For that reason, no attendants were allowed near it.
Apart from those summoned by the king, only the Royal Guard and Monte, Aetandin VI's sole confidant, could approach.
Of course, even a confidant had to have his arrival announced before entering.
Outside the entryway, Monte shook out his red, gold-trimmed robes. After making certain that neither his clothes nor his appearance was out of place, the confidant, who had just fulfilled the king's orders, smiled at one of the Royal Guard's captains.
It was no longer a fawning smile, but an ordinary one.
Against his thick layer of powder, that smile did not look incongruous. Instead, it carried a distinctive air of composure that invited goodwill.
Everyone wore a mask.
And Monte had several.
When facing different people, he chose different masks.
With Qin Ran, he was fawning and ingratiating.
With the guards, he was respectful and treated them as equals.
And with Aetandin VI?
"Lord Monte, please enter."
The guard captain spoke.
"Thank you."
After thanking him very politely, Monte walked through the door the captain had opened.
The Small Council Chamber could hardly have been large.
It measured just under fifty square meters.
The roaring fire in the fireplace warmed the room. An enormous desk stood to the right, with quills, ink, and numerous documents arranged on it in an orderly jumble. Against the wall to the left stood a wine cabinet joined to a bookshelf. The cabinet occupied two-thirds