"If you don't want me to have you thrown out with a single order, disgracing your empire and the family behind you, stand down there and watch quietly..."
Annan was ninety-nine percent certain this banquet was being held for the Triangular Alliance. But if that one-percent chance came to pass, he would cling to the Old Ancestor's leg and cry, then defect to the demons!
He had already made arrangements with the Succubus Queen. If he brought Free City over, surely he could land a position commanding an auxiliary Legion!
Keller Simmons's face darkened. He knew exactly what this banquet was for. That was why he had hurried to use the demons as a pretext to make trouble for Annan and undermine his reputation.
As for whether the Empire would throw him out... he didn't dare gamble on it.
Annan said nothing. He simply held out a hand and looked at him, signaling for Keller Simmons to leave.
Few people noticed the confrontation. Only a handful of guests who had been watching Annan since he entered the banquet hall saw it, including the Third Prince.
The Minister of the Interior saw the Third Prince hesitate and reminded him quietly, "Your Highness, we're on good terms with the Orr Empire. It wouldn't be appropriate to help either side... Best pretend we saw nothing."
"Uncle Garkin keeps repeating things Annan says to me, like a parrot. Do you know which line he quotes most often?" asked Third Prince Doyle. He had been raised to be king since childhood and had served as regent for half a year.
"I know one: 'If you would wear the Crown, you must bear its weight.'" The minister had read it in a Kindred Spirits article.
"No. It's 'Loyalty that isn't absolute is absolute disloyalty.' He loves