The King watched the faces around the long, golden meeting table. The Prime Minister had voiced his worry, but now sat silently, looking down.
The other nobles, the heads of the important families in the kingdom, also stayed quiet. No one else spoke up against the King's order for a full investigation of everyone.
But their silence wasn't agreement. The King could see it in their stiff postures, in the way some avoided his eyes. They didn't argue, but they didn't like it. They didn't trust his plan, they didn't trust him anymore.
The King understood their silence. He knew what they were thinking without them saying a word. He felt a coldness spread through him.
'They doubt me,' he thought. 'They think I can't protect this kingdom. They think they can defy me.' A hard feeling settled in his chest. 'I will not let my kingdom fall apart because of their secret plans. I will not let these people drag us down.'
