When dignity is fragile, honor becomes a performance, and a façade becomes the only shield which is left.
In such moments, who breaks first….? The deceiver, or the one being deceived?
…
A quiet tremor passed through the ten council members present in the royal audience hall. Some grinned in pure amusement while others gritted their teeth looking at Leon's arrogance.
The royal council circle was itself not united, they always opposed whenever they saw something unfit or unnecessary. That meant there were noble members among them who were not tightly bound by the king's loyalty, but they were present because of their historical influence.
The king could not really kick someone out if they opposed his judgment, that would not be wise and would not look good in the citizens' eyes either.
Leon met the king's gaze and simply asked, "I am here as you have requested, Your Majesty."
