Zerath rested his chin loosely on his fingers, radiating a peaceful aura without a trace of panic.
"Everybody seems on edge."
"What do you expect?" Balam's sharp brows twitched. "Bringing a human into our realm could be considered as a hostile act. Those weaklings will seize any chance to ostracize us!"
He smiled. "I was simply fulfilling my duty. I believe the Emberlain King should feel at least somewhat grateful. After all, his precious daughter escaped unscathed from a brutal murder attempt."
The tension spiked as the ministers shared startled glances.
Draconis narrowed his eyes. "Murder attempt?"
"Indeed. Otherwise, it would've been far too dangerous for the Princess to return on her own. Sir Doloros can testify. The Princess's injuries were quite severe."
All eyes turned to Doloros, who had hoped to play a passive role in this entire discussion. Displeasure hung in his countenance.
"That's true. Princess could've died had my lord not brought her in time."
Gressil yawned. "How is that our concern? It's not as if we attacked her, so why should we bear any responsibility? My lord was too hasty or perhaps…did he fall in love with her or something?" He laughed.
"Sir Gressil!" Balam roared. "This is no joke. Please don't even insinuate something so crass and blasphemous!"
Another grey haired elder Malphas, who served as the Minister of Knowledge, shared Balam's disgust. "Indeed. Such undignified humor is beneath this Council. My skin crawls at the mere suggestion."
"So inflexible tsk, tsk," Gressil chuckled.
Draconis squinted his eyes at Zerath. "My lord still hasn't explained how he plans to take responsibility if this ends badly."
Zerath's lips curved into a harmless smile. "Nothing will go wrong, Sir Draconis. The Princess understands her position, which is why she is so well-behaved, despite two clear instances where she could've justifiably caused tension."
Malphas snorted. "She may simply be biding her time and waiting for the King's convoy before airing her grievances. Right now, she is like a lone and helpless rabbit in a wolf's den."
Balam sneered. "Indeed, it's as Sir Malphas says. It's hard to believe that my lord can be so ignorant."
"Is it me who is ignorant or everybody else present here, I wonder?" Zerath asked merrily.
Orobas raised his brow. "What do you mean?"
Zerath lifted his index finger, making his first point. "Even if Princess complains to her convoy, what will come out of it? Do you truly believe they would wage war over some inconveniences? It's her first time in our realm so naturally, there will be some misunderstandings. I believe they'd gladly overlook them for the fact that their Princess is alive."
Balam scoffed. "And since when have humans been so bright and understanding? Just take the war all those years ago."
Zerath narrowed his eyes. "The dark history between humans and demons is not because of only humans, Sir Balam. Both sides were accountable in that deadly war hundreds of years ago. Sir Malphas, as the pillar of knowledge, would surely agree with me, I believe."
"Humans started it, my lord," Malphas's expression contorted in rage.
"Something as grim as war that takes hundreds and thousands of lives and sheds so much blood that the ground dyes in red…do you think only one race alone bears all the blame?"
"You-"
Gressil raised his palm. "Let's not dive into the blame game again. We restored peace with the Human Realm precisely because both sides took accountability for their actions."
A moment of silence fell. Malphas and Balam wore sour expressions.
"Though I say that, I still don't agree with my lord's actions," Gressil added.
Zerath smiled. "You might not appreciate it, but I think Lady Asmodea does. She will be on the front lines facing a heated debate with the Human Realm's counterparts but surprisingly, she is the calmest of all. I wonder why?"
Orobas frowned. "Indeed. The Minister of Diplomacy should be having more grievances."
Asmodea's pink irises gleamed with quiet amusement. She held a traditional fan in her hand covering her face from nose down. Her eyes conveyed a tacit smile.
"Sadly, there'd be no heated debates."
Draconis asked, "Why not? Please take this matter seriously, Lady."
Doloros quietly slipped on his herbal tea.
Asmodea chuckled. "You're never fun, Sir Draconis. Your magic makes you look youthful, but you're still an old demon at heart. No wonder women don't want to bed you."
"Lady Asmodea!" Draconis was flabbergasted.
Gressil sneered. "That's why I say that the secret to youthfulness is training and exercise, not something as convenient as magic. How about we share some training sessions, Sir Draconis? Maybe then at least one demoness…"
"Quiet, Sir Gressil!" He barked, his face becoming red with the constant reminder of his single life.
When can I head back to my chamber? Doloros tiredly wondered.
Nefarion's aura darkened, demanding silence.
Asmodea said, "Princess Clairette's presence would not bring us inconvenience, my lord. Her father would be grateful. After all…" her closed eyes hinted at a smile, "my lord saved her with a generous and kind heart."
Balam sourly replied. "Like I said before, are they even capable of understanding-"
"Sir Balam," she cut him off mid sentence, "should only focus on his responsibility which is interpreting the laws. What lies far beyond those laws falls within my jurisdiction, and I'm well aware how to handle it," she chuckled mischievously.
Malphas said, "I never understand your twisted implications."
"That's why you're not the Minister of Diplomacy, hoho~"
His gaze turned frosty.
"Ouch. Did I strike a nerve, Sir Malphas, who wanted to covet my ministry for a long time now? You always despised the Knowledge Ministry," her eyes twinkled.
Amidst his tumultuous countenance, he forced a smile. "That was in the past, Lady Asmodea. I'm very sincere about my obligations toward my ministry. But back to the matter at hand, even if it might not cause problems, my lord must definitely face punishment."
Balam nodded. "We cannot let him set an example like this."
Zerath said, unfazed. "I've no objection. The royal family is not above the laws either."
Nefarion's finger tapped on the desk with a dark foreboding in his gaze.
Draconis said, "I say we don't take the risk and send Princess back to the Realm of Harmony!"
"I second it!" Balam said.
Gressil, Orobas and the other ministers stayed quiet.
"The letter to the Emberlain Kingdom has already been dispatched," Zerath said. "At this point, we cannot abandon her, knowing that spies may still be hunting for her."
"A few of Sir Gressil's knights can guard her," Malphas added. "Her safety is not that difficult to take care of."
"But how could we go back on our words now when we've promised? This will become a blot to our honor. Abandoning her now may ignite the very clashes we wish to avoid."
"Men are such fools," Asmodea merrily chuckled.
Nefarion raised his hand and everybody quietened. "That's enough. I've heard everything I needed to. Princess Clairette will stay here in the palace. Her needs and safety will be attended to as Zerath has promised to the Emberlain King. Lady Asmodea will handle the communications part."
"Yes, my lord," she bowed.
"And Crown Prince Zerath will face punishment. I order Sir Gressil to impart the harshest training regimen on him."
Gressil bowed next in agreement. "Understood, my lord."
"One last thing," he said, directing his gaze toward his son. "The Crown Prince better take full responsibility for any untoward consequences. The Order is now dismissed."