~Moon-world, Andreia, eastern city~
”I believe you all know why you’re here.
The letter’s I sent to each of you clearly detailed the information I wanted to convey, and the purpose of this meeting is to make it official, and to hear your opinions on the matter,” The priestess began.
The entire meeting hall was as quiet as a graveyard, so her voice echoed loudly, and could be heard in the neighbouring halls and passage ways.
“Much like the priestess of the goddess, the king of Andreia is chosen based on certain criteria, criteria which include braveness, politeness, kindness, wisdom, and, leadership skills.
These standards are what determine who the true king of Andreia is meant to be, and they are what has kept Andreia a peaceful place for generations.
After the king’s death, the moon goddess began her search for the new ruler-no-she had been watching him since the day he was birthed.
In her eyes, Sir Steven Rommel, son of General Victor Rommel, meets every single one of those requirements and has been chosen as the next king of Andreia,” The priestess continued.
Her brows suddenly furrowed, and her face tightened into what seemed like an angry expression.
“Those of you who choose to defy the goddess will have to face her wrath.”
”Go ahead, threaten us right after you’ve cheated all of us,” one of the generals, who sat opposite Steven’s father, spoke suddenly, his voice loud and filled with hate.
His name was General Maxwell, and he was the protector of the southern city of Andreia.
“General Maxwell, what exactly is your plight?” Steven’s father, General Victor asked.
“My plight is that this is a child were entrusting the entire kingdom of Andreia to.
Have you all gone mad?
We already have enemies not only from the Moon world, but the sun world as well, and we can’t risk showing any weaknesses,” General Maxwell argued, rising from his seat.
“If you’re worried that Steven is not going to deliver, then I assure you that you’re mistaken.
I believe in him not only because the goddess has chosen him, but because I’ve seen him in action.
Sir Maxwell, Steven will be the greatest king to ever rule this kingdom, I will make sure of it,” General Victor disagreed with a calm tone.
“He’s your son, so of course you’d support him.
If it was some other peasant boy then you’d see my point, but your blinded because royalty is about to fall into your unworthy bloodline,” Maxwell yelled slamming his palm onto the table.
“So that’s what you’re really worried about.
You want the throne for yourself, don’t you, Maxwell?” Victor asked.
“No, Victor, I want to throne to fall into the hands of one who is capable to delivering justice without mercy, a king who uses his brains and not his heart. Follow the newest chapters on novelping dot com.
The last king wasn’t capable of that and that’s why he was killed off.
If we make the same mistake again, we will throw the entire kingdom into utter chaos,” Maxwell reiterated with a piercing glare.
“Be careful what you say, Sir Maxwell, I will not tolerate you disrespecting the late king,” The priestess spoke.
“I’m afraid I’d have to agree with the General,” One of the Dukes spoke.
Everyone at the table turned to him immediately his voice sounded.
It was the duke of the eastern city, Lord William.
“This boy might have been chosen by the Goddess, but we have to ask ourselves; is it really for the betterment of the kingdom?
The last king that was chosen by the goddess failed to protect and develop all the cities of Andreia, instead, he completely ignored the Western city and sold it to the Valtorian empire before his death.
This boy you’re about to put into the royal seat knows little to nothing about the politics of Andreia, how can he cope?” lord Christopher asked.
Steven got up from his seat, which was opposite the priestess, and replied, “Firstly, the western city was already forsaken by the moon goddess years ago, and that’s why her blue moon never shines upon it.
The king made a wise Decision to give it away in exchange for the lives of the people in the other three cities.
If the Valtorian king had chosen to destroy the entire kingdom, only the royal blood line would have prevented him.
Be that as it may, many people still would have died in the process.
To prevent this, our late king sold the western Andreia to him to satisfy king Japhet’s urges.
I may be young, and unlike the rest of you, vastly inexperienced, but that is exactly why I need you all to support me, to guide me and mould me into the king you want me to be.
I assure you that with your help, I will not fail as the ruler of this kingdom.”
William smiled after listening to him.
“Very well then, you have my full support as long as you’re willing to learn,” he conceded.
General victor smiled, hearing those words from his son made him proud.
I had always wondered why Steven was so afraid of this man.
I admit he hardly smiled and the scar on his face made him look scary, but in the past, every time I looked into his eyes, I saw nothing but the love he had for his son.
It was clear that he was ready to support his son to the very end.
“What did the western city ever do to the goddess?
Why do we have to suffer the brunt of her anger when we have done nothing against her?” The duke of the Western city, lord Christopher, finally spoke.
“No, I have to speak or we will be ignored forever,” he said, then got up from his seat.
“You already know the answers to those questions, Lord Christopher,” The priestess said with a cold and calm tone.
“Of course, I do.
Because my people decided to live their lives as they pleased, to break free from the bonds of your cultist religion.
Unlike the rest of Andreia, the moon goddess does not govern what happens in the western city, so she does not care whether it lives on or withers and dies into nonexistence, and you expect me to support her decision as to who should be king?
Over my dead body.
I’d sooner let a peasant from sun world rule this kingdom than someone chosen by her,” Lord Christopher barked, his eyes filled with rage.
“The people of the western city chose to live a life unguided by the goddess, and where has it led them?
Into Darkness.
The crime rate in that city is a whooping thirty five percent of the total crime rates in all of Andreia, children in that city are suffering and are out of school.
The king should have demolished the entire city years ago, or at least remove you from your position, but for some reason he kept you there.
You should be thankful to him,” General Victor argued.
“In a few days the entire western city will be enslaved by the Valtorian army, and the king has ordered me not to intervene.
I’d hate to disobey him, but my number one duty is to protect the people of the western city, and if that in turn translates into a rebellion against the chosen king and the goddess, then so be it,” Sir Alexander, the General of the western city spoke calmly, his eyes closed.
He had long black hair that extended down his shoulders and wore dark gray armor.
“Fine then, why don’t we just take a vote.
Those of you who support the goddesses’ decision, raise your hand,” The priestess ordered.
Out of the eight people that arrived, only four people raised their hands; General Victor and Lord William of the eastern city, and General Reginald and lord Sander of the northern city.
“And those who disagree and are ready to go against the goddess’s will, raise your hand,” The priestess said, and the last four people, including general Maxwell and lord Earnest of the southern city, and general Alexander and lord Christopher of the western city, raised their hands.
As they dropped their hands, the priestess let out a sigh, and concluded, “It seems we have a problem.
Well then, this meeting has come to a close.
With all of Andreia about to turn into a chess board, may the best man win.”