色戒无删除版

"Thank you, your majesty." He bowed his head again and his tense posture slowly loosened so did the kings.

"The reason why I specifically told the messenger to tell you to come early is to talk to you in advance before the council members arrive. Some of them aren\'t happy that you are taking over your father\'s position when you haven\'t participated in court." Zandro finally spoke of the reason why there were no other people in the room aside from them.

"That is understandable. I only have an idea of what my father does in the palace because of his stories." Kieve nodded and he couldn\'t blame the council for not being happy with him suddenly becoming the high magus of Lunaira.

"They will try to replace you with the mages that are under their control. Honestly, I prefer you taking over your father\'s position because I know your potential and attitude. I also don\'t want any of them to have people who are near me." The king added and the mage understood his meaning.

After years, mages emerged from the different families too. Because of the number of mages, nobility started to recruit mages in the pretext that they were going to nurture them for the kingdom. In reality, they were just fostering these mages to use to their advantage.

But even though there were mages everywhere, Alastair still remained as the only family with descendants that can use magic. Other families might have a mage in their line but only one or two and some children were even born as non-magic users. They might take this opportunity to plant spies beside the king.

"I will take my father\'s position. It has been decided ever since the beginning and aren\'t my achievements enough for them? I can easily learn court etiquette since my father and mother had been teaching me since I was a child." Kieve became adamant on taking the position.

He won\'t let those people take the position that his father treasured. As a neutral family whose loyalty was sworn to the king, he needed to stay by the king\'s side. His jaw clenched because he already had an idea how the system in the palace worked, his father had told him so, so many times.

He was entering a place full of predators that were ready to pounce and eat them alive if they didn\'t stay on their toes. Besides, he promised his father that he would support the king in his reign. No matter what happens, he planned to fulfill that promise.

"That\'s what I intend to do too. I\'m glad that we are on the same page. Ever since my father died, those members of the council had been on my case nonstop. They wanted to have a say in everything I do as if they are always right." Zandro complained with a sigh because he had been enduring for a long time now.

Kieve could tell that the king was nearing his limit with dealing with the council. He was aware that the other houses had been gaining power and exerting their influence everywhere. He knew this because they tried several times to convince his father to join them but Maius refused them all.

"Our enemies had been wary of us for a long time now and yet the court is still eyeing your throne. Their greed already knows no bounds. I hope that you will always be vigilant, your majesty, because they might use drastic measures when they are driven into a corner." Kieve advised even though he hadn\'t officially taken his father\'s position.

"Then it is good that you are on my side," Zandro grinned.

This marked the change in their relationship. They continued to talk about what they should do to deal with those people. It was not easy but with the king as his backer and his family\'s influence, those geezers would definitely lose the battle.

As the time for the council meeting drew near, the council members started to arrive one at a time. They greeted the king who was already there before taking their designated seat. Once everyone was assembled, their gazes couldn\'t help but linger on the chair that was empty. It was the one on the right side of the king.

Several thoughts were running in their minds as they eyed that precious seat. If they could seat or just control the person who would be sitting there then their lives would be a lot better. They could easily get in contact with the king and get his favor. Most of them thought that it was a great opportunity that couldn\'t be passed up.

Zandro led the meeting and started it by acknowledging the council members. The members weren\'t happy though because one more person wasn\'t in the room yet. They even specifically told the servants to add one more extra chair to let that man have his own seat.

"Your majesty, isn\'t Kieve Alastair coming? I\'m sure that he was informed of the details of the meeting." One of them immediately complained right after the king acknowledged their appearance.

"What are you talking about? I have been here the whole time. I just went out for a while because of an urgent matter with the king\'s permission. Please do not accuse me of being late because I was here earlier than any of you." Kieve answered the question just as he entered through the door that the king usually used when he entered the council meeting room.

He gave them all a bow with a small smile on his face. He traced back his steps and sat down at the empty seat that the people in that room were coveting. This action earned him glares and deep frowns from the attendees.

One of them coughed and looked at the direction of the king. "Your majesty, if you\'ll excuse me, I would like to offer another seat for our visitor. That seat cannot be occupied by outsiders."

Kieve laughed and sighed. He placed his elbow on the table and rested his head on his closed fist as he looked at the person who spoke. "Oh, when did I even become an outsider when I have every right to sit in this seat." He narrowed his eyes with his face still smiling.

"Don\'t be too arrogant!" The man who spoke was offended because of his tone and the way that he was looking at him. "Just because you are an Altair, you can already disrespect me like that."

"Have I said anything disrespectful?" Kieve was taken aback by the man\'s accusation. He leaned away from the table and looked at the king.

"Enough of this nonsense!" Zandro finally spoke. His voice resounded in the room and made the people in there silent. "Kieve Altair has every right to sit on that chair and I will take this opportunity to announce that he will officially take the title high magus of Lunaira."

This declaration created an uproar inside the room. The council members started to complain and express their dissatisfaction with the sudden decision. The king did not address any of their problems and just watched them lose their heads. Kieve also did the same as he leaned on his seat and casted a glance towards the men who were arguing and trying to raise their voice to be heard.

Zandro let them complain to their hearts content and he has no intention of stopping them. He was content with being a bystander for now. Kieve glanced at the king and followed his lead. He still had his patience and besides it was kind of fun watching them getting anxious because the position they were aiming for wasn\'t available now.