The Aftermath of the Assassination Attempt
The morning sun cast its golden rays over the Royal Palace, but the air remained thick with tension.
Word had already spread among the palace staff that assassins had infiltrated the royal chambers. The bodies of the failed killers had been disposed of in silence, but the rumors persisted.
Despite the attack, Solis sat calmly at his desk, sipping tea as he examined reports on recent noble activities.
A knock echoed through the chamber before Nacht entered, his usual stoic expression unreadable.
Nacht:
"We interrogated the one assassin you left alive. He refused to speak, but it's obvious which noble faction sent him."
Solis placed his cup down, his golden eyes glowing with restrained fury.
"Then it's time we send a message."
Nacht nodded.
"How do you wish to proceed?"
Solis smirked, leaning back in his chair.
"By letting them know that their little games amuse me."
The Parliament's Shock
Hours later, the Parliament Hall was filled with murmuring nobles.
They had all received an urgent summons from Solis himself. Many assumed it had to do with the failed assassination attempt, and some were beginning to grow nervous.
As they whispered amongst themselves, the large doors swung open, and Solis entered.
The entire room fell silent.
For the first time, Solis was not wearing his royal robes. Instead, he was clad in a sleek black and gold military uniform, his long red cape trailing behind him.
The symbol of the Vermillion family burned bright on his chest.
His very presence seemed to heat the air, making some nobles shift uncomfortably.
Solis stepped forward and sat upon the King's throne, resting his chin against his hand as he surveyed the room.
"I've called this meeting for one reason."
His voice carried absolute authority.
"Last night, a group of assassins entered my chambers. They failed."
The tension thickened.
Some nobles flinched, others remained still, their faces unreadable.
But Solis' eyes burned as he continued.
"Whoever sent them, I hope you're listening. Because I'm feeling rather generous today."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping across the room.
"This is your only warning. Try again, and I will personally burn your entire bloodline from the face of the Clover Kingdom."
The nobles felt a wave of heat ripple through the air as his magic flared for just a moment, reminding them of his terrifying potential.
No one spoke.
No one dared.
Solis smirked, satisfied with their fear.
The Noble Backlash
Later that evening, deep within the Kira family estate, several noble heads gathered once more.
Duke Reinhardt Faust slammed his fist onto the table.
Duke Faust: "That boy is out of control!"
Count Lionel Crest: "He's openly threatened the nobility! How does he expect us to obey a ruler like that?"
Duchess Lorraine Kira: "This only proves that we must act swiftly. If we do not remove him soon, his influence will be impossible to stop."
As they debated, a new voice interrupted them.
A mysterious figure, clad in dark robes, stepped forward from the shadows.
???: "Then perhaps it's time to stop relying on simple assassins… and start considering more direct methods."
The nobles turned, intrigued yet cautious.
The war between Solis and the noble factions was only beginning.
A Kingdom on Edge
Days after Solis' public warning in Parliament, the entire Clover Kingdom buzzed with whispers.
Some commoners cheered his decisive stance, believing they finally had a ruler who would stand against corrupt nobility.
Others, especially high-ranking nobles, were enraged by his boldness.
Solis knew that while his warning intimidated many, there would always be those too arrogant to listen.
And it didn't take long for them to retaliate.
The Noble Defiance
During the early hours of the morning, Solis received an urgent report.
One of the noble families, the House of Crest, had publicly rejected his authority.
They had refused to follow his recent orders regarding tax reductions for commoners and instead increased their demands, pushing several villages into poverty.
Even worse, they had stationed private knights to prevent government officials from enforcing the new law.
It was a direct challenge to his rule.
The message was clear:
"You may wear the crown, but you do not control the nobility."
Solis read the report silently.
The air in his chamber grew heavy, the temperature subtly rising.
Then, he calmly placed the papers aside.
"If they wish to test me…"
He stood up, reaching for his cloak.
"…then let's see if they can handle the consequences."
The King's Approach
Later that day, the Crest Estate gates burst open.
A squadron of Royal Knights, led by Solis himself, marched into the noble domain.
The head of the house, Count Lionel Crest, emerged, flanked by his personal guards.
His smug expression barely concealed his arrogance.
"Your Majesty," Count Crest greeted mockingly, "I wasn't expecting a personal visit."
Solis remained unfazed.
His golden eyes glowed faintly as he stared the man down.
"You have violated royal decree, ignored your King's orders, and oppressed my people."
Count Crest chuckled.
"Your people? My dear King, these are simply peasants. You don't honestly expect nobility to—"
The temperature spiked instantly.
Sweat formed on the Count's brow as the very air around him distorted from the heat.
Solis took a slow step forward, and the Count instinctively stepped back.
"I didn't come here to negotiate."
His voice was cold despite the rising heat.
"I came to remind you that your status means nothing before my rule."
The Royal Knights moved instantly, arresting the Count's personal guards.
Solis stepped closer, towering over the now visibly sweating noble.
"Your lands, your wealth, your title—they exist only because I allow it."
He leaned in slightly.
"Defy me again, and I will erase your house from history."
The Count's legs nearly gave out.
He had underestimated the young King.
"M-my Lord, I-I was simply misunderstanding your decree… I… of course, I will obey!"
Solis watched him for a moment before stepping back.
"Good. Then, as punishment, your estate will pay double in royal taxes for the next three years."
The Count gasped but didn't dare protest.
Solis turned and signaled his knights.
"Seize half of the Crest treasury and distribute it to the villages they have oppressed. Effective immediately."
The knights moved without hesitation.
The commoners outside the estate who had gathered to witness the confrontation erupted into cheers.
For the first time in history, a noble house had been punished by the King.
And Solis made it clear—his authority was absolute.
News Spreads
By the next morning, every major city in the kingdom knew what had happened.
The commoners rejoiced, newfound hope rising in their hearts.
The nobility panicked, whispering amongst themselves.
Would they be next?
In the shadows, his enemies watched closely.
Some began to fear him.
Others?
They plotted revenge.