The Queen's Despair
The royal palace was in chaos after the assassination attempt on Solis Vermillion.
Servants whispered in hushed voices.
Guards were doubled.
The air was thick with tension.
Within the Royal Chambers, Queen Eleanor Kira Vermillion sat with her hands trembling as she listened to the report from Fuegoleon.
"An assassin… inside the palace?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
Fuegoleon nodded solemnly.
"He was after Solis's life, but he fought back and managed to stall until reinforcements arrived."
The Queen stood up abruptly, her golden eyes burning with distress.
"Where is my son?!"
"Recovering in his study, Your Majesty," Fuegoleon reassured her.
But that wasn't enough.
Ignoring the guards and servants trying to stop her, Eleanor stormed through the palace halls.
She had to see him with her own eyes.
A Mother's Plea
She burst into Solis's study, where she found him seated calmly, bandages covering the cut on his cheek.
Documents were scattered across his desk.
He was already planning his next move.
"Solis!" Eleanor rushed forward, cupping his face.
Her eyes scanned every inch of him, looking for any more wounds.
Solis sighed.
"Mother, I'm fine."
"You are not fine!" she snapped, her voice shaking.
"They tried to kill you! You are only fourteen, Solis! Fourteen! You shouldn't be fighting assassins in the dead of night!"
Solis gently removed her hands.
"I don't have the luxury of being a child, Mother."
Eleanor's eyes welled with tears, but she refused to let them fall.
"At least let me assign you more personal guards!"
Solis shook his head.
"That will not change the fact that I am a target. I cannot rule in fear."
Eleanor's heart ached at her son's cold resolve.
She could see it now—
The boy she raised was gone.
In his place stood a ruler.
A king.
And it terrified her.
"At least…" she whispered, her voice breaking. "At least promise me you won't let this path consume you."
Solis paused.
For a brief moment, his gaze softened.
"I promise."
The Hunt Begins
After ensuring his mother was calmed down, Solis summoned his most loyal commanders.
Standing before him were:
• Fuegoleon Vermillion
• Nozel Silva
• William Vangeance
• Julius Novachrono (as an observer)
Solis placed a document on the table before them.
"This," he said, "is a list of nobles suspected of embezzlement, corruption, and conspiracy."
The captains' eyes darkened as they read the names.
Among them were:
• Duke Reinhold Faust
• Marquis Edmund Silva
• Viscount Laurent
Nozel's gaze hardened.
"Edmund Silva is my uncle. If he is truly involved, I will handle him personally."
Fuegoleon nodded.
"Duke Reinhold has long been suspected of bribing officials. His execution would not be questioned."
Julius, however, remained quiet.
Finally, he spoke.
"Solis… these men are powerful. If you move against them, the nobility will unite against you."
Solis smirked.
"They already have. That's why I'm going to crush them all at once."
The room fell silent.
Even for Julius, Solis's ruthlessness was startling.
"What's your plan?" William asked.
Solis's eyes gleamed.
"I will summon them to parliament—one final meeting."
"There, in front of the entire kingdom, I will expose their crimes."
"Then, I will personally deliver their sentences."
Nozel raised an eyebrow.
"You mean to kill them publicly?"
Solis leaned forward, his golden eyes burning with authority.
"I mean to make an example out of them."
Julius sighed, rubbing his temples.
"This will only strengthen your image as 'The Tyrant'."
Solis chuckled.
"Good. Let them fear me."
End of Chapter 25