It was my second time witnessing a scene like this. The first time was when the former king Shesif had spoken to the people who had gathered. I was very nervous back then, but it was different now. The mere fact that Mr. Julius was by my side made it easier for me to breathe. Because I was with him, I was able to stand proudly with my head held tall. I guess I’m a simple woman.
“Fearing the backlash from the royal family, I understand that many of you were unable to speak your minds, but I’m sure you’ve all noticed,” Faisal said firmly, causing the crowd to murmur. “The royal family had been overly involved with the research at Fores Research Facility and expelled the people of Puerta Research Center, which had supported us for many years. Surely, you understand the dangers that were involved.”
The nobles of Rasheed must’ve felt anxious about their nation. Hence, there were people willing to secretly cooperate with Puerta. Some had sided with the royal family, while others were waiting for an opportunity to strike. It was extremely difficult for one to point out a mistake and call it as such. Furthermore, people intimately involved in the vortex of these events may not even recognize a mistake, though it was glaringly obvious to outsiders.
This was true in the aristocratic society that I had once been involved in. In the end, no one had offered a helping hand to my father. Of course, Mr. Roge had apparently voiced his apprehensions to Cyril… Now that I think about it, Mr. Roge was being very brave. Maybe I’ll give him two bags of the powdered sand light insects as a token of my gratitude.
“Much blood was shed and those concerned about their nation were chased out. I knew about my brother’s cruelty, but I turned my back on it all. Only now am I finally able to see the errors of my ways.” Faisal paused as he gave a deep bow.
Layla, who stood beside him, bowed as well, causing the crowd to fall silent once more. When the two of them raised their heads, the audience was staring right at them.
“Together with Jahala of Puerta Research Center, and Dragon Knight Captain Lambda, who’d been chased out of the Holy Palace, I crossed blades with my brother,” Faisal said. “I ended up successfully defeating Shesif Rasheed. Many had lost their lives in that desert, though we are all citizens of the same nation. We have fought a battle that should’ve never been sparked in the first place.”
I thought back to the vast desert. When we first arrived, Mr. Julius mentioned the mountain of corpses that must’ve been buried under the sand. I was terrified by the revelation, though my heart squeezed in pain at the lives that were lost. Even now, that pain didn’t fade, but I felt like these soldiers were peacefully in an eternal slumber under the sands. Massive sand whales, made only of bones, were swimming through the sands as if they were messengers, guiding and carrying the souls of the dead to the Otherworld.
“I’m sure that many of you are anxious and are not satisfied with my explanation,” Faisal continued. “However, I shall ascend the throne and become the next Holy King. I believe that it is my duty to return Rasheed to its former splendor, a nation filled with peace and tranquility. To achieve that goal, I would like for all of you to lend me your strength. I’m not telling you to forget the past, the blood that has been shed, and the time of peace that has been lost. I implore you to endure your anger and hatred for the time being. Please, for our nation, for Rasheed, I ask you all to support me as I amend the royal family’s mistakes.”
Faisal’s words were straightforward and frank without beating around the bush. His earnest sincerity was apparent. When Shesif had once made his speech, it was difficult to ascertain if he was speaking his mind or if he was adding flair, as though he was in a play, but Faisal was the polar opposite of this. Or maybe it just sounds like that to me because I know Faisal a lot better.
I was sure that if I told these thoughts to Mr. Julius, I’d be called a “good-natured idiot” once more. But I wished from the bottom of my heart that these words touched the citizens of Rasheed, its nobility, and the soldiers that were present. I was certain that both Faisal and Layla truly wished for peace to come to Rasheed once more. I folded my hands in front of my chest in prayer, hoping that his words made a difference. A tense, almost suffocating silence filled the grand hall.
Slowly, a small round of applause echoed within the room; like a ripple in the water, the wave of applause slowly spread throughout the crowd as the grand hall was filled with thunderous clapping. I breathed a small sigh of relief.
Layla held a black crown woven of briar and gently placed it atop Faisal’s head. The crown looked similar to the one that Shesif wore, but it was adorned with fewer jewels and was simpler in design. If black roses were the insignia of the royal family, the thorny crown must’ve been the symbol of the Holy King.
I obviously wasn’t familiar with the details or their customs, but I felt like the crown suited Faisal very well. Filled with satisfaction and elation, I looked up at Mr. Julius happily. He looked down at me and squinted. His gaze wasn’t filled with sarcasm, cynicism, or mockery. His eyes were kind, and it made me feel all flustered inside.
“Jahala Garena, chief of Puerta Research Center, and Dragon Knight Captain Lambda Abhlach have contributed greatly to this recent battle,” Faisal went on. “I would like to personally award both of them with a medal from the royal family and would like to return the titles that had once been stripped away from them by the Holy Palace before they were ousted from the capital.”
Amid the applause, Layla handed Jahala and Lambda rose-shaped medals made with black crystal. The two men respectfully received their awards before stepping behind us. The black rose crystal seemed like an expensive jewel on its own. I wonder how much I could sell it for. Could I get one too? Or maybe I can ask Ms. Eliza to sell it to me at a good price through Coldman’s Merchandise.