Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 289. The Duke's Opinions III

The others also nodded in agreement.

“I think the king wants us to find out about it ourselves,” the duke said confidently, his voice carrying a hint of assurance. It was clear that he believed in the validity of his analysis, and his conviction resonated with those around him.

His words prompted a collective turn of attention towards him, the nobles eager to hear more about his insights and theories regarding the king's intentions.

“That's just my guess of course,” the duke hastened to clarify, his humility evident in his tone. "But the king clearly directed and encouraged us in that way," he reiterated, emphasizing the subtle cues he had picked up on during the meeting.

The room fell silent for a moment as the nobles pondered the implications of the duke's words. It was evident that they were all deep in thought, processing the information and trying to decipher the hidden message behind the king's enigmatic directive.

“But, why?” one noble interjected, breaking the silence with a note of confusion in his voice. It was a question that lingered on everyone's minds, echoing the sentiments of uncertainty and curiosity that permeated the room.

The duke paused for a moment, his brow furrowed in deep concentration as he mulled over the possibilities. His mind raced with various scenarios and potential motivations, each one more complex than the last.

“My guess is he wants to show us something,” the duke finally stated, his voice tinged with conviction. It was a bold assertion, but one that resonated with the other nobles, who nodded in understanding as they considered the implications of the duke's analysis.

“Wouldn't it be better for him to announce it himself?” one noble questioned, his brow furrowing in confusion as he voiced his skepticism.

The sentiment seemed to echo throughout the room, with murmurs of agreement rippling among the gathered nobles. It was a valid point—why would the king choose to deliver such significant information through indirect means rather than addressing them directly? It could create a misunderstanding.

“I'm sure this is not something that can be understood with an announcement. But we have to hear it for ourselves to understand what the king is doing or what his plans are,” the duke asserted, his voice brimming with confidence. It was evident that he believed in the necessity of deciphering the king's message firsthand, rather than relying on secondhand accounts or speculation.

His words prompted a moment of contemplative silence as the other nobles absorbed the implications of his statement. It was a notion that resonated with them, sparking a collective understanding that there was more to the king's directive than initially met the eye.

“So do you think this is like a test?” another noble ventured, his tone laced with curiosity as he offered his own analysis of the situation.

Once again, the duke paused, his expression thoughtful as he considered the possibility. “Half a test, since His Majesty never meant that. But he will indeed judge our intelligence by what we get and how we respond to this,” he concluded, his voice tinged with uncertainty. It was a theory born from careful observation and speculation, yet one that held a kernel of truth.

"That means something big just happened in Asteria and it might have something to do with Prince Ilex’s death," another noble interjected, his tone tinged with a mix of speculation and analysis. His words carried a weight of urgency, hinting at the gravity of the situation unfolding in the neighboring kingdom.

The sentiment was met with murmurs of agreement from the gathered nobles. It was clear that they were all eager to uncover the truth behind the events that had transpired in Asteria, especially in light of Prince Ilex's sudden and mysterious demise.

"But the king wants us to find out as much information as we can, instead of just saying it's because of something," another noble chimed in, offering his own interpretation of the king's intentions. His words resonated with the group, sparking a collective understanding that there was more to the situation than met the eye.

The duke nodded in agreement, acknowledging the validity of his fellow noble's analysis. "Yes, something like that," he affirmed, his tone measured yet resolute.