Chapter 116 Chapter 116

"I didn't expect that either, but the balance in the national treasury is getting smaller and smaller, so we have to take extraordinary measures." He looked at me coldly for a while. "Sheep and cattle also have to be sold. Anyway, we don't have enough food to feed them through the winter. It's better to sell them than to see them suffer from hunger and cold this winter." I was absolutely pissed off. "Why don't we ever hear about these shortages? I never hear about bad crops. Yes, times are tough, but—" "You haven't heard? That's because you haven't been paying attention. While you and my brother are still basking in the glory of the war, I'll have to deal with the money to pay for it, and it's running out. I'm going to The shipwrights who build the new warships have to be told whether they will continue to work because they love their work, or leave their jobs because the treasury can no longer pay their salaries and buy the materials needed to complete the warships," he finished. He leaned back in his chair and looked at me.

Verity inside of me was anxious, and I could only look at King Shrewd. "Is this true, Your Majesty?" I asked. King Shrewd started, looked at me and blinked. "I signed those papers, didn't I?" He looked confused, and I think his mind drifted back to the previous conversation, and he wasn't listening to our current conversation; the jester at his feet was strangely silent . "I thought I signed those papers. So, bring them to me now, and let's get this thing sorted out and have a good night." "So, how to deal with the situation of Bearnes? Have the robbers really taken over parts of the neighboring islands?"

"How's Bearnes doing?" he said, then paused for a moment to think, and took another sip of his tea. "I'm afraid there's nothing we can do about Biens' situation." Emperor Zun said sadly, and then added tactfully, "This time Biens has to deal with his own problems. We can't beg the six principalities to defend a barren and remote coast. The bandits are just some frozen rocks, I really hope they like it there. We need to take care of our people and rebuild our village." I waited in vain for Shrewd to pull himself together and say a few words for Bearnes, but when he remained silent, I asked calmly, "Ferrytown is not some frozen rock, at least until the Red Ships come." That's not it. Also, when did Bearnes cease to be part of the Six Duchies?" I looked at Shrewd, trying to make him look into my eyes. "Your Majesty, I implore you, order Duanning to come over, order her and Verity, so that you can discuss countermeasures together."

Regal was growing impatient with our cat-and-mouse conversation. "Since when did you start caring so much about politics, you son of a bitch?" he asked me viciously. "Why don't you understand that the king can make decisions without the crown prince's approval? Do you question the king's decisions, Fitz? Have you forgotten who you are? I know Verity considers you a favourite, and perhaps your ax-wielding adventure Deeds make you proud, too. Verity thinks it's fine to wander around looking for a monster, but I have to stay here and do what I can to cheer up the Six Duchies."

"I was there when Crown Prince Verity asked to seek out the ancient spirits," I pointed out.King Shrewd seemed to be in another daydream, staring blankly at the fire. "I don't know why this happened." Emperor Zun retorted tactfully, "According to my observations, you think more and more of yourself. You sit at the head table, dressed in the finery of the king, and you somehow think you have a privilege, not an assignment.Let me tell you, see who you really are, Fitz. Regal paused for a moment, and I felt as if he was looking at the king, as if evaluating whether he could speak freely at this moment.

"You," he continued, in a lower tone, a voice as sweet as a minstrel's, "you are the bastard son of a prince who had no guts to continue as crown prince, and your dead queen-grandmother was a commoner , happens to be of the same blood as the vulgar woman who gave birth to you by having sex with her eldest son, that is, your mother. Your name is Fitz Junqi Zhanyuan, but you only need to scratch yourself To find you're still that nameless pup. I suppose you'd have to be thankful I didn't send you back to the stables, but it really hurts me to have you in the castle."

I don't know how I feel.Nighteyes was furious at Regal's vicious words, and Verity really wanted to kill his own brother.I caught glimpses of King Shrewd daydreaming with his cup of sweet tea in his hands before the fire, and out of the corner of my eye I saw the Fool's eyes, pale and terrified, such as I had never seen him.I saw him looking at me instead of Regal. I suddenly realized that I had stood up and stood in front of Regal. He also looked up at me and waited, his eyes showed a trace of fear, but also shone with the light of victory.I want to beat him, but then he can call in guards, because it's treason, and he'll hang me for it.I feel how the fabric of my shirt tightens, my shoulders and chest swell with rage.

I try to exhale, to use willpower to loosen my clenched fists, it takes time.Shhh, I tell them. Hush, or you'll kill me.When I got my voice under control, I spoke. "Tonight has made me see many things clearly." I said calmly, then turned to look at King Shrewd, "Your Majesty, I wish you a wonderful night, please allow me to leave first." "Huh? So you... had a worrying day, kid?" "Yes, Your Majesty." I said softly.As I stood in front of him, his deep eyes looked up into mine, and I waited for his permission to let me go.I stared deeply into those eyes and realized that he was not at all distracted, not at all like he used to be, and he just looked at me confused and blinked.

"Okay! Then, maybe you'd better take a break, and me too. Fool? Fool, is my bed ready? Remember to warm the bed with a chafing pan first, I've been feeling cold these nights. Huh ! These nights! It's day and night, Fool, what do you say?" The Fool jumped up, and bowed deeply to the King. "I will say, Your Majesty, that the thought of dying in the daytime is chilling these nights, and it is so cold that the bones shrivel up, and it is true. The chill will freeze to death, And it is warmer to hide in your shadow than to stand in the heat of your sun." King Shrewd chuckled and said, "You're talking nonsense, Fool, but you always are. Good night everyone, go to bed, you boys. Good night, good night."

I sneak out when Regal is saying good night to his father in a more formal tone, just so I don't try to smash Wallace's smirking face when I walk past him.As soon as I was out in the corridor, I hurried back to my room.I think I'll take the Fool's advice, and hide myself in Chade's chambers, and better not stand before the king's son and endure his arrogance. I spent that night alone in my room.I knew that as the night wore on, Molly would wonder why I hadn't knocked on her door.But I'm not in the mood tonight.I didn't have the energy to sneak out of the room and sneak up the stairs and then into the hallway, worried that someone would come out and find me standing where I shouldn't be.I had longed for Molly's warmth and tenderness, and the sense of peace and serenity that came with it.But now the situation is different, I am afraid of the furtiveness and anxiety when we meet each other, even if she closes the door behind me, I can't relax my inner vigilance, because Verity is in my heart, and I must prevent him To feel what I feel and think about Molly, and not expose it to the connection I share with Verity.