The chief ministers gathered one after another around Cedric, who was leading the way.
Renato braced himself, thinking that they might get in the way, but Mariabelle gently held his arm down and lowered his guard.
"These people are our allies."
They were called royalists and were close friends with Mariabelle's father, James.
There was also Count Haustad, the father of her brother Julian's fiancée, who was Secretary of the Treasury, and they exchanged greetings silently.
Then a large group of knights appeared.
Unlike the guards, they wore red jackets and black trousers, with eight gold buttons fastening their jackets. They were knights belonging to a regiment of the Kingsguard infantry, called the Gredian Guards.
Carlo lined up next to Renato, who was immediately protecting Mariabelle from behind, wondering if these people were the enemy.
Both of them had their hands on their sheaths, ready to draw the swords at their waists.
In addition to the guards Renato had brought with him, several other palace workers stepped forward to protect Renato.
It looked as if a confrontation might break out, but the captain of the Gredian Guards, who wore a number of glittering medals on his chest, kneeled down in front of Cedric.
"His Majesty is waiting for you in the throne room."
"The throne room?"
Cedric stopped and asked.
"He is much recovered, and the time is ripe. And you're ready to..."
Cedric held his breath for a moment.
After a moment, he let out a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"I see... Maybe we were all dancing in the palm of His Majesty's hand." He said.
With that, he took another deep breath.
Then he opened his eyes and looked back at Renato and Mariabelle.
"Let's go and make the future of the kingdom."
Renato raised one eyebrow and looked down at Mariabelle, probably not understanding what was going on.
Mariabelle looked at Renato, determined to go on and settle everything that began with Edward's broken engagement.
"Ren, will you go with me?"
"I will go wherever you wish."
Mariabelle's small white hand overlapped with his outstretched hand.
Cedric looked dazzled at the firmly linked hands.
But he quickly removed his gaze and turned his stern eyes forward.
The group walked out and arrived at the throne room without being disturbed.
Behind the open door were six marble steps, each flanked by a unicorn, a lion, and an eagle, all sculpted in a balanced arrangement.
At the top of the stairs was a magnificent throne made of ivory and gilded with gold leaf, and the back walls were all decorated with gold.
On top of this magnificent throne sat a man.
His cheeks were slightly sallow, perhaps from illness, and he was leaning on an armrest, staring at them in a slightly dishevelled position.
He was the king of the kingdom, Frederick III.
From a distance, there were no blisters on his face.
So Mariabelle was relieved to see that he was not in a critical condition.
"I'm glad you're here. Cedric, Mariabelle, and... the future Emperor of the Galleria Empire."
"First of all, I would like to apologise for the rudeness of my sudden arrival at a time when Your Majesty is not in the best of health. I am also very sorry that this is the first time I am addressing you in such an informal manner. I am Renato Galetti, Crown Prince of the Galleria Empire. I ask His Majesty the King to continue to deepen the friendship and trust between our two countries."
The king's eyes narrowed at the impeccable, flawless greeting.
He then motioned for Mariabelle and the others to raise their heads.
"I am Frederick III, King of this land... but I don't like to be too formal, so please make yourself at home."
"Then I will take your word for it."
Renato pulled Mariabelle closer to himself.
She wanted to protest that "make yourself comfortable" might not mean the same thing, but she didn't think Renato would listen to her.
Mariabelle gave up and relaxed her body.
"I've heard about you guys from... James, but you guys really get along, don't you?"
"Father!?"
Mariabelle unintentionally shouted at the king's words.
"Yes, James Berkeley. I have ordered them to release him, so I'm sure he'll be here soon."
"I've put you through a lot of trouble for a long time, both for... Mariabelle and James. But it will be over soon..."
"Your majesty? What is that...?"
As Mariabelle was about to ask the question, a familiar voice came from the entrance of the hall.
"Mariabelle!"
When she turned around, the crown prince, Edward, was standing there.
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