In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities-Chapter 286: The Shift of Power

"Let's head inside. We'll explain everything," the Duke said.

Astrid nodded. "Yes, let's hurry."

With a curt nod, Michael proceeded into the palace. The others in his entourage were guided to guest quarters by the royal steward, aware that a critical conversation was about to unfold between Michael, Astrid, and the Duke.

Miaomiao and Marcus, visibly anxious about Michael, followed under Alfred's direction.

Inside the palace, Princess Astrid began to explain the situation.

"My father fell into a coma after ingesting poison. Thankfully, it was a small dose. He's always kept healers nearby because there have been prior assassination attempts. Thanks to their swift response, he survived... but…"

Her voice trailed off. Michael nodded gravely.

The palace corridor they walked through was filled with tension. Cold marble walls reflected the silence of the night, and only the occasional glow of magic lamps offered any light.

From behind the grand doors of the king's chambers, the queen's sobs could be heard.

Though the room glowed brightly from within, the heavy atmosphere inside was unshakable. The queen clung to the edge of the bed, her once-impeccable hair now disheveled, and her elegant dress wrinkled and torn. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks, and her voice had grown hoarse from crying.

"Your Majesty! Please, open your eyes!"

She cried out again in despair.

She, more than anyone, understood how devastating the king's death would be for her. And the more that realization sank in, the more violent her sobbing became. Outside the room, servants and attendants stood by silently, forced to endure the queen's grief without interference.

Michael heard the cries from the king's chambers and quietly shook his head.

Now I understand why Astrid looks so worn down, he thought. The queen must have been relentless.

She'll need to be dealt with soon, he decided coldly.

Such an emotional and foolish woman could not be allowed to ascend to the position of queen dowager. The path ahead for him and Astrid had to be smooth and unimpeded. With enemies on every side and unpredictable dangers lurking, there was no room for unnecessary burdens.

Duke Capone approached Michael with a bow.

"Your Grace. Please, this way."

Michael waved a hand dismissively. "There's no need for such formality between us."

Even as he spoke informally, his tone was deliberately softened. It was time to define the hierarchy between them moving forward.

Thankfully, Duke Capone was wise enough to understand the nuance. Picking up on Michael's intent, he gave a respectful nod.

"You're soon to become the royal consort. It's only proper I show you due respect. Please don't let it trouble you."

Michael nodded in approval. Yes, he thought, this one is worth keeping close.

The Duke's influence and control within the royal court were assets worth securing.

Despite the dire situation, Astrid remained composed. She swiftly summoned the royal steward and instructed him to calm the queen. Then she led Michael and Duke Capone toward the reception room.

But things didn't go according to plan.

Summoned by the steward, the queen emerged from the king's chambers—and began causing a scene.

The Queen's voice rang sharply through the corridor.

"Astrid! Are you really lusting for power when your father is in such a state? Duke Capone, what exactly are you doing standing idly by? And you, Grand Duke Michael—have you no shame, coming here in the dead of night just to be with your fiancée?"

Her words were absurd and petty, a sign that she was desperate and quickly losing control.

When Astrid remained silent, her face hardened with composure, the Queen only raised her voice further.

Michael could only sigh inwardly. So this is who Crown Prince Randolph had taken after—his mother, clearly.

"You didn't even summon your uncle and his wife. I can't understand what you're thinking at all," the Queen continued to complain.

Unable to listen any longer, the royal steward cleared his throat.

"Your Majesty, since His Majesty is in a coma, Her Highness the Princess is now the legitimate acting sovereign. Please watch your words."

Michael quietly admired the steward's poise. As the saying went, if one wanted to know where power flowed, observe how the servants behave. And sure enough, now that the king's recovery seemed unlikely, even the staff had begun to prioritize Astrid.

Of course, in this case, it was the right thing to do.

Red with embarrassment, the Queen gathered her dress. She, too, knew how royal family members without power often met unfortunate ends. She was simply acting as she always had—with entitlement and arrogance.

"…If my words were too harsh, I ask your forgiveness. With His Majesty in such a state… sob…"

She let her tears fall, turning her sorrow into a performance.

Michael and Duke Capone exchanged a look and chuckled quietly. Perhaps Charles V would have been swayed by such theatrics, but not these two.

The steward, having summoned the Queen's personal maid, gently suggested, "It's late, Your Majesty. You should rest now. I will continue to watch over His Majesty."

Lacking any further excuse to remain, the Queen finally left in a huff.

Astrid turned to Michael with an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. My mother isn't always like this… she's just very emotional tonight."

But Michael knew better. No matter how much one was trained to be a ruler, years of abuse—whether mental or physical—left marks. He could see those scars in Astrid even now.

He gently reached out and took her hand, locking eyes with her. She immediately understood what his gaze meant and returned his hold with a soft smile. She, too, knew she couldn't afford to be lenient with her mother anymore.

Duke Capone, unable to endure the tenderness between them any longer, cleared his throat loudly.

"Ahem. Shall we return to the matter at hand?"

Startled, Astrid let go of Michael's hand. Her cheeks flushed—not from sadness this time, but from bashfulness.

She composed herself and spoke with a regal tone, her voice steady and commanding.

"Yes. There is someone I suspect to be behind this attack."

Both Michael and the Duke nodded. They had come to the same conclusion.