Netori SSS-Emperor: All Queens Shall Be Mine!-Chapter 69: New Horizons

What should've happened in plain view, instead happened behind closed doors. Robert's funeral was held as soon as his wife had arrived, and although her frantic screams echoed through the castle, the Media-guards had managed to keep her outrage contained within confined walls.

"LET ME SEE HIM!" She screamed in the face of the soldiers. Standing before her as a wall between her and her husband's body that now burned in the furnace, they blocked her path for she would've jumped in the fire if given the chance. "YOU MONSTERS! GET OUT OF MY WAY! LET ME SEE HIM! AAHHH! PLEASE LET ME THROUGH!"

Her screams bounced off the walls but eventually fell on deaf ears. The soldiers cared little for the ceremony as upholding the royal's name was more important to them than a wife's last parting to her husband. Although William was a prisoner, his name still carried some value. If tainted by something that could easily be deemed false, his supporters would riot and then who knows how many more funerals would be held.

'Tck...Why is this happening?' Standing right outside of the crematory, his back turned to the door; Wolf knew that now that Robert was gone and William was under Astoria's personal custody, his position as the king would be questioned even more.

"Why are you so worried about this? It was William who killed him, not you," Renee said to Wolf, trying to ease some of his worries.

"Try saying that to the oligarchs and the bay masters; they'll do their best to pin this on me." Already assuming that he would be the one blamed or at least suspected of orchestrating this murder to get William killed outright, Wolf wondered if it was time to strip power from the oligarchy.

A perfect harmony between the prospectors and the monarchy was how Aestonia ran thus far, but with how much they were poisoning the people against Wolf, a separation in the future wasn't too far-fetched of an idea.

'I'll worry about that later. There's still a meeting with Kukei to attend and then to console Mother about what happened.' Shaking everything else out of his head, Wolf made his way to the meeting room, which was meant to greet commoners and regular soldiers.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

It was barely anything compared to the crystal meeting hall behind the throne room. Decorated only with a handful of chairs around a long table as well as a group of lamps and some chandeliers. And even then, it appeared no different than any other room inside of the castle.

To Wolf's surprise, Kukei was already in the room the moment he arrived. Being served by Sola with a plate full of sugary snacks, she appeared content, as if lying on a couch in her own home. Turning her head in her chair to Wolf's footsteps, she followed him with her eyes until he took a seat on the opposing chair.

"You need my help, I heard," she said, leaning forward and placing both of her hands on the table.

'Her hand's back...' It had only been a day or two, and already the reptilian's limb had grown back. Fascinated by it, Wolf felt a compulsion to ask her about it, but then, reminded that there were more pressing matters to discuss, he pushed that question for a later time.

Focusing on the true matter at hand, Wolf explained to her what he had planned for the allegiance of monsters occupying the three Aestonian islands. He framed it in a way that made it seem like the islands were already the property of the Aestonian people. In line with his religious teachings, he wanted her to accept it the same, for the people of Aestonia were the true chosen of the druid mother.

"Of course, your people will be rewarded with the islands. You'll be free to use them as you see fit as long as you pay the appropriate tax as any other land owner would." Tempted by the offer, it didn't take long for Kukei to agree with an enthusiastic nod.

Sipping on an iced drink with her legs crossed over each other, she smiled at the new king. She and her people would have to burn the resources on the island being used by the dragonkins, they would also have to drive away all marine life and salinate the water wells. In return, the land would be theirs, and being a race that relied on the ocean, her people would be in no rush to repair the damage that they've done to the land themselves.

"Sounds fair, albeit a lengthy process. Maybe a month or two of digging and arson, and the dragonkin are bound to venture off the island or abandon them outright." Setting the empty glass on the table, Kukei ran her finger on its rim, her eyes hazy while staring at Wolf. "However, I do need another reward, and that would be the same as I asked for in exchange for our alliance during the event."

Squinting his eyes, Wolf ventured through past memories. The sight of Kukei's legs spread open on a desk flashed before his eyes, reminding him just what kind of reward she was expecting.

"A kid?" He asked, and the faunan chuckled behind closed lips.

He could not promise her anything of that sort just yet, but he didn't have to, as Kukei was still willing to do the work as long as the prospect was visible on the horizon. Recognizing that fact, Wolf nodded to affirm her of the reward.

"One day, but don't be hasty..."

"I'll wait." Gathering her things, she rose from her seat. Her eyes glued at Wolf throughout the meeting, she finally let out an audible chuckle and added. "Besides, we still have your brother's execution to look forward to. I heard the queen's keeping him hidden. Had it been anyone else, their head would've been under the guillotine already."

Glancing up at her frame, Wolf struggled between showing her the door or trying to justify what Astoria was doing. In the end, however, he said not a word. Taking his silence as proof that nothing would happen to William, Kukei left the room with her smirk melting into a grimace.

"Next time someone tries to kill the king, you better uphold the same standard!" Watching the faunan disappear with those words, Wolf finally understood why the king of the past had trouble dealing with a treasonous family member.

'I thought I would be different. But even though he has been the worst kind of brother, I can't bring myself to execute him.' Thought Wolf, afraid that after her son's execution, Astoria too would go insane. Perhaps he was right, but did he want to find out? Not a chance in hell...