Chapter 80

"COMMANDER," King Titus barked.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The commander turned to the royal knights who were encircling the king and queen. "Bring Their Majesties to safety immediately," he ordered.

The knights complied and escorted them away. Another swarm of knights rushed in to block the way behind the monarchs.

"So predictable," Daniel whispered with a smile.

"No one shall pass," the royal knights' commander announced.

"Royal Knights," Daniel called. "I do not wish to clash with you, a blood bath is not necessary here. We are all children of the First Queen Magtig and I do not wish to harm my brothers."

Daniel looked around at the hard faces staring at him.

"King Titus has let us all down. He has abandoned the values that make us who we are. Sadly, he does not have Malorenia's best interest in mind anymore. He is too worried about making sure the Crown Prince, who is not a pureblood, inherit the throne. He cannot see reason anymore. Needless to remind you that I am also a pureblood and a direct descendent of the First Queen myself."

"Are you proclaiming yourself king, now?" the commander asked.

"Of course not, nor am I interested in the throne," Daniel answered. "I'm merely a representative of the noble houses who agree that King Titus is not fit to lead our country anymore."

He extended his hand to Henry who placed a scroll in it.

"As you know, Commander, if seventy percent of the members of parliament see that the king is unfit to be on the throne, the law says that he shall step down. I have a list of signatures from the noble houses. It is far more than seventy percent."

The duke took a few steps toward the commander who did the same. He handed him the scroll and stepped back.

"As I said, there is no need for our men to kill each other."

"This will need to be verified," the commander uttered.

"Of course," Daniel said. "Representatives from every family are present here."

"Then…" The commander swallowed. "Do we need to arrest His Majesty?"

"Not arrest, confine the king and queen to a room until the parliament decides how to proceed."

"Then I shall verify the information and inform the king, Your Grace." The commander bowed before stepping away.

"Could it really be this easy?" Henry asked from behind.

"We are just lucky that he is familiar with that law." Daniel let out a breath he did not even know he was holding. "It has not been used since the Mad King was dethroned three hundred years ago, so I was ready to provide more proof."

"Well, it looks like there is no need for that." Henry grinned. "Maybe this whole thing has ended before it even started."

"I doubt Titus will step down quietly," Daniel said as they walked toward their horses.

"Without the royal knights and the Barons Fraction, he has no other support."

"I just have a bad feeling, Henry." Daniel mounted his black beast and looked around. "Victor, gather a few dozens of our best knights and follow me."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Where are you going?" Henry asked.

"I'm going to make sure Titus doesn't resist. He is still a pureblood, even at his age he can still fight a few knights who cannot even use magic."

"I will come with you, then."

"No, please stay here and make sure the ladies are sent home. I want you to personally escort Princess Aurora and make sure she does not run off before the parliament comes to a decision." Henry pressed his lips together.

"Fine, you can have all the fun and I will take care of the bratty child."

Daniel chuckled. "No fun at all, my friend." He nudged his horse into a gallop as his knights followed.

Daniel knew where the royal knights had taken the king and queen. There was only one place close enough to the hunting grounds. The royals used it as a residence for a few weeks in winter. The Crystal Villa.

It was not ideal for protection since most walls were made of glass, but it was built on a clear hill, so any enemy approaching would be spotted a mile away.

He had hoped that the king would comply with his men, that he would at least be civil about the whole situation. His wishful thinking was shattered just like the wall of the villa. He watched as a few royal knights were thrown out and fell to the ground.

"What the hell?" Daniel mumbled.

'Titus is a pureblood, but he is older and weaker.'

"Dismount," Victor ordered. The knights jumped to their feet. "Shields." They quickly grab their magical shields and swords. "Your Grace?"

Daniel watched a few more knights go through the glass. He could feel a lot of magic coming from the villa. Titus was not alone.

"Formation," the duke roared as his sword materialized. "Charge with caution."

He led his men closer to the house. They could hear weapons clashing and explosions just like a full-scale battle.

As they got closer, a few royal knights were on the ground. Daniel was not sure if they were dead and he did not have the time to check, but when he heard one of them moaning in pain, he kneeled next to him.

"What happened, Knight?" he asked.

The man was in too much pain. His chest was burned, only magic could make such a wound. He shook the man a few times until his eyes opened. They could not focus on his face but at least he was awake.

"What is going on inside?" Daniel asked again. The man mumbled something he did not catch. "I did not hear that." The duke leaned closer to the knight.

"M–Mages," the man said. "So many."

Daniel's eyes were wide, he pushed to his feet and glanced at the Crystal Villa again.

"Shite."