Koul excitedly rose from his bed, getting down. He hurried to the door, unbolting and pulling them open.
"Do they already know about me?" He asked the girl.
"No, your highness. Not a word about you has slipped past us to them."
Good. At least they listen well.
"Great! Now help me dress quickly so I can meet them before they start."
With a bow, she replied. "Yes, your majesty."
The maid helped Koul put on his clothes, did his hair and started escorting him to the council chamber.
Koul strutted confidently with a prideful smirk on his face, anticipating when he'd reach.
After some moments, they stopped before a huge door.
"It is here, your majesty," the maid bowed and stepped aside.
Koul moved closer and lightly pressed his ear against the door, intending to eavesdrop.
Hmm? Is this door bulletproof or something? I can't hear anything
He drew back, adjusting his clothes and posture. And with refined energy and calmness, he pushed, bursting open the door with force.
This took everyone by surprise, causing them all to throw their heads toward the door. And at the door, Koul stood gallantly with a big smile, meeting their surprised faces with prideful confidence.
His eyes swept around the chamber, landing on the head of the table where a young man he presumed to be his brother sat comfortably.
That must be my spot.
He strutted in buoyantly, heading straight to where the young man sat.
"This is my seat, isn't it?" He asked, staring straight at the man whose hair and eyes were the same as his.
Although where Koul was light skinned, the young man was pale. His features were as sharp as Koul's but slightly more mature.
There was a delayed response from the man. He simply stared back at Koul with an unreadable expression.
But then, like a burst of energy, he snapped up to his feet with a big smile.
"Of course, brother, it's yours," he said, moving aside.
His face appeared all smiley and bright but Koul could easily see through him. Since only a few people really liked him in his previous life, he had gotten so good at reading people.
He knew very well that whatever was brooding in his brother's heart wasn't what he was reflecting on his face.
If anything, his ill intent was radiating as strong as it could.
Still standing and not yet taking his seat, Koul swept his eyes around the council elders that sat round the long table, registering their surprised faces.
"Should I not be greeted, or is this how things are done now?" He asked confidently.
At this, the elders broke out of their shock, rising to their feet.
"We greet you, the sun of the empire, you majesty," they chorused and bowed.
"Please forgive our impudence, we were simply shocked to see you here, your highness," an elderly man said.
Tsk! Such meaningless pretense like I can't feel the disappointment and hatred radiating from all of you.
His eyes turned back to his brother who remained beside him and as he sensed Koul's eyes, he immediately flashed back a big smile.
So he is the one they like and wish to be their king, huh?
His eyes don't hold any honesty either. They must all be in cahoots. But too bad I'm not the Koul they used to know.
"Well, I guess it shouldn't be surprising that you all reacted like this, since many of you wished for me to be dead," he let out casually and chuckled.
The elders awkwardly averted their gazes, keeping silent as the atmosphere grew tense.
Right on the head, I hit the nail!
"But guess what? I've returned and I'm here to take back all that is rightfully mine. And of course, I also intend to take out everyone who stands in my way," he declared with a smile like his words carried no weight.
He was in a way, letting them know he didn't come to play this time. But whether they'd heed his words or cast it aside as something mere coming from a foolish boy, he didn't know.
He moved to take his seat but as he did, his eyes fell on a figure.
A woman, tall and big with rich, bronze skin. Not exactly big but thick in all the right places. She was busty and her behind was also large.
She had chestnut brown hair that shimmered under the light ray of sunlight that shone through the room. Her face was sharp but also soft, with plump lips accentuated in red.
As she remained standing like everyone else, her tiny waist that was bound with a corset made her stature more striking.
Her light eyes were downscast with one hand gripping the side of her dark, ruby gown. Her posture exuded nothing but of someone shy with no confidence.
She was like a rabbit in the den of lions.
"A council elder?" Koul let out in a whisper.
[No,] his system that had been silent, replied.
Huh? Koul stared at her, wondering what she was doing there if she wasn't among the council elders.
But as he thought of who she could be, a thought struck him.
"Then," he started. "My mother?" He questioned in a low voice.
She did indeed look old enough to be his mother and wasn't at all wrong to guess she could be.
But—
[No,] the system replied yet again.
Then who the hell is she?
[Host, that's Yui, one of your wives.]
As soon as the system revealed this and Koul was met with realization,
[Ding!]
[New Tasks have arrived.]
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Rewards: Points.
Time Limit: 1 hour.
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Rewards: Cure to your Impotency.
Time Limit: 3 days.
Hah?!!!