"I was starting to think you'd remain cooped up in your little hole and not grace me with your presence," King Sestrus said in a casual tone.
His lips were still curved into a smile.
But in contrast to his cheerful demeanor, Koul's face was a storm of anger.
And even when the king noticed this, his expression didn't waver at all. He neither showed any signs of noticing nor did he think to bring up the issue at hand.
He was simply all about his arrival and welcoming.
Koul's eyes squinted sternly at his blatancy before they darted over to Yui. She was still trembling as she knelt.
Without so much as a word to king Sestrus, Koul commanded in a serious tone.
"Stand up."
At first, everyone was confused. Including Yui who was lost as to whether Koul was referring to her or somebody else.
This didn't make Koul falter. He maintained his stern gaze which was directly piercing at the king and said again.
"Stand up, Yui."
Only when he was this clear and direct did the silence in the room finally break into a chorus of low gasps and murmurs.
Yui's trembling ceased once in shock at Koul's command. Then slowly, she rose to her feet, almost falling.
"T-thank you, your majesty," she let out lowly. Her voice was barely above a whisper. And she couldn't even dare look up at anyone.
She kept her head lowered with hands tugging awkwardly at the hems of her dress.
Even in the dress that appeared baggy, her figure couldn't go unnoticed. She was a sight to see in the midst of everyone.
And having so many eyes on her made her only sink more into the discomfort she'd been feeling since the beginning.
To add more flame, Koul had just waved off her punishment in front of everyone. This only put her in a tighter spot.
Along with this, confusion also bloomed in her chest.
Since when did the king, their so-called husband ever cared enough to do something like this? It was marveling as well as confusing.
King Sestrus and his people, faced with such insult, the air around them changed. They gazed at Koul like he had committed a crime worthy of death itself.
The young man beside king Sestrus whose feature resembled his, stepped forward. His face was tight with evident anger and his firsts were clenched.
"How dare you insult my father like this in front of so many eyes?!" He yelled, stepping forward like he wanted to tackle Koul to the ground.
But before he could get any closer, king Sestrus, his father, raised his hand.
He halted instantly, drawing back. Although he still attempted to protest, but king Sestrus was firm in his silent command.
After passing on the order for his wife to stand up, Koul kept silent. He was unbothered by their contemptuous gazes and didn't even flinch when king Sestrus' son was coming at him.
He stood his ground. Steady and composed. Not a single lash was batted as he stood firm in their presence.
As his son drew back, Sestrus returned his gaze back to Koul.
"Those eyes…" he smiled, nodding his head.
Still, Koul remained silent.
There was a deafening silence between them for moments. They simply stared at each other. Eyeballs to eyeballs as if battling some sort of battle with the eyes.
"Young king, since when did you care so much for the toys you pick up? Enough for you to go against me publicly." King Sestrus finally broke the silent.
His demeanor was as it was since the start. He was still calm and oozing no malicious energy.
Toys? Koul echoed in his mind. He didn't like this but decided to let it go.
But letting it go didn't mean he was letting the whole situation blow off. Not after they made his wife kneel pathetically in front of everyone.
"My fellow king, is it not mere courtesy to inform the Lord of the house of its wrongs first before taking matters into hand?" He fired back in a tone not lacking the same authority as king Sestrus'.
Within him, Koul was boiling. If it'd be within his power, he would've had the king and his people humiliated just as much as his wife was.
But as response, king Sestrus' smile only grew wider. His eyes shone with an unreadable intensity but a guess would be he was quite amazed…. in an unsettling way.
"I must say…. you've grown since the last time I saw you," he said. "Now old enough to even challenge me."
His eyes glinted sharply, reflecting an eerie gaze that lasted but for a moment.
"But I can't help but wonder. When did you start holding up your power for a mere harlot?"
Koul's eyes instantly widened, his body overtaken by a rage he'd never felt before.
Harlot?
His gaze reflexively turned to where Yui stood, seeing her remain standing with her head still lowered.
Then his gaze swept through the eyes present, noticing the smile they were struggling to conceal.
Koul boiled more, his rage threatening to burst forth. But he knew well not to.
Calms. I can't let anger get the best of me. Doing things with a calm head has always yielded the best results.
Koul's eyes that were filled with anger at king Sestrus slowly turned soft.
I can't let them keep that thought or else the system will slap a penalty to my face.
Even if I have never met the real Koul, from the little I've got to know, he wouldn't directly stand up for his women.
Koul raised back his head that was slowly lowering and ignited back the sharp stare at king Sestrus.
"Now that is where you are wrong." He said, piquing their focus. "I'm not wielding my power right now for anyone but myself."
"You have entered my hall as an honored guest, yet, in my absence you wielded your power against one of mine. You took into your own hands, matters of my own palace without the courtesy of seeking my counsel. And…"
…. you have disgraced a woman of this house, branding her a harlot. Does this not merit your head?