The murmuring suddenly stopped.
The reason was simple: His Majesty the King strode briskly to the front of the stage. At the sight of him, everyone rose. The Mages and Priests inclined their heads in respect, while the Nobility bowed deeply. They then welcomed the master of the Kingdom with a round of applause.
"Your discussions are quite lively. I could hear them even from outside."
"Our apologies for disturbing Your Majesty."
"No, no, it is I who should apologize to you gentlemen. Please understand that after becoming King, my time no longer belongs to myself, nor to a select few."
"Yes, you are the lord of the Kingdom, the representative of all people, just as we are the representatives of the Valois people." This was spoken by one of the Nobility. They had always considered themselves representatives of the Valois people—a consciousness forged in the many wars against Istani and the Empire.
