War Room — Midnight
The emergency meeting was the tensest Kaito had ever convened.
And that was saying something, considering everything they'd been through.
The four queens were seated. Drake and Gorman as well.
Aria observed from a corner.
Kaito unrolled the Council parchment.
"The deadline is ten weeks," he began. "At least that gives us some breathing room."
Gorman exhaled with relief.
"That helps a little."
Kaito nodded, but his expression didn't improve.
"The problem isn't the time. It's the requirement."
He read aloud.
"You must bring your official Queen as witness to your legitimacy before the Council."
Silence.
"And further down: 'A king without a recognized queen is not a legitimate king under continental law. He will be treated as a warlord or criminal.'"
Adelheid was the first to speak.
"Warlord?"
Kaito nodded.
"If I go without an official Queen... they won't take me seriously. And if they don't take me seriously..."
