The Villain Can't Lose

I cleared my throat and looked at the king with a sly grin on my face. "Your Majesty," I said, "there's a rumor about the demons spreading around." I paused for a moment, watching the king's reaction carefully.

I could see the fear in his eyes as he fixed his shoulders. Demons were the one thing that struck fear in the hearts of all his subjects, and for good reason. They were known for their destructive power and merciless nature.

I continued, my voice low and smooth. "It seems that they have been gathering in the northern mountains, growing in numbers and strength. If they were to launch an attack, our kingdom would be in great danger."

The king's face grew pale as he listened to my words. I could tell that I had him right where I wanted him. With a few well-placed words, I had managed to manipulate his fears and plant the seeds of doubt in his mind.

But I didn't stop there. I knew that to truly sway the king to my side, I needed to offer a solution to this problem. And so, I leaned in closer and whispered, "But fear not, Your Majesty. I have a plan that could help us defeat the demons once and for all."

The king leaned back, studying me with a discerning eye. "Perhaps," he said slowly, "it is the danger I was trying to tell you about before."

I knew exactly what he was referring to. The king had previously asked me about the threat to the kingdom, but I had been careful not to reveal too much. I suspected that he had been testing my loyalty, but little did he know that I was testing him too.

I feigned surprise, "Your Majesty, I had no idea that this could be the same danger you were referring to." I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts. "But if it is indeed the same, then I have more information that could be of use to you."

I knew that the King's plan to ask me about the threat was a lie to test my loyalty. But my plan was to use the opportunity to gather more information about the situation and put my father at fault for it. I knew that Hector was involved in some shady dealings, and I was determined to use this situation to my advantage.

"I have reason to believe that my father, who holds a high position in the kingdom's council, may be involved in the demons' gathering," I said, trying to sound concerned. "I would hate for such a thing to tarnish our kingdom's reputation, and I thought it best to bring it to your attention."

The king nodded thoughtfully, and I could tell that he was considering my words carefully. I had played my cards right, and I knew that I had gained his trust. It was only a matter of time before I could use this to my advantage and rise to a position of power in the kingdom.

As I mentioned my father's involvement to the king, I noticed his expression change. His eyes widened in surprise, and I could tell that he hadn't expected his cousin to be involved in such a matter. I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me, knowing that I had caught him off guard.

However, I also knew that I had to be careful not to reveal too much. I didn't want to bring up the Crown Prince's name, as I didn't want to appear too suspicious. After all, nobody wants to hear about how bad their children are from other people.

I continued speaking, keeping my tone even and measured. "I have no concrete evidence, Your Majesty," I said. "But my father has been acting strangely lately, and I believe that he may be involved in some way."

The king nodded slowly, still deep in thought. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Rowen," he said. "I will investigate this matter further and see if there's any truth to your claims."

I bowed respectfully, pleased with how the conversation had gone. I had managed to gain the king's trust, and I could tell that I was one step closer to achieving my goals.

I knew that I had to be careful, but I was determined to rise to a position of power in the kingdom, no matter what it took. With the king's trust in me, I was confident that I could make it happen.

As he finished speaking, the king thanked me for bringing this matter to his attention. He then asked if there was anything he could do for me in return.

I knew that this was an opportunity to further gain the king's favor, but I also knew that I had to be careful not to overstep my boundaries. I lowered my head respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, I wouldn't dare to ask anything of you. I am just a loyal servant of the crown, and I only seek to serve the kingdom to the best of my ability."

In truth, there was something I wanted to ask for. I had been engaged to Lady Aurora, a noblewoman from a wealthy family, but I had no time for women. I wanted to break off the engagement, but I knew that this was not the right time to bring it up.

I decided to bide my time and wait for the right opportunity. For now, my main focus was to gain the king's trust and take Hector down. I knew that with his support, I could make anything happen.

As I left the hall room, my mind was already racing with plans and schemes. I knew that I had to be careful and tread lightly, but I was determined to achieve my goals no matter what it took. I would do whatever it takes to gain power and influence in the kingdom, and nothing would stand in my way.