Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 297: Friend's marriage

Chapter 297: Friend's marriage

Alpheo's lips curved faintly into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as he nodded at yet another lord who excused himself after a brief exchange with him . Another one, he mused.

This was far removed from the cold detachment they had displayed during his first year, right after Jasmine's coronation. Back then, the nobles had treated the crown like a glass bauble—fragile, decorative, and utterly powerless. Now, their tone had changed.

Alpheo turned away from the departing noble, his practiced smile vanishing the moment the man was out of sight. His expression grew neutral as he leaned slightly toward Laedio, who stood at his side.

"What are we at now?" Alpheo asked quietly

Laedio adjusted his stance, his tone equally subdued. "twelve."

Alpheo's eyes scanned the hall, his thoughts flickering between the lords who had approached. Twelve so far, each one offering hollow congratulations to the groom while spending considerably more time conversing with him, the prince. 

The pattern was clear. Their presence was less about celebrating the union and more about currying favor with him.