Chapter 57: The Great Meeting

Roiner

The air inside the Council Chamber was thick with the suffocating scent of ancient oak, polished brass, and the suppressed, volatile scents of the kingdom’s most powerful figures.

Roiner sat back in his heavy high-backed chair, his dark crimson eyes sweeping lazily across the vast circular room. At the center sat the massive round table carved from black oak, surrounding the four sovereign brothers—the Kings of Kings—and the grand ministers of the realm.

High Commander Lord Darius Stormclaw sat imposing in his dark armor; beside him, his former mate, Lady Selene Moongaze, tapped a manicured finger against her leather ledger. Further down, Archmage Corvin Duskwrought murmured under his breath beside Baroness Elira Thornfang, Chancellor Veyron Blackmane, and the four sovereign brothers: King Alaric Ironfang, King Theron Bloodfang, King Kaelen Stormfang, and King Lucien Shadowfang.

The eldest brother, King Alaric Ironfang, leaned his massive forearms against the black oak, his deep, commanding voice cutting through the ambient hum of the room.

"Due to the recent growing number of rogues," King Alaric laid out thick, his dark brows furrowing, "there have been severe attacks in both the western and southern regions. The border packs are pleading for us to send immediate military support. But unfortunately, we cannot simply march our troops into those sectors. If we send imperial help to these packs, the rogue factions will view it as a direct military offense against them... and thus, it would instantly plunge the entire realm into full-scale war."

Alaric leaned back, resting his jaw on his fist as he looked across the table. "I need all of you to figure out how on earth we can get out of this. We cannot leave the southern and western packs out there to deal with rogue attacks by themselves, but we also cannot help them directly... or the rogues will see it as a declaration of war, which we absolutely cannot afford."

Oh my Goddess, Roiner complained in his head, resting his cheek against his pale hand as his ancient eyes glazed over. Why am I even here? Why do I have to sit here and listen to this political mess? I don’t understand. I could be back at Moonside Academy right now, in close proximity to my fated mate... but no. I just have to sit here in this loud, dreadful room for a reason I do not know.

"My King!" Lord Darius Stormclaw spoke up immediately, his deep voice booming off the circular walls. "We cannot sit idle while our border packs are slaughtered! I say we deploy the Imperial Guard to the western borders at once! We must defend our territories!"

"Are you out of your mind, Darius?!" Chancellor Veyron Blackmane countered sharply, slamming a heavy hand onto the table. "The realm cannot be plunged into war at the moment! It is far too critical! The last time this empire went to war, it ended in a bloody, catastrophic fight where millions of our people died! We must be smart about this—we cannot afford another war! Perhaps we should try negotiating a peace treaty with the rogue factions!"

"A peace treaty with rogues?!" Baroness Elira Thornfang scoffed, throwing her hands up in pure disdain. "When has a peace treaty with a rogue ever worked out for anyone in recorded history?!"

King Lucien Shadowfang tilted his head, a dangerous, charming smile touching his lips. "It does make a certain amount of sense, Baroness. We could offer them designated land and formal peace... perhaps then they will step away from our borders."

"My King, with all due respect!" Archmage Corvin Duskwrought interjected firmly. "Rogues are rogues specifically because they do not stay on designated land! If we simply hand them land, we will show them that the Crown is terrified of war!"

"Well, the realm is terrified of war!" Lady Selene Moongaze snapped back, her eyes flashing. "Because we care for the lives of our people! We cannot blindly jump into a war with the rogues!"

"People are already dying, Minister!" Lord Darius shouted back, leaning across the black oak. "If you don’t care about the southern and western regions, just say it out loud! Because innocent people are dying every single day! The rogues are completely out of control! They need to be put in their place, I say we exterminate them all from this land!"

"That would be mass murder, Darius!" King Theron Bloodfang barked, his scarred face darkening with rage. "We are rulers, not butchers!"

As the ministers and kings erupted into a chaotic shouting match, King Alaric Ironfang let out a heavy, tired breath. He turned his head, his sharp eyes locking directly onto Roiner, who was sitting in complete, unbothered silence.

"Roiner," King Alaric spoke, his voice effortlessly cutting through the roar of the room. The entire council fell silent, every head turning toward the ancient Headmaster.

"I invited you here today so you could see this absolute mess of a council I have," Alaric said, raising an eyebrow. "I want to know... what would you do? You are the one who has lived the longest among us. You have been here for centuries. I am sure you have a wise opinion on this matter."

Oh my gosh, Roiner screamed internally, his heart sinking into his stomach. I don’t know! If you were going to put me on the spot like this, you should have at least given me something to go by beforehand!

Roiner sat up slowly, smoothing the front of his dark tailcoat. He cleared his throat softly, his ancient, calm aura instantly washing over the room.

"Well..." Roiner began, his deep, velvety voice echoing smoothly off the stone arches. "The matter of the rogues is a rather sensitive one. We currently have a child—a rogue student—back at Moonside Academy right now. And from what I have observed... she is integrating rather well into society."

He leaned forward, resting his pale hands on the black oak. "Before we resort to acts of war, in my opinion, we must gather the rogue children and try to integrate them back into society to lessen the overall number of rogues over time. Because these children... from what I saw when I was personally selecting the student currently at my academy... their hearts are filled with a deep pain. They wonder why they were so unlucky to have been born rogues. They see children in the packs living happy lives, going to schools, and bonding with others... while they are stuck with parents who are all but vicious. And naturally, as they grow... they grow vicious as well."

Roiner looked around the table, his crimson eyes locking onto each minister in turn. "So... my theory is to send out letters and announcements for Moonside... or, we could create an entirely new academy. Since I know..." Roiner paused, offering a faint, sarcastic smirk, "...your children are quite picky about who they allow around them. We could open a new institution centered around rogue children, where we try to integrate them into society and establish a new rank called Nobles-in-Waiting. It is similar to a lady-in-waiting, but for young nobles. These children from rogue parents will be paired up with one of your children—the nobles or high-ranking pack members—so they can learn how pack life works. In due time, I believe we will be able to drastically lessen the number of rogues."

"Absolutely ridiculous!" Chancellor Veyron Blackmane blurted out, looking horrified. "My child is not being paired up with a filthy rogue!"

"No, no, no," King Kaelen Stormfang interrupted smoothly, a sharp, calculating light in his eyes. "It actually makes sense. This might be the only way. We cannot simply leave the rogues to do whatever they wish. And pairing the children up to mold their minds alongside our nobles makes strategic sense. When they finish, they could start their own civilized packs... decreasing the rogue population year by year."

"My King, with the deepest respect..." Chancellor Veyron spoke up again, bowing his head slightly. "In my honest opinion, yes... this plan could work. But the wild rogues will never apply to this academy! Their parents will not allow it! How are they supposed to apply? To them, we are predators! Their parents have had years to mold their minds against us. So... perhaps the princes should marry a rogue instead."

The entire room went dead silent for half a second before exploding into sheer, chaotic uproar.

"WHAT?!"

"Are you insane?!"

"How dare you even suggest such a thing?!"

"Hear me!" the Chancellor shouted at the top of his lungs, standing up from his chair. "Hear me! It doesn’t have to be the princes, it could be the princess! We need a rogue to represent the rogue population! It brings diversity to the Crown! It gives the rogues someone to look up to so they feel safe, because they would see one of their own as a queen, a princess, or a king!"

King Alaric held up a hand, silencing the room once more. "I do understand your point, Chancellor... but we cannot put an uneducated rogue in close proximity to the Crown and certainly not on the throne. However... we can put a rogue on the High Council."

The ministers stared at him in utter shock. "What?!"

"Yes," Alaric declared firmly. "When my sons form their council, they will have a rogue representative sitting at this table. We will create a brand new position specifically for a rogue voice."

"How is that possible, my King?" Baroness Elira questioned, frowning. "We can’t just throw a rogue into a high council position! They need to be educated!"

Roiner leaned back, a smooth, unbothered smile touching his lips. "That won’t be a problem at all. As I told you... we have a rogue student back at the academy right now. She is being educated as we speak. I say she will be more than capable in the future of taking this position and speaking for the rogue population."

King Alaric nodded heavily. "Very well. Council adjourned. I shall discuss this further with the other Kings before we finalize anything." The ministers bowed, rising from their seats and filing out of the vast chamber in noisy, hushed chatter. Roiner stood up, adjusting his coat, eager to make a swift exit.

"Roiner," King Alaric called out. "Please stay."

Oh, come on! Roiner groaned furiously in his head.

Suppressing a sigh, he sat back down in his leather chair, looking at the four sovereign brothers who remained at the black oak table. "Yes, my King?"

King Alaric leaned forward, a genuinely worried expression softening his stern face. "Tell me... how on earth are things going back at the academy with my sons? Are they learning? Are they growing?"

No, Roiner thought flatly. "I would say that they are doing well, Sire," Roiner lied smoothly aloud. "They are... certainly more tame than they were last year."

King Theron chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I heard a rumor that Malric was slapped by a student there, wasn’t he?" King Lucien snorted, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "I wish I had been there to see it! That arrogant little boy getting slapped across the face!"

Alaric gritted his teeth, looking at Roiner. "Who did the slapping? And has this person been properly punished?" "Expeditiously, Sire," Roiner answered without missing a beat. "They have been thoroughly punished."

"Good," Alaric grunted, nodding. "As much as I secretly enjoy that my son’s arrogant little face was slapped... it is terrible for the image of the Crown. Thank you for dealing with the situation. It is deeply embarrassing."

Alaric leaned his head against his hand, letting out a heavy sigh. "Are the princes being disciplined? Are they being good? Do you think they will be sorted out in a year, Roiner? Next year is their final year at the academy... after that, they go straight into royal king training before taking the throne. It is not a lot of time. With this rogue situation escalating... do you think they will be ready for the throne in time?"

Roiner stayed silent for a long moment. This time, he didn’t lie.

"Honestly, Sire... those princes are childish at best," Roiner stated bluntly, his crimson eyes cold and serious. "I think... if they are capable of growing and maximizing their skills, in time, if they are willing to learn... they are capable of being good kings, strong enough to lead and protect the realm and all its packs."

"But they are not willing, are they?" King Kaelen asked quietly.

"Unfortunately, they are not," Roiner admitted heavy-heartedly. "If things continue the way they are... the realm will be stuck with incompetent, arrogant rulers who will plunge everyone into war. They act far too fast, and their anger issues are immense."

King Alaric slammed his fist softly onto the wood, looking at Roiner with desperate, pleading eyes. "Roiner... you need to do something about this. Those boys do not listen to me at all. But I need you to exercise a heavy hand on those princes."

Roiner raised an eyebrow. "Well... you know as well as I do that the princes’ royal power is absolute within the academy."

"I will make your power absolute," Alaric declared firmly, leaning across the table. "Straighten out my children. I beg of you."

Great, Roiner complained bitterly in his head. More work for me. When you guys die, those boys are probably going to come after me with the full, terrifying force of the Crown.

"Absolutely, Your Majesty. I will try my best to straighten out those boys in hopes of preparing them for the Crown." Roiner said out loud, bowing his head gracefully.

"Thank you, old friend," Alaric sighed, rising from his chair along with his brothers. Roiner stood up, smoothing his sleeves. "I shall take my leave now—"

"Wait," King Theron spoke up, offering a polite smile. "Please stay at the capital for the week, Roiner." Roiner froze dead in his tracks. What?!

"Yes, please stay for the week," Alaric agreed. "So we can finish what we are discussing and iron out the final plans for this rogue academy initiative. It will only take about a week. I’m sure the students will not miss you for a few days."

Roiner’s jaw clenched tightly. A deep, agonizing ache flared in his chest. But he forced a polite, flawless bow. "Yes... Your Grace," Roiner murmured softly.

He turned on his heel and strode out of the vast council chamber, his long dark coat billowing behind him. As the heavy double doors clicked shut, Roiner walked down the long, quiet marble corridors of the palace, his heart aching with pure, overwhelming desperation.

I can’t do this, Roiner thought, his crimson eyes burning with intense, desperate longing. I need to be near Aina. I can’t stay here in this dreadful palace... I am literally missing her sweet, wild scent, and it is driving me completely insane!

He closed his eyes for a single second, taking a deep, shuddering breath to steady his ancient soul. Just a couple more days, Roiner promised himself softly, opening his eyes as he looked out toward the distant horizon. Just a couple more days... then you’ll see her, Roiner. You’ll see her again.