Novel Full Chapter 337: An Unacceptable Request?
Chapter 337: An Unacceptable Request?
Razeal listened to Arthur’s words without interrupting him. He didn’t argue, didn’t react immediately, didn’t even change his posture at first. Then, slowly, almost lazily, he shook his head.
“Hmmm… interesting,” he said at last, his voice calm, unhurried. “But I’ll have to reject that.”
Arthur’s gaze sharpened for a fraction of a second, but before he could respond, Razeal continued, tilting his head slightly as if reconsidering his own words.
“I won’t reject this from my side,” he clarified. “If the princess herself rejects it, then fine. I won’t force anything. But I won’t be the one to step back.” His lips curved faintly, not quite a smile. “As for your father… if he wants to reject it forcefully, he can try. I won’t stop him either.”
He shrugged lightly, as if the matter were trivial. “But i won’t do it.. Kicking away one’s own destiny is a bad habit, you know. I don’t plan on starting that.”
Arthur exhaled through his nose and shook his head, exactly as Razeal had expected him to. There was no surprise on his face, only resignation.
“Yeah,” Arthur muttered. “I figured you’d say that.” His expression tightened slightly. “Looks like no one’s saving Father from that shame today.”
“He won’t accept it,” Arthur added flatly, more as a statement of fact than warning.
Razeal glanced at him sideways, studying him for a moment before speaking again.
“Why are you sad?” he asked suddenly, his tone curious rather than mocking. “You actually have more to gain if I marry your sister than if I don’t.” As he spoke, a sharp glint flickered briefly in his eyes.. gone so fast it could almost be missed. “You should be helping me make this happen then not trying to stop it.”
Arthur paused.
That was not the direction he had expected this conversation to take.
“What do you mean?” Arthur asked, his brows knitting together. He turned his head slightly toward Razeal, interest and confusion mixing in his expression. “How would this be advantageous to me?”
Razeal didn’t answer immediately. His arm was still draped over Arthur’s shoulder more but there was weight in it now, a quiet pressure Arthur became suddenly aware of.
“I remember your sister telling me something,” Razeal said slowly. “That you’re close to becoming crown prince.” His voice remained even, almost conversational. “But there’s a problem.. That she’s stronger than you,” Razeal continued, his tone sharpening just enough to bite. “Even though you’re the elder brother, you still can’t beat her.” His eyes flicked briefly toward Arthur’s face, watching closely. “And then there’s the Trident of the Sea.”
Arthur’s jaw tightened.
“You failed to raise it? Right?” Razeal said calmly.
Arthur’s body stiffened suddenly.
“From that alone, I can guess the rest,” Razeal went on, his voice dropping slightly. “She’s qualified. She can lift it Right? The only reason the public doesn’t know yet is because time hasn’t caught up.” His lips curved faintly. “Once it does, she’ll be declared crown princess. And after that… no one will be able to stop her from becoming ruler of the sea.”
Each word landed exactly where it was meant to.
Arthur felt his body tremble, subtle but undeniable. Razeal’s arm was still across his shoulder, close enough that Arthur could feel the steady presence beside him, the quiet confidence behind every word.
“And what are you getting at?” Arthur asked, his voice lower now, guarded. His earlier smile had vanished completely, replaced by a narrow, assessing stare.
Razeal’s eyes softened but only on the surface.
“Seems I was right,” he said. “Then this really is a good chance for you.” He leaned in just slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper meant for Arthur alone. “Think about it. Right now, your chances of becoming king are almost nonexistent.”
Arthur didn’t interrupt.
“But what if she marries a human?” Razeal continued, his words slipping in like poison disguised as reason. “Even if she’s qualified. Even if she can wield the trident.” His voice was quiet, persuasive. “Do you really think the people of Atlantis would accept her as ruler then?”
Arthur’s eyes widened at sudden words…
“They won’t,” Razeal said softly. “Their favor will turn. Doubt will spread. Opposition will grow.” His smile deepened, faint and knowing. “And where does that favor go instead?”
Arthur swallowed.
“To you,” Razeal finished. “The rightful Atlantean prince. The safe choice.”
Silence stretched between them.
Arthur’s gaze went distant, unfocused, his mind racing. With every word Razeal had spoken, something inside him had shifted. Doubt, resentment, ambition things he had kept buried surfaced all at once.
Then, suddenly, Arthur raised one arm and slid it around Razeal’s shoulder in return. He turned fully toward him, his expression transformed.
A smile spread across his face wide, genuine, and sharp all at once.
“You’re a genius,” Arthur said, lifting his other hand to give a firm thumbs-up. “Brother-in-law.”
Razeal laughed.
Arthur laughed too, the sound bubbling up freely now, manic energy flashing in his eyes.
“I accept it,” Arthur continued, grinning. “From now on, you’re the only one marrying my sister. No debate about it.” He laughed again, shaking his head. “This is perfect.”
Razeal laughed along with him, their voices overlapping, blending easily. To anyone watching, they would have looked like close friends sharing a joke.
Inside, Razeal observed Arthur calmly, his smile never faltering.
Wasn’t this easy, he thought.
He shook his head internally, almost amused. Shameless, he decided. Truly shameless. But he said nothing.
“Don’t worry, brother-in-law,” Arthur whispered conspiratorially, leaning in closer. “I’ll help you marry her. You’re lucky, you know. There’s no one more beautiful than my sister in this entire world.. You should accept it..” His grin widened. “As for Father not accepting it? Just follow my advice. Even he won’t be able to stop it.”
Arthur eyes brightened with excitement.
“Of course,” Razeal replied smoothly, nodding. “That’s why I like smart people.”
And beneath the warmth in his voice, beneath the friendly laughter and shared shoulders, the game had already been decided.
—-
While on the other hand, above the VIP seats, the atmosphere had turned sharp and heavy, as if the air itself had tightened. Merisa rose abruptly from her throne, the elegant stone beneath her feet scraping faintly as she stood. Her posture was rigid, her spine straight, and the cold authority she usually wore like armor now cracked just enough for raw anger and disbelief to bleed through. Her eyes locked onto King Julius with a dangerous intensity, the kind that made even seasoned rulers feel the instinctive urge to tread carefully.
“I don’t accept it,” she said, her voice steady yet carrying a sharp edge. “I absolutely cannot let this happen. What is the meaning of this, King Julius?” Her gaze hardened further. “My son marrying? And I wasn’t even informed? Who gave you the right to decide something like this single handedly?” Her fingers curled slightly at her side as restrained fury simmered beneath her calm exterior. “He’s just a kid. And from his expressions earlier, I could tell he didn’t even know this was the first prize. You will have to step down from this.”
King Julius let out a long, weary breath, one hand rising to cover part of his face as if trying to physically hold himself together. The weight of the situation pressed visibly on his shoulders, and for the first time that day, he looked every bit like a ruler cornered by circumstances rather than an absolute authority. “Believe me, Lady Merisa… this was never in my plans,” he replied, his tone heavy with frustration and resignation. “I even discussed this with you just minutes ago. I Even asked you for permission if its fine to ensure he wouldn’t win. Didn’t i?.”
He lowered his hand slowly, meeting her gaze with a troubled look. “But your son… he defied everything. He defeated even the great protector.. placed before him which should be impossible but.. he did and won the first prize outright something I never intended to allow.” His jaw tightened. “Anyways.. I will be preparing to prevent the marriage, knowing he is human. I planned to publicly compensate him instead and explain my reasons before the people. I was worried you would be offended by that decision since your son will be getting wronged.” He paused, then let out a hollow sigh. “But now seeing your reaction now… I am relieved you don’t want this either.”
His voice dropped further, quieter but firmer. “I truly cannot let this happen. A human marrying the Princess of Atlantis would place her in an impossible position. And as much as it pains me, my responsibility lies with the future of Atlantis.. not my pride, not my honor.” His eyes flickered briefly with discomfort. “Even if it means bending my word today… I must do what I believe is right.”
Merisa, who had been ready to push further only moments ago, froze slightly upon hearing his words. The anger in her eyes dulled into something more conflicted, more restrained. She inhaled deeply, the tension in her shoulders easing just a fraction. “So that’s how it is…” she murmured. Slowly, she sat back down on her throne, one hand lifting to her forehead as she rubbed her temple. “Alright. I understand.” Her voice was quieter now, drained rather than furious. “I can accept that.”
She said nothing more, simply shaking her head faintly as stress weighed down on her thoughts. Her son marrying.. at sixteen, no less was something she had never prepared for. The very idea unsettled her deeply. As a mother, she felt she should have had a say, at least a conversation, before something like this was ever announced. The mere possibility that it might have actually happened had shaken her more than she wanted to admit.
King Julius straightened slowly, as if bracing himself for the next unpleasant task. “Sigh… alright. I’ll handle this properly,” he muttered to himself. Rising from his throne, he cast one final glance toward the arena below before vanishing from the VIP stand. In the next instant, he reappeared at the very center of the arena, his presence commanding immediate silence.
“Alright,” he announced, his voice reverberating powerfully throughout the colosseum. “This competition has ended. It is time to reward the winners.” Floating screens scattered across the arena flared to life, all focusing on his image nos. His expression was stern, his tone clipped, devoid of ceremony. He had abandoned formalities entirely. He didn’t care about elegance or proper pacing anymore. His mood was foul, his patience thin, and he wanted this done.
“Third position.. step forward.”
And just as he said it
A short-statured man appeared on the arena floor, his chest puffed out and a proud grin plastered across his face. Despite sensing the irritation laced through the king’s voice, excitement clearly overwhelmed him. He waved enthusiastically toward the audience, basking in the attention as the massive projection screens magnified his image for all of Atlantis to see.
King Julius, however, showed no interest in indulging the moment. “Keltian Murphy,” he said sharply, cutting through the man’s enthusiasm. “You have won third place in the royal competition.” With a swift motion, he produced a blue stone tablet engraved with the emblem of the Atlantean royal family and tossed it toward the man. “As your reward, you are granted the right to select one item from the royal treasury. Present this tablet to the guard stationed atop the colosseum. He will guide you.”
Keltian caught the blue stone tablet midair, his fingers closing around the cold surface almost on reflex. The weight of it was real.. heavy, solid, undeniable but the way it had been thrown, the speed with which everything had moved, left him momentarily stunned. His pride from a moment ago faltered slightly as he looked down at the tablet in his hand, then back up toward the king.
But King Julius wasn’t even looking at him anymore.
The hurried tone, the lack of acknowledgment, the absence of even a formal nod it all hit Keltian at once. A flicker of disappointment passed through his eyes, brief and restrained. He had placed third in the royal competition, a feat that would have earned thunderous praise any other day. Yet now, standing under the gaze of the entire colosseum, he felt strangely… dismissed.
Still, he didn’t dare voice a single word of dissatisfaction. Not in front of the king atleast.
“Alright. Next,” King Julius’s voice rang out again, sharp and authoritative, echoing across the arena with renewed force. “Second position. Come to the arena.”
Keltian hesitated for just a fraction of a second, glancing once more toward the king. There was no acknowledgment coming. No ceremony. No delay. Realizing that much, he tightened his grip around the stone tablet, straightened his posture, and turned away. Without complaint, without theatrics, he walked out of the arena. His steps were steady, his expression composed, hiding whatever disappointment lingered beneath the surface.
As soon as he cleared the arena floor, another figure stepped forward.
The woman who had faced Razeal in the final match who had surrendered almost immediately walked calmly onto the arena. A faint smile rested on her lips, confident and composed, as though she had already anticipated this moment. The crowd shifted subtly, attention refocusing as her presence drew eyes from every direction.
King Julius looked down at her. His expression remained neutral, unreadable.
“Martha Voltan,” he announced, his voice carrying clearly. “You have won second position in the royal competition.” He paused briefly before continuing. “As your reward, you may ask one thing of the king. Whatever it is, it will be fulfilled.”
Martha’s smile widened instantly. Excitement flashed across her face, her eyes brightening as heat crept faintly into her cheeks. The reward wasn’t gold. It wasn’t an artifact. It was a promise one that only the king himself could grant.. And that was the thing she had came here for.. from the very start..
“So,” King Julius said, looking down at her again, a quiet sigh slipping from his lips. “What is it?”
Even as he asked, there was a faint sense of irritation beneath his calm. Whether it was exhaustion, lingering frustration from earlier events, or the weight of the day itself, even he wasn’t entirely sure.
Martha lifted her chin slightly, meeting his gaze without hesitation. “From childhood,” she began, her voice steady yet tinged with emotion, “I have heard that there is no warrior as strong and majestic as you in all this Ocean, my king.”
She paused as still hesitating whatver to really do it.. or not.
King Julius watched her closely now, curiosity surfacing despite himself. “You may speak,” he said. “Go on.”
Martha inhaled softly, then finished her words without retreat. “I want a son… to be strong and great warrior like you.”
Her cheeks flushed a little more as she spoke, but her eyes never wavered.
The king frowned slightly and shook his head. “That is a request I cannot fulfill,” he replied plainly. “I cannot grant strength, nor can I shape someone into a warrior like myself.” His tone hardened just a bit. “Choose something reasonable.”
Martha didn’t look disappointed.
Instead, she smiled.
“No, my king,” she said gently. “You misunderstand my words.”
The faint warmth in her expression deepened as she raised her gaze again. “What I mean is… I want a son from you.” Her voice was clear now, unhesitating. “That way, I will give birth to a son as strong and who will be great worrior as you.”
The moment her words settled
The entire colosseum fell silent.
Not a whisper. Not a breath. Not a single sound.
Arthur, who had been mid-conversation with Razeal, froze. His mouth fell open, shock written plainly across his face. “Whaaat…?” he muttered under his breath, unable to finish the thought.
Even Razeal’s attention snapped fully toward the woman. His eyes narrowed slightly, interest sparking as he studied her anew, expression unreadable but intent.
King Julius himself paused.
For the first time since stepping onto the arena, he didn’t speak immediately.
A deep frown formed on his face as he looked down at Martha Voltan, the weight of her request finally sinking in.
—-