“Are you even qualified to sit while speaking to me?”
Austin’s words struck like the blow of a hammer. They were sharp and unrelenting, and they left no room for retort.
Langdon sat frozen and was momentarily speechless. He hadn’t expected a brat like Austin to have such a sharp tongue.
If he admitted he had come for personal matters, he would keep his pride intact, but he would lose control of the conversation. Everything he had prepared -and all the accusations he meant to throw-would be meaningless.
But if he insisted it was official business, he would have to show proper respect and offer a formal greeting. No matter how he answered, he would be conceding ground.
“I’ll ask one more time. Are you here on official or personal matters?” Austin asked coldly.
“O-Official matters.” Cornered, Langdon barely managed to get the words out.
“Well? Is this how an official conducts himself?” Austin pressed.
Langdon had no choice but to rise and offer a deep bow. “Your Highness, it’s an honor to stand before you.”
The other royal advisors quickly followed suit, and their earlier arrogance vanished as they stood and paid their respects.
Axel watched the shift unfold and couldn’t hide his admiration.
Austin truly lived up to his reputation. He was sharp-witted and strategic. With just a few words, he had these cunning officials completely outmaneuvered.
“Uncle Langdon, no need to be so serious. I was just having a little fun.”
One moment, Austin was cold and distant, but the next, he was warm and approachable.
“Come on, everyone, have a seat. Don’t be so formal.”
Seeing how quickly Austin changed his attitude, Langdon and the other royal advisors exchanged uncertain glances.
“I wouldn’t dare, Your Highness. I’ll just stand.” Langdon’s face was grim, and his voice was strained.
He had been in government for years, but never expected to be outplayed by Austin, and the thought didn’t sit well with him.
“As you wish, Uncle Langdon.”
Austin didn’t press the matter. He sat down casually, then looked at Langdon with a wry smile. “So, why are you here?”
“I…” Langdon began, but he found himself at a loss for words.
He had stormed inside with righteous fury and was ready to denounce Austin. But after being thrown off balance, that fire had all but sputtered out. Now, he couldn’t even muster a stern word.
“What’s wrong?” Austin raised an eyebrow. “Cat got your tongue, Uncle Langdon?”
Langdon exhaled slowly and gathered his thoughts. “Your Highness, the city is under lockdown, and people are in a panic. I must ask-what exactly has happened to warrant such drastic measures?”
“To catch a traitor, Of course,” Austin replied calmly. “I issued an official notice this morning, and everything is clearly stated there. Did none of you bother to read it?”
“An official notice?” Langdon frowned. ” What notice? Why haven’t we heard about this?”
“You’ve all been busy with your own affairs, so it’s understandable if you missed it,” Austin said evenly. “I’ll have copies delivered to your homes later so no one will be uninformed.”
Seeing the conversation veering off track, Langdon quickly interjected, “Forget the notice. Just tell me what crime did Sir Prescott commit that justifies this chaos? Did you really need to turn the entire city upside down?”
“Exactly! Sir Prescott has done so much for West Lucozia. Even if he made a mistake, does that justify confiscating his properties and sentencing him to death?” one royal advisor chimed in.
“If Prince Rufus were here, he wouldn’t stand for this recklessness, nor would he allow you to throw Celestria into turmoil,” another added.
With Langdon leading the charge, the other royal advisors followed suit and voiced their protest.
They weren’t just defending Warrick, but they were also protecting themselves. After all, who among them hadn’t cut corners or bent the rules? If even a minor offense meant execution and property confiscation, what hope did they have?
“Everyone, quiet down.” Austin raised a hand, and the room fell silent.
Once the voices died down, he continued, ” Let me make this clear-Warrick didn’t just make a mistake, but he committed unforgivable crimes.
“Over the years, he has committed atrocities-pillaging, killing, and doing things so heinous they defy description. The blood on his hands could condemn him a hundred times over, yet no punishment would be enough to atone for what he’s done. Are you saying a man like that shouldn’t be arrested and executed?”
“Those are baseless accusations!” Langdon snapped. “If Your Highness has proof, then present it. Otherwise, we refuse to believe such claims.”
“That’s right. Sir Prescott is a loyal and honorable man. How could he possibly be guilty of such crimes?”
“It seems that you have been misled by slanderous rumors, Your Highness. Sir Prescott is being wrongfully accused.”
“To execute a loyal servant without cause is an affront to justice. Your Highness must revoke the arrest order and clear Sir Prescott’s name.”
The royal advisors erupted in protest, and their voices rang with righteous indignation.
To an outsider, it looked like Austin had made a big blunder.
