The Legends of Kartas | Ongoing

41. THE COUNCIL'S RULE

The great hall was starting to feel more like a cage than a meeting place. At the arrival of Mother Erna, another lofty chair was pulled next to Jimin. Once the council resumed, Namjoon remained reticent, his eyes swinging from Mother Erna to the other princes and occasionally Two.

Convincing others. It was supposed to be easy—Namjoon was a mind elemental, after all—yet he was stuck in this limbo with the Prince of Lux, who refused to admit defeat. He even brought in Two, a maniacal "guard" who—to Namjoon's dismay—had an uncanny shield against his element.

How could he put it? Two was. . . unusual, violent, volatile. Even her name was off-putting. Two. The only place he knew of that used numbers as names were the Sapientian laboratories, where they would number the rats and other experimental units. For all he knew, Lux could have created some inhuman monster in their short time of peace after the Great Southern Wars. Its abrupt end in the hands of the late King Aethyrias was always a topic of curiosity. If Lux ended the war to create—Namjoon looked at Two—that, he expected nothing else of such a power-hungry state.

The problem was that Two was being used to go against his plans.

He didn't understand. The answer was simple. Yes, Jungkook had notable observations, but everyone did. Reaching Infernum was impossible, and there was no need to even visit Two's "consultant" in Medeia, who sounded more like a slaver than anything else. At least Namjoon's plan was safe. Jungkook's risked the lives of thousands, put them up to chance and fate.

That was something Namjoon could never allow.

He understood the circumstances in some kingdoms would obstruct their goals, Pacem being the most notable. But from what Namjoon could tell, Hoseok was on his side. So what was the issue with Lux—the state that boasted security and stability for hundreds of years?

"You don't know that Lux is not in the middle of a political upheaval."

And amid all this miserable chaos was Aeri, who was pacing behind him. She pointed out the hints that went over Namjoon's head and offered different perspectives on the issues discussed. Namjoon appreciated it, but right now, all he felt was irritation.

And you don't know if Lux is in the middle of one either, Namjoon almost retorted but quickly remembered to hold his tongue. After what Yoongi told him, he was more careful with his conversations with Aeri.

"Then why is Prince Jungkook this desperate? Look at him." Aeri leaned in, her green eyes trained on the Luxian prince. Her breath was hot against Namjoon's neck. "Look at the fear in his eyes, the desperation. Why else would he want us to go to Infernum?"

Because he is mad.

"The mad one is you, Brother. Are you certain you have the votes? You have Prince Hoseok and Prince Yoongi, but how can you be confident that Prince Jungkook's lady friend—or guard as he calls her—did not sway the others?"

Her skill in battle does not prove the trustworthiness of her "consultant."

"Her combat capabilities increase the chance of survival. I even think Mother Erna was swayed."

Mother Erna is not part of this council.

"Yet she is in attendance." Aeri sat on the table, swinging her feet hanging over the side. "Prince Jimin holds her opinion in high regard. And as a fellow Vitan, don't you think Prince Seokjin would, as well?"

Namjoon flinched but did not turn his attention to Aeri, still looking at Jimin, whose words were inaudible. I will convince them with my closing statements.

Aeri hummed noncommittally. "Prince Seokjin will be the tiebreaker. I wonder who he will choose, whether he will trust an idealistic prince and his guard or a realistic one blinded by conceit."