Chapter 559: Four Princes, One Throne

The question King Edmund had posed before the assembled nobility was one Sage had anticipated, although hearing it directly from the monarch made its significance considerably greater.

For several moments, he considered his response while hundreds of guests waited in silence.

"Your Majesty, I believe the Guild’s responsibilities extend to everyone who depends upon its services," Sage answered respectfully. "We serve Adventurers by providing legitimate opportunities, and we serve communities by helping them address dangers they cannot easily overcome. Since we’re operating within Westmark, contributing to the Kingdom’s prosperity is naturally part of that responsibility."

King Edmund regarded him thoughtfully. "An interesting distinction, Guildmaster. You haven’t pledged your organization exclusively to the Crown, yet you haven’t denied its responsibilities toward the Kingdom either."

Sage inclined his head. "The Guild will respect the Kingdom’s laws and cooperate with its authorities, Your Majesty. However, our purpose is to serve people through our established principles, regardless of which noble family governs their territory."

A faint smile appeared upon the King’s face.

"Then I shall look forward to seeing whether your actions continue to support those words," Edmund replied. "Thank you for satisfying my curiosity, Guildmaster. You may return to your companions."

Sage bowed respectfully before descending the platform. The conversation had ended pleasantly enough, but the attention following him suggested that his answers would become subjects of discussion throughout the evening.

Lucan welcomed him back with an expression of relief.

"Guildmaster, that went considerably better than I feared," Lucan remarked, accepting a glass of refreshments from a passing attendant.

Sage chuckled. "You really need to have more confidence in me, Lucan. I managed to speak with the King without causing an international incident."

Gregor laughed. "That’s quite an achievement, Guildmaster. We should commemorate it."

Boren shook his head with amusement. "Perhaps after we’ve survived the remainder of the banquet."

As the formal ceremony concluded, musicians resumed performing, and the assembled guests gradually dispersed into smaller groups. Palace attendants opened additional reception chambers, allowing nobles and dignitaries to conduct conversations while enjoying the elaborate refreshments.

Sage noticed almost immediately that the Royal Family had become the center of several distinct gatherings.

Prince Richard stood near a group of senior officials, listening attentively as an elderly minister explained something concerning regional administration. His manner remained composed, and he occasionally offered brief responses that appeared to satisfy the officials surrounding him.

Prince Cedric, meanwhile, had attracted a considerably livelier gathering of younger aristocrats. Expensively dressed nobles exchanged greetings with him, and several prominent ladies appeared particularly eager to secure his attention.

Prince Adrian occupied a quieter section of the hall, conversing with administrative scholars and representatives of several provincial institutions.

Prince Julian had already found his way toward the military delegations, where he was speaking enthusiastically with a decorated Knight.

Sage observed the arrangements before turning toward Lucan.

"Your princes certainly have different interests. Is this how royal gatherings usually unfold?"

Lucan followed his gaze and nodded. "More or less, Guildmaster. Although what you’re seeing isn’t merely a reflection of their personalities. It’s also an indication of the political relationships surrounding each prince."

Sage raised an eyebrow. "Political relationships?"

Lucan lowered his voice slightly.

"Prince Richard is the recognized Crown Prince, but that doesn’t mean every influential family is satisfied with the succession. His younger brothers have supporters who believe another prince might better serve their interests."

Gregor looked surprised. "Wait, isn’t the eldest prince supposed to inherit the throne? What’s there to argue about?"

"Ordinarily, yes," Lucan explained. "Westmark follows hereditary succession, and Prince Richard’s position is officially recognized. However, royal history contains examples of succession arrangements being challenged or altered under extraordinary circumstances."

Sage glanced toward the princes again.

"So the others have people hoping they might become King instead."

"Precisely, Guildmaster," Lucan answered. "And those supporters aren’t necessarily motivated by affection for their chosen prince."

Boren nodded thoughtfully. "A new monarch can influence appointments, trade privileges, military commands, and regional policies. Families expecting favorable treatment would naturally prefer someone sympathetic to their interests."

Lucan gave him an approving glance. "Exactly. A royal succession can determine the fortunes of noble households for generations."

Their conversation paused when Lord Benedict Auremont approached, accompanied by a middle-aged gentleman wearing the insignia of a royal administrative office.

"Guildmaster, I trust you’re enjoying the celebration," Benedict greeted Sage pleasantly. "His Majesty appeared rather interested in your organization."

Sage smiled. "It’s been an eventful evening, Lord Benedict. I’m beginning to understand why Lucan insisted on preparing me beforehand."

Benedict chuckled. "Then perhaps my nephew’s education wasn’t entirely wasted."

Lucan sighed with an expression of resignation. "Uncle, must you bring that up every time we meet?"

"Naturally," Benedict replied cheerfully. "It’s one of the few privileges I still possess as your uncle."

After introducing his companion, Benedict exchanged several polite remarks concerning the King’s address before departing toward another gathering.

Sage watched him leave.

"Your uncle seems remarkably comfortable around the royal officials."

Lucan nodded. "House Auremont has maintained close relationships with the Crown for generations. My uncle handles many of those connections personally."

Sage glanced toward Duke Roland, who was conversing with several senior nobles near the First Prince.

"And your Duke seems particularly familiar with Richard."

"House Auremont generally favors stability in the succession," Lucan explained. "Prince Richard has spent years preparing for the throne, and many senior members of our family respect his administrative experience."

"Generally?" Sage repeated.

Lucan smiled faintly. "A Great Noble House isn’t a single person, Guildmaster. Even relatives belonging to the same family can hold different political opinions."

As they continued through the reception hall, Lucan pointed out several gatherings whose significance Sage had initially overlooked.

Near Prince Cedric, a number of younger nobles associated with House Lancaster were exchanging animated conversation. Although Duke Robert Lancaster remained occupied with senior court officials elsewhere, several of his relatives appeared comfortable within Cedric’s circle.

"Prince Cedric has cultivated relationships among ambitious aristocrats," Lucan explained. "His supporters believe he possesses the charm and political flexibility necessary to strengthen their influence at Court."

Sage observed the prince accepting congratulations from a smiling nobleman.

"And what does Cedric want?"

"That’s something people debate constantly," Lucan answered. "He has never publicly challenged his elder brother’s position, but he certainly hasn’t discouraged everyone who speaks favorably of his own prospects."

Gregor chuckled. "Sounds like he’s keeping his options open."

"An excellent way of describing it," Lucan agreed.

Their attention shifted toward Prince Adrian, whose conversation with several scholars had attracted a small audience of administrative officials.

"Adrian’s supporters are different," Lucan continued. "They admire his intelligence and believe the Kingdom would benefit from a ruler who prioritizes institutional reform and efficient administration."

Boren appeared interested. "Does he have much support among the Great Houses?"

"Some," Lucan replied. "House Falkenberg contains several influential figures who appreciate his administrative interests, particularly those responsible for regional governance. However, that doesn’t mean the entire family supports his succession."

Sage nodded thoughtfully.

The more Lucan explained, the clearer the situation became. Every prince represented different possibilities for the Kingdom’s future, and influential families were positioning themselves according to the advantages they expected to receive.

"What about Julian?" Sage asked, glancing toward the youngest prince.

Lucan followed his gaze.

"Prince Julian has supporters among younger military officers and certain frontier nobles. They admire his enthusiasm for martial training and believe Westmark requires stronger leadership concerning military affairs."

Leon, who had recently rejoined the group, offered his perspective.

"His Royal Highness possesses genuine enthusiasm for swordsmanship, Guildmaster," Leon remarked. "However, enthusiasm and the responsibilities of military command are very different things."

Sage chuckled. "I imagine you’ve encountered plenty of young Warriors who needed to learn that lesson."

Leon smiled. "More than I can count, Guildmaster."

Nearby, several members of House Hohenberg were conversing with military commanders, although Sage noticed that Duke Albrecht remained separate from Julian’s immediate gathering.

Lucan explained that the northern house contained both traditionalists who favored Richard’s recognized succession and younger figures attracted to Julian’s military interests.

House Valois, meanwhile, appeared more cautious. Its senior representatives maintained cordial relationships with multiple royal circles, seemingly unwilling to commit themselves before the political situation became clearer.

Sage examined the gathering with growing understanding.

"So the five Great Houses aren’t neatly divided between four princes."

"Not at all, Guildmaster," Lucan answered. "Their interests overlap, and individual family members often maintain relationships with several royal factions. Public courtesy doesn’t necessarily indicate political allegiance."

Sage glanced toward Richard again.

The Crown Prince continued speaking with officials, apparently unconcerned by the gatherings surrounding his younger brothers.

"Does Richard know what’s happening?"

Lucan gave him an incredulous look.

"Guildmaster, I’d be considerably more concerned if he didn’t."

Sage laughed quietly, although the implications were becoming increasingly serious.

The Adventurer Guild intended to expand throughout Westmark’s fifteen regions. Such an ambition would inevitably require cooperation with nobles, administrators, military authorities, and eventually the Crown itself.

If the Guild openly supported one prince, his rivals might begin treating its expansion as a political threat.

And if those rivals eventually gained greater influence, the consequences could extend far beyond Kingsford.

Sage folded his arms thoughtfully.

"Then I suppose accepting favors from the wrong person could become troublesome."

Lucan nodded. "Extremely troublesome, Guildmaster. A seemingly generous arrangement might later be interpreted as evidence of political loyalty."

Before Sage could respond, a formally dressed royal attendant approached their group and bowed respectfully.

"Guildmaster Sage, forgive the interruption," the attendant greeted him. "I’ve been instructed to deliver a message from His Royal Highness, Prince Cedric Alden."

Lucan’s expression immediately sharpened.

Sage regarded the attendant with interest.

"What message?"

The attendant straightened before delivering his reply.

"His Royal Highness wishes to request a private conversation with you, Guildmaster. He would be most pleased if you could spare him a few moments during this evening’s reception."