Chapter 560 Welcome Banquet 2

Chapter 560: Chapter 560 Welcome Banquet 2

Such a person would instantly become the target of public criticism and the disdain of their peers.

In a sense, the Alpha King had skillfully redirected attention away from the royal family and toward anyone foolish enough to voice dissatisfaction. At the same time, he had subtly baited those nobles who had grown accustomed to lavish banquets and excessive privilege. It was a quiet provocation wrapped in courtesy, a political trap hidden beneath an ordinary-looking feast.

The more Addison thought about it, the more she realized that every detail in this banquet hall had been carefully calculated.

"Addie, sit down and let’s eat. I really want to hear how your journey went."

The Alpha King spoke warmly as he took his seat at the center of the head table, the position reserved exclusively for the ruler of the kingdom. With a smile, he gestured for Addison to sit on his left, while the Queen gracefully occupied the seat on his right.

Once Addison was seated, Zion took the seat beside her, followed by Maxwell and Levi. On the Queen’s side, the Alpha King’s brother settled into his place before Claire and Mila took their seats beside him. The remaining ministers, nobles, and distinguished guests quickly followed, filling the banquet hall with a low hum of conversation.

However, the moment the Alpha King mentioned Addison’s journey, the atmosphere subtly shifted.

Many of the guests straightened in their seats, their ears practically perking up with interest. Although news of the Western Region’s salvation had already spread throughout the kingdom, most of what they had heard consisted of fragmented reports, rumors, and secondhand accounts. No one knew the full story.

What they did know was that Princess Addison had somehow managed to resolve a disaster that could have devastated the entire Western Region while keeping casualties astonishingly low. Such an achievement bordered on the miraculous.

Naturally, everyone was eager to learn exactly what had happened.

More importantly, they wanted to know the current state of the Western Region, the extent of the damage caused by the Locust Swarm, and what measures had been taken to secure the future of the affected territories.

For a brief moment, the sounds of clinking utensils and casual chatter faded into the background as countless pairs of eyes turned toward Addison, waiting for her to speak and reveal the story firsthand.

"Oh, come now," the Queen said, her voice warm yet carrying an unmistakable authority. "My daughter has only just returned to the Royal Palace after a long journey, and haven’t you all noticed how much weight she has lost? She was away for less than a month, yet she has visibly thinned. If anything, that only proves how tirelessly she worked for the Western Region during her time there."

As she spoke, the Queen lightly tapped the table with the tip of her polished fingernail, the soft sound instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

"We can discuss the details after the meal. Once everyone returns to the meeting room, Princess Addison can continue her report, and you may address any concerns you have then. That would also be the appropriate time to discuss the next course of action and formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the Western Region."

In truth, the Queen was not wrong. The banquet had been arranged specifically to welcome Princess Addison and her entourage back to the capital and to allow everyone to share a meal together. It was never intended to be a formal council meeting.

Had the purpose been political discussion and networking, the event would have been held in a far more suitable venue, one designed for mingling, where guests could freely move about and converse with whomever they wished, rather than being seated in the rigid arrangement of a formal banquet.

Since the Queen had already spoken, even the Alpha King had no choice but to relent. Raising his glass of wine, he turned toward his daughter with a proud smile before addressing the gathered nobles.

"My Queen is right," he declared. "My daughter has only just returned. There is no need to rush such an important matter. We can discuss everything properly in the meeting hall later, where everyone will have the opportunity to ask their questions while she and her mates deliver their report. From there, we can determine our next course of action together."

He paused briefly before adding with a self-deprecating chuckle, "It was my excitement, and perhaps my negligence as a father, that made me forget my daughter’s well-being after such a long journey. For now, let us celebrate her safe return. Eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves. Afterward, we shall allow everyone an hour to digest before convening in the meeting hall."

The Alpha King openly supported his mate’s decision, ensuring that no one could perceive even the slightest division between them. To outsiders, it appeared to be a simple act of consideration from loving parents. In reality, however, the royal couple was carefully orchestrating a game of good cop and bad cop.

They wanted anticipation to build.

They wanted every noble, elder, and faction leader in attendance to spend the next hour trapped inside their own thoughts, imagining countless possibilities and worst-case scenarios. The longer they waited, the more restless they would become. Like a pot slowly heating over a fire, the pressure would continue to rise until someone inevitably boiled over.

And that was exactly what the monarchs wanted.

By giving everyone time to speculate and scheme, those who lacked patience would be the first to expose themselves once the meeting began. The nobles opposed to the Crown would undoubtedly use the opportunity to demand explanations, push their agendas, and criticize Addison’s actions.

Some would likely exaggerate the potential dangers to the kingdom, while others would argue that what she had done was reckless or insufficient.

The Alpha King wanted to see who would speak first.

He wanted to see which factions would reveal their hands, who would attempt to manipulate the narrative, and who would seize the opportunity to advance their own interests under the guise of concern for the kingdom. By postponing the discussion, he was not delaying the battle.

He was simply giving his opponents enough time to prepare their moves, so they could expose themselves the moment the game began.

Since both the Alpha King and Queen had spoken, everyone raised their glasses and toasted in unison, showing their support and respect. Even Addison and her fated mates joined the toast with smiles on their faces.

However, Addison understood exactly what her parents were trying to do. Sensing the subtle intentions hidden beneath their words and seeing that everyone else seemed supportive of it, she wisely chose to remain silent, pretending not to notice the undercurrents surrounding the main table.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Claire seated beside Mila. Addison frowned slightly as she realized she had completely forgotten to ask about Claire’s presence.

She had failed to notice Claire earlier, her entire attention fixed on her parents the moment she arrived. It was only now, when her gaze finally drifted across the table, that Claire caught her attention. Seated just a few chairs away, almost directly opposite her, Claire looked completely at ease among the guests.

The sight left her utterly baffled.

’Why was Claire sitting there with them?’