Chapter 398: Hit by Lightning
@ForgiveUsKing: Nobody’s chewing. Nobody’s laughing. Just grief and silence. That’s the power of truth.
No one announced the banquet was over.
It just… was.
People simply rose from their seats, plates left untouched, conversations fading into quiet nods and sighs.
The royal servers didn’t return to the floor.
The musicians never picked up their instruments again.
Even the chandeliers seemed to glow a little dimmer.
An apology hung in the air, unspoken, but deeply understood.
They hadn’t believed.
They had speculated.
They had judged.
But now… all they could do was acknowledge the weight of what they had witnessed. And mourn.
The banquet had dissolved into quiet clusters of murmuring figures and bowed heads.
Just as the first few guests began to excuse themselves in solemn silence, Somto rose to his feet again. His presence alone was enough to still the room once more.
His voice, though calm, carried the weight of finality. “Since the mood no longer calls for celebration,”
“I’ll keep this brief.”
Eyes turned toward him.
Nnenna, still quietly seated, looked up with tired eyes. Obinna, standing off to the side near the royal banners, folded his hands tightly in front of him, preparing for whatever came next.
“There is one last matter I wish to address.”
Somto turned slightly, his gaze landing directly on Obinna.
one man bore a
ask for it. He didn’t campaign for it.
criticisms, impossible expectations, and the
man is Prince
first, Obinna smiled faintly, politely, like someone who appreciated being
fluttered like wind across
took a few steps forward, voice steady, but his
kingdom running when many of us were lost in
yes, but who wouldn’t, with vultures at your throat
also kept the army fed. He kept the gates
“He led.”
polite smile began to
shifted in his seat, trying to hide the discomfort growing in his chest. The praise
His brows furrowed slightly.
saying all this now? What is he
And then
I name
must travel, when other duties take me from Lionara, it is
not out of convenience,
Obinna “..?”
words slammed into Obinna
He froze.
Eyes wide.
Mouth slightly parted.
He blinked. Once. Twice.
his gaze filled with disbelief. His lips
Please no.
Not again.
He looked as though he might cry, not from joy,
to me. Not again.
with unwavering steadiness.
again, finally forcing
I accept. But only on
The hall stilled again.
I ever need you. If things
must keep a line of communication open.
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