NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Monarch
Four hours had passed since the departure of the demons.With peace restored, Jonady was training in the grand garden of the palace.
Surrounded by vibrant flowerbeds, he exchanged sword blows with Gilbert, working to perfect his technique.
The clashing of blades echoed in the crisp air, reflecting their focus and intensity.
As Jonady adjusted his stance after a poorly placed strike, a guard burst into the garden, stopping at a respectful distance.
Placing a hand over his heart, he announced solemnly:
— "Lord Jonady, the king requests your presence."
Jonady sheathed his sword and nodded.
He exchanged a glance with Gilbert, who wiped the sweat from his brow, before following the guard toward the palace.
In the grand throne room, about thirty people were gathered.
The six generals who had distinguished themselves during the war were present, their upright postures reflecting their military discipline.
A few nobles and officials accompanied them, their faces marked with curiosity and respect.
Among the generals were Carlos, Gilbert, Marcus—a 32-year-old redhead with a scar over his left eye—as well as Maximilian, Norm, and Sachvi, the latter with striking brown hair and purple eyes.
As Jonady entered the room, he felt all eyes turn toward him.
The generals knelt respectfully, but King Henri Ednia, seated on the throne, raised a hand to signal them to rise.
— "Dispense with these formalities," he said in a calm but firm voice.
The king motioned for Jonady to approach and stand by his side.
Once everyone was in place, he began to speak, his tone grave and tinged with emotion:
— "I wish to thank you all for your bravery and dedication. Thanks to you, our kingdom has survived an unprecedented threat. But this is only the beginning. We are entering a period of upheaval, and it is clear that changes are necessary to secure our future."
Jonady listened intently, his mind beginning to guess where this speech was headed.
He recalled his conversation with the king the previous evening, and a thought crossed his mind: He will probably announce to those subordinate that he want that Raelia will take his place on the throne.
Henri continued, his determined gaze sweeping across the assembly:
— "I am no longer the man to lead this kingdom.Therefore I Henri Ednia abdicate as monarch."
A murmur of astonishment rippled through the room.
Even the generals, they probably didn't expect something like this to happen today they could not hide their surprise.
The king, undeterred, pressed on:
— "And I pass the crown to Jonady Kaya."
The room fell into complete silence.
Jonady, stunned, blinked, trying to process what he had just heard.
But before he could form a response, the king delivered an even more shocking revelation:
— "Furthermore, I officially announce the engagement between Jonady Kaya and Princess Raelia."
Jonady, unable to fully grasp what was happening, felt his thoughts whirl.
I see... He wants me to marry Rae— His mind halted abruptly, fully realizing the implications of the king's words.
In the room, the nobles exchanged shocked glances.
The generals remained motionless, unsure how to react.
Raelia herself, standing among the spectators, widened her eyes. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but her expression remained inscrutable, a mix of surprise and contemplation.
Jonady, gradually regaining his composure, stepped forward and bowed respectfully before the king.
— "Your Majesty, this announcement catches me off guard. But i-if this is deemed best for the good of the kingdom, I will do everything in my power to earn this trust."
Henri nodded in satisfaction, then addressed the assembly:
— "Jonady is not just a hero but also a brillant young man from another world, endowed with wisdom and a vision that can lead us to a brighter future with him and Raelia, Ednia will enter a new era."
As the king concluded his speech, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
The murmurs of surprise were replaced by hesitant applause, which grew louder with time. The nobles, generals and officials bowed to honor their new leader.
Raelia, her blush deepening after a moment of reflection, discreetly approached Jonady. Leaning slightly toward him, she whispered with a sly smile:
— "You'd better live up to this future dear king... and fiancé."
Jonady, torn between amusement and nervousness, responded with a smile.
— "Yes, but I'll surely need your help for that."
As the room resonated with the sounds of conversation and budding celebrations, Jonady felt the weight of responsibility settle heavily on his shoulders.
A new era was dawning for Ednia, and he had to prepare—not just as a hero, but as a monarch.