Kylie's face was still streaked with tears, her eyes swollen from crying.

When Salvador woke up, his first words were an order for her to leave.

At that moment, everyone present was left stunned.

After a long moment of stunned silence, Kylie choked up and said, "I won't leave. I'll stay here with you, Your Majesty."

"Escort the queen out," Victoria ordered, her voice hoarse but filled with authority.

Kylie had been here as long as Victoria had, waiting for Salvador to wake. She was nearly frantic with worry, but she had to stay composed-there were too many ministers kneeling outside, and she couldn't let them lose their sense of direction.

The officials had initially knelt outside in the bitter cold. Upon her arrival, Victoria had asked them all to wait in the outer hall inside the main palace. However, they had stubbornly refused to rise, insisting on staying in their places.

As long as Salvador remained unconscious, they would kneel.

After the royal physicians finished their examination, Victoria moved closer, silencing them with a gesture before saying softly, "It's all right now."

She squeezed her son's cold hand, her own trembling despite her effort to control it. The chill of his skin ached her heart. Even with all her strength, she couldn't stop the shaking.

Salvador, weak and drained, croaked out a question, "How is Lord Wright?"

"He's fine. When he tried to ram himself into the pillar, Mr. Lloyd rushed in to block the blow. Lord Wright slammed right into Mr. Lloyd's face and knocked two of his teeth out," Victoria replied. She forced a light laugh. "Now Mr. Lloyd can barely speak without air leaking through the gaps."

Salvador didn't believe her. His voice was hoarse, heavy with exhaustion. "I want to see him."

If there were any officials from the Oversight Department making an Oathbound Plea, then he was a blind, foolish king.

Before he lost consciousness, the last thing he saw was a sea of blood. He feared Irvin had already died. Victoria immediately gestured for Davis and Irvin to be brought in.

A moment later, Jeremiah entered with the two of them. They knelt before Salvador, crying for his health. Their voices were hoarse with sorrow, especially Irvin's, who had already fainted once from his grief. Irvin crawled forward, wracked with guilt, tears flowing freely from his eyes. "Your Majesty, it's my fault! I've committed such a grave sin! I deserve to die for it!"

Irvin had only wanted to offer counsel. He was determined to offer advice, thinking that if Salvador got angry, the worst that would happen was that he would lose his own life. The path of an official was one fraught with peril, but he had no fear of death.

But when he saw Salvador cough up blood and collapse from his plea, a shock ran through him, and his mind went blank. The only thought that filled his head was to atone with his life. That was why he had thrown himself against the pillar without hesitation.

Unbeknownst to them all, Davis had been watching carefully. The moment Irvin rose and rushed toward the pillar, Davis stepped forward, positioning himself to block the blow.

When Salvador heard the familiar, grating voice, he felt a weight lift from his chest, and his heart settled back into place. Slowly, he turned his head. He glanced briefly at Irvin, and then at Davis, still kneeling beside him.

Davis' voice trembled with emotion. "Your Majesty, are you feeling better now?"

Salvador managed a faint smile. "So, it really is true that you're leaking air, huh?"

Davis' mouth had been cleaned of the blood, but there was still a faint trace of crimson at the corner of his lips, a stark contrast against his pale face. Salvador was smiling, while Davis had cried like a fool.

Earlier, Jeremiah had summoned the six department heads and Irvin, detailing Salvador's condition in full. They were all deeply troubled, but Irvin was especially shaken.

Jeremiah had told him that, on the night Salvador had gone to Hell Monarch Estate, he had claimed it was to visit Kyle for a painting session. But in reality, he had gone to see Sebastian for a medical consultation. Salvador hadn't summoned Sebastian to the palace out of fear that the news of his condition would spread, causing panic among the court and fueling tensions over the succession.

Salvador hadn't reprimanded Irvin for his actions, but he had heavily rewarded Davis for saving Irvin's life. Irvin slapped himself hard over a dozen times, continuously begging for forgiveness, crying until he almost fainted.

Meanwhile, Victoria had stepped out

to face the court. It had been some time since she had directly addressed the officials. As she took her place at the head of the

the time when Sigmund was seriously ill, and how she had

assembly, it reminded everyone 1. ne

stepped forward to take control of

the situation.

Victoria's face was stern as she chided them, "The royal physicians say His Majesty has been deeply worried about the war and troubled by the rebellion, which caused the heat in his body to build up, leading to his physical condition worsening.

"Recently, His Majesty did leave the

palace late at night to visit Hell

Monarch Estate. However, he didn't go to see Commander Sinclair. He went to visit Mr. Spencer. Mr. Spencer doesn't attend court or vi the palace, so His Majesty personally visited him to seek his advice on the war at Southern

Frontier and Victory Pass, as well as the new policies about to be implemented.

"His Majesty wanted to hear Mr. Spencer's opinions, but his visit unfortunately caused wild rumors to spread. Rather than quelling them you've all indulged in them. It is deeply disappointing that none you made efforts to clarify the situation or prevent the absurd gossip. Instead, you all took part innoveldrama

it."

e of

Salvador had coughed up blood, and Victoria's disappointment was palpable.

All the court officials were terrified. They bowed, their heads hanging low, begging for forgiveness with voices full of regret.