That day, a ripple spread.
It originated from the Kandrian throne hall, rapidly spreading outwards. In just fifteen minutes, it had spread across Kandria.
Or at least, the highest echelons of Kandria.
Soon, it spread across East Panama within a single hour.
Although communication technology was scarce, it was well-established in the top ten percent of humanity. Within the highest echelons of humanity, there were vast information and communication networks that were centered around mass-mined esoteric substances that were common enough to base a technological and artifact paradigm upon.
Thus, although the commoners of human civilization had yet to hear about the news and may never hear about it, the powers that drove human civilization on the East side of the gigantic Panama Continent had already received it shortly after the titanic revelation was disclosed.
In this case, the news moved far too quickly.
Not just because of the weight and sheer significance of the shocking revelation, not just because the second most powerful man in East Panama disclosed it, but also because Emperor Rael had invited every single significant and important person of the many powers and forces of Kandria to the Royal Addressal Ceremony.
Each and every single one of them left the throne hall impatient to share the gossip with everybody in their circle and network.
The consequence was that the information spread like wildfire through the powers of East Panama. In literally less than an hour, every rich, influential, authoritative, and powerful figure across all of East Panama has received the news.
Yet, none were more shocked than those of Kandria, those who had personally borne witness to the revelation of Prince Rui Quarrier Kandria's royal bloodship.
"...According to the initial evaluations of the meta-background check on Prince Rui conducted by the Consortium Intelligence Task Force, there was no prior indication of His Highness' royal bloodship," A woman calmly announced to a large round table. "Our Masters have also confirmed that there is absolutely no hint or evidence of hypnosis that could have been employed to potentially deceive the guests and the royals into seeing a Blood Ritual's light on Rui Quarrier when it didn't exist. The absence of any lingering aftereffect has caused Mind Sect to rule out the possibility of hypnosis."
A grave atmosphere settled down amongst the individuals around the round table. Each of them wore crisp business attire that weighed practicality and extravagance equally.
Not a single one of them thought that the Emperor was deceiving them. It would be far too easy to disprove it. He certainly would not have invited so many powerful Martial Masters of all factions and sects if he intended to be deceptive.
"On top of that, Sage Farana has unofficially thrown her weight behind Prince Raul. She would not accept the command to deceive all the audience, including Prince Raul, of Rui's royal bloodship."
The Emperor's ability to issue Royal Commands was not absolute. As power-hungry as the first Emperor Ra was, even he recognized the need to have some limits. Commanding Sage to violate all the powerful and authoritative guests with hypnosis was unlawful.
Essentially, there was no way around it.
"Prince Rui Quarrier Kandria is the final prince of Kandria."
A severe air dawned on the table.
"Where is Her Highness Princess Rafia?" One of the suited women at the table sternly demanded. "She is the Founder and President of the Rafia Consortium. She owes an explanation, a vision, and a path forward for the future to us, her primary stakeholders, in light of recent revelations. It is deeply irresponsible for the Rafia Administration to conduct this briefing without Her Highness personally overseeing it."
"Hear hear."
"I concur with the CEM of Verunel Oil Enterprises," Another suited man glared at the secretary conducting the preliminary analysis and reporting. "This can be interpreted as a dismissal of our vested interests in her campaign."
"I would like to form a petition to demand personal accountability of Her Highness, President Rafia." Another tier-
one member of the Rafia Consortium announced.
"You have my signature, Chairwoman Kiara." Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
"And mine."
"I, too, shall partake in this petition."
A wave of agreement washed across the table of tier-one members of the Rafia Consortium as the chief of staff desperately tried to soothe her employer's stakeholders.
"Dignified members of the Rafia Consortium, I request you to assuage your demands for Her Highness. She has unfortunately fallen deeply ill after the Royal Addressal Ceremony and has been moved to intensive care for the time being," The woman tried to calm down the powerful business tycoons that formed the Rafia Consortium. "She sends her deepest apologies to you, her important stakeholders."
The businessmen and businesswomen gathered at the table frowned collectively, furrowing their eyebrows in skepticism and concern.
"Fallen deeply ill?" Chairwoman Kiara raised an eyebrow. "Does Her Highness think of all of us as fools? Did she forget that each of us at this table was present at the Royal Addressal Ceremony as guests invited by His Majesty? I recall her complexion; she did not seem physically ill."
She glared at Princess Rafia's chief of staff, trying to squeeze an explanation from her.
"…Her Highness has fallen mentally ill," The chief staff executive relented. "According to the Royal Doctor tending to her, she has suffered mentally during the Royal Addressal Ceremony and has fallen in a state of shock."
A wave of shock spread across the members seated at the table. "What?!"
"How brittle!"
"Madam secretary, this does not bode well for us."
"I wish Her Highness well, but it certainly does not inspire confidence in me regarding her mental fortitude."
Murmurs spread across the entire room as each of the tier-
one members of the Rafia Consortium took a moment to deeply reconsider the choice of supporting Princess Rafia. The fact that she had failed to earn the heirship of the Emperor of Harmony was bad enough, but then the shocking revelations of Prince Rui Quarrier Kandria's royal bloodship and heirship had put them in a bad mood. The fact that she then fell into shock and missed the preliminary analysis did not make them optimistic about her.