Their gifts, costly, extravagant symbols of goodwill, had been given to someone who, in their eyes, had no true claim to royalty. Their faces darkened with regret, and their gazes toward Nnenna grew sharper, filled with silent accusations.
The first to speak was King Altan, his voice carrying the weight of his kingdom's strength.
"King Ikechukwu, we all value the sovereignty of each ruler over their own kingdom, but keeping such vital information from us... That is a move I cannot say I appreciate," he said, his tone controlled but firm.
King Seungho nodded in agreement, his sharp eyes studying Ikechukwu carefully.
"To hide something of this magnitude for ten years... Do you realize the implications? If we had known from the beginning, matters would have been handled differently. Transparency is essential among allies," he said, his voice laced with both disappointment and curiosity.
