Such a soul plate was deemed an ill omen, and no one in the past who had possessed one had been permitted to remain in the capital planet of the Sun Moon Empire, much less maintain such a critical position as the Crown Prince in the court of an imperial clan.
Leading the impeachment were two well-respected members of the clan, Alistair and Andrew.
Alistair was the Minister of Defense, responsible for overseeing the clan's personnel and ensuring everyone's safety within the land of the frost clan. Andrew, on the other hand, was the Minister of Culture and the Arts, entrusted with promoting and preserving the clan's arts and cultural traditions.
"Imperial Lord, with all due respect, the laws of the Sun Moon Empire-"
"The laws of the Sun Moon Empire be damned!" Magnus interrupted, "I will not let my son be punished for something he cannot control."
"But it's mandatory. "His Highness" Evan must put down the mantle of the Crown Prince of Frost and be exiled from the Capital Planet of the Sun Moon Empire."
The ministers and officials stood tall and proud, their voices speaking in unison with a conviction that was palpable. It was as if they were chanting, their words resonating throughout the grand hall. The tension in the air was thick, and their demand for Evan's exile was unwavering.
Magnus glared at them, his eyes flickering with anger. He was not willing to give up his son's place in the court, and he refused to bow down to their demands.
"How dare you even suggest such a thing?" Magnus voice was laced with venom as he spat out his words. "You can forget about stripping my son of his birth rights until I am the Patriarch of this clan."
His words hung heavy in the frigid air, the room silent save for the magical crackling of the ice walls.
The two ministers and the officials under them exchanged nervous glances, fully aware of the delicate situation they were in. They knew better than to cross Magnus when he was angry, but they also knew the stakes were so high that they couldn't afford to take a step back.
Allowing Evan to remain in the capital planet of the Sun Moon Empire would not only hinder their propaganda efforts but also risk their loyalty to Nicholas, the man they had secretly formed a Clique with despite it being a forbidden and punishable act.
They were treading on thin ice.
The gravity of the situation was not lost on them.
The Frost clan had eight ministers in total, but only two were present in the hall. The absence of the other ministers only added to the tension between them, as their support could have swayed the decision in either direction.
The air was thick with uncertainty, and the fate of the Crown Prince of Frost hung in the balance.
Alistair balled his fists, deciding to take matters into his own hands.
"Imperial Lord," Alistair said, bowing low. "We understand your love for your son, but we have to consider the welfare of our clan as a whole. Having someone with a control-type soul plate in such a crucial position is just plain absurd. We'll be the laughing stock of the entire empire if we let this go on."
Actually, memes about how stupid it all was has already started apppearing all over the internet!
Magnus scoffed, "Were you kicked in the head by a donkey before coming to attend today's court session? My son has mastered the Breath of Frost Technique at the tender age of 16. He even bested two of his older cousins in a duel of obedience. He's more than qualified to hold his position. I won't let your petty politics stand in the way of his future."
Alistair's face flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation, the reprimand from Magnus weighing heavily on him. However, he was an old hand at this, and he steadied himself rather quickly, taking a deep breath before speaking, "Respectfully, Imperial Lord, it's not just about that. It's about the message we send to the rest of the empire."
pαndα,noνɐ1,сoМ "Silence! I have heard enough. I am done having you fools spreading your stupidity in my court when you are no better than shameless bastards, inciting unrest in such auspicious times." Magnus' response was swift and harsh, cutting Alistair's words short, and as he spoke, the air around them grew cold, and the ground beneath their feet trembled, a physical manifestation of his powerful aura.
Alistair and the other officials and ministers present all dropped to their knees, fear and reverence taking hold of them.
Magnus was a beautiful yet terrifying figure, with a face like an angel and a beauty that surpassed the starry night sky, but he was more than just a pretty face, for he held the title of the strongest general under heaven, and had once been a cold-blooded field marshal before being discharged from the army due to injury and returning to his clan to resume his role as their patriarch.
The officials and ministers present were terrified, feeling Magnus' powerful aura threatening to snap their necks like twigs. They trembled, reminded of the true extent of his power and authority.
"Imperial Lord, please forgive us!" Alistair's voice shook as he spoke, his words barely audible above the howling wind. "We meant no disrespect. We humbly beg for your forgiveness and mercy."
The others echoed his words, their voices quivering with fear. "Please remember that we are your loyal subjects, and we only take action for the best of our clan," they pleaded. "Please, have mercy on us."
Magnus regarded them with a cold, calculating gaze, his features unreadable. He wasn't intending to kill them. He was just instilling fear in their bones so that they would learn to be humble.
For a moment, there was only the sound of the wind, and the officials' rapid breathing until the silence was broken by a voice that sounded rather familiar.
"Magnus, do not let your emotions get the best of you. It's not how one should run the clan. And think about their proposal thoroughly when you calm down."
Daring to refer the Imperial Lord of Frost by his name. Just who could it be?
