"Y-your Majesty…. I…

" Earl Blaise stuttered after being at the center of the King's attention.

Until now, he was pleased with all the eyes that were on him but now he wished that he could hide someplace safe.

King Ophire felt his head hurt while listening to the Earl's fumbling words.

The Countess was equally frightened and ever since he had released his aura, she could not stop shaking in fear.

He rarely ever came into the view of his citizens and now that he was here, he did not wish to create fear in their hearts.

Thus, he hoped to end this soon and also not wreck the day that his wife had worked hard to organize.

Letting out a loud sigh, his furrowed brows softened a little but he did not look away from the Earl.

"You must have forgotten because of your old age.

" King Ophire announced while nodding in admittance of what he had just said.

When the others around them heard this, quite a few lips twitched but they were forced to remain still.

Marquess Samed too was doing his best to stifle the chortle that had almost escaped his lips.

Earl Blaise was around the same age if not younger than the King but their Ruler had said that old age had caused the Earl to forget about the conversation they had shared in the past.

While everyone understood the snide remark their King had made, a certain little girl had other thoughts in her mind.

'Doesn't he know that he is calling himself old as well?' Yvonne rolled her eyes openly as she was sure that none of them would be looking at her as their attention was entirely on the King.

Calling Earl Blaise old would imply that he, a man close to the Earl's age, would also be old.

However, it looked like none of the others had made the connection that she had.

Therefore, she could only shake her head at them while waiting to see what happened next.

Earl Blaise wasn't offended by the King's remark, instead, he clung to those words like a drowning man clung to a piece of drifting wood flowing down a stream.

"Y-yes, Your Majesty, I'm growing old and must have forgotten about it. Please forgive me!

" He implored with his head lowered and his back bent to form a perfect bow.

The others had been waiting to see how the Earl would prove to them that everything he had said was the truth but reality was different from what they had expected.

Instead of showing them proof, the Earl was now in a perfect perpendicular position as he bowed and begged for forgiveness.

What else could this mean?

Anyone with eyes could tell that the Earl was guilty and had come forward to ask for forgiveness before the King could denounce him.

Witnessing this scene, Rutherford's lips curved into a victorious smirk while Duke Tanner was overwhelmed with relief.

The Duke had truly been worried about the legality of CLOVER's operations but things appeared to be different from what he had heard from the Earl.

The King, on the other hand, sighed once again before waving his hand at the bowing Earl, allowing him to stand upright once again.

"Since today is a special day,

" He spoke up, glancing at his Queen with a gentle smile before looking back at Earl Blaise.

The smile faded and his expressions were back to being neutral as his eyes landed on the man.

"I shall let this indiscretion go, Earl.

" He announced which made the other man nod like a pecking chicken who then bowed numerous times in gratitude.

Yvonne pursed her lips at the King's words yet she knew that there wasn't much that she could do about it even if she was unhappy with this outcome.

"However, keep it in mind that CLOVER has just as much right to operate in my Kingdom as your family business has.

" King Ophire declared before everyone present here.

These words were akin to the new business gaining the approval and support of the King which even Earl Blaise had been unable to achieve after almost over a decade of monopolizing the soap industry.

"When the plague was rampant in our Kingdom, it was CLOVER who stepped forward and approached us to lend their aid.

" He revealed matters which had been a secret until now.

These nobles had only heard about CLOVER gaining a foothold among the commoner markets and had no idea about their contribution during the plague.

Every family present here had supported the King in some way or the other during the plague which had been why they were invited here today.

Therefore, to know that CLOVER, a new and upcoming business, had stood toe to toe with them and was able to gain the appreciation of the King was astonishing for them.

Gaining a new perspective about this business, those present here were curious to see what CLOVER could do next.

Yvonne's pursed lips at the King's lackluster way of doing things had transformed into a grin when she heard him speaking about CLOVER's contribution.

'With this, CLOVER's image will skyrocket in the commoner and noble population.' She was sure that word about the King's high praise would reach everyone soon enough.

Earl Blaise's jaw clenched in frustration when he saw the surprised eyes of the other nobles around him.

The King had not only revealed that CLOVER was not operating illegally, but he had also added that CLOVER had gained his approval with its contribution during the plague.

However, he could only bow and nod at the King, pushing down all the anger that was bubbling in his chest.

"It would be better for the Earl to not speak about CLOVER using the same process as yours since we both know that it isn't true.

" King Ophire added one last statement before concluding this discussion.

He had personally checked CLOVER's recipe and only after ensuring that it was nothing close to the one the Blaise family used, did he approve it and place his Royal Seal on its documents.

Therefore, to hear Earl Blaise spread false information about this matter would incite suspicion on the King's methods.

Thus, he had to put an end to it right this instant.

The King's words thus acquit CLOVER from all rumors that Earl Blaise had managed to spread in the short period that they had been in this garden.

Taking his eyes off of the Earl, King Ophire's lips formed a smile after meeting Viscount Valente's eyes.

"We have a lot to discuss, Viscount.

" He mentioned before turning away, not bothering that his words had caused the Viscount to stiffen up.

Marcus had indeed schemed in such a way that the King would be nearby when he began speaking about CLOVER and the King's connection.

However, it now appeared that their King had seen through his sly plans and wished to meet him later.

Bowing to the King, Marcus could only graciously accept this invitation to have a chat with the Royal King.

Earl Blaise took this opportunity to shrink away from the crowd lest he caught their eye once again.

The King had only confirmed CLOVER's innocence while letting him off the hook for now.

However, there was still something that was infuriating him.

'Why now!?' He grit his teeth while glaring at the Viscount's back which was turned in his direction.

Viscount Marcus Valente's earlier whisper had stunned him, revealing that his crimes of suppressing the Hagen family were all known to the other man.

He also did not know that after all this while, why was he acting against him now?

This was a thorn in his heart as, as much as he wished to wipe away all traces of his crimes, which included the very existence of the Hagen family, he was unable to do so.

They were out of his reach and there was only one person to blame for that.

The Valente family had been shielding them from his grasp and after today's incident, he was more desperate to get rid of them before they could harm him and his family business.

Since he cannot mess with CLOVER directly due to the King's interference, he would have to get creative with his ways.

While Earl Blaise had gotten busy in the new corner that he had chosen for himself, the rest of the nobles were greeting and trying to converse with their King.

The opportunity to have an amicable interaction wasn't their Ruler wasn't easy to come by.

Thus, they wished to do their best now that they were in his presence.

Duke Maldock Brodie took his wife and headed towards the King on account of being close acquaintances with each other.

King Ophire smiled while speaking to the Ducal couple, which allowed the others to also loosen up now that their King wasn't in a bad mood.

Witnessing this sight, Yvonne had only one thought in her head.

'Please do not spill any more beans!' She hoped and prayed that he would not mention the things he had spoken of in the Throne room.

Enough people had heard about it and she did not wish for more to turn their attention towards her.

The King had already felt her narrowed eyes on his back but made no movement to turn towards her.

He had things to deal with now that he was in the presence of his subjects and thus, would make use of this opportunity as being the center of attention in such gatherings was truly too tiresome for him.

Yvonne had no clue about the thoughts in the King's mind while he had no idea about hers.

Thus, unaware of what the other had in mind, the tea party finally commenced in the presence of the King.