He Took the Heirs' Emblems, Then Became Their King novel · Chapter 31 of 32

Chapter 31: Ninety, Eight, Two

James told the court at ten, because the SYSTEM had given him a deadline of noon.

He asked for a rest hour first, and the Dean said no.

"Then I'll say it standing up," he said. "Terrible."

The great hall was packed again.

The four elders sat on the dais, and the three consorts stood at his back in their new colors.

James stood in front of the Ember Seat, and did not sit.

"I'm not from here," he said.

A rustle ran down the benches.

"I'm James Phoenix. I have his body, his memories and his name. But I woke up in it on the day of the hearing, and before that I was a man in another world who worked a night shift and took naps on the loading dock."

Nobody said anything.

The old woman with the braids lifted her eyebrows.

"That explains the naps," she said.

"It explains a lot."

"The Dean suspected."

"I suspected in the first week," said the Dean, from the side. "You asked for a pillow at your own hearing."

"It was a long hearing."

A laugh went around, careful and uncertain.

"The SYSTEM that gave me the Bloodline has also given me a choice," James said. "I can go home. With the fortune. Today, before noon."

The laughter died.

He heard Felix breathe in.

"I'm telling you because you're my people now, and it would be a poor way to start a reign by vanishing. If I go, the Seat passes to the next kin."

"There is none," said the herald, faintly.

"I know."

"Then you are leaving us with nothing."

"I haven't decided."

"Your Majesty," said Grant.

He had stepped out from behind the Seat, and he was very pale.

"Stay."

"Grant..."

"I will put it plainly. I do not want you to go. I have no argument. I have a timetable with you in it for the next forty years, and I should like to keep it."

"Stay," said Harry, quietly, beside him.

"Stay," said Felix.

He was not smiling at all.

"Please. I mean, I'll help you pack if you really want. But please."

James looked at the three of them, and the sunlight on their faces.

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