Rumors Burning the Kingdom

Rumors Burning the Kingdom
\- Maximus' POV -
The whispers came like a low hum in the wind. At first, they were servants speaking too softly, guards lowering their heads too quickly, and people turning away whenever I walked past. But whispers have a way of growing. And the next morning, they turned into a storm.
The great bell outside the palace began to ring, it was not the usual chime for market opening or training drills. This was different. It was urgent and loud.
Caspian was the first to arrive. His boots made no sound against the stone floor. "They're gathering outside, Master," he said quietly.
I looked up from the documents scattered on the table. "Who?"
"The people," Caspian answered. "Commoners... traders... even some merchants. They're shouting at the palace gates. Some of them are carrying banners. This isn't just anger over missing goods anymore."
I clenched my jaw. "Rumors."
"Yes, Master," he said. "Rumors of the Alpha King's cruelty. They said, he had turned on his own people. That he was the one who ordered the theft... and they think he's preparing for war against them."
I stood slowly, letting the chair scrape across the floor. "This kingdom has always had enemies, but never from within."
Outside, the noise swelled louder. I could hear the faint chant of the people even through the thick stone walls. Their voices carried rage.
"Tyrant!"
"We want justice!"
"Down with the crown!"
My hands tightened into fists.
"Caspian," I said quietly. "Prepare the guards. No one enters this palace without my permission. Not even the nobles."
He nodded once and disappeared like a shadow. I looked through the window, that rat must have prepared long enough for this day. He wants war, then I'll give it to him.
Minutes later, Rowan arrived. "Y-Your highness, His Majesty is calling for you," he said in fear, bowing deeply. "The-the council is in session."
Without saying a word, I walked down the hall with each step echoing against the marble floor. The palace was alive with fear. Servants moved fast but kept their heads down, as if avoiding my gaze would make them invisible.
When I entered the throne hall, the air was heavy.
My father, Alihar, sat on the throne, broad-shouldered, dressed in a dark royal coat lined with wolf fur. His eyes burned with a quiet fury like a predator forced into a corner.
Around him stood the priests, advisors, and generals.
"Maximus," he said, his voice booming across the chamber. "You've heard it."
"Yes," I replied, standing at the bottom of the stairs that led to his throne.
"The people are losing their minds," one of the priests hissed. "They accuse their own king of betrayal. If we don't act fast, this will turn into rebellion."
The King slammed his hand against the armrest. "I will not tolerate betrayal in my kingdom!" he growled. "If they wish to turn their backs on the crown, then I will crush them myself."
One priest, older with a silver beard, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I suggest we show them force. If they see the power of the royal pack, they will remember who rules them."
Another priest shook his head. "That would only make them fight harder. Fear fuels fire, not peace."
And then, a younger priest, barely in his twenties, with sharp eyes that missed nothing stepped forward. 
Eryndor, the Royal Scholar. Some whispered there was more to him than met the eye, but as long as he did his work for the kingdom, I did not care to dig deeper.
Unlike the others, he didn't flinch under my father's glare.
"Your Majesty," Eryndor said. "Force is the easiest solution... but not the smartest. There's something off about all of this. The timing, the missing goods, and now the rumors spreading like wildfire. It's too clean. Too fast. Someone is feeding these flames. Someone inside this palace."
I looked at him in disbelief. How the heck did he see that? No wonder he’s the top scholar in the entire kingdom.
Alihar narrowed his eyes. "And what do you suggest, boy?"
"Investigate, Your Majesty," Eryndor answered without hesitation. "Find the roots of these lies before they turn into something worse. If we strike blindly, we might end up cutting our own throat."
The room went silent.
The King leaned forward, his voice was deep and sharp. "And how long will that take? While you investigate, the people outside sharpen their knives. I will not wait to be slaughtered in my own palace!"
That was enough.
I stepped forward, my voice cutting through the noise like a blade. "Father."
My words made the other priests shudder as everyone turned to me.
This is not rebellion but a setup. Someone is building this carefully. They're hiding their hand and making it look like the people are the enemy. And they're using the Black Market, the rumors, the people's fear... to break the palace from the inside.

"I'll ask of you, let me handle this," I said to him.
Father raised his brow. "And what will you do?"
I looked at him straight in the eyes, "I'll find who's behind this," I said, my voice low and steady. "And when I do... they will wish they were never born. I will erase them from existence."
A chill filled the room. The priests shifted uncomfortably. Even the guards stiffened.
But Alihar... he smiled sharp and dangerous. "Fine. This is your hunt now, Maximus. Do not fail me."
I bowed my head slightly. "I won't."
The meeting ended with heavy silence. Some priests whispered to each other as they left. The older priest still insisted on using force. Eryndor simply walked toward the exit, his steps unhurried, as if the chaos didn't touch him.
But I followed him.
"Eryndor," I called.
He stopped and turned to face me as if expecting this to happen, "Yes, Your Highness?"
I walked closer. "You knew."
"I know what my eyes and knowledge allow me to see," he replied evenly. "The whispers didn't just appear overnight. Someone planted them like weeds, they spread fast when ignored." he then sighed, "Well, telling them will make the snake come out of the shadow."
"Tell me, who are they?" I said.
He tilted his head, the corner of his lips lifting slightly, it wasn't a smile, but something close. "If I could, I would. But what hunts you now... isn't a wolf you can see. It's hiding. Sometimes, a lion wears a sheep's skin to get close enough to tear the throat."
I stared at him. His words weren't wrong. This enemy was clever. It wanted us to break ourselves.
Eryndor took a step back. "You are bound for a greater purpose, Your Highness. Handle this well, or you may not handle what may come next." 
I stood alone in the hallway, my fists tightening slowly. What does he mean by... greater purpose?