Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Chapter 3 Loyal Minister
Imperial court meeting.

Cohen, dressed in a neat suit, sat upright in the first seat, his eyes focused and deep, his temperament majestic and solemn.

The queen beside him secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said to Cohen:

"Your Majesty, you have performed well. Just follow what your sister teaches you later."

The ministers looked at the young king inconspicuously.

Today was supposed to be the day when Cohen announced his personal rule, but everyone present was well-informed and naturally knew what had happened in the palace a few days ago.

Memory frozen! A king with the mind of a child!
The ministers exchanged glances, considering the impact of this sudden situation on the political situation in the Principality of Effiin.

Cohen also looked at the ministers with interest.

Noticing the sarcastic, indifferent and disdainful looks from most of the ministers, his heart grew colder.

Humph, the treacherous ministers have all jumped out on their own. When I regain power, I will send you all to the northern border to dig potatoes!
The middle-aged man sitting in the first seat on the left said loudly:
"Everyone is aware of what happened a few days ago. For the sake of political stability, everyone must keep it secret. Of course, I have already sent someone to the Central Empire to invite Grand Mage Victor of the Sanctuary. I believe the spell on Your Majesty will be lifted soon."

This person is his cheap father-in-law, the Prime Minister, Duke Angus Angryen, well, he was a marquis not long ago.

Marrying the queen, becoming prime minister, and being conferred the title of duke, this process seems so familiar.

Angus continued:

"As for the timing of His Majesty's personal rule... my suggestion is to postpone it temporarily. As for how long, we'll discuss it after Saint Mage Victor arrives and see how the situation develops."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a burst of discussion in the cabinet, but everyone tacitly agreed not to refute them.

With the current status of the Angrian family in the court, no one can shake it.

What's more, more than half of the current cabinet are Angryn's followers.

Just as everyone unanimously decided that the Queen would continue to serve as regent, a middle-aged man at the end of the table suddenly stood up and said in a cold voice:

"I disagree!"

Cohen's eyes moved slightly as he looked at the big man who spoke, and this person's information emerged in his mind:
The former Lord Chamberlain, Earl Snape Middleton, was a close minister and confidant of the late king.

At the same time, the memories of the game in the previous life surfaced in his mind. During the great turmoil, when the major nobles were keeping their troops inactive, Snape was the only minister who led his family guards to fight for the king. In the end, his entire army was wiped out, and he died in the royal court together with Coin.

Cohen sighed in his heart, my Corleone family still has loyal ministers!

Angus looked at Snape who was getting angry, but he was not surprised. He just picked up the teacup calmly and took a sip of water.

Noticing Angus's actions, a minister not far away said decisively:

"Does Lord Middleton have any objections?"

The person who spoke was the new Lord Chancellor and Angus's top henchman, Baron Gore Phillips.

Snape glanced at Gore with disdain and said to Angus:
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, His Majesty's decision to take power at the age of sixteen was agreed upon before the cabinet meeting. How can it be changed at will?"

Angus lowered his eyes and said coldly, "In that case, you should ask His Majesty yourself."

Snape turned to look at Cohen, his scorching gaze almost burning through him.

Cohen sighed inwardly, and according to the Queen's instructions, he said slowly:

"Mr. Count, thank you for your proposal, but I feel that my current situation does not allow me to fully govern the country. For the sake of national stability and unity, I hope you will abide by the Prime Minister's decision."

Cohen's words were like a sharp knife, stabbing Snape's body heavily. The old man who had served the Corleone royal family for thirty years suddenly hunched over, as if he had aged a dozen years, and the fire in his eyes was extinguished.

After a long silence, he slammed the table, pushed over the chair, and left the cabinet meeting.

Angus remained calm and said calmly:
"Okay, let's continue the meeting..."

……

Late at night, Cohen changed into a dark robe, his whole body filled with magical power, [Escape into the Shadows], activated the Ghost Crab, and disappeared in the palace.

As the night swallowed up the twilight, the magic lamp at the door of Earl Middleton's mansion suddenly lit up, and the drunken Earl Snape Middleton kicked open the door.

The servant came forward quickly: "Master..."

"Go down!"

Earl Middleton walked towards the bedroom with heavy steps. The Countess had passed away a long time ago, and he had never remarried, dedicating his whole life to the Corleone royal family.

He mumbled incoherently:

"Late King, I am incompetent. I cannot protect Your Highness, nor can I deal with the wild wolves of House Angryn... I apologize to you, your Majesty!"

This middle-aged man, who had experienced ups and downs in his official career, looked old and drowsy as he pushed open the bedroom door.

A cold and solemn voice suddenly rang out, sobering up Earl Middleton immediately:
"The late king... is this where I apologize?"

Middleton straightened up suddenly, a murderous aura emanating from him. Someone had actually sneaked into his bedroom without making any noise?
Could it be Angryen's people?
This wolf cub is going to attack me so soon?
The lights suddenly came on, and a handsome and tall figure stood there, his hands behind his back, his facial lines firm and cold, his eyes stern.

Seeing the familiar face, Earl Middleton's pupils trembled and he said in disbelief:

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty?"

Cohen said calmly:
"Does the Count want everyone in the house to know that I'm here?"

Lord Middleton immediately fell silent, retreated, called his butler, whispered a few words to him, and then returned to his bedroom.

Earl Middleton's heart was like a thousand horses galloping, with all kinds of emotions intertwined. He looked at Cohen expectantly and said in a trembling voice:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it really is you... This old minister... This old minister thought..."

Cohen sighed softly:
"I have a life-saving trump card given by my father. Freezing my memory is useless to me."

Earl Middleton showed ecstasy, and then seemed to have thought of something and said:

"Your Majesty, if you have nothing to do, then why did you say this in the court today?"

Cohen shook his head and said, "I was attacked even in the inner palace. If I don't pretend to be attacked, the next time they come, they will kill me."

Lord Middleton sighed:
"Alas, I am ultimately incompetent. Now, Your Majesty is being held hostage by the wolf cubs of the Angrian family, and even his own safety cannot be guaranteed!"

Cohen raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "Mr. Earl suspects that it was the Prime Minister who did it?"

Lord Middleton said excitedly, "Of course. Apart from them, who else would have the ability and motivation?"

Cohen frowned slightly, without dwelling on the topic too much, and continued:

"Alright, I will get to the bottom of this matter. I came here overnight because I have something to tell you."

Lord Middleton said quickly, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Cohen said, "I have seen clearly today at the court meeting. If I want to rule the country myself, it will be a long time before I make some preparations. I need to secretly accumulate some strength now."

Earl Middleton immediately said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I have several capable subordinates who can help you recruit helpers from outside!"

Cohen waved his hand and refused. "Mr. Earl, you are one of the few remaining royalists. Countless people are watching you, both inside and outside the city. If you come forward, you will probably be framed for treason in a matter of days."

Lord Middleton suddenly realized something and sighed, "Your Majesty has considered everything."

Cohen continued:
"It's hard to entrust this kind of thing to others, so I'll come here myself. I'm looking for you because I need something from your house."

Lord Middleton quickly added:
"Your Majesty, please speak!"

"The black-patterned mask that your father gave you."

Lord Middleton said thoughtfully:

"The Black-Striped Mask is a legendary magical item that can conceal auras and alter voices. Your Majesty, are you planning to use it to conceal your identity and expand your power?"

Cohen nodded, and seeing Snape was about to speak again, he said directly:

"Don't worry, Count. I know what's going on. Besides, the fact that I was able to travel quietly from the palace to your mansion already speaks volumes."

Snape suddenly realized something, and seeing that Cohen had made a decision, he no longer insisted.

Soon, Snape brought out a pitch-black mask with strange black patterns engraved on it.

Cohen put it on and the aura disappeared instantly.

Snape said on the side: "The style and color of the mask can be changed by yourself."

Cohen nodded slightly, and with a thought, the "black-patterned mask" turned into an ordinary silver mask.

This way others won’t associate it with the “black-patterned mask”.

Cohen continued, "Also, I need some absolute confidants in the palace who can help cover for me when I go out of the palace on business."

Snape nodded and said:

"That's no problem. I've been the chief minister of the palace for thirty years. Several of the guards in the palace are my nephews. They are absolutely trustworthy."

"Also, please rest assured, Your Majesty. There are still many loyal ministers in the court who care about the royal family. However, due to the influence of the Angryen family, they dare not speak out. I, this old minister, will mediate and accumulate power for Your Majesty in the court!"

Cohen nodded with satisfaction and said before leaving:

"There's no need to be too demanding in the court, and there's no need to forcefully oppose the Angryen family. Those who plan for the country must first plan for themselves!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

(End of this chapter)