The Tsar's words stunned Grinsky and the restless group. The sudden display of authority made them realize that the man before them was the rightful ruler of Moscow, and any act of usurpation could be seen as a declaration of war against imperial power.
Grinsky's expression was as if he had swallowed a fly while drinking; words stuck in his throat.
When he saw the guards behind Ivan IV and the swords at his waist, he obediently sat down.
Ivan IV didn't mind; he reserved a seat for Shuysky. Then the Tsar signaled for the food to be served.
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside roasted meat, glistening lemon chicken, Russian cabbage soup, fragrant and crispy roasted sturgeon and salmon—one after another, appetizing dishes were laid out on the table, shimmering enticingly in the candlelight, making one's mouth water.
However, everyone had lost their appetite. The sight of the failed coup leader Shuysky and the arrogant Ivan IV sitting at the same table was a darkly ironic scene.
The Tsar, seemingly oblivious to everyone else, picked up his knife and fork and began to cut the roast meat. The other nobles and grand dukes remained silent, all eyes fixed on Ivan IV.
"What are you all standing there for?"
Ivan IV glanced around and said softly, "The food will get cold if we don't eat."
However, none of the grand dukes dared to look directly at Grand Duke Shuysky sitting before them. Some symbolically picked up their knives and forks, pretending to cut the meat. Only Belsky couldn't sit still any longer. He couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, Grand Duke Shuysky…"
"Unforgivable,"
Ivan IV replied succinctly. "Shuysky plotted a rebellion; the evidence is conclusive. His entire family will be executed. However, out of consideration for our past relationship, this is your last supper."
The last supper.
Hearing Ivan IV's words, Shuysky suppressed all his anger. He was chained and could only submit to their will; the so-called past ties were nothing but insults.
"Your Majesty, you have already executed all the men of my Shuisky family. What more do you want? I am now nothing but a dying man,"
Shuisky suddenly spoke, turning to face the grand dukes seated at the table, saying each word clearly, "And you, a bunch of fat pigs, remember, my fate is your fate!"
The Tsar remained silent, merely observing the others with interest. Seeing Shuisky's arrogance, Belisky immediately flattered the Tsar.
"Shuisky dared to speak disrespectfully to Your Majesty, and given his past arrogance and domineering nature, I believe he deserves death. Even the execution of his entire family is justified."
Belisky then abruptly shifted the topic to the distribution of power.
"But His Majesty is too young to handle all affairs. With the death of Grand Duke Shuysky, power has fallen into other hands, and the Kremlin needs someone to step forward and take charge. I believe Grand Duke Grinsky is the best candidate to lead the government. He has many years of experience in governance and is equally adept at foreign affairs. Therefore, my ministers..."
Belsky's eloquent speech reminded Ivan IV of the parliamentarians or Duma members he had encountered in his previous life, who could win the support and attention of voters by throwing out empty slogans that had no practical effect.
"Are you finished?"
"Do you all think I'm invisible?"
Ivan IV threw his silver cutlery on the table and looked at everyone with a cold expression. The old foxes with their tea-faced smiles all wisely shut their mouths after seeing the Tsar's displeasure. Belsky was stunned. He did not expect that Ivan IV would dare to interrupt his speech and even point his finger at all the ministers present.
"I only have one question: Is Moscow the legacy left to me by the late King Vasily III, or to all of you present here?"
No one dared to speak. Although the Tsar was young, he exuded the aura of an emperor. The grand dukes, who had once been vying for power, suddenly realized that the Tsar was no longer the man they had been manipulated.
As soon as he finished speaking, Tuchkov led his guards in, axemen blocking all the exits. Several times the number of grand dukes present surrounded the room, making it impossible to move. They wielded sharp ceremonial axes and longswords, their eyes dark as they stared at all the high-ranking nobles.
The grand dukes' faces paled instantly, and they rose hastily to their feet. In their haste, they knocked over their cutlery, spilling borscht on their luxurious trousers. However, the grand dukes disregarded their loss of composure, watching the guards warily, fearing their heads would be chopped off at any moment.
They thought Ivan IV intended to wipe them all out, leaving no one alive.
However, Tuchkov did not make a move, and the executioners did not chop off anyone's head.
Ivan IV continued unhurriedly, "Grand Prince Shuysky's intention to rebel is conclusive evidence, and he should be executed. But today, I advise all the grand princes present not to think that just because Grand Prince Shuysky is dead, you have the opportunity to sit on my head and do whatever you want. I know very well who stole from my treasury, took away the property belonging to the people of Moscow, who controlled the government, eliminated dissidents, and formed cliques. I invited you to share this last supper today so that you would remember this lesson. From today onwards, I will rule personally. I think you will not refuse this suggestion."
The thirteen-year-old prince ruling personally, but Grinsky could not smile. The Tsar's every move far surpassed that of his peers. While others were still arrogant and committing evil deeds, he was already cleaning up the mess.
"Your Majesty..."
"Shut up."
The grand prince was silenced.
Grinsky and Belsky exchanged glances. The Tsar was now in control; if they didn't comply, their fate would likely be as tragic as Shuysky's.
This wasn't a banquet; it was clearly a trap set by the Tsar to seize power. The guards behind them were simply pawns to force them to agree to Ivan IV's personal rule.
A group of high-ranking nobles in their forties and fifties were being manipulated by a thirteen-year-old boy. Grinsky realized he had underestimated the Tsar's maturity.
No one else spoke. Ivan IV nodded to Tuchkov beside him.
Tuchkov drew a short sword from his waist, walked up to Shuysky, and pressed it against his thick neck. The pampered young man, who had never witnessed bloodshed, instinctively tried to turn his head away, but the guards forcibly turned him, forcing them to face the dying Shuysky.
The Tsar said coldly, "You all better watch out for what happens if you dare to seize power from me."