Nicholas continued speaking, as if showing off how brilliant his schemes were."I had contact with General Liam a long time ago. I knew he wouldn't be easy to handle, so I sent someone into Westhaven to infiltrate their spy network. This way, I could learn of any news from the capital. I also thought this could give me a foothold inside Westhaven. Sure enough, it brought me to General Leroy."General Leroy was almost overshadowed by his older brother, but I knew of his ambition and that he was willing to sacrifice anything. When Westhaven's previous crown prince, Arthur, went to the battlefield, it was General Leroy who spread the rumors about the generals taking bribes and killing civilians to take credit for their achievements. That's why Prince Arthur went undercover to investigate.""He went to Fawnrun City. What good did that do you?" Hayden asked."Naturally, I stepped in to persuade him and formed an alliance with him," Nicholas said with a hint of regret. "Unfortunately, Au
The rain was coming down in torrents.After visiting a few shops, they came upon The Golden Tower, the city's most renowned jeweler. Seeing it still open, Chaya expressed a desire to buy some jewelry. Hayden waved a hand dismissively. "Buy what you like."Inside The Golden Tower, Nathaniel spotted Hayden and quickly ushered them to a private room on the third floor. The Shadow Guard, of course, followed close behind.Hayden had been here with Chaya on several occasions. As a regular customer, he was treated well. Aside from Nathaniel, William and two attendants stood by to serve them.Delicate cakes were brought out, and Hayden invited the Shadow Guard to join them for a drink while Chaya selected her pieces.The Shadow Guard naturally didn't dare to sit down. He was there to keep an eye on Hayden, so he stood beside him. He watched Hayden chat warmly with Nathaniel, ensuring no suspicious dealings took place.Occasionally, he glanced at Chaya. Her large frame blocked the jewel
True enough, the Shadow Guard was focused on The Golden Tower's assistant. Seeing that the banknotes given from Willowbrook Estate's account room weren't enough, the Shadow Guard searched the shop assistant's body at the gatehouse. The shop assistant was only let go after the Shadow Guard didn't find anything.The shop assistant felt insulted but didn't dare speak up. He found it strange—The Golden Tower had been in business for many years, and many customers had outstanding debts. Usually, after collecting the debts, the master of the household would even offer refreshments.No one had ever searched a shop assistant like this before.The Shadow Guard reported this to Nicholas. He thought that since they had already searched the shop assistant and had been keeping an eye on things at The Golden Tower, it wasn't too important.After all, Chaya always found ways to make Hayden buy jewelry for her, showing she was a greedy woman.Nicholas had observed Chaya for a long time and felt
The conversation turned toward Hayden's predicament. His roundabout way of sending the letter showed just how difficult his situation had become.When Violet and the others had stayed there, they hadn't noticed anything unusual. Only upon their departure did they realize that something was off with Gordon."Prince Hayden is truly sacrificing everything for the greater good," Jacob said with respect.As a descendant of the Sanford family, Hayden never wished for this rebellion, especially when it involved his own son. The pain of it all must have been unbearable for Hayden.They had investigated before and uncovered some of the inside details. Jacob sighed heavily. "Prince Nicholas launched the rebellion in Prince Hayden's name, dragging him into this mess. Now, in his old age, he must bear such a stain on his reputation."They were father and son. Though the throne had been forced upon Hayden, the world would never believe his innocence. The public would tear him apart, and the
At Willowbrook Estate, a light drizzle pattered from the eaves, leaving the entire estate damp and misty.Hayden stood under the corridor, listening—was that the sound of fighting, or just the rain?He stood there for a long time before finally turning and entering the house.Sonny lived here now. His legs were shattered, and he would never stand again. In addition to his leg injuries, his face bore fractures, and the constant pain tormented him. The pain from broken bones was excruciating.Hayden didn't visit often because every time he came, Sonny pretended to be fine and hid his pain. It was an act that made Hayden's heart ache every time.Inside, Chaya was tending to Sonny. She wiped his face and massaged his hands and back to prevent sores from forming after lying too long.Seeing Hayden enter, she took the basin away and said, "I was just about to feed him some millet porridge. Have you eaten?""No," Hayden replied. "Bring another bowl. I'll eat with him." He pulled a ch
As Nicholas rode out, he saw Clifford in the distance, which finally put his mind at ease.He knew how fearless Clifford was—once people were willing to give their all and feared nothing, they could achieve anything.This was the war Nicholas had dreamed of—the battle for his great cause. All the calmness he had once carried disappeared. The suppressed fire in his blood surged through his limbs, and the desire to rule the world filled him with an overwhelming strength and conviction.He believed that ambition was the most powerful force in the world, and that it was unstoppable.What he didn't realize was that ambition wasn't the strongest force. The greatest forces were love and hate, justice and unity.It was the patriotism of Carissa, the commander of the Mystic Army!It was the hatred of Carissa, whose family had been slaughtered!It was also the union of soldiers and martial artists, working together to expel the rebels and uphold justice for the people!Nicholas quickly
At Grace Mansion, the lanterns in the corridors cast intricate shadows on the window frames, resembling beasts looming on the walls.Carissa Sinclair sat on a chair with her hands folded in her lap, her slender body hidden beneath plain clothes. She looked at the man before her—her husband whom she had spent a year waiting for.Barrett Warren was still wearing his slightly-worn battle armor. Standing under the dim light, he looked commanding and handsome. His face showed a mix of determination and a touch of regret."Carissa, the king has issued a royal edict for this marriage. Aurora will be joining our household. There's no question about it," said Barrett.Carissa's eyes clouded with confusion. "The queen dowager has said that General Yates is a model for all women in the kingdom. Would she be willing to be a concubine?"Barrett's eyes flashed with a hint of annoyance. "No, she won’t be a concubine. She’ll be my legal wife and equal to you.""Calling her that doesn't change an
Barrett sighed in frustration. “Why put yourself through this? There was a royal edict for this marriage. Even when Aurora moves in, you’ll be in separate wings. She won’t compete with you for control of the household. She doesn’t care about those things.”“Do you really think I’m attached to managing this household?” Carissa countered.Running this mansion was no easy task. Just the monthly medicine for Barrett’s mother cost dozens of silver coins. Then, there was food, clothing, and social obligations—all these things required money.This household was practically a hollow shell. Over the past year, Carissa had used much of her dowry to keep things running.And this was her reward.“Enough, I won’t argue with you. I just needed to inform you. Whether you agree or not changes nothing,” said Barrett, his patience wearing thin.As Carissa watched him leave in a huff, she felt even more bitter.“My lady, my lord was too much!” said Lulu, Carissa’s maid, wiping her tears away.“Do
As Nicholas rode out, he saw Clifford in the distance, which finally put his mind at ease.He knew how fearless Clifford was—once people were willing to give their all and feared nothing, they could achieve anything.This was the war Nicholas had dreamed of—the battle for his great cause. All the calmness he had once carried disappeared. The suppressed fire in his blood surged through his limbs, and the desire to rule the world filled him with an overwhelming strength and conviction.He believed that ambition was the most powerful force in the world, and that it was unstoppable.What he didn't realize was that ambition wasn't the strongest force. The greatest forces were love and hate, justice and unity.It was the patriotism of Carissa, the commander of the Mystic Army!It was the hatred of Carissa, whose family had been slaughtered!It was also the union of soldiers and martial artists, working together to expel the rebels and uphold justice for the people!Nicholas quickly
At Willowbrook Estate, a light drizzle pattered from the eaves, leaving the entire estate damp and misty.Hayden stood under the corridor, listening—was that the sound of fighting, or just the rain?He stood there for a long time before finally turning and entering the house.Sonny lived here now. His legs were shattered, and he would never stand again. In addition to his leg injuries, his face bore fractures, and the constant pain tormented him. The pain from broken bones was excruciating.Hayden didn't visit often because every time he came, Sonny pretended to be fine and hid his pain. It was an act that made Hayden's heart ache every time.Inside, Chaya was tending to Sonny. She wiped his face and massaged his hands and back to prevent sores from forming after lying too long.Seeing Hayden enter, she took the basin away and said, "I was just about to feed him some millet porridge. Have you eaten?""No," Hayden replied. "Bring another bowl. I'll eat with him." He pulled a ch
The conversation turned toward Hayden's predicament. His roundabout way of sending the letter showed just how difficult his situation had become.When Violet and the others had stayed there, they hadn't noticed anything unusual. Only upon their departure did they realize that something was off with Gordon."Prince Hayden is truly sacrificing everything for the greater good," Jacob said with respect.As a descendant of the Sanford family, Hayden never wished for this rebellion, especially when it involved his own son. The pain of it all must have been unbearable for Hayden.They had investigated before and uncovered some of the inside details. Jacob sighed heavily. "Prince Nicholas launched the rebellion in Prince Hayden's name, dragging him into this mess. Now, in his old age, he must bear such a stain on his reputation."They were father and son. Though the throne had been forced upon Hayden, the world would never believe his innocence. The public would tear him apart, and the
True enough, the Shadow Guard was focused on The Golden Tower's assistant. Seeing that the banknotes given from Willowbrook Estate's account room weren't enough, the Shadow Guard searched the shop assistant's body at the gatehouse. The shop assistant was only let go after the Shadow Guard didn't find anything.The shop assistant felt insulted but didn't dare speak up. He found it strange—The Golden Tower had been in business for many years, and many customers had outstanding debts. Usually, after collecting the debts, the master of the household would even offer refreshments.No one had ever searched a shop assistant like this before.The Shadow Guard reported this to Nicholas. He thought that since they had already searched the shop assistant and had been keeping an eye on things at The Golden Tower, it wasn't too important.After all, Chaya always found ways to make Hayden buy jewelry for her, showing she was a greedy woman.Nicholas had observed Chaya for a long time and felt
The rain was coming down in torrents.After visiting a few shops, they came upon The Golden Tower, the city's most renowned jeweler. Seeing it still open, Chaya expressed a desire to buy some jewelry. Hayden waved a hand dismissively. "Buy what you like."Inside The Golden Tower, Nathaniel spotted Hayden and quickly ushered them to a private room on the third floor. The Shadow Guard, of course, followed close behind.Hayden had been here with Chaya on several occasions. As a regular customer, he was treated well. Aside from Nathaniel, William and two attendants stood by to serve them.Delicate cakes were brought out, and Hayden invited the Shadow Guard to join them for a drink while Chaya selected her pieces.The Shadow Guard naturally didn't dare to sit down. He was there to keep an eye on Hayden, so he stood beside him. He watched Hayden chat warmly with Nathaniel, ensuring no suspicious dealings took place.Occasionally, he glanced at Chaya. Her large frame blocked the jewel
Nicholas continued speaking, as if showing off how brilliant his schemes were."I had contact with General Liam a long time ago. I knew he wouldn't be easy to handle, so I sent someone into Westhaven to infiltrate their spy network. This way, I could learn of any news from the capital. I also thought this could give me a foothold inside Westhaven. Sure enough, it brought me to General Leroy."General Leroy was almost overshadowed by his older brother, but I knew of his ambition and that he was willing to sacrifice anything. When Westhaven's previous crown prince, Arthur, went to the battlefield, it was General Leroy who spread the rumors about the generals taking bribes and killing civilians to take credit for their achievements. That's why Prince Arthur went undercover to investigate.""He went to Fawnrun City. What good did that do you?" Hayden asked."Naturally, I stepped in to persuade him and formed an alliance with him," Nicholas said with a hint of regret. "Unfortunately, Au
Nicholas walked into Hayden's courtyard, holding an umbrella. He entered the house and dismissed everyone, not even allowing Chaya to stay.Hayden had just finished his meal, and the table still had leftover food that the servants were about to clean up.Nicholas sat down, picked up Hayden's cutlery, and started eating the leftovers. He ate gracefully as usual, which disgusted and angered Hayden.He had been raised with such refinement, every move reflecting the casual demeanor expected of a prince. Unfortunately, he had a ruthless ambition and a cruel nature.Nicholas finished all the leftover food, then set down the cutlery and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. "We shouldn't waste food. I happen to be hungry as well. Surely you won't mind, Dad?"Hayden's voice was cold. "It's fine. It was going to be fed to the dogs anyway. You may as well eat it.""You think I'm a dog, Dad? Then, what are you?" Nicholas smiled, his expression brightening. "I came to share some good news
The Astrology Department's predictions were true. This year, there was indeed more rainfall than usual.On the 18th of July, a torrential downpour began over the capital.Outside the city, Nicholas' scouts spotted a group of people braving the rain, heading toward the capital.The scouts were posing as peasants from the surrounding villages on the outskirts, and their entry into the city wouldn't raise suspicion. When they recognized the leader of the group as Clifford, one of the scouts immediately carried a basket of fruit into the city.Such common folk were often overlooked. Every day, peasants entered the city, either to sell their goods at the market or to deliver produce to the homes of the nobility.The scout made his way to Willowbrook Estate's back door. Once it opened, he quickly slipped inside.In the study, Nicholas sat stiffly, listening intently to the report."Are you certain you saw Mr. Murphy?" Nicholas asked in a calm voice, betraying no hint of excitement. No
It wasn't until that moment that Yuvan fully realized the extent of his defeat. His lips trembled, and his legs gave way as he collapsed to the ground. Panic and fear surged within him. He thought of the tragic fates of past traitors who tried to rebel, and was struck with a deep, bone-chilling coldness.He had considered the consequences of failure before, but he always thought that if he failed, he would just face death bravely. At worst, he would end his own life to avoid further suffering.But now, locked in a cold, iron-barred cell with no weapons in hand, he realized how grim things had become. The walls were strong, but he might not die right away even if he charged headfirst into them.There were guards outside the cell. If he didn't die, he might suffer even more than this.However, it wasn't the fear of torture that pierced Yuvan the most—it was his unwillingness to accept this fate.How had it come to this? Even in defeat, he should've had a group of loyal men to stan