The thick curtains were drawn so tightly that not a breath of air could pass through. There were four or five charcoal burners scattered throughout the room. With the windows slightly open and the charcoal not producing smoke, the air circulated just enough to make the room warm without feeling stifling.Horace moved a stool into the second layer of curtains, then approached and gently placed the hand of the person lying in bed on the edge."Mr. Wright, please sit and check His Highness' heart rate."Seth sat down, intending to lift the curtain to see Harvey's face, but Horace stopped him."His Highness mustn't be exposed to the cold.""It's necessary to observe his complexion, not just his heart rate," Seth said, frowning.What was going on? If Harvey was sick, it was only right to focus on treatment.Keith stepped forward and pulled back the curtain with one swift motion. The figure lying in bed was trembling uncontrollably—he was clearly not Harvey.As Horace's face drained
After collecting his thoughts, Salvador was struck by a question—why had his mom suddenly sent someone to treat his uncle?He paused, deep in thought, then asked, "I heard from the palace servants that Aunt Helen came by today."Victoria chuckled. "Yes, I asked her to come. The Treasury Office sent over a batch of new jewelry, and among them was a pure-gold and seven-colored gemstone tiara. Kylie and Sylvia both wanted it, so I was caught in a dilemma."Kylie is the queen, so if she liked it, it should've gone to her. But Sylvia is carrying your son, which gives her great merit. I couldn't decide who to give it to, so I gave it to your aunt. Little did I know, she was like a thief—she not only took that tiara, but also snatched up seven or eight other pieces. I really regret it."Salvador laughed along with her. "If she likes it, then it's good. If she's happy, then you're happy, Mom."He wasn't concerned about material wealth. Making his mom happy was what mattered most.After d
Barrett called for the shopkeeper of The Grand Vault to come over, asking him to bring the staff along to appraise and price everything. As they cleared out one box after another, Barrett was surprised to find that Rebecca had hidden away gold ingots, as well as a large collection of valuable jewelry.Tara explained that some of it had been his mother's dowry, while some had been passed down from his grandmother. Since the family hadn't been split yet, it hadn't been given to the second branch of the family. There were also gifts from Carissa, which Rebecca had hidden away when she left the family. Thankfully, Carissa never asked about them.Barrett instructed Tara to separate the items that had been gifts from Carissa, planning to return them once they were sorted.Tara sighed. "To be honest, even if you return them to her, she probably won't want them. It might be better to give them to Madam Charlotte. After all, she and Lady Carissa were close.""Whether she gives them to Aunt
The man was Wayne, but his appearance was quite different from when Barrett had seen him at Edgeview Estate. Even his face seemed unfamiliar.He took a step forward and nodded in greeting. "Commander Warren, I am aware of the passing of your mom and sister-in-law. My condolences."Though Barrett recognized the sentiment, he still maintained a certain distance, as he did with all strangers, simply saying, "Thank you. Since you don't want to introduce yourself, I'll take my leave now."Wayne nodded and said, "Commander Warren, my name is Horace. I serve at Hartstone Estate. It was Lady Heather's request that I come to offer my condolences. Considering the unpleasantness between you and Lady Carissa in the past, she felt it inappropriate to visit directly."Barrett hadn't met many people from Hartstone Estate, but he knew that their steward was named Horace, so this man was likely him.However, the man before him had a scholarly air about him, far from the typical appearance of someo
Barrett wasn't really surprised. Though his time as the commander of the Crown Guard had been short, he wasn't foolish and could sense the king's intentions to make the Crown Guard an independent unit.Salvador was wary of the Hell Monarch, so how could he allow Carissa to control all the security in the kingdom, including the king's own safety?Barrett smiled wryly. "Well, it's something beyond my control. I am in mourning for my mom and must observe the mourning period."Wayne smiled gently, pouring him a cup of coffee. He spoke quietly, "Prince Harvey can help you."Barrett blinked, taken aback. Harvey barely interacted with anyone in the capital, so how could he possibly help him? Besides, would he really do it out of guilt—if that guilt even existed? And if there was guilt, it would be for Carissa, not for him.Barrett wasn't stupid.Setting aside whether Harvey could actually help him, if he could, it would be for a reason. If he truly did assist him, Barrett would owe him,
Barrett met Wayne's gaze, feeling an icy chill run down his spine as he saw the calculating glint in the latter's eyes.The case involving Eleanor's rebellion wasn't even resolved yet, and now Harvey was trying to place someone by the king's side? Was he really as timid as he seemed? What exactly was he trying to do?Barrett knew his own limits. He could never play double agent, especially not with Salvador. Having ten lives wouldn't be enough if he tried that.He stood up immediately and respectfully said, "There's a matter at home that requires my attention. I must take my leave."Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left.Wayne stared after Barrett's retreating figure, his expression growing serious.Had he misjudged? Did Barrett truly lack any ambition? Did he understand what it meant to be commander of the Crown Guard? That role meant he would be the king's most trusted personal guard, even more influential than a second-rank minister.There was no way Barrett lacked
Two days later, Kyle arrived with a carrier pigeon from Winona. His face was serious."The king of Westhaven plans to send envoys to Starhaven. An official correspondence will arrive in the next few days."Rafael's expression darkened.It had been inevitable. Sooner or later, this day would come.Before the New Year celebrations had even ended, Salvador announced that the Crown Guard would be separated from the Mystic Army and would no longer be answerable to Carissa. Also, Barrett would remain in charge of the Crown Guard.Barrett could hardly believe it. He recalled his meeting with the man the other day and privately wondered if it was really Harvey helping him. But if it was the prince, then Barrett's reinstatement came with considerable risk.He had no one to consult, so he went home and told Viola."Who cares what he wants to do? Just get reinstated as an official and be done with it. Besides, the Crown Guard isn't even under Carissa's control anymore. How is that not a go
Salvador and the entire court were faced with only two choices.The first was to flatly deny the massacre of civilians ever occurred.The second was to act as though they had been unaware of the events, and after receiving the official correspondence from Westhaven, cooperate with their investigation. They could arrest those responsible, take corrective measures, and salvage their kingdom's honor before it was too late.The official correspondence from Westhaven did not mention the border issues, but that matter would be decided later.Salvador gathered his ministers and deliberated for three days.The first option was impossible—Westhaven had already issued a formal accusation and had enough evidence. They had been building support within their own borders for months. The borders between the two kingdoms were already in turmoil, and any attempt to deflect responsibility would lead directly to war.Given that the second option was the only viable one, the question now became who
Before I took the vows and entered the monastery, my name was Caden.From the time I was young, I often heard the same praise whispered around me: "This child is sharp beyond his years—clever, quick-witted, the finest of the three princes."I heard it so often that I came to believe it myself. At times, I even felt proud. But whenever I let that pride rise too high, Mom would bring me back to earth.She would look at me, her eyes soft but filled with something I couldn't quite name—pity, perhaps. And then, she would sigh and say, "What a pity you were born of my womb. If not, you might have risen above that foolish one. But fate favored him, not you."That "foolish one"—I knew well enough who she meant. I had heard her say it so many times in private, though never once in public.It puzzled me greatly as a child. Mom clearly disliked my eldest brother, Connor, more than anyone. Yet, whenever he came near, she would smile warmly and speak kindly. She would even flatter him, calling
Two childhood friends were now each giving their all on very different paths.Clarence had started with herbs, then medicine, and in time, healing became his entire world at Eldermere Keep. At first, it was merely something to pour his heart into, because he knew he would never be allowed to leave the mountain and open a medical hall of his own.But then Ryan came, and afterward, sent Clarence a letter.That letter changed everything.For the first time, Clarence began to hope that maybe, just maybe, he could go down the mountain after all. And once that hope took root, he threw himself into his studies with more energy than ever before. He barely slept, rarely left the apothecary, and sometimes forgot to eat.Because of the pain he had once endured, he focused his efforts on curing injuries and chronic pain. Of course, a good physician had to know more than one thing, so he studied every field without neglecting any.There was a fire inside him now. A quiet flame that had not bur
"Elise, must your mouth run on without end?" Carissa frowned at her daughter, who had been chattering away beside Ryan from the moment he stepped through the door.The little girl's face was flushed from the sun, her hair tangled into a messy nest that made it clear she had only just returned from playing outdoors. She hadn't stopped talking since Ryan came back from his travels, pestering him with questions about what he had seen and done.Elise turned to Carissa with wide eyes, looking up with a face so innocent it could soften stone. She truly had inherited the best features from both her parents."Mom, I haven't seen Ryan in such a long time. Every moment without him felt like an eternity. We've been apart for so long, so of course I have a lot to say to him."Carissa's frown deepened. "And who taught you to speak in such a ridiculous manner? An eternity—where did that come from?""Sage Isaac said it to Aunt Violet. He went back to Meadow Ridge for a few days and said it to her
Though Ryan had told Cecil he was going on a journey, he didn't stay long at Eldermere Keep. After just seven days, he left and made his way to the Pathfinders Guild.He had initially planned to return to the capital to seek out Claire, but soon reconsidered. Instead of troubling her, he thought it best to directly ask Winona to teach him the art of disguise.It was not difficult to learn, but to do it well—to the point where no one could tell—was another matter. Such skill could not be acquired in just a few months.The simpler form of disguise involved merely altering one's features with makeup and slight adjustments to the face. This was fine for ordinary situations, but could easily be seen through in more challenging circumstances, like on a rainy day for instance.Therefore, Ryan knew he couldn't settle for such a basic method.The more advanced form of disguise involved creating a mask as a false face. However, these masks had their own set of problems. They were thick, unco
That evening, Ryan and Clarence sat by candlelight and spoke quietly. They avoided discussing court politics as Clarence had no interest in such matters. As long as the kingdom was peaceful, that was enough for him.He was no longer the eldest prince of Starhaven, and only had himself to look after now. Everything else had faded into the past.It was better not to speak of politics; it was too sensitive a topic. In his younger years, Clarence hadn't understood why his "death" was so tied to such matters. But over the years, Sebastian had explained everything to him, bit by bit, including the risks and consequences.The bond between Clarence and Cecil was not without affection. However, to gamble with one's life and future for the sake of family might not be the wisest choice for any of them.Clarence had come to terms with it. Life had to go on; it was better to live it well today than to wonder about tomorrow."Aunt Carissa said you're no longer able to stand, but you were walking
The azaleas of Eldermere Keep bloomed in a riot of color, spreading across the hills in a blaze of purple and red. The sight was enough to dazzle anyone who set eyes upon it, especially those who had never visited this secluded place. It was the kind of beauty that made one long to stay forever.Yet, there was one exception.A young man rode his horse to the base of the mountain, dismounted, and secured his steed. Without a glance at the dazzling scene around him, he began to walk the path up the mountain, his gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead.The vivid azaleas stretched out along either side of the path, reaching out as if to claim him, but he merely brushed them aside with a casual swipe of his hand.His pace was swift, and he occasionally used his Lightfoot Skill. Eldermere Keep was not high up, but its location was well-hidden, with many winding paths leading in. However, he had studied the map countless times before embarking on this journey, so the route to the keep was et
Rafael glanced at the robe. "Isn't that mine? Are you saying I've gotten fat? I'm not fat.""Oh, is it yours? It's too long, then. I'll have someone alter it for me," Carissa replied casually.Rafael shook his head. "If you want something loose, just have someone make it for you. Why bother altering my old clothes? It's not even comfortable.""I'm going to Meadow Ridge for a year. Wearing your clothes will make it feel like you're still with me," Carissa said with a bright smile, as if the idea of being apart for a year was no more serious than being apart for a day."A year?" Rafael looked shocked. "You're going back for a whole year? Why?""Well, of course, my mentor misses me, and I miss him too," Carissa replied, placing her hands on her hips as she handed the robe to Lulu, who was standing by with a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh."But I won't leave right away. Since Ryan is about to inherit the duke's title, I'll wait until that's settled before I go back to Meado
On the 13th day of winter, Salvador suddenly woke up feeling clearer than before. Saying he was hungry, he specifically asked for beef stew and milk pastries.Derek hurried to make the necessary arrangements. When the food arrived, Octavia sat by the bed as she had done many times before, ready to feed him. But Salvador insisted he wanted to sit up to eat himself.Derek gently helped the king sit up, placing a soft cushion behind him to support his back. Salvador had grown so thin that he seemed to be nothing but skin and bones. His body slouched as he sat, so Derek had to kneel beside the bed, holding his waist to keep him steady.Salvador finished an entire bowl of stew, eating it all without leaving a single bit behind. Then, he picked up a small milk pastry. But after a bite, he felt a little nauseous, so he didn't eat any more.Sebastian sent word to Victoria. After a brief conversation, her face turned pale and tears started to fall almost immediately. Though she had tried to
Once back at the palace, Salvador was unable to rise from his bed. Sebastian spoke briefly with him, hinting that he didn't have much time left. If there was anyone he wished to see, it should be done as soon as possible.The first person Salvador wanted to see was, of course, Victoria."That child… When he saw me, he couldn't stop asking about you. You didn't love him in vain, Mom," Salvador murmured, his voice weak.Victoria sighed deeply. "How cruel... his life must be lived hidden away in the mountains, never able to leave. Is there truly no hope for his legs?""I believe there is no hope," Salvador replied softly, his lips pale and drained of color. "But as I was leaving, he said, 'Dad, once I've learned enough medicine, I'll cure you. I'll make you better.'"Victoria's heart ached. "What a good child."Salvador's gaze drifted to the ceiling, his voice barely a whisper as he repeated, "Yes, he is a good child."After speaking with Victoria, Salvador asked Rafael to bring in