Chapter 267
The assassin withdrew.
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In the bitter cold, Marcus’s heart pounded with fear, cold sweat soaking his back. “I hope the assassins in the prison can hold out and never betray me!”
His feelings were rather complicated to put into words.
Killing Nathaniel was something he had always wanted to do, but had never found the opportunity.
Now, Nathaniel was dead just as he wished.
However, the incident happened strangely, beyond his expectations, and was initiated by his subordinates without his order.
He would be damned if something went wrong. Plus, since he did not personally plan it, he inevitably felt uneasy.
Alicia, however, did not think so. “These deathsworn have not been raised in vain; they know to consider everything for you. If they can end their own lives in the imperial prison, then there will be no witnesses left.”
She was even somewhat expectant. “Once our mourning period is over and we return, you’ll be the first in line to inherit. If anyone else wishes to enter the Eastern Palace, unless they achieve overwhelming merit, they will not be able to surpass you.”
In the Eastvale Empire, the succession of Nathaniel followed the order of precedence, except in rare cases of military coups, political upheavals, or palace revolts.
The heir was chosen by seniority, not by youth.
With Nathaniel dead, Marcus naturally faced no further obstacles, and Alicia was, of course, delighted.
Marcus nodded. “Let us hope everything proceeds smoothly.”
In the pitch–black night, Margaery was still practicing swordsmanship in the rear courtyard. After intense exercise, even in the depths of winter, she no longer felt the cold, only the overwhelming pain throughout her body.
This was something she simply had to endure.
With the sudden increase in training intensity, she had to bear all this pain herself.
Dashnell came to see her, his wheelchair stopping at the entrance to the rear courtyard. His gaze quietly tell upon her face, a faint smile at the corner of his lips, yet he did not disturb her.
Margaery was also remarkably adept at memorizing sword techniques
She was not troubled by any lack of continuity, all she needed was for her body to keep pace with her mind
He watched for quite a while. Only when Margaery paused did he speak Why not take a break?”
In truth, there was a certain eagerness in his heart.
He had words on the tip of his tongue, wanting to say that he could accompany her in sword practice tomorrow, but in the end, he could only swallow them back.
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He could not stand up. Naturally, it was difficult for him to instruct her in techniques.
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Any action would easily expose his abnormality, and with the surroundings unsafe, he could only endure in silence.
Margaery, flushed and breathing unevenly, stepped forward. “I thought you had gone to the palace.”
She recalled the events of the evening and said softly, “When I returned tonight, I heard that Prince Nathaniel was assassinated.”
Their eyes met, each seeing the expected glimmer in the other’s gaze. “Soon, the court will be in turmoil; peace will be hard to come by.”
Dashnell nodded and handed her the warm chicken leg he had kept under his fox fur cloak. “This is your late–night snack. You should eat more when practicing martial arts.”
Margaery’s lips curled upward, unable to suppress the warmth in her heart.
Dashnell turned and went back into the house, while Margaery silently followed, gnawing on the chicken leg.
There were too many people and prying eyes; this was not the place to talk.
After they entered the room and closed the door, Dashnell finally spoke, referring to what had just happened. “Prince Nathaniel was attacked. This matter is not for me to handle. Father won’t drag me into it; everything will be handed over to the Inquisition Court.”
Upon hearing this, Margaery couldn’t help but smile. “But Quinn is your man.”.
It was no different from him handling it personally.
“Being too clever can be very dangerous.” Dashnell laughed, raised his hand, and tapped her nose. “Once you’re by Father’s side, there are things you can say and things you can’t.
“Some matters, even if you see through them, you must pretend to be ignorant.”
Serving a monarch was like living beside a tiger.
Dashnell was still very worried about Margaery and couldn’t help but repeatedly remind her.
Margaery nodded, her heart warm. “I will know my limits and won’t speak carelessly.”
As she spoke, she poured Dashnell a cup of hot coffee.
Dashnell picked up the cup and watched her sitting opposite, gnawing on the chicken leg. A genuine sense of warmth welled up in his heart, making him wish for this to last a lifetime.
His lips lifted slightly, and he said with a smile, “If I ever ascend the throne, I’ll tear down those palaces in the rear courtyard. Those cold, gloomy places are inhabited by hollow people, and they only make Father feel more exhausted.
Having a confidant by one’s side, one person was already enough.
Margaery laughed at his words. “If you really did that, I wonder how many courtiers you would offend. Even Father has no
choice in the matter.”
All the imperial consorts in the palace existed to balance the political situation.
People said there were three thousand beauties in the harem, but in truth, that was not the case.
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The consorts with actual titles were all sent in by powerful ministers, and not every influential family necessarily had a beautiful daughter.
The harem’s consorts came in all varieties, encompassing everything imaginable.
Regardless of whether they were beautiful or not, as the King, he must show favor.
It was not about liking or disliking the consort herself, but for the benefit of the powers behind these women.
This was why not just anyone could become the King.
Dashnell said, “Father has not selected new consorts in recent years; those currently in the palace all entered when he was young. At that time, the Eastvale Empire was riddled with wounds and urgently needed stability.
“But I believe that, through the efforts of myself, my father, and my grandfather over three generations, one day we will no longer need to stabilize the people in such a manner. I have the strength to control the court.”
Margaery smiled upon hearing this. “I believe in you.”
She added with a smile, “I also hope that one day, when facing foreign enemies, we will no longer need to send women away in distant marriages.”
Dashnell looked at her, his tender gaze falling on her face. “We will.”
If one loves someone, they love everything about them.
Perhaps he was simply too fond of the young woman before him, or perhaps he had inherited the King’s influence. He understood the hardships women faced and was willing to see them shine as brightly as men in his era.
The emotion in his eyes made Margaery’s eyes grow moist.
This era required people like Dashnell and the King, as well as Grace, Phillipa, and Christina.
Each with their own unique splendor. Each living true to themselves.
The two were kindred spirits; whatever they said resonated in each other’s hearts. In truth, there was no need for constant togetherness. Even separated by a thousand miles, they shared a sense of unity across the world.
All the more so when face to face, the affection felt even deeper.
Yet, it was not merely the romance of lovers in bed. They shared a common dream.
At this moment, Seamus met with the death warrior who had come from the cemetery. Upon learning of Marcus’s request his brow furrowed tightly.
He was sitting in the study with his father; Tristan, Yvette, and Chester, the four of them together.
“Prince Nathaniel is dead, and Prince Marcus is implicated. Should we help or not?” He spoke, briefly explaining the situation, his eyes filled with unprecedented gravity.
Alicia was Tristan’s biological daughter.
Of course, Tristan could not let go of his own daughter. Upon hearing this, he said directly, “If we don’t help, who will? Alicia came from our family, and she and Prince Marcus are still guarding the Hadley family’s cemetery,
“Regardless of whether we help or not, if this matter is exposed, given our relationship, can the Minister’s estate possibly
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escape?”
Seamus sat in silence.
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“Grandfather is right.” At this moment, Chester spoke up, “We and Prince Marcus are inseparably linked, we’re in the same boat. If something happens to him, Hadley family will surely decline.
“If someone else ascends the throne, we can only wait for death.”
Only Yvette was not pleased. “When my brother was in trouble, I didn’t see you all so proactive. Wasn’t I and he also inseparably linked?”
Raul used to be her support. With Raul as her Chancellor brother, she acted with unchecked arrogance in the Hadley family.
But now, the Wallen family had fallen.
Her status in the Hadley family has plummeted, and now even Chester, the son of a concubine, was beginning to take control of the Hadley family’s future right in front of her.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
