Chapter 337
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Tessa nodded and replied truthfully, “I came back with him, all the way from Ramsgate in the Eastvale Empire.”
Cillian trembled with rage. Ramsgate was right next to Sinderin City in the Eastvale Empire. Without his orders, Isander actually went to Ramsgate. “What was he thinking?”
Moreover, relations between the Eastvale Empire and the Southcroft Empire have been poor for years. If Isander had no inside support in the Eastvale Empire, he could not have gone there safely, nor returned safely.
Tessa said, “Isander and Callum of the Eastvale Empire have reached an agreement. Once the great war begins, Callum will provide intelligence on Prince Dashnell of the Eastvale Empire, instructing Isander to assassinate Prince Dashnell.
“Afterwards, Callum will bribe the commanders of the Eastvale Empire, making them withdraw from the southern plains to help Isander accumulate military merit. Once Isander ascends the throne, the southern territory will be returned to Callum By then, Callum will be the emperor of the Eastvale Empire, and Isander will be the emperor of the Southcroft Empire.““”
Cillian listened to these words, his eyelids trembling. “I truly did not expect his ambitions to be so great. Faking military achievements to win genuine loyalty from the army and the people. Does he intend to force me to abdicate?”
Tessa lowered her gaze and remained silent. She merely gave a cold laugh in her heart.
After a long moment, Cillian regained his composure, looked at Tessa, and said, “Once this matter is thoroughly investigated, I will formally acknowledge you. From this day forward, you shall be a princess of the Southcroft Empire.”
Meanwhile, in the Eastvale Empire, Callum has already been sentenced to death for treason. Margaery and Quinn of the Inquisition Court went to the execution ground.
She had no particular fondness for such bloody scenes. During the execution, she did not watch, but instead spoke quietly with Solon. “The New Year Festival is approaching. If nothing unexpected happens, there should be some movement in the Southcroft Empire.” She glanced into the distance.
Solon nodded, “News arrived last night. I estimate that after the New Year Festival, we will receive a victory report.”
He looked at Margaery, reverence and gratitude rising in his eyes. “If this succeeds, the people in the south will be spared the suffering of war. This is a deed that will be remembered for generations!”
In just two difficult months, the young girl before him had truly become a bringer of fortune in every sense. And she was only sixteen years old. He didn’t know what fate awaited her, but he knew she had a bright future.
Margaery asked, “Is there any news of my master?”
“He went east, so you need not worry. He went to find Samuel, but it will likely be a long time before he returns, as the journey is far.” Solon looked at her, feeling she had matured too quickly. “With Southcroft King’s skills and medical expertise, he will have no trouble there.”
Margaery nodded and glanced at Solon. “Your Highness is actually the renowned Northern Emperor, isn’t he?”
Solon smiled. “I cannot hide it from you. But I fear soon, it will not be hidden from anyone”
Margaery was taken aback. “What do you mean by that? If the southern war ceases, Stormshade Hall will be even harder to
expose.”
To Margaery’s surprise, Solon sighed and said, “It is the King who has changed his mind. He originally intended to remain
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Chapter 337
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on the throne for a few more years, but seeing that you and His Highness can handle matters independently, he wishes to
rest.”
Margaery was somewhat shocked, but upon reflection, she understood. Cillian ascended the throne at nineteen, and more than twenty years have passed since. He was not a foolish ruler. He governed diligently, living each day like a puppet, suppressing all emotions and desires. No one could endure such days forever.
“Indeed, there is more to life than power.” Margaery gazed into the distant sky. “I also hope that one day I can travel across all the lands of the Nine Provinces and witness the world’s splendor.”
“You will.” Solon smiled. “With His Highness’s temperament, even if he ascends as emperor and you become the queen, Angelina Burke, he would never confine you to the inner palace. You may attend court or roam the world as you wish. Just be sure to leave early and return early. Otherwise, His Highness would not know how to worry over you.”
Margaery blushed at his teasing.
After the execution, Margaery returned to the palace to report, encountering the imperial guard who had also come to deliver a report. “Your Majesty, Eldric is dead!”
The words struck like thunder, rendering the Imperial Study utterly silent. Cillian clenched his fist and, after a long pause, asked, “How did he die?”
“It is said to be an accident, but…” The imperial guard stepped forward and handed him a stack of papers. “This is news sent from Stormshade Hall.”
Margaery looked at the senior palace guard, wondering if he was the third–in–command of Stormshade Hall.
It was only recently that she learned Dashnell had actually left someone by Cillian’s side, who had been assisting Cillian with his affairs and occasionally relaying information from Stormshade Hall.
Eldric’s death was beyond her expectations. Originally, she thought Eldric had defected to Isander, but then, this happened.
Judging by the current situation, it was most likely Leonard’s men who killed Eldric, seized the stables and other assets he had uncovered, and only returned to help with the succession struggle after hearing of the turmoil in the court.
Isander’s ambitions were not small either. Having come this far, Margaery had witnessed the bloody nature of the battle of the royal succession. Cillian had nine sons in total, and in just two short months, four were deposed. Soon, the fifth would be gone as well.
With Isander pushing matters to this extent and Leonard returning in haste, everything seemed too rushed, as if his intentions were obvious to all. Anyone who stood in his way would most likely be killed.
As expected, Cillian’s next words were direct. “Guards, General Torres returned to Sinderin City without my orders, as a border commander, disregarding the safety of hundreds of thousands of soldiers at the frontier. Arrest him!”
The Imperial Guards immediately took Leonard away when he had just left Isander’s residence. He stared wide–eyed in protest, “Why are you arresting me? When I met with the King, I didn’t see him angry. Did the King tell you if he was angry?”
Phillipa Eames sneered, “As the commander of the northwest, you recklessly rushed back to Sinderin City. Do you realize that your departure threw the northwest into chaos, and Eldric died there?”
Leonard stared in astonishment. He didn’t realize that the news would spread so quickly,
He was the one who killed Eldric, and had thought that news of the incident would not reach Sinderin City for at least another month. By then, the dust would have settled, and Isander would have ascended the throne. But unexpectedly, he was caught in a short time.
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Guards, take him away! At Phillipa’s command, General Torres was sent to the dungeon
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Isander was utterly shocked and hurried into the palace to find Lady Diana. “Mother, Uncle has been thrown into the dungeon. What should we do now? I am afraid!”
Isander’s temperament was not suited for power struggles. With Leonard arrested, he immediately lost all composure.
Before Lady Diana could speak, Cillian walked in and threw a paper at them. “This is your handiwork!”
It was a handwritten letter from Lady Diana and Isander to Leonard. Lady Diana planned to find an opportunity during the New Year Festival to drug Cillian and make him ‘die of illness. Then, with Leonard’s support, she would rally the court officials to support Isander’s ascension to the throne.
But at that moment, all these schemes had been exposed. Lady Diana still tried to argue, but the evidence was right before her eyes. In that moment, she was utterly despondent, and Isander was so frightened he wet himself.
Cillian closed his eyes, looking at the damp hem of Isander’s robe with complicated feelings. Not everyone could withstand such pressure and sit upon the throne. ‘Why fight for it in the first place, then?‘
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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.
