Chapter 204
“How could it not be dirty? Framing others, embezzlement, he has mastered them all.” Dashnell’s voice was cold.
In his previous life, he had Stormshade Hall.
Yet he never realized the Chancellor’s estate could be so corrupt. After all, he liked Margaery.
It was only natural. Out of affection for her, he not only never suspected the Wallen family, but even helped Raul ascend the position of Chancellor.
But the past could not be undone.
Only the future held promise.
He returned to himself and asked the shadow, “What is Marcus’s reaction?”
The shadow replied, “Prince Marcus and Lady Alicia are physically present in the mourning hall, but their minds are elsewhere. While Oswald was asleep, Lady Alicia sent someone out to contact secretly trained deathsworn, who are now i operation…”
Dashnell sneered upon hearing this, “Bundle these messages together and deliver them to Callum early the day after
tomorrow.”
He then shifted the topic and asked, “What about the Eastern Palace?”
“News from the palace says he went to see the King.”
The shadow’s voice was very low. “But for some reason, the King did not see him. Prince Nathaniel has not returned either He is staying in the late Queen’s side hall.”
“He certainly knows how to make use of the late Queen.”
Dashnell responded with a hint of sarcasm, “Keep watching.”
The shadow nodded, “Also, the palace might send people to Icy Pool as well. Will it be unsafe for us to go there tomorrow?” “Let’s go early and pick a good hiding spot.”
Dashnell knew it was dangerous, but he had no choice but to go. “Even if the palace sends people, they won’t go that early.”
*****
Side hall of Gracehall Palace.
Tell me, why won’t Father see me?”
Nathaniel couldn’t sleep either, sitting before the candlelight and looking at his attendant.
The attendant hung his head, somewhat drowsy, “Maybe, he feels this matter is hard to handle. After all, Margaery is the Star of fortune. The marriage was just bestowed, and now it has to be annulled…
“The Kings word it as good av gold. This is a difficult matter
Anthaniel’s expression was unpleasant, I thought I had fouck a great bargain, but who would have thought i
wined to citer did not leave the lips bertare the aundant covered his mouths your thehness be careful
Chapter 204
Nathaniel clenched his fists.
After a long while, he asked his attendant, “Has there been any news from my grandfather’s side?”
“Not yet.”
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The attendant shook his head. “The mountain passes are blocked by heavy snow. Travel is difficult. At the earliest, it will take another ten days.”
Nathaniel’s face looked grim. He said unwillingly, “Everyone says my mother was Father’s most beloved woman, but what does it matter? Other people’s maternal families can help. Even the least successful can manage to get a fourth–rank official position in court.”
“But my mother’s family is only a southern canal official. Everyone says canal transport is important and overflowing with wealth. But without power in hand, they can’t influence the situation in Sinderin City. To me, it’s just a hindrance.”
“Besides, now that everyone’s come to Sinderin City, who doesn’t want wealth and glory?”
“What use are a few lousy coins?”
Now, the Wallen family had gotten into that kind of trouble.
And there was also that disfigured Star of Fortune. The thought of it made him nearly sick to his stomach. In the end, he clenched his teeth and said, “Whether Father agrees to see me or not, I must annul this marriage!”
“I am the Crown Prince. I cannot afford to lose face like this!”
*****
Inside the Imperial Study.
Tonight, Cillian slept alone, not summoning anyone. Only Warren stood guard at his side.
“Margaery has been disfigured, and Nathaniel is coming to see nie tonight. Can you guess what he wants?” Cillian lay in the darkness, his tone tinged with anger.
Warren sighed, “Prince Nathaniel asked me on the way. If he wished to break off the engagement, would Your Majesty agree?”
Cillian snorted coldly in anger. “He just can’t keep his composure!”
“If Margaery truly is disfigured, can’t he, as the Crown Prince, even show tolerance?”
“Let alone becoming the King one day, with countless women in the three palaces and six courts, even in his own residence, he already has a queen–consort, two secondary consorts, and several mistresses attendants!”
With so many women, he can’t accept just one Margaery? She is merely disfigured, not guilty of some heinous crime, and he wants to cast her aside?”
Cillian became even more restless, “With such a temperament, how can he be the Crown Prince! If he can’t tolerate even one woman, how can he be expected to embrace all things in the world, including the impoverished commoners?”
Finally, pressing his brow, he said, “If I hadn’t witnessed his birth myself, I would doubt he is truly the child of myself and Marianne!
The Warrior King of Eastvale Empire possessed both strategic brilliance and military might, and in his younger years was a man worthy of respect.
« for Marianne, daughter of the Seacrest Guild, she was such a free spirited and uninhibited woman.
Chapter 204
Yet they produced a son like Nathaniel.
Cillian was so angry that he could not sleep.
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Warren lowered his gaze and brought up another matter, “Your Majesty, after Prince Nathaniel and Dr. Fischer left today, I spoke privately with Lady Margaery.”
“She is neither disfigured nor mute.”
“What?”
Cillian was stunned and sat up abruptly, “Then what is with the rumors outside? Prince Nathaniel…”
Warren sighed, “Lady Margaery had no choice. Someone set a trap for her, intending to lure her to the Icy Pool and kill her. She planned to turn the tables, so she set a trap of her own.”
Cillian frowned at these words, “Who would dare such a thing?”
Warren spoke with a complex tone, “She did not say it outright, but in my view, this is most likely Lady Tessa. The Wallen family has lost their minds. Tonight, Sullivan of Lakeburgh died outside the inn, and that alone speaks volumes.”
“They want the Star of Fortune dead!”
Cillian furrowed his brow, “Raul truly is…”
“If I were not concerned about turmoil in the court, I would truly wish to exterminate their entire clan!”
Seeing the King’s anger, Warren gently consoled him, “Your Majesty, you cannot bear to do so. Lady Margaery is Prince Dashnell’s beloved. Even if she cannot marry him, she must not die.”
“If she dies, Prince Dashnell will grieve, and you will grieve as well.”
Cillian pressed his brow, “Wait. In a few days, if Nathaniel insists on breaking off the engagement, then arrange another match for her elsewhere.”
“If she were not the Star of Fortune, I could immediately grant her marriage to Dashnell.”
“But that is not possible now. If I grant the marriage now, everyone will target Prince Dashnell’s residence.”
This would harm Dashnell.
Cillian rose, picked up a cup of coffee, and drank, “A father’s hand can never be even with all his sons.”
After drinking, he sighed, “Tomorrow, take an imperial guard to have a look, but do
not
make
a
spectacle of it.”
“Wellspring Hall is about to be established. It can not withstand great upheaval. You have only one goal. Bring Margaery back safe and sound.
After speaking, he lay back on the bed.
He forcibly closed his eyes to rest
He waited until dawn.
Just as Cillian finished preparing and was about to attend morning court, Nathaniel appeared at the door, knelt directly, “Tather I wish to break off my engagement with Margaery!”
12:53 Thu, Feb 5 GM
Chapter 204
His voice trembled slightly.
It was snowing heavily, and the cold was unbearable.
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Cillian’s face was gloomier than the sky. “Break off the engagement? Do you take my imperial edict as a joke?”
Last night, he avoided seeing Nathaniel precisely to prevent him from saying this, hoping he would calm down overnight.
But, instead, the night only made him more impatient.
Nathaniel could sense Cillian’s anger, but hearing these words made him feel even worse.
He lifted his head to look at Cillian, his gaze trembling and his eyes reddened. “Father, my principal consort is a disfigured mute. In the future, I will surely become the laughingstock of others!”
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.
