However, Joshua also understood that there was no longer any chance.
He stopped on the street, but was driven back by people from the Inquisition Court.
“The entire city is under curfew tonight. Go back immediately! Otherwise, don’t blame us for arresting you as the murderer of Prince Nathaniel!” one of them yelled.
“What?” Joshua was stunned. “Prince Nathaniel is dead?”
But no one had the patience to answer his questions.
The imperial guards directly placed their swords at his neck. “I’ll count to three, get lost! One, two…”
Joshua snapped back to his senses, turned around, and hurried away.
Yet inside, a storm was raging. “The Wallen family bullied Margaery, then the Wallen family fell.
‘Prince Nathaniel rejected Margaery, and he died.
‘Now, the Eastern Palace is vacant. Does this mean Prince Marcus will take the throne next?
‘Does this mean I should try to curry favor with the Hadley family?
‘But after what happened last time, can the relationship between the two families ever be mended?‘
Joshua looked in the direction of the Hadley family, momentarily lost in thought.
******
At this moment, Seamus, in disguise, went to the Inquisition Court’s prison.
The King had ordered an hour ago that no one below the third rank was allowed to enter the prison, so it was useless for him to seek anyone else. He could only go himself.
The Hadley family did not have a more suitable candidate for now.
Especially since too many people couldn’t know about this matter; the more people who knew, the more trouble it brought.
However, he did not know that by stepping into the prison today, he would never be able to escape from the mire.
After presenting his identification and sneaking into the prison, he made his way toward its depths, to the place where the deathsworn was held.
A man dressed in a jailer’s uniform brushed past him, a cold sneer flickering in his eyes, and then left the prison.
Seamus paid no attention to this man. His focus was entirely on the deathsworn.
“Are you the one who tried to assassinate Prince Nathaniel?” He approached the door, lowered his voice, and said, “Come here, I have something to tell you.”
The deathsworn wore night attire with a silver dagger insignia on the collar; undeniably the uniform of a deathsworn raised in Marcus’s residence.
After scrutinizing him, Seamus nodded slightly.
He greatly admired the deathsworn’s actions, which at least demonstrated loyalty and unwavering support for Marcus.
Chapter 270
Yet, at the very moment the deathsworn saw him, a cunning smile appeared in his eyes, and heddenly dusted. “Who are you? Why do you want to kill me?!”
In an instant, Seamus’s eyes widened. “You-”
He was stunned, utterly flustered. Seamus had come in secret, needing quiet and stealth to come and go unnoticed
When the deathsworn saw one of his own people, he should have remained quiet as well.
However, Seamus never expected that the deathsworn would let out such a shrill, startled scream, as if he had wan enemy rather than an ally.
In an instant, the commotion alerted those nearby. “What’s going on?”
Footsteps echoed from all around.
Seamus grew anxious, but separated by an iron–barred door, he could not enter. He could only frown and say, “What madness is this?”
“So it’s you, Lord Seamus!” The deathsworn accused, “I truly did not expect that after all we have done for Prince Marcus you would seek to silence me! I am willing to die on the rack of the Inquisition Court; that is my choice.
“But for you to take my life directly is another matter entirely!”
His expression was one of utter disillusionment as if he truly had been driven to despération, like a cornered dog forced to bite back.
Seamus was taken aback; he had not said anything yet.
For a moment, he did not grasp what was happening, but he knew he absolutely could not linger here, so he turned and left
at once.
But just then, Quinn of the Inquisition Court approached and said, “Lord Seamus, coming to the prison late at night to silence someone, is that really appropriate?”
The clear, resonant voice carried a faint metallic undertone, yet lacked genuine sincerity, for what mattered now was not the truth, but what had been witnessed.
The truth was not important.
After all, it was merely the princes and the major factions within the court exhausting one another.
The King’s establishment of the cabinet would inevitably affect these people’s interests. Although the backlash from the great families had not yet begun, it was certain to come.
Before such a backlash arrived, letting them consume each other internally was the outcome everyone wished to see
Seamus had walked right into the trap, so he could only be put to death. After all, the one who died was Nathaniel.
Both sides of the corridor were now blocked.
Seamus’s mind buzzed instinctively; with no way out, he could only look at Quinn, forcing a faint smile and feigning composure.
“Lord Thornton, I merely came to have a look, to find out who would dare to attempt an assassination on Prince Nathaniel,”
he said.
As he spoke, he glanced at the assassin inside. “I did not expect that he would spout such nonsense, trying to drag me down
with him.”
10:13 Sat, Feb 21 **
Chapter 270
After so many years in the court, he was not without some skill.
He shifted the topic. “Obviously, the person who assassinated Prince Nathaniel wants to frame me and Prince Marcus. Whoever stands to gain has the motive for murder.
“With Prince Nathaniel dead, the Eastern Palace is vacant.
“If Prince Marcus is finished, whose place is being cleared? I need not say it; Lord Thornton, you surely understand
Quinn was no fool. However, he would not get involved in the chaos.
He was one of Dashnell’s men.
Dashnell was ninth in line, with eight elder brothers ahead of him; unless absolutely necessary, he would not rush to step
forward.
Thus, for now, he was simply acting in accordance with the law.
Quinn let out a brief laugh and said, “The Inquisition Court investigates cases based on evidence, not speculation.”
He then looked at Seamus. “Regardless, it is abnormal for Lord Seamus to appear here tonight. You should explain this to the King yourself; I will not question you further.”
Such a significant matter was beyond the authority of the Inquisition Court. Seamus’s face turned pale, and he thought to himself, ‘It’s over!‘
“Lord Seamus, please.” Quinn smiled at him, the very picture of courtesy.
Yet Seamus felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. He suddenly recalled the prison guard he had just brushed past and abruptly spoke. “Lord Thornton, there’s something suspicious.
“When I was coming over just now, I encountered a prison guard acting strangely. He must have colluded with that assassin in advance to frame me.”
The truth of the matter surfaced, and Seamus realized he had been set up.
It was even possible that this assassination attempt had been a scheme from the very beginning.
Then, in his foolishness, he had walked right into the trap.
Cold sweat broke out on Seamus as he tried to negotiate with Quinn. “Lord/Thornton, we both serve in the court…
However, Quinn was unmoved and simply interrupted him with a smile. “Then, is it not suspicious for Lord Seamus to come here?”
Seamus opened his mouth but could not speak for a moment.
Quinn spoke, his gaze fixed on Seamus’s face. “As far as I know, the Hadley family and Prince Nathaniel do not have a good relationship. The Hadley family also supports Prince Marcus.”
Then, put on a smile that made Seamus uneasy. “As you said, it is obvious who benefits if the Eastern Palace is vacated
“You need not say more to me; go directly to the palace and see the King.”
To Quinn, whoever occupied the Eastern Palace was an obstacle.
One day, the Eastern Palace must be cleared for Dashnell; that was where his interests lie.
Hearing this, Seamus was filled with bitter regret. He should have been more cautious.
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.
