Chapter 281
Chapter 281
The carriage stopped at the Eames family residence.
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Margaery went in for Osmond, only to see that he was quite different today, not lying in bed, but sitting in a chair, his eyes full of laughter as he looked at Margaery.
Indeed, every generation produces its own talents, each reigning supreme for hundreds of years!” Osmond praised.
He sized up Margaery, a sigh escaping him. “I have high hopes for your future. Perhaps in my lifetime, I’ll witness a different world take shape.”
Because that morning, he received news: A few nights ago, Grace had gone to see Margaery.
Margaery knew nothing of Grace’s past, but Osmond remembered it vividly.
Back then, when the late King met Grace, he marveled at her extraordinary talent, regretting only that she was female.
Now, the King no longer cares so much about whether one is born a female. After all, isn’t Margaery already the Imperial Seal Bearer?
And when Grace went to pay her respects, she even gave Margaery her charm.
Wouldn’t that prove Grace’s ambition has been reignited, hoping to see a glimmer of “her” own light reflected in Margaery’s generation?
This year, Grace is only in her thirties. She still has time, Osmond thought to himself.
He pondered these matters. his thoughts tangled and complex.
Though as a man, he still believed deep down that a woman’s place was in the home, he had also witnessed firsthand the formidable spirit of his own granddaughter, Phillipa.
If Grace’s dream comes true, would that not mean his granddaughter, Phillipa, might also have the chance to become a female general commanding a powerful army in the future?
And not just as she is now, holding a minor position in the small palace, though she is respectfully called ‘Little General‘ by tens of thousands. In the end. she only commands a few hundred people, Osmond mused.
Of course, Margaery was unaware of his thoughts.
Upon hearing this, she smiled and said, “Osmond, I cannot bear your praise, but I will accept your blessing.”
Tm here to give you another treatment today,” she added.
“Good” Osmond nodded. ‘Ill be in your hands”
He looked at Margaery for a long time before simply saying, “Wait for me until after the council session”
Margaery smiled and said nothing more.
Saying more would be inappropriate.
Osmond hadn’t attended a morning court session in four years, and all Ministry of War affairs had long been handled by Sigurd alone.
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Chapter 281
Therefore, at present, the Ministry of War was essentially under the faction of Callum.
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But if Osmond returned to his position, the Ministry of War would shift to support Margaery, tipping the scales against
Callum
Thus Margaery and Callum wouldn’t ally; some things were destined from the start.
Yet it was laughable that Callum was still trying to win her over today.
But Margaery did not say much about these matters.
Just as Margaery was administering treatment to Osmond.
Callum entered the palace, met with the King, then knelt and wept. “Father, I truly did not expect that after just two days away, such a terrible thing would happen at home. My brother died so tragically!”
He knelt on the floor of the Inquisition Court, wailing in grief, his face covered in tears, utterly devastated.
“Are you that sad?” the King said.
He sat behind the imperial desk. his deep gaze quietly resting on Callum’s face; his calm tone betrayed no emotion.
This sentence sounded more like a statement.
Yet within this statement lay something subtle that Callum could not decipher, leaving him feeling uneasy.
At this moment, all Callum could do was cry.
Strictly speaking, for all the princes and princesses at this time, the wisest choice was to join in the mourning; otherwise, they would appear too cold and heartless, even arousing suspicion.
‘Father, I request permission to lead men to capture the assassin and avenge my brother!” Callum demanded.
He raised his head, filled with righteous indignation.
As he was still crying, his body trembled.
But the King abruptly changed the subject and asked, “Has Tessa been caught?”
No, Callum replied.
He was momentarily speechless and could only offer an excuse.
He produced a blood–stained scrap of cloth and choked out, “This was all we found downstream from the Icy Pool, Likely sank to the depths–there’s no way she made it out.”
‘No corpse found?” the King pressed.
But he was sparing with words and did not ask further.
Callum nodded, “The Icy Pool is known as a place of no return. Even if I went down, I could not last more than one hour.
‘Moreover, Tessa is frail by nature. Even without entering the Icy Pool, she suffers from constant stomach pain. Now that she has fallen in, she surely cannot survive. Please rest assured, Father, Callum said earnestly.
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Chapter 281
He presented ample evidence to prove that Tessa could not possibly be left alive.
But the King just let out a cold laugh, “You seem to know Tessa quite well.”
These words struck Callum like a hailstorm.
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He froze, forgetting to cry, and stared at the King in astonishment, momentarily unsure what would be appropriate to say.
He was pondering what the King meant.
The King’s voice cut coldly through the hall. “I ordered you to capture Tessa, and you return with nothing but a scrap of cloth, not even a trace of her accomplice.”
He paused, letting the silence weigh. “Your failure is noted. You are hereby confined to your estate for one month of reflection. Do not set foot beyond its gates.”
Callum was astonished and begged, “Father, please show mercy!”
Because a month would mean missing the Royal Examinations!
He was a prince, so of course, he did not need to participate in the Royal Examinations.
But they were held only once every three years. How important they were!
This is the key moment for the renewal of power within the court. Everyone is desperate to insert their own people, or to win over scholars from all sides, hoping to expand their own ranks!
‘At the same time, they seek opportunities to strike at rivals and weaken the strength of others,‘ Callum thought to himself.
He had long planned how to profit from the Royal Examinations!
Yet at this critical juncture, the King wanted him confined to his estate for one month of reflection.
Did failing to capture Tessa affect him so much?
Callum was filled with dread.
He even wondered if Marcus were to fall during this month, and he was confined, what would happen if Isander rose to power?
Moreover, Isander was investigating the treasury fraud case.
If he succeeded, he could enter the Eastern Palace directly.
At this thought, Callum felt a chill all over. “Father, please give me another chance. This time, I will not disappoint you! Now
is the time when capable people are needed for important tasks; I dare not idle alone!” he pleaded.
But the King rejected him directly, “My mind is made up. You may leave now.”
“Your Highness, please.” Warren stepped forward and issued the order to leave.
Callum’s face was ashen; he was no longer pretending or putting on an act, and left the Imperial Study in a daze
‘What should I do now?‘ he thought to himself.
He could not truly be trapped in his own estate!
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Chapter 281
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“Your Majesty, should we assign someone to watch His Highness?” Warren stepped forward, cautiously asking the King’s intentions.
The King lowered his head to review the memorials and said, “Send an imperial guard.”
Warren nodded, sent someone out, and then pondered, “Your Majesty, is it possible that Tessa… may already be dead?”
“Whether she is dead or not does not matter,” the King said.
He did not even look up. “What matters is that the Royal Examinations must not allow Callum to get involved,” he said.
At this, Warren suddenly understood.
“Go to the Imperial Consort and have Dashnell come here. I have something for him to do,” the King ordered.
With that, he rose and went to the side hall.
In no time, Warren left swiftly to execute the order.
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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.
