When fate plays its hand

Lisandra felt a slight unease as she watched Leroy and Icarus leave the banquet. When they returned, there was an exchange of glances between them, as if they were confirming something. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Her brow furrowed deeper, a sense of something being off growing stronger. But there was no way she could ask Icarus to explain. Asking him to step out again during the banquet would be far too conspicuous. Anyone with eyes would notice something was wrong.

Westhaven was on the brink of internal chaos, and Lisandra had no desire to stir up further conflict. She had come here to seek justice, but her real purpose was to stabilize Edmund’s claim to the throne and ease the unrest among the–people.

When they had gone to the Southern Frontier to seek justice, they had already suffered significant losses–both men and resources. The heavy financial aid given to Sandoria had drained the national treasury, so the kingdom could hardly endure another costly war that would further harm the common people.

If war was to come, it would have to wait at least five years

The palace banquet carried on with music from musicians and performances from dancers, but everyone was lost in their own thoughts. They hid behind fake smiles as they observed one another from the shadows.

By the time the banquet ended, it was late. Lisandra led the envoys in their formal farewells.

Salvador, who had drunk to the point of near drunkenness, returned to his quarters with the help of the palace servants. Tonight, everything at the banquet had seemed peaceful. As for tomorrow’s negotiations, which would no doubt be filled with tension and danger, he didn’t need to be directly involved.

Salvador found a certain satisfaction in Rafael’s selfishness. It made him feel like a real, living, ordinary person. The constant talk of selflessness and serving the nation and people–those words were nothing but hollow to him.

A person without desires was the one to fear most, as human nature was inherently selfish.

Of course, there were true, loyal servants of the crown, like Dominic, whom Salvador respected. Domi wasn’t something he just spoke of. He proved it through action for most of his life.

But human hearts were fickle.

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Salvador had already sent people to investigate Valken, but so far, there was no evidence to suggest any trouble there. He had also dispatched agents to Stonebridge County, which was part of Eleanor’s territory. If Yuvan dared not act openly in Valken, he would most likely be hiding in Stonebridge County.

In his investigation of the treason case, Salvador felt a deep, unsettling helplessness.

It wasn’t that there weren’t capable people available. The court was filled with talented individuals, and Salvador’s dad had left him an excellent mix of civilian and military advisors perhaps the best the kingdom had

ever seen.

But they were Sigmund’s people. Whenever there was disagreement or differing opinions on court matters, they all ended up bringing up the late king. Salvador would use them, but he wouldn’t trust them as his closest

confidants.

For matters regarding Yuvan’s covert investigation, he left it to Ian. However, Ian’s people were still leagues behind those from Hell Monarch Estate.

Outside the palace gates, carriages and horses moved like water. Once Lisandra’s carriage had departed, others gradually made their way out. Carissa and Rafael had barely climbed into their carriage when Leroy walked over, his demeanor noticeably more polite than before.

“Your Highness, tomorrow marks the official start of negotiations. I’d like to have a word with you before then. Would you be amenable to joining me at a coffeehouse for a drink now?” he asked the prince.

Carissa pushed back the carriage curtain to reveal her cool, composed expression. “Mr. Stellwyn, it’s already late. Might we not save the conversation for tomorrow?”

Leroy chuckled. “Are you worried I might lead His Highness astray to some brothel, Your Grace? There’s no need to worry. I’d just like the chance to sit down and speak with him alone before negotiations begin. I want to clear the air, so to speak.”

Leroy didn’t promise complete transparency, but before such a crucial moment, sitting down to feel each other out.was common practice.

And given that Starhaven was clearly at a disadvantage here, it was only right for them to take the initiative and make an effort to gauge Westhaven’s position. Rafael would have no grounds to refuse now.

Rafael only hesitated a moment before saying, “You should return first. I’ll join Mr. Stellwyn for a drink.”

Carissa nodded. “Very well. Then, I shall head back now.”

“We’ll be leaving now,” she called out to her maid and coachman, who were actually Violet and Travis.

The two answered in unison, “Yes, Your Grace.”

Leroy watched the carriage disappear into the night, a sly, victorious grin spreading across his face.