Chapter 1124
Seeing Yuvan's inability to leave the capital, Wayne deliberated for several days before saying, "Your Highness, you require time to recover and cannot return to Valken. However, Prince Harvey's prolonged management of affairs there is deeply concerning. I fear he may exploit the situation and usurp your position. I must return to Valken to address this."
Yuvan stared at Wayne, stunned, then his face contorted with anger. "So, you're abandoning me here and returning to Valken? How am I supposed to manage this alone?"
Wayne anticipated Yuvan's outburst. He took a deep breath and said calmly, "Your Highness, the situation is a mess. While you recover, the public will soon forget. It's best you remain in the capital for now. I will return to discuss next steps with Prince Harvey. Half our suicide soldiers are under his control; we need to reorganize and strategize. And frankly, can you truly trust Prince Harvey to govern Valken?"
Though Yuvan distrusted Harvey, he was reluctant to face the crisis alone. His frustration remained palpable.
Wayne continued, "Your Highness, the Spencer family has expelled Lady Molly. Your alliance with them is severed; you cannot rely on their warhorses, weapons, or financial support. We must find another solution. Inaction will cost us dearly. We have an army to maintain, requiring funds Grand Princess Eleanor can no longer provide. I must return to find a solution."
Wayne spoke plainly, yet carefully avoided crushing Yuvan's spirit. The reality was bleak, but he avoided further demoralization.
Yuvan didn't immediately consent to Wayne's departure, requesting he remain a few more days to observe any further edicts from Salvador.
Yuvan's greatest concern was the possibility of someone falsely accusing him of dishonoring a woman. He feared defenselessness, believing only Wayne could provide counsel and strategy.
Wayne, understanding his apprehension, sighed inwardly. It was frustrating that Yuvan couldn't see through such a transparent maneuver.
"Your Highness, they won't resort to that. The woman is Violet Spencer. They're eager to bury this scandal. Furthermore, their efforts to establish the women's academy and workshop are all about reputation. They champion women's rights and dignity—how could they then publicly shame a woman? That would contradict their very cause."
But Yuvan remained unpersuaded by facts or logic.
Ultimately, Fiona persuaded him, reminding him that years of careful planning couldn't be undone now. If Harvey harbored rebellious intentions, Valken's power would fall into his hands.
Yuvan finally relented, summoning his son, Lucian. He instructed Lucian to return to Valken with Wayne, insisting Wayne repeatedly swear to ensure the authority transferred to Lucian. He even planned to petition for his son's appointment as heir apparent.
Wayne knew securing the title of heir apparent was difficult, but to return to Valken, he agreed. The next day, he departed the capital with Lucian.
Meanwhile, Randall, residing in the capital as a political hostage, had moved to a separate residence after Yuvan's initial departure. He hadn't returned to Edgeview Estate. Though not formally confined, he was constantly shadowed, far from free.
News of Yuvan's petition to name Lucian his heir filled Randall with bitterness.
Though Randall, the eldest son of a concubine, had been raised by Avis, Lucian and Raymond, born to Fiona, were also sons of concubines. Yet Yuvan chose Lucian over him. Randall felt indignant but powerless; he'd never been able to fight for anything. He couldn't confront Avis or his cousin, Carissa. His life seemed destined for quiet obscurity, devoid even of the hope of marriage.
Perhaps, however, this was for the best. He had found a friend, Barrett, the disgraced son of the Warren family. Barrett had initially sought him out to inquire about Aurora.
Initially, Randall ignored Barrett. Only after Barrett lingered outside his courtyard for hours did Randall finally tell him.
How Randall knew Aurora's fate is another story—he'd overheard Wayne discussing it with Yuvan. There were things he knew, but had to pretend otherwise.