Chapter 1141
Kyle was unaware that David had not been the previous Earl of Silverstone. He’d assumed as much. “Didn’t David inherit the title? Could Sage Adrian’s investigators have made a mistake?” Kyle asked.
“We’ll know once we ask Jacob,” Rafael replied promptly.
Jacob, invited to the study, was questioned about the Prince family's history. He possessed some knowledge of noble families' affairs, extending back three generations, though his understanding was limited.
“Mr. David never inherited the title,” Jacob explained. “At the time, Earl Vincent Prince was ill and hadn't appointed a successor. After Mr. David’s military achievements, he requested the heirship. Upon becoming heir, Mr. Vincent’s health improved, and he eventually recovered. This postponed the title's transfer. I'm unsure what followed, but Mr. Vincent later appointed his eldest grandson, Mr. Oliver, as successor. Something clearly went wrong, though the details remain unclear to outsiders, myself included. The Silverstone elders and Madam Prince are likely the only ones who know the full story.”
The situation had become considerably more complex. If David hadn't inherited the title, could Isaac truly be said to have brought him good fortune? Yet, David was named heir when Isaac was born, and had yet to inherit when Isaac was sent away at five. It seemed Isaac's good fortune had favored Vincent instead.
Regardless, something was amiss. Even the elders might be unaware of the truth. Evelyn was likely the only person who knew.
“Perhaps we should cease our investigation,” Carissa suggested. “Let Isaac decide. Knowing what we do now is sufficient. We'll support whatever he chooses.”
This was Isaac's matter to resolve. His decision, and his comfort, would guide their actions.
Still, Carissa felt a pang of sympathy for Isaac. Their past relationship had been strained. His reputation as a libertine, his frequenting of disreputable places, and his arrogant, unserious demeanor had all contributed. He often dismissed their games with a childish remark and walked away.
She recalled a winter during her second year at Meadow Ridge. She had built three snowmen—one for each parent and herself—and planned to make more for her brothers. Isaac had arrived and kicked them all down. Furious, she'd attacked him, her nascent martial arts skills proving no match for his single blow that sent her sprawling. He hadn't retaliated, simply standing with arms crossed, allowing her frustrated blows to land before walking away. She'd considered him utterly cruel. Even Adrian's scolding failed to faze him; he merely smirked. Only Everett's intervention with a rope prevented further punishment, delivered with the same careless smile.
“Whatever Isaac plans, I doubt he knows the whole story,” Rafael said, interrupting Carissa’s reverie. “Further investigation might clarify matters.”
Everyone agreed. Jacob and Rafael’s accounts suggested David had never inherited the title, indicating possible misrepresentations in Adrian’s investigation. The deceased charlatan priest would have been a valuable source for interrogation. Carissa considered seeking Zoey's help, believing she could question Evelyn, but this was delicate; it involved invading someone's privacy. Without revealing Isaac's identity, obtaining Zoey's assistance would be difficult. She couldn't bring herself to do so. Acting against Isaac's will while pretending otherwise would be hypocritical.
The events occurred nearly twenty years ago, likely in secrecy. Independent investigation might yield nothing.
Most troubling was Isaac’s belief that his temple sojourn stemmed from the capital's physicians' inability to heal him. He hadn't anticipated the charlatan's cruelty, but his family’s intentions had been good, a fact that made the situation even harder to bear. This was why Isaac had been pacing outside Silverstone Estate for days, lost in thought, seemingly reflecting on family bonds.