Chapter 1304

When Connor was sent to Derek, Kylie smiled and said, “It’s too early. Prince Connor hasn’t fully woken yet. Please keep an eye on him and remind him to behave properly before His Majesty.” Lydia then discreetly handed Derek a banknote.

However, Derek declined it, bowing slightly. “Your Majesty,” he replied respectfully, “there’s no need to worry. His Majesty simply wished to see his son and sent me to fetch him.” Derek understood Kylie was trying to glean information about Salvador’s questions for Connor, hoping Derek would prepare the boy en route. In the past, he might have accepted the bribe, but today was different.

Kylie’s smile faltered momentarily, but she recovered quickly. “Then I’ll leave it to you, Mr. Walker. Thank you for your trouble.” Derek bowed again, took Connor’s hand, and departed.

In the corridor outside Goldleaf Palace, Salvador paced restlessly, his expression stormy. He’d been awake all night, the thought of leading the army himself a relentless, suffocating burden. Leading the army necessitated naming an heir, and Connor, his eldest son, was utterly unsuitable. Young, ill-suited for leadership, spoiled, and lazy, he lacked every quality of a future king. Yet, he was his firstborn.

“How long has Derek been gone?” Salvador asked sharply, turning to the nearby chamberlain, Giovanni.

“Your Majesty,” Giovanni answered respectfully, “an hour.” It had been longer, but Giovanni dared not say so.

“An hour is far too long!” Salvador snapped. “Everspring Palace isn’t far. Why hasn’t he arrived?”

“I will check immediately, Your Majesty,” Giovanni replied.

Before Giovanni could leave, Derek appeared, panting heavily, Connor slumped asleep on his back. Salvador’s gaze turned thunderous. “Put him down!” he boomed.

“Your Majesty, please calm yourself!” Derek called, gently lowering Connor. The boy, startled awake, lashed out instinctively at Derek.

“You insolent servant!” he snapped.

Derek caught Connor’s fist and whispered urgently, “Your Highness, greet His Majesty.”

Connor, seeing Salvador’s icy glare, shivered. His rebellious expression melted into obedient fear as he dropped to his knees. “Greetings, Your Majesty,” he said.

Salvador’s voice was glacial. “Why was Derek carrying you? Are your legs for walking, or not?”

Tears welled in Connor’s eyes. “Dad, I was tired…” he stammered.

A wave of profound disappointment washed over Salvador. How could this child ever rule? Suppressing his anger, he turned and strode toward the palace. “Come inside!” he barked.

Derek helped Connor up, whispering, “Hurry.” Connor, apprehensive, tugged at Derek’s sleeve, his gaze pleading. With a sigh, Derek followed him into the hall.

Inside, the lamplight illuminated Salvador’s stern face. Connor knelt, looking like a criminal awaiting sentence. Salvador disliked the sight. “Stand up and answer me properly,” he said, raising his hands.

“Yes, Dad!” Connor scrambled to his feet, instinctively moving toward Derek, then freezing under Salvador’s glare and lowering his head again.

“What have you been reading lately?” Salvador asked.

Connor stuttered, “I… I’ve been reading The Thousand Verses and… The Expanded Wisdom.”

“Recite a passage from The Thousand Verses,” Salvador commanded.

Connor’s face went blank. Recite?

He racked his brain. “Heaven and earth are dark and mysterious. The universe is vast and ancient…” He struggled to recall the next lines, usually effortless, but now eluding him. Anxiety mounted. “…the sun…the sun and moon have no light, and…and the stars rise…”

Salvador’s patience snapped. He grabbed the inkpot and hurled it at Connor. “I’ll show you how the sun and moon have no light!”