Chapter 1305

The inkpot missed Connor; Derek had intervened. At this critical juncture, Connor couldn't afford a misstep. Though unharmed, the boy was terrified, erupting in loud, uncontrolled sobs.

Salvador's fury was implacable. "At your age, I recited The Thousand Verses with ease! You cannot manage two lines! Henceforth, you will reside in your grandmother's palace."

Connor's wails intensified. "No! I don't want to go! I want to stay with Mom! I hate Grandmother!"

He genuinely detested visiting Victoria. She relentlessly quizzed him on his studies—just like his father. Connor despised being interrogated about reading and lessons. Why did everyone insist on constant study?

"Take him away! Send him to Serenity Palace immediately," Salvador commanded coldly.

Giovanni promptly summoned two chamberlains to escort Connor.

Salvador's face flushed, but a profound sadness filled his heart. How could his eldest son be such a failure?

Derek quietly began clearing the shattered inkpot. His expression was inscrutable. Finally, he murmured, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

Salvador's chest heaved as he fought to control his rage and frustration. Contingency plans raced through his mind. If the worst transpired, perhaps Victoria could govern discreetly until Connor matured.

But even with Victoria's unwavering dedication, what hope remained? He might never become the ruler this kingdom needed. Worse, he might become an ungrateful wretch.

Weariness overwhelmed Salvador. He'd been sleepless, his body fatigued, yet his mind remained sharp and agitated.

Chapter 1305

After a long silence, he fixed his piercing gaze on Derek. "What do you think? Where has the Hell Monarch gone?"

Derek hesitated, clearly uneasy. He harbored suspicions but dared not voice them. "Your Majesty, I do not know."

Salvador's eyes narrowed, his tone colder. "You suspect the Southern Frontier, don't you?"

Sweat beaded on Derek's brow. He hastily wiped it away. "I would not presume to speculate, Your Majesty."

Salvador rubbed his temples, weariness etched on his face.

"Even if he went to the Southern Frontier, how could he predict Oliver's desertion? Unless Louis and his men discovered Oliver's intentions and sent a letter? But why would Louis inform him without reporting to me first? Or perhaps..."

His voice grew colder.

"He already has scouts stationed in the Southern Frontier—men who relay information faster than it reaches me."

Derek's heart pounded, each word from Salvador quickening his pulse.

Salvador gave a bitter laugh. "If he knew of Oliver's desertion, he should have reported it to me. Sneaking onto the battlefield without orders and the military command emblem—will the Southern Frontier troops obey or defy him?"

Derek sighed inwardly. Even if the Hell Monarch had gone to the Southern Frontier, it would be a self-made trap.

With Oliver's escape, the military command emblem was almost certainly gone. Commanding the Southern Frontier army without it was nearly impossible. Even a victorious return wouldn't excuse his insubordination; leading without the emblem was a threat in itself.

The only solution was his death.

"But he wouldn't go to the Southern Frontier. That would do him far more harm than good. Without my edict, leading troops is a grave crime. Even if victorious, his achievements wouldn't outweigh his offense. He's too intelligent for such a foolish mistake—don't you think?" Salvador continued.

Derek remained silent, his head bowed. Salvador had already articulated everything.

Salvador chuckled faintly, self-deprecatingly. He understood his own logic. Yet, deep down, he hoped Rafael had gone to the Southern Frontier battlefield.

Even if it meant Rafael acted without his order, Salvador was willing to forgive.

At the Hell Monarch Estate, Carissa rose early. News of Oliver's desertion, and Jeremiah's petition for Salvador to lead the troops, had arrived yesterday.

Today, she would enter the palace. Her goal: to secure a royal edict permitting Rafael to join the battle despite his illness.

Delay was unacceptable. She needed to act now, to prevent a worse outcome.