Chapter 261
Rafael, unable to speak, took his leave. Carissa pondered for a long time. Some things made sense now, but others remained elusive. Lily, noticing Carissa's distress, hesitated before approaching, but Frederick stopped her.
He shook his head and said, “Prepare some food for Lord Ryan. He’s been practicing his writing for a long time and must be tired.”
Lily glanced at Frederick and sighed softly. “Alright.”
She went to the kitchen, followed by the slightly limping Frederick. Once inside, he lowered his voice. “I know you want to talk to Lady Sinclair, but don't say anything now. Wait until after the wedding.”
Lily nodded. “I understand. I just saw she was troubled and acted on impulse. I know better than to act rashly.” She sighed again. “I only learned today that Prince Rafael relinquished his military power. Considering everything, it's clear he did it for our mistress's sake. The king used our mistress as bait to trap His Highness.”
Frederick cautioned, “It’s enough that we know this in our hearts. Don't let it slip out.”
“Of course, such things can't be spoken of carelessly. But His Highness's feelings for our mistress—she doesn't know at all. Even when he proposed marriage, the late madam didn't allow her to be told.”
Frederick's expression darkened. “At that time, the late madam was frightened. If His Highness hadn't gone to the Southern Frontier, she might have agreed. But who could have predicted, after all that careful consideration, she would choose someone as unreliable as Barrett?”
Lily's eyes reddened.
“The late madam didn't choose a nobleman's son or a civil official because she knew our mistress was too wild for those strict, rule-bound households. And have you ever seen a noble family where the heir doesn't take concubines? Barrett was the only one brave enough to kneel before the late madam and promise never to take a concubine. The late madam was deceived in a moment of weakness.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Frederick urged. “Bring some food to our young lord. Seeing how hard he’s working really breaks my heart. He’s still taking medicine every day, but he never forgets to practice his writing.”
How could Frederick not feel for Ryan? Ryan was the Duke of Northwatch's only surviving male heir, and he had suffered so much.
The next day, Carissa took Ryan to the sanctuary hall. Upon her return to the capital, she had sent word to Theodore, asking him to gather the Sinclair family and open the sanctuary hall to erase the notation beside Ryan's name in the family records indicating he was deceased.
Since Carissa wasn't allowed to enter the sanctuary hall, she led Ryan to the entrance and left him in Frederick's care, waiting outside.
There were bound to be many in the Sinclair family who wouldn't believe it. Some had even hoped to have their own sons adopted into the Duke of Northwatch's family to inherit the title. Even those who did believe might feign disbelief.
That's why it was necessary for Frederick to clearly explain the situation, informing the Sinclair family members present that the authorities had handled the case and that the human traffickers had been gradually apprehended. The trafficker who originally took Ryan hadn't yet been found, but Frederick deliberately omitted this. Instead, he emphasized that officials in Eldoria had reported the matter to the court, and that Ryan had been to the palace to meet with the king and the queen dowager. Afterward, he had also visited and reconnected with the Klein family.
With this information, even the skeptical Sinclair family members had no choice but to accept it. Moreover, Ryan bore a strong resemblance to his father, further convincing many of his legitimacy.
Once the murmurs of doubt died down, Theodore requested the family records be brought forward. He offered prayers to the ancestors and officially reinstated Ryan's name in the family registry, erasing the previous notation of his supposed early death.
While Carissa waited outside, she could hear the uproar of voices within. At first, she was worried, but when she heard Theodore call for the family records, she knew Ryan's place within the Sinclair family had been affirmed.
With Ryan's return, the need to adopt someone into the Duke of Northwatch's family was eliminated. Carissa and Theodore had never been satisfied with the previously considered candidates, so after a brief discussion, the matter was dropped.
Theodore was thankful they hadn't chosen anyone. Otherwise, someone would have been disappointed, and it was hard to say if they would have caused trouble.
Theodore felt both relief and sadness. He asked the child many questions, and Ryan wrote his answers, unable to speak.
Fortunately, Frederick assured him that Sebastian had promised Ryan would recover fully, though it would take time.
Theodore then addressed the gathered family members, reminding them that as long as the Duke of Northwatch's bloodline continued, the Sinclair family would not decline. He stressed that safeguarding Ryan's interests was synonymous with protecting the interests of the entire Sinclair family.