Chapter 401

Yuvan was furious.

“It wouldn’t have mattered when she died. I would have kept it a secret and only revealed it after the New Year. But now, with Carissa stirring things up, the queen dowager and the king both know. How can I possibly stay in the capital any longer?”

Eleanor gritted her teeth but had no choice but to urge him to be patient.

“Let it go for now. Don’t provoke them. They’ve just returned after a significant victory and have garnered respect both in court and among the common folk. They’re formidable now, so it’s best to avoid them. Stay low-key and quickly gather troops.”

“As for your marriage alliance with the Spencer family, you need to expedite it. Violet once fought on the Southern Frontier battlefield. If you can marry her and bring her under your control, recruiting soldiers will be much easier. Besides, with the Spencer family as your support and the Inferno Guild assisting, given time, your great cause will surely succeed.”

Yuvan frowned and shook his head. “The head of the Spencer family seems mostly to be stalling. Violet is a beloved daughter, and I doubt they’re happy to marry her off as a concubine. Moreover, she knows about how that foolish woman was staying at Verdant Monastery. I’m afraid she won’t agree.”

“If you can’t marry Violet, then marry another daughter from the Spencer family. I refuse to believe they don’t want to wash away the disgrace brought by that runaway aunt of theirs. Remember, focus on weapons and armor. Also, the Spencer family has a horse ranch on the northern plains,” Eleanor said.

425 BONUS

If they were to raise an army, provisions and soldiers were essential.

“For now, you must play the fool. Don’t draw the king’s attention. Even if you marry a daughter of the Spencer family, it will appear as though you’re only after wealth. A useless prince should indulge in wine, women, wealth, and vices in equal measure. I will first sow suspicion in the king’s mind about Rafael. As for the Prince family, they currently command the Hell Monarch Army…”

Eleanor paused.

“The king seems inclined to elevate the Prince family and support Barrett. We can start with Barrett’s wife to bring the Prince family to our side.”

In Sunspire Hall, Rafael led his family of five to greet the queen dowager, the king, the queen, and the concubines of the harem.

Upon seeing Carissa and Ryan, Victoria immediately began to inquire about them, particularly focusing on Ryan. She held his hand with a firm grip and asked him if he was now able to write smoothly.

Ryan’s voice was clear as he replied, “Your Majesty, my uncle teaches me every day, and I practice diligently day and night. My wrist is much stronger now, and writing is no longer a problem.”

“That’s good to hear,” Victoria beamed as she patted his shoulder. “You must not disappoint your uncle’s expectations. Continue to study hard, and once your writing is perfected, you can go to the academy.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will take your advice to heart,” Ryan answered respectfully.

CON 431

Victoria then pulled Ryan into a warm embrace and whispered with a smile, “Tell me, does Helen give you a hard time? Does she ever roll her eyes at you?”

She knew her younger sister well—if she didn’t like someone, she would roll her eyes all the way to the sky.

“Victoria!” Helen, who had been listening, was not pleased. “How could I possibly treat Ryan poorly? He’s so clever and delightful. I can’t help but adore him.”

“Really?” Victoria smiled, looking at Helen with some satisfaction. “It’s great that you can care for him, but if I find out that you’re treating him badly or being harsh, I won’t forgive you.”

Helen rolled her eyes. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask Kiera.”

Kiera said in a clear and bright voice, “Mother, it’s true. Mom loves Ryan very much, and so do I.”

Victoria chuckled and said, “I was just teasing Helen. It’s been so long since she left the palace, and I hadn’t seen her roll those eyes of hers. It bothered me. But now that I’ve seen it, I feel better.”

With those words, both Salvador and Kylie joined in the laughter. Only Helen remained sulky.

What was the fuss about? Did they really think she would mistreat a child?