Chapter 467

“Who doesn’t want children? I look forward to the expansion of the royal family,” Salvador said. “He’s only a few years younger than me. At his age, he should be considering fatherhood.”

Derek replied softly, “Perhaps Prince Rafael understands your concerns and does not wish for any discord among brothers. Do you remember? From childhood to adulthood, he has always seen you as his role model and source of pride. Whenever he spoke of you, his expression was always one of admiration.”

At Derek’s words, Salvador reflected on many past events, and his gaze softened considerably. After a long pause, he sighed deeply. “Perhaps I have been overthinking things.”

Derek silently poured more coffee, understanding from years of service that such sudden sighs often reflected nostalgic sentiments rather than a shift in his cautiousness.

Rafael’s decision to delay having children was a wise one. At least for now, without offspring, Salvador could feel somewhat at ease. Rafael had only recently returned from reclaiming the Southern Frontier, and at this moment, he commanded the highest respect among court officials, as well as the greatest admiration from the people. Any ruler would feel uneasy with a prince so accomplished and revered. By handing over his military authority and settling down with a wife, Rafael was signaling his loyalty and offering Salvador a sense of security.

Upon returning to the Supreme Court, Rafael had been approached by officials from the Ministry of Justice with inquiries about the case. He dismissed them on the grounds of not having finished reviewing the case files.

That evening, after dining with Carissa, Rafael received a visit from the Minister of Justice, Patrick Lloyd. They argued in the study for half an hour over the case, and ultimately parted on unfavorable terms.

When Rafael returned to Orchid Hall, the dark expression on his face vanished, replaced by a relaxed and gentle demeanor. Carissa had prepared a pot of tea. She wasn’t clear on the details of the case, but had heard from Dylan that Rafael was troubled by the murder case. The Ministry of Justice had sent people to the Supreme Court earlier that day, and tonight, the Minister of Justice himself had come, clearly indicating the urgency of the case.

“So, what is it about this case that makes it so difficult for you to reach a decision?” Carissa asked straightforwardly.

Rafael was clearly overwhelmed by the case, but upon entering, he acted as if everything was normal. She knew he didn’t want to burden her with his official troubles, but she also wanted to help share the load.

“This case has sparked a massive uproar locally, with numerous scholars and even renowned intellectuals writing essays condemning the woman. The outrage isn’t just confined to Brightmoor District—it has spread far and wide. In the capital, more than half the court officials are urging the Supreme Court to quickly review the death sentence, with many calling for immediate execution.”

“Such a widespread uproar indicates that the case has a significant impact, and it seems that someone is manipulating public opinion,” Carissa said.

“Yes. I had someone look into it, and it’s true that there’s been manipulation of public opinion. However, the outrage is largely due to the fact that this woman defied traditional family roles and authority. She murdered her entire family, including her own children, which is seen as exceptionally heinous.”

“Who’s behind the manipulation?” Carissa asked.

Rafael took a sip of his tea, his voice still sounding a bit hoarse as he replied, “It’s Yuvan.”

“Not surprising,” Carissa said. “If he wants to stir up trouble, he’ll need to create incidents that turn public opinion against the government. This case has solid evidence, doesn’t it?”

“The woman has already confessed to her crimes.” Rafael sighed. “Her father-in-law and husband are well-respected locals, but this woman herself was known to be rather petty. According to testimony from neighbors, she disapproved of her father-in-law and husband using money to do charity work.”

“You’ve reviewed all the evidence. Is it sufficient?” Carissa asked.

“It’s fairly complete.”

Carissa found this puzzling. “Then, why the hesitation? Are you concerned that Prince Yuvan might be exploiting this case, so you’re delaying your decision?”

But she quickly spotted a flaw in Rafael’s words. “Fairly complete? That means it’s not entirely sufficient.”