Chapter 718

Rafael assessed Salvador's expression. "Yes," he said. "After their disappearance, both my household and the Sinclairs dispatched numerous search parties, to no avail. Only later did we consider Aunt Eleanor's involvement.

"We asked Carmen to inquire among Harmony Palace's servants. She learned that on the night Daniel's wife and children vanished, the palace guards brought two children and a pregnant woman into the dungeon. This pinpointed Harmony Palace as the source.

"However, I couldn't openly confront her. Knowing Aunt Eleanor usually invited high priests during the Emberfest Festival, and that the Garrison Unit and Capital Guard would be focused there, we used assassins to lure the guards into Harmony Palace, hoping they would rescue the captives."

Salvador asked, "Are you withholding anything? Did you truly not know of Aunt Eleanor's treasonous intentions? Were you unaware of the hidden arms and armor in Harmony Palace?"

Rafael looked resolute. "I truly didn't know. Besides, she's our aunt, a grand princess, with no sons. Why would she conspire against the throne?"

This struck Salvador like a lightning bolt. He fixed Rafael with a sharp gaze. After a long moment, he said, "Let's sit and talk."

Rafael nodded and sat. Salvador's mind raced, filtering through suspects. He doubted one man, but deemed his involvement unlikely. The man had been away from the capital for years, returning only due to Ruth's illness, and no unusual activity had been reported from Valken.

As for those in the capital, Hayden and Harvey were improbable suspects. His other uncles, Christopher and Austin, were preoccupied with their extravagant lifestyles in their fiefs.

Yuvan, however, couldn't be ruled out. His marriage to a Spencer—a family supplying warhorses and weapons to the army—was concerning.

But without troops, how could he mount a rebellion? The regional forces were scattered, uniting them a difficult task. The Sullivan family was unlikely, and Oliver's recent command of the Hell Monarch and Sinclair armies made them unreliable allies for a rebellion.

The most likely suspect sat in the royal study: Rafael. However, Rafael's discovery of the plot eliminated him as the prime suspect.

If Rafael and Yuvan were collaborating, exposing Harmony Palace's contents would be detrimental. No one with treasonous intentions would act so recklessly. Even Carissa and Eleanor's grievances wouldn't justify such actions. Furthermore, Yuvan couldn't easily sway Rafael.

Salvador's gaze softened, though a flicker of suspicion remained. "Whether we get an answer from Aunt Eleanor depends on the Supreme Court's methods," he said slowly.

"Do you have any suspects?" Rafael asked.

Salvador hesitated, almost voicing his suspicions before saying, "No, it depends on who she implicates. What do you think? If you suspect someone, tell me. I grant you immunity."

Rafael sighed inwardly. Salvador should suspect Yuvan, but he remained silent. Salvador's lack of trust prevented using this incident to justify investigating Yuvan. Secrecy was paramount.

Rafael decided to be direct: "I suspect Uncle Yuvan."

"Why?" Salvador demanded. "Evidence?"

Rafael shook his head. "No tangible proof. You asked for honesty. Aunt Eleanor and Uncle Yuvan were raised by Lady Ruth; they're close. He also married a Spencer…"

Salvador interrupted, "That's insufficient. Troops? Who would he collude with?"

Rafael knew Salvador meant the military generals. Currently, there was no evidence linking Yuvan to any of them. However, Salvador's suspicion of the generals indicated a major investigation, likely targeting the Mystic Army and the garrison unit outside the capital.

As Mystic Army commander, Rafael felt the weight of this. Carissa was his deputy; Tyler Xavier commanded the outer garrison. Tyler was fiercely loyal and unlikely to conspire. But the king's suspicion made life difficult for all generals.