Chapter 930

In the royal study, Salvador sipped his coffee and looked up at Rafael.

“I wasn’t aware the Supreme Court was investigating this case alongside the Ministry of Justice. Did I issue such an order? Or, after your investigation into Eleanor’s rebellion went nowhere, are you now assisting the Ministry out of the kindness of your heart?”

Salvador’s words were laced with displeasure. Normally, Rafael would confess, kneel, and withdraw—maintaining the appearance of harmony between king and brother. Salvador, therefore, slowly resumed drinking his coffee, awaiting the expected apology and prostration. He was accustomed to his brother’s deference.

But Rafael remained standing. “Your Majesty,” he replied, “Commander Warren commanded the Fawnrun City operation. He cannot be uninvolved.”

Salvador froze, then slammed his cup onto the desk. Derek, nearby, knelt in alarm.

Salvador’s voice hardened. “You recaptured the Southern Frontier. I ask you—after such a catastrophe, if Commander Warren is held accountable, will General Sullivan escape punishment? He is, after all, a Grand General and leader of the troops at Victory Pass.”

Meeting the king’s gaze calmly, Rafael replied curtly, “No.”

Salvador’s voice sharpened. “Then why implicate another? Before Westhaven’s envoy inquired, I had no intention of punishing General Sullivan or Aurora. We are appeasing Westhaven. I know you dislike Commander Warren—he was once married to your wife—and I understand your resentment. But as a prince and official of Starhaven, you should consider the greater good. Don’t use this to attack someone you hate, especially not to this extent. You’ve disappointed me.”

Rafael stood firm. “Your Majesty, this is not personal. When Commander Warren led the troops to Fawnrun City, General Sullivan was severely injured, near death. As Grand General of Victory Pass, he bears responsibility for failing to prevent the civilian massacre. However, had Commander Warren not been involved, the blame would fall solely on General Sullivan for poor decisions and poor choices of personnel. Westhaven will use this to force us to execute General Sullivan.”

Salvador’s gaze intensified. “Then he did choose poorly. He wasn’t unjustly accused.”

“He was,” Rafael countered. “General Sullivan did not err in choosing Commander Warren, who did burn the supply depot and complete his mission. Aurora’s actions were the mistake. She wasn’t even stationed at Victory Pass. Even if General Sullivan ordered Warren to Fawnrun City, Aurora was Warren’s subordinate. He didn’t have to bring her. I believe they had formed a bond on the battlefield, and he wanted to give her a chance to prove herself. That’s why he brought her.”

Salvador sat frozen, speechless with rising anger. Finally, he spoke, his voice sharp with fury. “I judge who is responsible. This is not your concern. You’ve overstepped. Your assumptions are just that—assumptions, not truth.”

Rafael remained unfazed. “That’s why I had the Ministry of Justice question Commander Warren. If he harbored no feelings for Aurora and didn’t choose to take her to Fawnrun City, the truth will emerge, won’t it?”

“You’re making a fuss,” Salvador snapped. “Once Warren gives his statement, he will be implicated.”

Rafael held his ground. “Your Majesty, you already know he’s involved. If you know, how can the outside world not? Many soldiers were at Victory Pass. Westhaven has been plotting this—don’t you think they know? This won't be solved by simply questioning a few people.”

Salvador narrowed his eyes, his anger flaring. “Rafael Sanford!”

Derek, still kneeling, cried out, “Your Majesty, please calm down!”