Chapter 442: William Requests Permission

When Oliver returned, his expression was grave. He entered the room and sat silently, lost in thought. Isolde, concerned, brought him a cup of coffee and sat beside him. “What’s wrong?” she asked softly.

He looked up at her, his face heavy. “Harrison was assassinated,” he said, his voice low.

Isolde’s heart skipped a beat. “What? Then Harrison…?”

“He’s severely injured,” Oliver replied solemnly. “I just came back from the Porter family. His injuries are grave, and Victoria personally left the palace to treat him.”

“Harrison is a general in the border city of Fragoland. If something happens to him, news will spread, and Fragoland’s defenses will collapse,” Isolde said, her tone filled with concern.

“Exactly,” Oliver continued, his face tightening. “So, the events in Fragoland were definitely not the work of mountain bandits.”

“What does the King say?” she asked.

“The King suspects Thalvinar might be behind it, but he’s holding off on any action for now. He wants to wait for reports from the scouts.”

“Harrison is back in the capital. Who’s in charge of Fragoland now?” Isolde asked.

“Harrison’s brother, Lennox Porter,” Oliver replied.

Isolde paused, her thoughts racing. “Lennox is brave, but he’s impulsive and reckless. He can’t handle delicate matters. If the situation in Fragoland changes, he could make things worse.”

“Luciano Ballard, the strategist in Fragoland, should be able to handle him,” Oliver said, trying to reassure her.

“Luciano is skilled, but he can’t control Lennox’s stubbornness,” Isolde said, her worry mounting. She had interacted with many military figures in her past life, and she knew Lennox well. Though his martial skills surpassed Harrison’s, he lacked the composure and judgment that made Harrison a true general.

“Lennox is highly respected in the army, though. He’s rash but loyal, and he’s always taken good care of the soldiers. He’s taught them martial arts privately, so his influence is almost as strong as Harrison’s,” Oliver added.

“And if Lennox orders it, the army will follow him,” Isolde agreed, her anxiety palpable.

“William has requested permission to go to Fragoland,” Oliver continued, his voice heavy with the weight of the situation.

Isolde’s eyes widened. “He requested permission? Did he go to the morning court today?”

“No, he went to the palace to see the King. It was the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, Darwin, who recommended him.”

“Why does he want to go to Fragoland? What’s his goal there?” Isolde asked. “He’s not even really a Thalvinar. Darwin says William looks like he could be from Nusalland, and since Nusalland and Thalvinar have had diplomatic ties, he wants William to pretend to be a Nusallandian and infiltrate Thalvinar. If Thalvinar is plotting to break the peace treaty, the King plans to launch an attack.”

Isolde’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s extremely dangerous. Will Margaret agree to this?”

“Along with Darwin, William will also be accompanied by General Raphael Shaw, so his stepmother will likely consent,” Oliver said.

Isolde raised an eyebrow. “Raphael Shaw? Margaret’s cousin, and William’s uncle?”

“Yes. The Shaw family is a military family, even more influential than the Hanson family. Matthew, William’s father, married into the Shaw family and rose to prominence in the court, surpassing them for a time.”

“How do you see this?” Isolde asked, still pondering the implications of the situation.

Oliver sighed. “I think William is eager to prove himself. Instead of waiting in the military, going on this mission gives him a chance to rise quickly. If he succeeds, he could become a hero. A decade in the army might not bring him the same recognition.”

Isolde nodded slowly, her mind still racing. She understood his reasoning, but something didn’t sit right with her.

“Isn’t he about to marry soon?” she asked, her brow furrowing.

“He doesn’t have the face to hold a grand wedding now. He’s using the excuse that his family is in mourning and is keeping the ceremony small,” Oliver replied.

“Well, I hope nothing goes wrong with his mission,” Isolde said, a hint of worry in her voice.

Oliver took a sip of coffee before adding, “By the way, Finnian, on his way to the capital, encountered bandits near Argentinum and is now missing.”

Isolde gasped. “Missing?”

“Yes. He’s been in Argentinum for days but never arrived. The King sent people to investigate and found out he was ambushed just outside Ten-Mile Pavilion. His whereabouts are still unknown, and Southern Watch is still searching for him. I’ve heard Ashley is devastated and has fallen ill. The King even went to visit her.”

Isolde’s expression darkened. “It seems like a lot has happened since leaving Argentinum.”

“It does,” Oliver said with a sigh. “And Thalvinar and the Northern Desert remain persistent threats.”

Isolde’s brow furrowed in thought. “Thalvinar’s desire to defeat the Eryndral Empire never ceases, but many of Eryndral’s officials believe peace is hard-earned and keep pushing for concessions to Thalvinar. But international relations aren’t the same as personal grievances. There’s so much ambition and power at play. Which ruler doesn’t want to dominate the central plains?”

“Let’s not worry too much,” Oliver said, his voice calming. “I’ve already sent people to Fragoland. We just have to wait for the reports. I also need to visit the Porter family and deliver some Consumption Pills. Victoria gave them to me earlier, but if we need more, it will take time to prepare. Fortunately, I have enough here.”

“Alright.”

As they rode in the carriage, Isolde asked a question that had been on her mind for a while. “Why does Victoria trust you so much? She always gives you precious pills.”

Consumption Pills were rare and hard to come by, yet Oliver always had plenty. Victoria’s generosity toward him was clear, but Isolde had never seen him receive any similar treatment from anyone else. He had made his own way, fighting and working hard for everything.

“It’s not just Victoria,” Oliver said quietly. “It’s the Prince Regent.”

“Are you saying Victoria’s kindness is because the Prince Regent likes you?” Isolde asked, surprised.

“Yes,” Oliver said, a small smile forming.

Isolde thought back to when the Prince Regent personally sought him out to treat him after the incident in Zloimond. It was clear now that the Prince Regent valued him deeply.

“By the way,” Oliver said, turning to her with a teasing smile, “the gifts you prepared for your grandfather and father – how did I not know about them? Where did that ring come from?”

Isolde laughed. “That ring? I found it in my mother’s jewelry box. I didn’t prepare anything special. The jade pendant for my grandfather is also my mother’s. I’m just borrowing flowers to offer to the Buddha.”

Oliver laughed. “You’re quite clever at using other people’s generosity.”

“It’s better to be a little tactful,” Isolde replied with a smile. “I used to think that giving my all, even risking my life, would earn me genuine affection. But sometimes, a life is worth less than a piece of gold.”

She saw the affectionate look in Oliver’s eyes and smiled in return. “But I’m not saying I was just trying to please my grandfather and father. I believe that when it comes to elders, we must show sincere intentions.”