Inside the Imperial Palace
Inside the bronze crane–shaped cences, precious ambergris burned, its fagrant smoke curling gracefully upward from the
Arthur sat regally upon the dragon throne, his commanding game find on fertis, whoket in the center of the grand hall.
His face was beaded with fine sweat, his expression a tight mask of suppressed agony
When the hourglass ran out, Arthur finally spoke in a measured tone, “As a shadow, you should know your place. How dare you mette in the affairs of the Osborne family? Do you have a death wish
Ferris, pale with pain, replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, please quel your angre. I did this also for Your Majesty’s sake.
Arthur let out a cold chuckle, his eyes sharp and calculating “Oh! For my sake, you say? Then tell me how exactly is this for me!
“Thave investigated and found that the Osborne family and the Duke of Suffield are both under the banner of Prince Fermin, if these two outer join forces, they may pose a threat to Your Majesty,” Ferris replied respectfully.
Arthur narrowed his eyes and thundered, “How audacious! You dared to investigate a prince–what punishment do you deserve!
Ferris replied respectfully, “I know only loyalty to Your Majesty. Even if Your Majesty were to take my life, I would die without resentment.” Ferris stole a furtive glance at Arthur. The emperor appeared languid; though his gaze was stern, there was no trace of murderous intent. Sure enough, he had struck a chord with Arthur
All emperors guard their power jealously. How could Arthur possibly allow Prince Fermin’s influence to grow unchecked?
His gamble paid off
Forris said, “Your Majesty, the Marquis of Somers is a formidable warrior, and the Osome troops obey only his command. This bodes ill for the throne As your loyal servant, I naturally wish to share Your Majesty’s burdens” With these words, Ferris prostrated hinnell, pressing his forehead to the marble floor before Arthur
As Arthur observed Fenis’s submissive posture, the hostility in his eyes gradually faded.
Arthur was an emperor after all–only with absolute power firmly in his graspe could he truly fo
feel secure.
As the Queen’s own son, Fermin has spent all these years maneuvering for one purpose only–to claim the position of Crown Prince
The ambitions of the Queen and Fermin were not lost to Arthur.
If not for the shortage of capable military commanders at court, Arthur would have reined in the Osborne family long ago.
Arthur fixed a menacing gaze on Ferris in the hall, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his eyes.
Farts–now
a sharp blade indeed, Arthur thought
that’s a
“Rise,” Arthur commanded, then shot a meaningful glance at Thanatus.
Understanding the emperor’s silent cue, Thanatus descended the marble steps and approached Ferris, respectfully presenting before him.
Ferns’s hand trembled as he reached out, glasped the vial, and swallowed the medicine in one swit gulp
As the antidote took effect, easing his pain, the tension in his expression gradually melted away
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vial of medicine
17:06 Wed, 16 JUI
Chapter 265
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Ferns replied.
warning. Arthur snorted coldly and sail, “Corvader this pour surfing
Ferris feigned a look of profound trepidation, though inwardly he
“You may leave,” Arthur said, waving his hand dismissively.
As Ferris withdrew from the hall, Arthur’s gaze lingered on his
Arthur thought to himsell, Trince fermin in far from my ideal d
steer the ship of state
None of the remaining princes showed any promise as heirs.
Thon, wth has
inti deep thought.
apparent. He has brondless ambition, yet lacks the enmmanding presence ta
Evander was too uncompromising and lacked political flexibility; a mum like him was only suited to be a cane fie prinies
Indeed, that was precisely how Evander had been living.
All these years, and he still hadn’t shown the slightest bit of progress,
He had neither excelled nor erred, it was as if he had voluntarily given up all ambition for the race for the throme,
Fabian had just turned fourteen
He was far too green simply no match for his imperial brothers
Besides, Fabian’s mother was of humble origin, with no influential family to support him, He was as helpless as a lamb–what capability could he possibly have?
Arthur grew restless. He was already forty–eight years old, though still at the peak of his power.
one of my imperial sons could ever measure up to Xander,
Hot none
Arthur thought it ander ever set his mind on usurping the throne, none of his sons would stand a chance against him.
Noticing Arthur’s troubled expression, Thanatus thoughtfully handed him a cup of coffee. “Your Majesty, is it the Osborne family that’s weighing on your
mindr
Arthur accepted the coffee with a weary sigh. “Fermin must be reined in. He’s grown increasingly unruly lately–even tried to recruit the Minister ol Finance. Fortunately, that old stickler Alfred didn’t join his action. With Fermin making so many moves these days, I have no choice but to stay vigilant.”
Thanatus’s eyes shifted thoughtfully as he lowered his voice. “Your Majesty, with the court currently balanced between three major actions, only mutual chocks can ensure stability. In my humble opinion, Ferris could serve Your Majesty’s purposes well. Perhaps Your Majesty might consider elevating him
further
Thanabus had served as Arthur’s most trusted confidant for decades.
Although eunuchs were forbidden from meddling in state affairs, Arthur trusted Thanatus implicitly and would occasionally seek his counsel.
Arthur looked at Thanatus, perplexed “Elevate Fetis? Hasn’t he already amassed enough power?”
“Your Majesty, you’ve given Ferris power in the shadows. If you were to grant him open authority, he would surely be even more holds the antidote to his poison–why worry about betrayal? I suggest using him to counterbalance the Osborne family, and even
Only Your Majesty the Xander Manor
Thanatus’s words were shockingly bold–had they come from anyone else, the speaker would have lost their head on the spot.
Bal Arthur pondered carefully. The Xander Manor now wielded overwhelming power, and it was indeed a major concern weighing on his mind.
17.06 Wed, 16 Jul
Chapter 265
Thanatus spoketndy, Methus thought to hiervall
Arthur chuckled, clearly intrigued. “Your old for. Since you can say mulathing like that, primand dearly be
prépose to elevate him?”
Thanatos flashed an absequious smile and said, “mur Mynty, Funccteria for
to bestow the princest in manage file
Arthur furrowed his here and mussed, “1190 is asdeed of manageable age bot with her willed nature, obsade Keris model nem ber bet
“Your Majesty may not be aware, but Princess Lizzie has taken spute.
approached the Queen Mother to mediate is this matte
Arthur raised an eyebrow “is that so!!
“I wouldn’t dare speak out of tum“ Thanatus replied with utmost deference, bowing his head Tour
“hadn’t heard of this before, but now that you mention it, it’s not a bad match aber all,” Arthur chuckled “With Lizzie’s wild temperament, s needs someone who can rein her in- lest she spend all day carting with that entourage of male paramours.”
Thanatus offered a silent, deferential smile,
Such remarks were reserved for the King alone; as a servant, Thanatus knew better than to overstep his bounds.
Having made up his mind, Arthur immediately penned an imperial edict and
and ordered Thanabus to deliver it to Ferris’s residence
After leaving the Heaven Hall, Thanatus didn’t head straight out of the palace. Instead, he took a detour down a secluded path outside the hall,
Lizzie, accompanied by several palace maids, was waiting there.
“Your Highness,” Thanatus approached and murmured softly
Lizzie, dressed in a bright yellow court gown, turned around. When she saw the imperial edi
Ledict in Thanatus’s hand, her eyes lit up with excitement. “Tri
done?
Thanatus nodded slightly, bowed respectfully, and said, “it’s settled, Your Highness. By His Majesty’s command. I must deliver the edict to Chil Inspector Faris’s residence at once. May after his felicitations to Your Highness.”
“Thank you, Thanatus,” Lizzie said with a smile, while her maid hastily stuffed a thick stack of banknotes into his hand.
Thanatus made a show of declining before finally accepting it with practiced ease.
Thanatus said, “Your Highness, I must attend to urgent matters. I beg to take my leave.”
Lizzie nodded. “You may take your leave, Thanatus.”
Once everyone had left, Lizzie couldn’t contain her gleeful laughter. “Ferris, Ferris,” she crowed triumphantly, “let’s see you try
One of the maids beside her, looking puzzled, asked, “Your Highness, isn’t Ferris merely a Chief Inspector? Are you truly willing to marry someon
him?”
“Why not? Have you seen that handsome face of Lizzie said with a smirk.
Lizzie cackled maniacally. “Compared to those other ugly creeps, I like him. But he doesn’t know his place–how dara berignon, wait until we’re married; make sure he regrets it.”
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