Chapter 1305
The inkpot didn’t hit Connor–Derek had made sure to step in and block it. At this crucial moment, Connor couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.
Even though it hadn’t struck him, the boy was terrified. He burst into loud, uncontrollable sobs.
Salvador’s fury was unrelenting. “At your age, I could recite The Thousand Verses with ease! You can’t even manage two proper lines! From now on, you’ll live in your grandmother’s palace.”
Connor’s wails grew louder at the decree. “No! I don’t want to go! I want to stay with Mom! I hate Grandmother!”
He truly did hate visiting Victoria. Every time he went to see her, she would drill him on his studies–just like his dad. Connor despised being questioned about reading and lessons. Why did everyone insist he study all the time?
“Take him away! Send him to Serenity Palace immediately,” Salvador ordered coldly.
Giovanni promptly summoned two young chamberlains to escort Connor to Serenity Palace.
Salvador’s face turned red with anger, but in his heart, he felt an overwhelming sense of sadness.
How could his eldest son be such a failure?
Derek began tidying up the shattered inkpot quietly. His expression was an unreadable mix of emotions. Finally, he murmured, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”
Salvador’s chest heaved as he struggled to suppress his fury and frustration. His mind churned with thoughts of contingency plans. If the worst comes to pass, perhaps he would have Victoria govern from behind the scenes until Connor grew older.
But even if Victoria devoted her heart and soul to raising Connor, what hope was there? He would never become the ruler this kingdom needed. Worse yet, he might grow into an ungrateful wretch.
Weariness swept over Salvador. He hadn’t slept all night, and though his body felt fatigued, his mind remained sharp and restless.
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After a long silence, he turned his piercing gaze toward Derek. “What do you think? Where has the Hell Monarch gone?”
Derek hesitated, clearly uneasy. He had his suspicions but dared not voice them.” Your Majesty, I do not know.”
Salvador’s eyes narrowed, and his tone turned colder. “You’re thinking he might have gone to the Southern Frontier, aren’t you?”
Beads of sweat formed on Derek’s brow. He wiped them away hastily and replied, “I would not presume to speculate, Your Majesty.”
Salvador rubbed his temples, weariness evident in the lines etched across his face.
“Even if he has gone to the Southern Frontier, how could he have predicted Oliver would desert his post? Unless Louis and his men uncovered Oliver’s intentions and sent him a letter? But then, why would Louis inform him and not report to me first? Or perhaps…”
His voice turned colder.
“He already has his scouts stationed in the Southern Frontier–men who can relay information to him faster than it reaches me.”
Derek’s heart pounded as he listened, each word from Salvador making his pulse quicken.
Salvador gave a bitter laugh. “If he truly knew about Oliver’s desertion, he should have reported it to me first. Sneaking onto the battlefield without an order and without the military command emblem–will the troops in the Southern Frontier obey him or defy him?”
Derek sighed inwardly. Even if the Hell Monarch had gone to the Southern Frontier, it would still be like setting a trap for himself.
With Oliver’s escape, it was almost certain the military command emblem had gone with him. Without it, commanding the Southern Frontier army was nearly impossible. If the Hell Monarch returned victorious, it wouldn’t matter whether the military authority he held was recalled–the mere fact he could lead without the military command emblem was a threat enough.
To neutralize that danger, there would be only one solution: his death.
“But he wouldn’t go to the Southern Frontier. That would do him far more harm than good. Without my edict, leading troops into battle would be a grave crime. Even
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if he emerged victorious, his achievements would never outweigh his offense. He’s too intelligent to commit such a foolish mistake–don’t you think?” Salvador continued.
Derek kept his head bowed, silently thinking that Salvador had already said it all.
Salvador let out a faint, self–deprecating chuckle. He understood his logic well enough. Yet, deep down, he couldn’t help but hope Rafael had indeed gone to the Southern Frontier battlefield.
Even if it meant Rafael acted without his order, Salvador was still willing to forgive and let it go,
27
At Hell Monarch Estate, Carissa rose early that morning. The news of Oliver’s desertion had reached her yesterday, along with the knowledge that Jeremiah had petitioned Salvador to personally lead the troops.
Today, she was to enter the palace. Her goal was clear: to secure a royal edict permitting Rafael to join the battlefield despite his illness.
Carissa couldn’t afford to wait until later to address the issue. She needed to act now to prevent a worse outcome.
