"Is... there any result from that investigation?"
The middle-aged noble hesitated and looked around.
Edward III weakly said,
"Everyone... please leave."
The maids and knights hesitated for a moment, then bowed and withdrew, leaving only Edward III and the middle-aged noble in the bedchamber.
Edward III struggled to prop himself up, attempting to sit up in bed. Seeing this, the middle-aged noble hastily stepped forward and carefully helped him up.
After gasping for breath for a moment, Edward III's cloudy eyes gradually flashed with sharpness:
"Speak, Lord Samolete, how exactly did Henry... die?"
The middle-aged noble sighed and said,
"We have... preliminary results already, Your Highness died from a magic exclusive to the Bloodline. According to our undercover investigation, many of His Highness's entourage had been infiltrated by the Bloodline..."
"Cough cough... cough cough cough... The Bloodline! Again, the Bloodline! These lingering wretches... cough cough..."
Edward III coughed violently.
The middle-aged noble was startled, instinctively about to call for help, but was stopped by Edward III:
"Forget it, no need to call anyone. I know the condition of my body... I probably won't last much longer."
The middle-aged noble looked worried.
Edward III shook his head, signaling him to pour a glass of water. After struggling to take a sip, Edward III breathlessly asked:
"How is it going with Red Lilac?"
The middle-aged noble hesitated, then said,
"They have proposed to the Council for the third time to re-determine the successor. The Council has already passed the proposal, and they will likely press the cabinet soon..."
Hearing the middle-aged noble's words, Edward III sneered:
"Heh, re-determining the successor... cough cough... They just want to snatch the throne... cough cough..."
"Do they think I don't know? Were it not for... cough cough, the Bloodline supporting them from behind... cough cough..."
"Hmph, conspiring with the Bloodline for the succession... cough cough, how could I possibly hand Falling Star into such hands! Cough cough cough..."
"Joining the Nobles to stop my unification of New Moon, conspiring with the Bloodline to poison me, and now assassinating Henry... These despicable people, they won't get my throne!"
"The more they want to break away from the Church, the more I will thwart them! The more they want the throne, the more I will disappoint them! Cough cough... cough cough cough..."
Edward III's face twisted with a ferocious expression, his demeanor agitated, and he couldn't help but cough up a mouthful of fresh blood.
The middle-aged noble was frightened and quickly said,
"Your Majesty! You should really lie down! I'll go call the priest and the doctor..."
Edward III shook his head.
He took several deep breaths, calmed his emotions, and then asked:
"What about the Roman... sword?"
"There is still no news."
"My niece... how is she?"
The middle-aged noble paused, then said,
"She has already returned to her territory. According to investigations, she likely had no involvement in this assassination.
However, we cannot rule out the possibility that she also has dealings with the Bloodline, but considering her status in the Church, this possibility is very small."
"However, it is said that she left quite angry. Your Highness did not act according to the plan you informed him of, by personally visiting Northern Land, but instead took it upon himself to change the plan. The so-called hijacking was indeed true, and Your Highness even hired mercenaries from Eastern Yonette..."
"It seems we have underestimated her. She was able to pacify the rebellion in her territory and repel the invaders not just with her family's leftover benevolence and luck."
Hearing the middle-aged noble's words, Edward III's face turned sour:
"Hmph, did he listen to Conte's slander again? I know what he's worried about; he's worried about being stripped of his succession right..."
"Foolish! Truly foolish! How could I possibly strip him of his succession right! In the end, even his life was lost! Cough cough cough..."
Edward III was furious, his brows and eyes filled with disappointment.
He gently exhaled, slowly closed his eyes, and after a long time, he reopened them, his brows and eyes filled with resentment, madness, and scorn:
"Your Majesty, I am here."
"Listen to my... decree... I say, you write it..."
"Your Majesty... Are you perhaps going to..."
"Cough cough cough... The successor... indeed needs to be established. Since they care so much about lineage, then... then I will give them... a 'proper' heir!"
Edward III's eyes were red, his voice filled with gritted teeth.