MacDonald looked at Prince Antonio, hesitating to speak.
Jonny had already been taken back from the Dias family. Regardless of whether MacDonald himself was responsible, it signified a complete severance of ties with the Dias family. Originally, the Dias family had secured MacDonald’s temporary loyalty by holding Jonny hostage. Now that the hostage was rescued, the temporary loyalty instantly transformed into enmity, and the gap between them was irreparable.
Antonio seemed to understand the meaning behind MacDonald’s gaze.
Or rather, MacDonald’s thoughts aligned with what he had hoped for.
“If you trust me… Oh, I mean, I don’t have much experience in caring for children, but at least his personal safety can be assured. If you are comfortable with it, you can let the child stay by my side. I will place him under my protection.”
MacDonald breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a heavy burden lifted from his heart.
“Your Highness, this is exactly what I wanted to ask of you. It’s just that, having troubled you to rescue Jonny and now to provide him shelter, I owe you too much.”
A warmth surged in MacDonald’s heart. Although he knew that for a prince pursuing supreme power, such words could very well be a pretense to win him over, he couldn’t deny their effectiveness.
“Your Highness, I appreciate your kindness. I swear, Jonny will never pose a threat to you. He and his descendants will live as ordinary citizens of the empire, generation after generation.”
“… Under your and your descendants’ rule.”
The old marshal’s last words carried a deeper meaning.
Prince Antonio smiled, knowing that MacDonald had now sided with him—at least he wouldn’t obstruct him.
“No, no, no, don’t you think it’s too cruel for Jonny? Just because of a mistake made by his ancestors, which strictly speaking, wasn’t even a mistake, he cannot enjoy the glory due to his lineage. That’s too unfair.”
“Marshal MacDonald, I promise you, if I… if at some point in the future, I have enough power, I will restore Jonny’s status as a royal family member, along with the honor and treatment he deserves.”
At that moment, MacDonald finally made his decision. He would do everything in his power to support the prince before him.
The guard knelt motionlessly in front of his master, quietly waiting for his master’s inquiry.
The guard’s master was an old man with white hair and beard, around sixty years old. His beard, neatly trimmed, hung naturally in front of his chest. He wore a silk robe, exuding an aura of refined elegance.
He was the Duke Dias, Chancellor of the Gabella Empire, and also the father-in-law of the current Emperor and grandfather of the Crown Prince.
The duke, who had been sitting quietly as if meditating, finally spoke.
“The entire Somolette family… is gone?”
“Yes, my lord, when we checked today, we found no survivors, only ashes of corpses, unrecognizable.”
The old man’s face remained as calm as still water.
“And the child? Was he not found either?”
“Yes… he might have perished in the fire.” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ Nove1Fire.net
“Do you think this fire was an accident?”
“No, my lord, I believe this fire was most likely deliberately set.”
The old man half-opened his eyes. “Your reason?”
The guard thought for a moment before replying:
“Firstly, the epicenter of the disaster area was precisely the Somolette family’s mansion.”
“Secondly, according to the night guards of River Sand Town, when the fire started, a pillar of fire shot straight into the sky before scattering. We don’t know how this was achieved, but such a spectacle doesn’t resemble an accidental fire at all.”
The old man’s hands clenched tightly. Duke Dias, the Empire’s Chancellor, pondered a significant question.
What about the child?
If the child perished in the fire, MacDonald would undoubtedly direct all his rage at the Crown Prince and the Dias family. If the child was rescued, the Dias family would lose their leverage over MacDonald, yet still face his wrath to some extent.
Either way, MacDonald was bound to sever ties with the Dias family and the Crown Prince.
The situation had evolved into a thorny issue.
Duke Dias pondered silently. Was there a mole on his side? Or had MacDonald already conspired with Antonio after being threatened by him – but would he disregard the child’s life and death in doing so?
His thoughts were interrupted by footsteps.
The guard who had reported to him saluted the newcomer, “Your Highness, good day.”
Prince Felix of the Gabella Empire looked anxiously at his grandfather.
“Grandfather, I’ve heard. Something happened in River Sand Town?”
Duke Dias frowned, his esteemed grandson always seemed too impetuous to bear the responsibility of ruling a country.
He signaled the guard to brief Felix on the situation.
The guard reluctantly relayed the events in River Sand Town to the Crown Prince.
“Imbeciles! All of them! Can’t even keep watch over a single person!”
The prince vented his anger on the guard before him, kicking him in the face. The guard licked the blood at the corner of his mouth but remained silent.
Felix immediately concluded the fire was arson.
This was provocation! A severe provocation!
That man Antonio, using such audacious methods to slap him in the face.
“Felix, you are too impetuous!”
Duke Dias couldn’t stand it anymore and reprimanded him.
Felix flailed his arms, “If MacDonald sides with Antonio, it would significantly strengthen his military might.”
Duke Dias said sternly:
“Felix, if you truly intend to inherit this empire, you must develop the ability to remain calm even if mountains crumble before you.”
“MacDonald is indeed a powerful force, but he’s not yet strong enough to destroy us. Otherwise, this country would have already belonged to the MacDonald family, and what would you and Antonio be fighting for?”
Felix was left blushing from the Duke’s words.
“Grandfather, I was wrong. But what should we do now?”
Duke Dias opened his eyes fully, his gaze sharp.
“Now that things have come to this, some plans will have to be accelerated.”