2026-10-21 08:03:29
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
CHPT 88
"The mercenary camp has doubled in size overnight," Ethan said, slamming a scout map onto the long council table.Leo leaned over the map, his fingers tracing the dense pine forests bordering the northern provinces. "How many men are standing under the black dragon flags now?""Over six thousand foot soldiers and two thousand heavy riders," Ethan answered, his voice tight with alarm. "They are pitching tents across the entire northern valley.""Where did they find that much steel so quickly?" Victoria asked, setting down a crate of rolled linen bandages."They bought it with the gold stolen from the palace vault," Mira said, stepping out from the corridor shadows. "The Black Concord purchased foreign crossbows, heavy iron plate, and five wagonloads of black powder from the border cartels.""They turned our own treasury into an invading army," Ethan muttered bitterly, clenching his fists at his sides.The heavy double doors of the hall swung open, and Chancellor Vane marched inside, fl
CHPT 87
"The imperial vault is bare!" Ethan shouted, slamming the wooden kitchen door shut with his boot. "The high auditors broke the wax seals at dawn, and fifty iron chests of gold are gone!"Leo stood by the table, setting down his bowl of morning broth. "Fifty chests of gold cannot just walk through the palace gates on their own.""They claim the gold did not walk," Ethan said, his face white with dread. "The court auditors found six signed withdrawal ledgers stamped with your private seal, Leo."Victoria dropped her wooden spoon into her bowl, rising from her chair with wide eyes. "That is impossible!Leo has never stepped inside the treasury office!""The receipts show the gold was transferred directly into our community trust accounts three days ago," Ethan reported, running a shaking hand through his hair. "The High Bailiff just declared Leo the primary suspect in the imperial robbery."Before Victoria could speak, the loud clatter of iron hooves sounded on the road outside the fence.
CHPT 86
Victoria kicked the heavy front door open, the wood banging against the plaster wall.Leo stood up from the hearth, dropping the split pine log from his hands as she marched into the room."Look me in the eye, Leo," Victoria demanded, her chest heaving as she pointed a shaking finger at him. "I want the whole truth, right now."Leo saw the pain burning in her dark eyes and stepped forward with open hands. "What did someone tell you, Victoria?""I met Lady Serene at the eastern carriage yard," Victoria said, her voice trembling with raw hurt. "She told me you are hiding dangerous people right under my nose.""Serene was part of an enemy trap, Victoria," Leo explained softly. "Lord Corvo sent her into the market square to make us look divided.""I know it was a trap, Leo!" Victoria shouted, tears of frustration finally spilling down her cheeks. "What hurts is that you let the whole town whisper while you played the fool on her arm!""Her brother is locked in an iron collar in the Morvan
CHPT 85
Ethan stood by the open front door with two saddled horses, his leather coat buttoned against the sharp morning wind."Her horse took the western road toward the old clinic outposts," Ethan said, handing Leo a pair of riding reins. "If we ride hard right now, we can catch up to Victoria before she reaches the river bridge."Leo looked at the empty wooden peg where Victoria’s cloak usually hung, holding her small white hair ribbon in his palm."Put the horses back in the stable, Ethan," Leo said softly, his voice heavy with quiet grief. "We are not chasing her."Ethan stopped, his eyes widening in total disbelief. "She walked out into the dark alone, Leo! Are you just going to let her leave after everything you two built together?""Victoria did not run away out of fear," Leo answered, closing his fingers gently around the ribbon. "She left because her heart is hurting, and she cannot look at my choices right now.""So you do nothing?" Ethan pressed, his jaw tight with frustration."If
CHPT 84
"Pack the travel trunks at once, Your Highness!" one of the royal maidens cried, her hands shaking as she pulled at Elaraine's silk sleeve. "We must ride for the western coast before the sellswords block the road!"Princess Elaraine did not move, her golden hair catching the morning wind as she stared at the black crossbow bolt embedded in her carriage door. She crumpled the bloody threat in her fist, her pale face hardening with cold resolve."I will not run like a frightened rabbit," Elaraine said, her voice ringing with absolute royal dignity. "If I turn and flee now, I hand them the victory they crave."Leo stepped off the wooden porch, walking toward the white carriage with his eyes fixed on the black iron bolt. "She is right. Running away will only play directly into their hands.""My Lord, they threatened to burn her entire homeland!" Ethan warned, checking the rooftops with his hunting bow raised. "This is not a petty threat from street thugs.""They do not want to stop me fro
CHPT 83
"My royal council threw their envoys out of our court," Princess Elaraine said, her voice steady and clear in the cool evening air. "The Silvermoon Principality does not take orders from hidden cartels."Leo kept his hands resting at his sides, his eyes measuring the foreign princess. "Then why make the long voyage across the sea to stand on a broken porch, Princess Elaraine?""The Black Concord claimed you were a bloodthirsty monster tearing the empire to pieces," Elaraine answered, glancing toward the smoking ruins of the medical storehouses. "I came because I wanted to understand why five noble houses are terrified of a single man.""I am not an army, and I am not a conqueror," Leo replied quietly. "I am just a man who made a promise to protect the people living on this road."Elaraine looked past him toward the common workers in the square. She saw blacksmiths sharing their bread with wounded children, and she saw weavers carrying clean water to the makeshift clinic tents."You ha
You may also like
From Prison To Power
Rex Magnus81.3K viewsReturn of the son-in-law
Chessman78.9K viewsI AM NOT A POOR SON-IN-LAW
Calendula615.8K viewsThe Billionaire's Revenge
Hare Ra84.2K viewsThe Kleptomaniac Son In Law Is Back
Mercy. S52 viewsThe Campus Cheaters Redemption
Mr. Magnet361 viewsMy System Is An Artificial Super Intelligence
J.K. Hades85 viewsKNEEL BEFORE THE HIDDEN HEIR
Ciara white185 views