The voice of Prince Colin wasn't particularly loud, yet it carried an exceptional weight.
The flowing lody in the drawing room seed to be abruptly cut off by an unseen hand, and the servants holding silver trays slowed their steps, holding their breath as if in awe.
The smile upon Edward Campbell's face froze, a hint of astonishnt glinted in his eyes, seemingly surprised that the amicable conversation with Prince Colin a mont ago had taken a sudden turn.
He looked into Colin's eyes, witnessing the warm spring breeze like warmth disappear into thin air, replaced by heartbreak and disappointnt—
As if he had truly committed so heinous act.
Edward couldn't fathom why the sudden aggression arose, a multitude of thoughts flashed through his mind, yet tangled like an unraveling ball of yarn.
What… does he an?
Is it about the land disputes between the Campbell Duchy and Ryan Kingdom?
How is that possible?!
The conflict between the Duke and the King isn't sothing aired publicly, even Erin knows little, at most she might sense it.
At least formally, the Northern Relief Army of Campbell Duchy was mobilized to save the compatriots in Twilight Province!
And he himself had never claid any title over any land in Twilight Province; he rely wanted the farrs who lost their lands and couldn't adapt to urban life to find employnt on the lands of Twilight Province.
But if not for land disputes, then what could be the cause?
Edward couldn't understand, surely this Prince isn't here on behalf of the King of Ryan Kingdom to reprimand him?
No man has ever made Edward's mind race this fervently, rendering him montarily speechless.
Luo Yan didn't grant him more ti for wildly thinking, instead he went straight to the point, focusing his fluttering thoughts onto his sister.
"Forgive my abruptness in saying this, Prince Edward, aren't you a bit too harsh on your sister?"
Sister…
Ah… so that's it.
Edward's heart that had been suspended suddenly settled back down, and the sweat that had crept up his back silently withdrew.
Luo Yan's gaze firmly locked onto his wavering eyes, continuing with a serious tone.
"I just returned from the frontline, I personally witnessed the horrors outside Twilight City, hardly describable as war, it's truly a living Purgatory! The altar of cultists, the avatars of Chaos Evil Spirit, and those endless swarms of rats… even now I cannot forget that mixed scent of sulfur and rotten flesh! Why did you send Erin to such a place?"
"She is your closest kin! Even if she is the bearer of the Light of Praise, bearing the hopes of many, please do not forget her—"
"Enough, Prince Colin!" Edward interrupted him, gripping his shoulders, a trace of anguish and helplessness etched upon his handso face.
Seeing his expression, Luo Yan understood.
After the initial turmoil, the Duke's performance erged. Though still inferior to his own, it suffices to persuade those knights blinded by love.
Obviously.
In the Duke's mind, he sees himself as a man blinded by love, wholly devoted to his sister.
This isn't criticism; it's clearly a blessing!
The Campbell Duchy is in dire need of an ally, and Edward had been pondering how to get him onto their war chariot; the opportunity now presents itself.
Luo Yan could feel Edward's heart excitedly eager to leap, yet he still had to put on a façade of helplessness, acting as the weaker side.
This truly puts him in a difficult position.
"Your Majesty…" The steward stepped forward, attempting to ease the tension between the two, only to be sent off by Edward's glaring eyes.
Not just the steward.
The servants in the drawing room and the pianist were also dismissed with Edward's gaze; the vast drawing room and corridor left with just the two standing at the doorway.
Luo Yan used his eyes to inquire what he ant, but Edward did not explain; instead, he gently patted his shoulder and then released his grip.
"Let us sit and talk, Prince Colin."
His voice was slightly hoarse, as if bearing the weight of Thunder City upon his shoulders, amidst an overwhelming sense of helplessness and inevitable regrets.
Luo Yan put on a hooked expression, closed his mouth without speaking, accompanied him to the sofa in the drawing room.
Edward picked up the crystal wine bottle from the table, personally pouring him a glass of amber-colored fine wine, then poured himself a glass.
At this mont, sitting here seed not as a king of a Duchy, but as a brother weighed down by imnse pressure.
"This matter… is far more complex than you imagine."
"This isn't an excuse," Luo Yan raised the wine glass but refrained from drinking; instead, his gaze fixed unblinkingly upon him as he continued saying, "I don't have a sister, but I reckon even if I did, I would never, knowingly of the danger, exploit her kindness to complete my plans."
Not highly surprised by his thoughts, Edward chuckled self-deprecatingly, took a sip of the amber liquid and said.
"Indeed I assigned her as Commander of the Northern Relief Army, but do you think I wished to send her?"
Luo Yan dismissively replied.
"Could anyone command you?"
"No!"
Edward responded flatly.
"It requires no one's command, it's the inherent duty of the Campbell family! If bla is to be settled, it lies upon my father for handing the sword to her; if I were to wield that sword, I would unhesitatingly go there, fulfilling the mission Saint Sis bestowed upon us! Indeed, I did entrust her with a heavy responsibility, but even without my command, she would still go!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers