hapter 1289  hat evening, Carissa handed Rafael the pill and explained its potential dangers.  +25 BONUS  oticing the hesitation in her eyes, he smiled and said, “What’s a little harm? There’s edicine to counteract it. After the royal physician examines me, I’ll immediately take nowdrop Pills. On the road, I’ll follow Sebastian’s instructions. I’ll take the medicine daily to  ild up my strength.”  It’s still poison,” Carissa countered, her brow furrowed. “Maybe we should think of another lution.”  think this plan is fine. Sebastian is just being cautious. If the poison was truly dangerous, he ouldn’t have given it to me,” Rafael reassured..  arissa looked up at him. “Should we talk to Jacob about this?”  No need.” Rafael set the medicine down and pulled her into his arms. “The fewer people who now, the better. When I collapse at the Supreme Court, Matthew can use my emblem to immon a royal physician. If the royal physician accompanies me back to the estate and sees veryone in a panic, there won’t be any suspicion.”  arissa rested her head against his chest, feeling a strange sense of vulnerability. She had ways been decisive, but now, her worries clouded her thoughts.  I’m just worried. If you don’t fully recover before you set off for the Southern Frontier espite taking the medicine, and then don’t get proper rest on the journey, how will you be ›le to fight when you arrive?”  er voice trembled with concern, but Rafael’s heart warmed at the sight of her care for him.  e smiled and reassured her, “I may not even replace Marshal Prince. I’ll just look for General uinton and blend in with the army. If Marshal Prince is reliable, I’ll just treat the Southern ontier trip as a little vacation.”  arissa’s worry didn’t ease, because it was exactly due to Oliver’s unreliability that they had to ke this risk. But the decision had been made, so hesitation could no longer be afforded.  Alright. Tomorrow, take the pill at a good moment at the Supreme Court,” she said, still  ncerned.  afael looked into her eyes, his gaze soft and full of tenderness. “Yeah. Don’t worry.”  he next day, he tucked the half pill of poison into his pocket and went to the Supreme Court. t lunchtime, he dined with Matthew and even invited Randall to join them, casually asking out his work at the Supreme Court,  .  andall had been feeling uneasy these past few days. Though he had made his choice, with his ad now rebelling and besieging Valken, he couldn’t help but wonder if innocent lives would e lost. He also worried about how deeply this situation would affect him.  Chapter 1289  +25 BONUS  Now that Rafael was speaking to him kindly, Randall’s anxiety was somewhat soothed. If the prince still cared about his well–being, it seemed that his position was secure for the time being, and perhaps he wouldn’t be caught up too deeply in the storm.  But what of the people of Valken?  Unable to shake his concern for them, Randall asked hesitantly, “Your Highness, do you think the people of Valken will suffer because of my dad’s rebellion?”  Rafael looked at him in surprise.  How could such a question even be asked?  Matthew’s expression tightened. He wanted to say that throughout history, it was always the common people who suffered in the aftermath of treason. But feeling like it was pointless to explain, the words stalled in his throat.  If someone didn’t think with their heart, they wouldn’t ask a question like that.  Randall quickly realized the foolishness of his question. Perhaps, in his subconscious mind, he had believed that Yuvan’s rebellion would be easily contained and that nothing too catastrophic would come of it. That must be why he had asked such a naive question.  Not wanting to embarrass him further, Matthew simply replied, “Yes.”  Randall awkwardly muttered an acknowledgment and seemed to shrink back into himself, his mood visibly dropping.  After lunch, they had a cup of coffee. While the other two were distracted, Rafael quietly took the pill. At first, he didn’t feel any immediate discomfort, so he assumed the effects wouldn’t kick in so quickly.  Turning to Randall, he asked about Tiberius, who was still imprisoned.  “Nothing out of the ordinary, Your Highness,” Randall replied. “Except for asking every day when he’ll be released, there’s nothing strange.”  Matthew snorted. “He wants out? Ridiculous.”  Rafael tapped his fingers on the table, his mind racing. “His Majesty hasn’t disposed of him yet. He’s probably keeping him alive to intimidate the rebels. Better to placate him for now, lest he tries to starve himself again-”  Before he could finish his thought, a sharp pain suddenly gripped his chest. It felt as though something was surging violently through his veins, and he felt a pressure he couldn’t contain.  Blood spilled from his lips as he collapsed to the floor.  “Your Highness!” Matthew shouted, leaping forward just in time to catch Rafael’s falling body.  Chapter 1290