Chapter 349

“Xander…” Isaac jumped up, pointing angrily at him. “Kendra is your cousin! If you hadn’t shown her any affection, she wouldn’t have misunderstood you. Now her life is at risk, and you want to wash your hands of it? Can you face her? Can you face me?”

Such blatant distortion of the truth left Xander utterly drained.

Xander bowed respectfully to Isaac and said, “Uncle Isaac…”

“Prince Xander, I don’t deserve to be called that by you,” Isaac said bitterly.

Isaac bowed to Arthur, his voice heavy with sorrow. “My daughter is already twenty. She has become the laughingstock of Pidence City. She’s my only child. If anything happens to her, I’ll kill myself at the Duchess Manor and expose Prince Xander and Duchess Athena. Let’s see how you both handle the fallout!”

This tactic was vicious in the extreme. He wasn’t only threatening the King but aiming to ruin Athena and Xander’s reputations completely.

If Isaac died at Athena’s door, no matter how justified their actions were, it would be impossible to explain. People would say Athena was heartless, stealing Kendra’s marriage and driving her to suicide.

Isaac, devastated by his daughter’s fate and crushed under Xander’s power, died seeking justice. The common folk, ignorant of the truth, would be led by the nose.

Then, Xander and Athena wouldn’t be able to defend themselves.

A spark popped from one of the palace candles. Xander felt a rush of blood to his head.

No wonder Alexandra had shown no reaction when she saw him preparing the betrothal gifts. She’d already colluded with Isaac and was waiting for him here.

No one had actually seen Kendra’s condition. Isaac was the only one telling the story. Xander had been put on the back foot.

“Your Majesty,” Xander suddenly knelt down, his back ramrod straight. “I have never had any relationship with Kendra beyond that of cousins. There is absolutely no romantic involvement.”

His knees dug into the cold stone floor, forcing his mind to stay sharp. “The priority now is to save her life. Athena is highly skilled in medicine, and she’s a woman, which makes her the most suitable person to tend to Kendra.”

He needed to see Kendra with his own eyes before reaching any conclusion, not just rely on Isaac’s version.

But Isaac suddenly burst into rage and shouted, “I will not allow Prince Xander or Athena to set foot in my estate! My daughter attempted suicide because of you two. If you show up now, it would be like stabbing her in the heart!”

Tears streamed down his face as he turned to Arthur. “Your Majesty, you must not agree to this!”

His words were emotional and persuasive. Arthur hesitated. Xander spoke again, “Lord Isaac’s resistance makes me suspicious. All along, we’ve only heard from him. No one else has seen Kendra’s condition. Why are you so desperate to keep us away? Are you hiding something?”

“You…” Isaac was livid. He pointed at Xander but was too furious to speak.

Xander ignored him and looked at Arthur. “I earnestly request Your Majesty to allow Athena and me to go to Porter Manor. A life is at stake.”

Outside the hall, the sound of the morning watch drums echoed. It was already the fifth watch.

Arthur looked weary. He had long grown tired of this ordeal.

Since Xander had taken the initiative to suggest going to see Kendra, he seized the chance to resolve the matter and said, “Very well, I authorize Prince Xander and Athena to visit Isaac’s residence. Do your utmost to save Kendra.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Xander bowed and turned to stride out of the hall.

Isaac, both angry and panicked, quickly requested leave and followed.

Arthur finally let out a sigh of relief. After being harassed by Isaac all night, he was completely exhausted. Now, he could finally rest.

After leaving the palace, Isaac scrambled onto his carriage and urged the driver to return to the estate as quickly as possible.

He had to reach it before Xander and Athena and shut them out.

He could not allow the two of them to show up before Kendra like this.

Meanwhile, Xander had already met up with Athena. Once Ansel delivered the message, Athena knew tonight would be a sleepless one.

She had guessed that Xander would take her to Isaac’s residence to treat Kendra.

The two rode together in a carriage. But when they arrived, they found the gates of the estate tightly shut.

The number of guards at the entrance had tripled.

“Lord Isaac! The King gave a verbal decree!” Xander’s voice cut through the cold night like a blade. “His Majesty ordered me and Athena to treat Miss Porter. By keeping your gates shut, are you defying an imperial order?”

Behind him stood rows of Aegis Guards.

Inside the courtyard, Isaac spun around. His hair was in disarray, sweat glistening on his forehead.

He staggered to the front gate, his frail frame barely able to block the door as he shouted, “Even with the King’s decree, you have no right to break into a minister’s home! I refuse! What, are you going to force your way in? Is there no law?”

“Your Highness, should we scale the wall?” one guard asked.

Athena clutched the medicine chest so tightly her knuckles turned white. She stared at the shut gate and called loudly. “Lord Isaac, we mean no harm. We only want to help treat your daughter. Please, let us in!”

“Get lost! Who do you think you are, standing at my gates…” Isaac suddenly started cursing. Everyone’s expressions changed.

No matter what, Athena was a duchess personally titled by Arthur himself.

For Isaac to publicly insult her because of personal resentment was disgraceful.

Athena raised her voice. “Lord Isaac, if Miss Porter’s injuries are delayed any longer…”

Before she could finish, Xander drew his sword. The cold blade gleamed as it struck the gate’s locking bar.

The red lacquered doors flew open, and the Aegis Guards stormed in like a tide.

Isaac stumbled back, his lower back hitting the screen wall. His face twisted in pain.

“Xander!” he roared and lunged, only to be restrained by two guards.

Like a cornered beast, Isaac thrashed wildly, his eyes bloodshot and voice cracking. “This is tyranny! My family is at odds with you now… Guard! Guards!”

He called out several times, but no one responded.

Only then did he notice that the guards at the gate had already been subdued by the Aegis Guards.

Xander stood on the steps, gazing down coldly. “Miss Porter is gravely injured. Lord Isaac is distraught and not thinking clearly. Escort him to his room.”

Isaac’s eyes were red with rage, his hand trembling as he pointed at Xander. “How dare you… how dare you?”

Before he could finish, someone covered his mouth.

Ansel tilted his chin at the guards. “Hurry and escort Lord Isaac down.”

Two Aegis Guards dragged Isaac away to the rear courtyard and locked him in a room.

With a loud click, the bolt slid into place.

Then they stood outside like immovable statues.