Chapter 384

Trembling with fear, Kendra clutched her shoulders and looked at Xander in despair, pleading, “Xander, please forgive me this once. I know I shouldn’t have framed your mother, but I truly had no other choice.”

Yet, even now, she stubbornly clung to her belief in her own innocence.

Xander’s face was livid as he glared at her coldly. “You’re not remorseful; you’re just terrified. Now that the Xander Manor and Porter Mansion have completely cut ties, you have no backing left. Your only option is to be married off to distant Nortcold.”

“You know perfectly well how Mother has treated you all these years,” Xander said coldly. “Yet you still chose to frame her—and utterly broke her heart.

Xander looked at Kendra, his eyes filled with profound disappointment. “From now on, you’re on your own. Make your own choices–and live with the consequences.”

Without another word, Xander reached out and took Athena by the wrist, then strode out of Porter Mansion, never once looking back.

Kendra and Issa collapsed to the ground, their eyes filled with utter despair.

The very next day, the Xander Manor issued an official declaration, severing all familial ties with Porter Mansion.

From this day forth, the two households would have no further dealings.

Arthur was visibly taken aback when he heard the news. “Mrs. Cavendish always favored Kendra the most. How could the two families sever ties so abruptly?”

Xander had clamped down on the news. All those privy to the matter were silenced. Only scattered fragments of the matter managed to reach Arthur.

Thanatus shook his head in confusion. “Your Majesty, this humble servant truly does not know. Perhaps Kendra kept hounding Xander, and he simply grew tired of her constant pestering, so he severed all ties.”

Arthur thought to himself, ‘That actually makes some sense.’

Since the matter between the two households had no bearing on state affairs, Arthur chose not to pursue it further.

“Shouldn’t Lizzie’s coffin be transported to her territory by now?” he asked again.

Thanatus nodded respectfully. “Your Majesty, the coffin has remained in the city for the full mourning period of forty–nine days.”

“Have Ferris escort her coffin back to her place. While he’s at it, bring the Nortcold envoys back as well.” Arthur took a sip of coffee, a satisfied look on his face.

‘Once the political marriage alliance between Nortcold and the Petanion succeeds, it will secure a century of peace,’ Arthur wondered. ‘A single woman to avert war–that’s a shrewd deal.’

‘Therefore, we must handle this matter with the utmost caution.’

After a moment’s thought, Arthur declared, “Appoint Ferris as Commander of the Aegis Guards. He is to lead two thousand of our elite troops and must ensure the envoys from Nortcold are safely escorted back to the capital.”

Thanatus gazed at Arthur in astonishment, his lips parting slightly, then closing again as years of conditioned obedience held his tongue.

Thanatus thought to himself, ‘The Aegis Guards? Those are the elite forces personally trained by Prince Xander.’

Each Aegis Guard was worth a hundred men, fearless and peerless in battle.

Arthur’s bestowal of such sweeping powers upon Ferris left no doubt about his favor.

With a disdainful chuckle, Arthur fixed his contemptuous gaze and said, “What, do you think I have shown him too much trust?”

Since he dared to empower Ferris, he had no fear of betrayal. After all, he held enough leverage over Ferris to keep him firmly in check.

Thanatus bowed his head, shaking it vigorously. “I wouldn’t dare, Your Majesty.”

Arthur rose from the desk, his voluminous sleeves draped behind his back.

Arthur paced to the window, his piercing gaze sweeping over Pidence City from his commanding vantage point. “It’s easy to seize a kingdom, but far harder to keep it secure.

“The late King entrusted this throne to me, and I must safeguard this realm to honor his legacy. Yet there are matters I cannot address openly–that’s where Ferris becomes my blade in the shadows.

“The greater his power, the more fear it will strike into those scheming hearts.”

Arthur let out a weary sigh. “I’m growing old, and time is running short. Before my son ascends the throne, I must pave the way for him. This is all I can do for my son now.”

Now, peace reigns across the realm, and its borders were tranquil. Only Xander remained as the final loose cannon.

Xander was far too powerful–so formidable that Arthur lay awake night after night in dread.

Night after night, he would jolt awake in a cold sweat from recurring nightmares–visions of Xander leading his elite cavalry to storm Pidence City and behead him.

In his nightmare, Xander sat upon the throne, clad in imperial robes. Even just recalling that nightmare sent a chill down Arthur’s spine.

Arthur thought to himself, ‘Xander must never be allowed to remain in Pidence City. If it weren’t absolutely necessary, I wouldn’t even let Xander live.’

Cold sweat drenched Thanatus as he murmured a low yes and began backing away.

Arthur called him back. “Let’s go to Phoenix Hall.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Thanatus replied respectfully. He hastily ordered a royal attendant to deliver a message to the Queen’s palace.

Upon hearing the news, the Queen’s face showed no trace of joy–only surprise.

The Queen applied her makeup before the mirror, visibly impatient. She muttered, “His Majesty hasn’t visited my chambers in a whole year. What’s gotten into him today, that he’s actually remembered I even exist?”

The young palace maid, applying makeup for the Queen with an ingratiating smile, fawned, “His Majesty must be deeply moved by Your Majesty’s tireless devotion. That is why he has made this special visit.”

The Queen merely smiled dismissively. “I highly doubt that.”

The Queen thought to herself, ‘We have long been an old married couple–what affection could possibly remain between them? Nothing remained but mutual interests and leverage.’

‘If it weren’t for Fermin’s claim to the Crown Prince title, I wouldn’t even bother with this power struggle,’ the Queen thought to herself.

With her makeup complete, the Queen, accompanied by her attendants, proceeded to the palace entrance to receive the King.

Before long, Arthur’s imperial procession arrived at Phoenix Hall.

The Queen curtsied deeply, her demeanor respectful. “Welcome, Your Majesty.”

Arthur surveyed the resplendent palace and gave a slight nod. “I heard you caught a cold, so I made a special trip to see you.”

With a dismissive wave, Arthur said, “No need for such formalities, my Queen. You may rise.”

The King’s tone carried not a shred of genuine concern–a familiar indifference the Queen had long since grown numb to.

But in front of Arthur, she still had to keep up the charade.

The Queen put on a practiced smile of delight, took Arthur by the arm, and helped him to his seat. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Your humble consort’s health has much improved.”

A palace maid served coffee, and the Queen personally poured a cup for Arthur. Testing the waters, she inquired, “Your Majesty, please try this coffee. It’s this year’s new one. The brew is crystal clear and leaves an exquisite aftertaste.”

Arthur, playing along, took a sip and nodded approvingly. “Not bad,” he remarked.

He looked at the Queen and said, “Our princes have all come of marriageable age. We trust you’ll see to arranging suitable matches for them.”

The Queen smirked coldly to herself. ‘I knew Arthur wouldn’t visit my palace without an ulterior motive,’ she thought. ‘He only ever bothers to pretend he cares when he has a use for me.”

Suppressing her annoyance, the Queen followed Arthur’s lead and replied, “Even if Your Majesty hadn’t mentioned it, your humble consort has always kept the princes‘ marriages close to heart.

“It’s just that this year has been turbulent, so I had to delay arranging them. But I’ve been keeping a close eye on suitable matches, simply awaiting Your Majesty’s decree to bestow the marriages.”

Arthur gave a satisfied nod, understanding the Queen’s veiled reference to Lizzie.

With a cold sneer, Arthur said, “For a disgraced princess like Lizzie, granting her a decent funeral is already an act of imperial mercy. How could we possibly delay the princes‘ marriages because of her?

“Make haste with the arrangements, my Queen. Select suitable matches for the princes and present them for my review. Once approved, we’ll finalize these marriages soon, for my princes are no longer in their youth.”

The Queen’s smile faltered, a prickle of unease rising in her chest.

The Queen couldn’t help wondering, ‘Why is Arthur so eager to arrange marriages for the princes? Could it be he’s preparing to name the Crown Prince?’

The Queen fretted, “Pamela still shows no signs of pregnancy–this is driving me to distraction.”

Arthur suddenly asked, “Is Pamela still not with child?”