Chapter 89

“Knock, knock, knock.”

“What is it?”

Ivyst looked up from her paperwork.

“Her Highness the Princess, His Highness Felix has arrived and wishes to see you.”

Upon hearing this, Ivyst frowned deeply.

When the news of the Second Prince’s upcoming trip to Orlen City surfaced, she had still been busy with missions at the Underground Relic site.

It was only after she returned that Lynn had told her the news.

“Let him come to my study.”

After a moment of thought, Ivyst replied lightly.

She was well aware of the true purpose behind his visit.

It was simply to hold her accountable for the death of the Mosgra Family heir.

But to Ivyst, the so-called heir’s death was nothing but a joke, no different from a dead stray dog on the street.

A moment later, amidst a leisurely pace, the silver-haired young man appeared before Ivyst, accompanied by guards.

“Big brother.”

Gazing at her half-brother, Ivyst did not stand up, merely offering a brief greeting.

Seeing this, the Second Prince responded casually and then, as if he were the host, sat down next to the sofa.

“I mainly came today for two reasons.”

“First, where is Lynn Bartleon?” Felix said bluntly. “Bring him to me.”

“What do you need him for?”

Ivyst narrowed her eyes, watching her well-known elder brother.

“Oh, nothing much.” Felix leisurely took off his gloves and fixed his silver hair. “Just planning to escort him back for a court trial.”

As he spoke, Felix pulled out an exquisitely sealed letter from his breast pocket.

The wax seal bore the symbol of a sharp longsword, stuck directly into a scale.

“This is a subpoena from the Glosting court.”

Felix placed the letter on the coffee table, speaking faintly.

“What’s the charge?”

Ivyst did not look up.

“Murder, of course.” Felix glanced at her. “After all, he personally shot the son of a marquess in front of everyone. Ivyst, I doubt you would pretend not to know about it?”

“It’s amusing, really. A failure exiled to the borders, and the entire Imperial Capital had almost forgotten about him this past year. Who would’ve thought that as the year-end approached, this Bartleon kid could stir up such an entertaining spectacle, opening the eyes of many families in the capital.”

“It’s a pity, though, he seems to lack respect for power.” Felix lightly tapped the table with his knuckles. “And for such a madman, we need to teach him what respect means.”

“Alright, Ivyst, I have to visit the Church of Heavenly Justice later, so let’s not waste time with pretense.”

Looking at the envelope on the table, Ivyst remained silent.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly pushed a newspaper from her desk towards Felix.

“If the charge is merely murder, you probably won’t take him away.” A strange smile suddenly curled at the corner of Ivyst’s mouth. “You should take a look at this first.”

Watching the strange smile on Ivyst’s face, Felix frowned subtly.

In his memory, his third sister had always been cold and indifferent.

Now, she unexpectedly showed a smile for reasons unknown.

Reflecting on this, Felix picked up the newspaper from the table.

“The arsonist targeting the Church of Heavenly Justice, Lynn Bartleon, was apprehended by Baylor Tilius’s private guards yesterday evening. His whereabouts remain unknown, and the City Council and Security Bureau have lodged a formal protest against the duke’s residence regarding this overstep.”

At the moment he read the headline, the typically calm and collected Second Prince momentarily short-circuited.

Church of Heavenly Justice?

Arson?

Lynn Bartleon?

He recognized each word, but when put together, it made no sense at all.

Having spent the past few days aboard a private train without any contact with the outside world, he was unaware of the recent major events in Orlen City.

As soon as he got off the train, he hadn’t paid attention to anything else and had headed straight to Augusta Manor. It seemed that there had been some unexpected situation lately in Orlen City.

Although Felix felt confused, he maintained an indifferent facade.

However, as he flipped through the papers, his pupils began to gradually dilate.

Heresy Mozell, public protests, electors alliance, two hundred thousand golds military fund, disabled soldiers fundraising events, a city-wide frenzy of comparison.

As various words flashed in his mind, a name that was repeatedly mentioned surfaced in Felix’s thoughts.

Lynn Bartleon.

Again, this guy?

A feeling of disbelief rose in his heart, but the evidence before his eyes left him in silence.

How is this possible?

Just by himself, he stirred up all this chaos?

He even had Ivyst, who once seemed far removed from the throne, hinting at a chance to rise again?

After all, there were only seven electors, but nine princes.

To this day, most princes and princesses still hadn’t gained the support of the electors.

Wow.

This is truly something.

Felix couldn’t help but crack a smile.

“After going back, remember to execute all the intelligence personnel responsible for Orlen City.” As he was reading, he suddenly said to a guard next to him, “How could they describe such a clever, interesting, and resourceful guy as a ‘broken-back, homeless dog’ for the past six months?”

“What an act of misconduct and shame.”

“Understood, Your Highness.” The guard replied calmly.

“Also, Ivyst, what do you mean by showing me this newspaper?” Felix looked again at Ivyst across the table, “Do you think that with Duke Tilius’s protection, I can do nothing about him?”

“Not at all.” Ivyst maintained a calm expression, “I just wanted to let you know that I currently have the support of an elector.”

“The once-ignored third princess is catching up. If you don’t want your throne taken away, it’s best not to underestimate me like before.”

Seeing her like this, Felix fell silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled: “Ivyst, you’ve changed quite a bit compared to the hysterical disaster who left the Imperial Capital just now.”

“Let me guess, this change was brought about by that Lynn Bartleon?”

“Interesting, really interesting!” Felix laughed heartily.

In truth, he wasn’t indifferent; he just couldn’t muster interest in boring people.

When he truly encountered someone or something that piqued his curiosity, Felix could instantly transform into a different person.

Just like now.

“Let’s make a deal.” Felix leaned back against the sofa, looking relaxed. “I’m very interested in this Lynn Bartleon.”

“Give him to me, and as for demands, you can ask anything.”

“For anything below a level 0 sealed item, as long as I have the authorization, you can freely choose up to five.”

“Or if you want to exchange for money, or place some people in the imperial administrative system—whatever it is, as long as I can do it, I can provide it.”

Ivyst’s gaze instantly turned icy.

Felix sensed her shift in emotion, pondered for a moment, then chuckled: “Don’t worry, I’ll ensure his safety as much as I can.”

“As for those fools in the Mosgra family, heh, if it weren’t to appease them a bit, this prince wouldn’t even bother making this trip.”

“I’ve never intended to rely on these sly people who have backstabbed others; it’s merely a matter of mutual use.”

“I refuse.” Ivyst took a deep breath, suppressing her agitation and anger.

“Let me meet him.” Felix shot her a glance, “He’s not cargo, but a living person, deserving of the right to choose his own path.”

“After I speak with him, if he still doesn’t want to serve me, then we’ll drop the matter.”

“Two hundred thousand golds for the chance to meet him.”

Felix interlocked his fingers, resting them on his knees.

Looking at his nonchalant demeanor, Ivyst finally realized where her inner agitation and anger came from.

If that guy were to choose fairly, would he still choose her?

Monthly ticket request!!!

Also, thanks to all the big shots for your rewards! I’ll be opening a group soon!