Emperor Etolan has been waging wars without cause for quite some time in his quest to expand his territory. Over the years, the empire has lost countless treasures and ceded countless territories, and its territory is shrinking.

Instead of reflecting on his actions, Emperor Aitolan launched wars even more frequently, attempting to seize the sea areas of the Nuolan Empire's territory based on a vague myth.

The Etolan soldiers, who were not skilled in naval warfare, encountered the Nulan soldiers, who were known as the "Sons of the Sea," and the outcome was already decided.

“The people of the empire raised him, and this is what he should do.”

The second prince lowered his eyes, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Lan Que was his own brother, born of the same father and mother! He couldn't bear to see him leave.

But what could he do? If Lan Que didn't go, Nuo Lan would attack Aitolan, and the people of the Aitolan Empire would be caught in the flames of war, losing their lives, their loved ones, and their homes.

"Go yourselves! He's my love, and I won't let him go!"

Mode took out a handkerchief to wipe the blood off his hands, strode forward, and his pace quickened until he started running.

He knew the Second Prince was right, and he knew that sending Lan Que to the Nuolan Empire was the best option.

He understands the logic, but he just can't accept it.

He couldn't accept his failure, couldn't give up his lover, and couldn't just compromise with the royal family.

Zhou Siyu glanced at the Second Prince, then at Mo De, and decided to go see Mo De after all.

This guy is really unlucky. Not only is he being cheated on, but he's also about to be jilted. His love life is a complete mess, and his career is also in ruins.

To be able to do both of these things at the same time and ruin a good hand is quite impressive.

The lively court banquet lasted until late at night, and apart from a few main figures, everyone, both host and guests, enjoyed themselves immensely.

Ordinary people believed the empire had won and held parties in the streets, celebrating all night long.

The bustling streets contrasted sharply with the somber and gloomy atmosphere of the Duke's mansion. The Duke paced back and forth in his study, his hands behind his back, sighing from time to time.

“Morde, we all know that you and the Third Prince are deeply in love, but you should consider the bigger picture,” the Duchess spoke first. “The current situation does not allow you to act recklessly.”

“Mother, I’m not being silly.” Mord’s eyes were firm: “I’m taking him with me. His Majesty has many princes and princesses, and the empire has many talented poets, but I only have him.”

"Do you want your whole family to be buried with you?!"

The Duke threw a wine glass at Morde's face, drawing blood from his forehead. Morde ignored it, wiping it away with his hand. "If I cannot take him with me, then please ask Father to request permission from His Majesty the Emperor to lead the expedition."

"The Crown Prince of Nuolan will be entering the palace tomorrow to discuss a ceasefire. You'd better not cause any more trouble!"

"Then let me take him away!" Mord knelt down with a thud, "Your son is unfilial..."

“Maud!” The Duchess wiped away her tears, knelt down in front of Maud, and choked out, “You can’t be so selfish. If you don’t think about yourself, you should think about your family and friends.”

"Your sister just gave birth last month, your eldest nephew is only three years old, and your youngest niece is just one month old. Can you bear to watch them be executed?"

Moud lowered his head in silence. He wanted to say "no," but he couldn't. He knew very well how innocent they were.

"Your status, talent, and appearance are all outstanding in the entire empire. Countless Omegas would like to marry you, so why are you so fixated on him?"

“Mother, you’re wrong.” Mode shook his head. “I just can’t live without him. I’d rather die than live without him.”

"Then go die!" The Duke took two steps forward and kicked Mord in the shoulder, saying with exasperation, "How did I raise such a good-for-nothing who only has love and romance in his head!"

“I’m not like you!” Mord sat on the ground, looking at the Duke with disappointment. “You’re a womanizer, changing lovers one after another, every day is different, and you have one illegitimate child after another. Every day people come to your door with so-called tokens to claim kinship. Have you ever thought about how your mother feels?”

"Shut up!"

The Duke slapped Maud across the face, leaving five finger marks. Just as he was about to strike again, the Duchess grabbed his leg, weeping and pleading, "Hit me instead, it's my fault for not raising him properly..."

“Mother, don’t beg him!” Mord covered his face and hugged the Duchess’s shoulders. “This has nothing to do with you. Go back and rest.”

“Maud, Maud, listen to your father…” The Duchess covered her face and wept, her hands trembling as she grabbed Maud’s hand and pleaded, “Please don’t go looking for the Third Prince anymore, I’m begging you, please don’t go looking for him, for the sake of me raising you.”

"Mother, you know, I love him."

Mode closed his eyes in pain, his face filled with conflict.

"If you dare go to him, I'll break your legs!"

"Go ahead and hit me!" Mord opened his eyes, glaring at the Duke, and said, word by word, "Even if you kill me, I will go find him and take him away!"

"Foolish!" The Duke was furious, his face flushed. He grabbed a wooden stick, took a few steps to Morde's side, grabbed the Duchess by the shoulder and dragged her aside. He raised the stick and said, "Rather than let you make a mistake, I'd rather beat you to death today and pretend I never had a son like you."

"Ahhh!"

A sturdy wooden stick struck her leg, and the Duchess screamed as she rushed to the side of the silent, clenched-teeth Maud. Seeing the blood seeping from his trousers, she burst into tears: "Maud, Maud, my foolish child..."

The Duchess, weeping, pulled Mordt into her arms and stopped the falling wooden stick for him.

"That's enough!"

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!