trap
What was the plan? Naturally, it was to have that informant incite Willie to usurp the throne.
Far off at the border, people were talking in hushed tones inside the commander's tent, while guards stood five meters away, watching over them because important matters were being discussed.
If someone had better hearing or stood closer, they would have discovered that the main topic of their conversation was treason.
In the past, Willey would never have been foolish enough to listen to others and do such a thing.
But things are different now. His uncle Ferrand, who was once more trusted by the king, has been accused of treason, and the Ferrand family has had their lands and property confiscated. They will never be as glorious as before.
Besides, Murray is only missing, not dead. Just like Rother, who was missing for so long that everyone, including the Duke and Duchess, thought he would never come back, but in the end, he still came back safe and sound. It's hard to say that Murray might also face the same situation.
Willey will only be at ease after seeing Murray's body and confirming that he wasn't wearing some kind of human skin mask.
But now there's no trace of Muli, and he even suspects that this is all a show orchestrated by Muli himself.
Even if it wasn't him acting, as long as Muli comes back, he will never have a chance.
He sat in his chair, his mind wavering. His confidant advised him, "Your Highness, you have prepared for this position for many years. You are so outstanding, while Murray is just a good-for-nothing who is not even qualified to enter Samuel. Are you really willing to watch that good-for-nothing inherit the throne?"
Seeing a hint of struggle flash in Willey's eyes, he continued to persuade him earnestly, "He only has the status of the eldest son. His magical talent is not even comparable to that fool's. If you don't take action now, it will be too late if something unexpected happens."
Willey remained silent, lost in thought. Memories surfaced in his mind: his mother's gloomy state after his uncle's death; his own ranking first on Samuel's magic power list, yet at every banquet, they fawned over Murray. He knew it was only because of Murray's status, but he still felt a pang of jealousy.
He gripped the armrests of the chair, slowly raised his head, his gaze sinister, as if he had already made up his mind: "Operate after the border matter is over. Kill anyone who tries to stop us."
"Yes!" the confidant replied.
"Second Prince." A figure moved outside the tent. Wei Lai gave his confidant a wink, and the confidant nodded, lifted the tent flap, and a pair of emerald green eyes looked at him calmly.
He smiled and nodded to Lina Ajek, "His Highness invites you in."
After saying that, he walked past her.
Lina tilted her head slightly; she already knew that Willie's confidant was Tiff's informant. She blinked, lifted the curtain, and walked in.
"Your Highness," Lina bowed to Vera.
"Lina, do you have any news?"
Lina said with a serious expression, "I received a message from Duke Strych. She said that there is already trace of Murray and that I should stall for time."
“Mulley!” Willey stood up, his eyes wide. He had actually found a clue at this crucial moment.
He scrutinized Lina; she was still useful. "Ajek, pass down the order to quell the rebellion within three days."
Lina agreed and turned to leave.
————
In the dead of night, the city gates of the main city were wide open, and an army was quietly infiltrating the city. The only sound in the silent night was the chirping of insects.
“Duke, Welley has entered the city and has sent half of his men to surround the mansions of several dukes.”
“Our people have quietly replaced the people surrounding the mansion,” Dope reported, while watching Lisa dress Tiffany, making it seem as if the clothes were put on hastily.
Tiff casually tied her hair up. "We'll set off when Weley arrives at the Great Hall."
The knights guarding the palace gates were quietly slit in the throat, and two soldiers quickly took their place. Their bodies were dragged into a hidden place.
The soldier used magic to send a message to the soldiers on the palace wall to open the palace gates, indicating that something had happened.
But when the palace gate opened even a tiny crack, countless people pushed and shoved it open, and the people inside realized that something had happened.
"Beep!!!" Someone blew the whistle first, and then the whistles echoed one after another.
The Grand Master of the Knights hadn't fallen asleep yet. When the first whistle blew, he realized what was happening and quickly assembled the sleeping knights. The knights patrolling the palace also heard the whistle and rushed towards the palace gate.
Among a group of soldiers, some escorted Ville aside and headed straight for the king's room.
As the whistle blew, Luya suddenly opened her eyes and sat up. Her personal maid rushed in, "Princess, Velai has rebelled."
Her people were always on the palace wall, and as soon as they saw something was wrong, they rushed back to inform Luya.
"Where's Chris?" Luya suddenly remembered her brother.
"We've already arranged for someone to fetch His Highness Chris. Princess, please go into the secret chamber first."
"You guys go ahead, I'll wait for him at the door."
Luya had memories of her past life from birth, so she always kept her distance from others, while Chris was different; he always reminded her of Tiffany.
The king has been feeling uneasy lately, for reasons he doesn't know. He suspects something has happened to Willey, but his attendants reassure him that the second prince will surely return safely.
He rubbed his temples, sighed softly, looked out at the dark sky, and stopped dealing with official business.
Back in his bedroom, he changed into his nightgown and lay down on the bed. Just as he was starting to feel sleepy, a series of crackling noises outside completely banished his drowsiness. Displeased, he called in his servant.
"What's going on! What are you doing making so much noise!"
"Your Majesty!" the attendant cried out in a trembling voice, his face filled with terror. "Something has happened, Your Majesty!"
"The Second Prince... he's rebelled in alliance with the Ferrang clan!"
The king swayed, a metallic taste of blood rising in his throat, and he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
The attendants quickly supported the king, whose breathing became increasingly labored.
"That unfilial son! So that's what he was planning to do when he went to the border!" He then spat out another mouthful of blood.
"That unfilial son! Where is he now?!"
"It seems the Second Prince has already arrived at the main hall..."
"Bang!" The half-closed door was kicked open, and a knight in armor walked in. The king stared at him warily, and a familiar figure appeared behind him—it was Wayle.
“Father,” he said casually, his gaze sweeping over the blood-stained carpet.
The king was furious, and he became even angrier when he saw the expression on Willey's face.
"Wale, what are you doing!"
“I just want what I deserve.” Wereley said matter-of-factly. “Among the princes, I have the highest magical talent. That good-for-nothing Murray doesn’t even deserve to compete with me.”
"So you're going to kill me and take the throne!" the king glared at him.
“How could I dare, Father?” Vera said innocently. “I only wish to ask you to pass the throne to me.”
The king looked at the people behind him, "This is what you meant by 'please'!"
“I’m afraid some people will make the first move.” Wei Lai winked behind him, and someone handed him something. “Father, please sign the abdication edict first.”
The king scoffed and said, "If I don't sign, will you kill your father?"
The smile on Willey's face vanished, and he uttered only one word, "Go."
Several soldiers behind him slowly approached the king, carrying the abdication edict.
“I didn’t intend to treat you like this, Father, but you just won’t cooperate. I have no choice but to accept it.”
Just as the soldiers were about to reach the king, something shocking happened.
The sharp sword pierced through Willey's body. In the instant he realized it, he turned around in disbelief. He had thought it might be Murray, Tiffany, or another duke, but he never expected it to be Lina.
This woman is as ordinary as can be.
Under his astonished gaze, she pressed down on his shoulder, bent down, slowly drew her sword, and then said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Vale, don't you think all of this is going too smoothly?"
She was implying something.
Welley then realized it was a trap, and he had been so foolish as to walk right in.
"Thud." Vera was pushed to the ground by Lina.
Following Lina, Weile's soldiers were also subdued by the late-arriving knights.
Those closest to the king were too frightened to move by the sight.
Lina straightened up and wiped the blood splattered on her face with her sleeve. She gripped her longsword and glanced at the soldiers in front of the king. They seemed to know they were doomed, for they all dropped their swords and knelt down with a thud.
The knight dragged the man who had collapsed to the ground away. Lina knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, I am late. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
"Not too late." The king paused for a few seconds, then burst into laughter.
As Wei Lai was dragged away, he was still barely alive. He said resentfully, "Father... I am now your only son. If you don't choose me, are you going to rely on that fool?"
"Who said you're the only heir?" a male voice came from the doorway.
Vera turned his head slowly, gritting his teeth as he said, "Mulley!"
Muli ignored him, treating him as if he were dead. "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
As he spoke, he noticed Lina out of the corner of his eye. Having memories of his past life, he naturally knew that Lina had become a duke after the Second Prince's rebellion.
This is clearly Tiffany's doing.
The king showed no joy upon seeing Murray return, and did not even allow Murray to stand up.
His cold gaze lightly fell on Weile, and he uttered two words, "Kill him."
Willey wanted to say something, but the knight covered his mouth and dragged him out, his wide eyes filled with terror.
As Wayne was dragged out, the king's gaze slowly drifted to Murray.
"How could you have come back at such a coincidence?" He walked up to Muli.
"Your son..."
“Your Majesty! The remaining remnants of the Ferran clan have been completely eradicated.” Tiff strode to Murray’s side, her fur cloak fluttering twice in the air behind her.
She had calculated the timing perfectly; she would arrive at the main hall just as Velé arrived to arrest the Ferrand family members. By the time Velé was taken away, she would be there in time.
"Thanks to you, you noticed Willie's thoughts in time." The King looked at Tiff with satisfaction.
Tiff lowered her eyes. "Lina noticed it in time. She wasn't familiar with the others and was afraid that they might be Willey's confidants, so she passed it on to me."
"Yes, yes." The king turned to look at Lina. "What reward do you want?"
"I am late, and I dare not accept anything."
"No, you deserve this. Hmm... let me think, how about the title of Duke?" The King knew perfectly well that Lina and Tiffany were close, even though Tiffany had said a few words to avoid suspicion.
“There just happens to be an empty seat.” He said this while looking at Tiffany. “What do you think, Duke Stryker?”
"I believe Lina lacks experience and is not suitable," Tiff said, offering only a token of politeness.
"So what? It's settled then."
The three of them were the only ones talking the whole time, completely forgetting about Murray, until the king got tired and told them to go back, at which point they stood up and left.
As she stood up, Tiffany caught a glimpse of Mullie staring intently at her. When she turned around, their eyes met, and she noticed an unreadable emotion in his eyes, which she ignored.
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