Her Graceful War Song

Yuvan's gaze remained indifferent as he turned the emerald ring on his thumb.

"That's not enough. Keep spreading the word that Rafael, the Hell Monarch, is defending the woman to show he's fit for the Supreme Court post he holds. Claim that he's daring to defy public opinion for personal gain, and emphasize that he's just a military man with no understanding of the law or public administration.

"Also, suggest that even the king is deceived by him. Because of Rafael's immense accomplishments and influence, the king is forced to give him some regard."

The subordinate asked, "Do you really believe he will order a reexamination, Your Highness?"

"Of course he will, if there are doubts." Yuvan smiled faintly, a cold, bloodthirsty glint in his eyes. "I understand him well. He is meticulous about human lives. Anyone who values life so seriously will be extremely cautious. With such significant doubts, if he doesn't call for a reexamination, he cannot reconcile with his own conscience."

"Understood. I will proceed as instructed." The subordinate saluted and exited swiftly, disappearing as he wrapped his cloak around him.

Yuvan's lips curled into a playful smile. "Rafael, I want to see your reputation ruined and make sure you never hold military authority again. I want the entire kingdom to understand that you pose a threat to the throne, and that the king fears you, which would further discredit him."

"Wayne!" he called out.NôvelDrama.Org owns all © content.

A middle-aged man in a gray cloak emerged from behind a partition screen depicting the landscape of a mountain scene.

He lowered his head in deference. "Yes, Your Highness!"

Yuvan inquired, "Is there any way to detect the parasitic toxin within the woman?"

Wayne's voice was grave, "It can't be detected. It's just a tiny threadworm hidden in her brain. Even if they cut off her head, they won't be able to detect it. The threadworm only responds to my commands, and for now, the woman won't show any unusual signs."

Yuvan nodded slightly. "Good."

"There's no need for concern, Your Highness. The governor of Brightmoor District is one of our own. Even if the case is sent back for reexamination, it will be presented to the capital as originally planned. The delay will only inflame public anger, which benefits us."

Yuvan's eyes were cold and venomous. "This plan has been in the works for a long time. There must be no mistakes. With Kiera's wedding in August, I will use the opportunity to return to the capital. Before then, Rafael's reputation must be thoroughly tarnished, and Salvador must be labeled as a foolish monarch."

Wayne's expression remained flat.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. This case is just the first step. If Prince Rafael decides to bypass a reexamination and directly executes the woman, we'll have what we want. At that point, we will reveal that the woman was poisoned and driven mad by someone making Prince Rafael a murderer of innocents. Also, they still have the Westhaven matter to address."

Yuvan toyed with the rim of his cup, his eyes dark with contemplation. "Yes, Aurora must not be allowed to live. She must be killed to prevent Salvador from using her to placate publicoutrage. I want the people of Westhaven and Starhaven to have no outlet for their anger, and to

direct all their fury at Salvador and the Sullivan family."

"Understood!" Wayne nodded. "But there is no rush to act now. Currently, Marshal Liam is still obstructing the third prince... No, Westhaven's crown prince now. We should deal with Marshal Liam first, and then move against Aurora."

Yuvan raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "You have confidence in killing Marshal Liam?"

"It is challenging, but it must be done," Wayne replied calmly.

A flicker of ruthlessness appeared in Yuvan's eyes. "Then, proceed. If you need any resources or funds, just let me know."

Wayne frowned in thought before speaking slowly, "There were some underworld figures we could have used, but with so many martial artists arriving for the Hell Monarch and Lady Carissa's wedding, using them might risk leaks."

"That won't do. Haven't you trained any suicide soldiers?" Yuvan asked.

Wayne shook his head. "It is not yet time to deploy them. Training them is difficult, and losing them to Marshal Liam would be a waste."

"Don't worry about that," Yuvan

insisted, weighing the options. "Marshal Liam is an obstruction.

Once he is out of the way, there will

be no one to stop Westhaven's

crown prince. He is focused on

avenging his brother and redrawing the borders. He'll only work with me once Marshal Liam is dead."

Wayne began to speak again, but Yuvan raised a hand to silence him. "Use the suicide soldiers."

Wayne had no choice but to agree, "As you say, Your Highness."

Yuvan added, "Keep the news of the spreading rumors discreet. Ensure Rafael does not find out that it is our doing."

"Don't worry, Your Highness," Wayne replied. "News from Brightmoor District will not be connected to us, given the hundreds of miles between Valken and Brightmoor District."

After a pause, Wayne continued, "Grand Princess Eleanor's daughters have begun to infiltrate various prominent families. They're bound to stir things up and create chaos. When that happens, these families will be too preoccupied with their own problems to offer any support to the court."

Yuvan sipped his coffee, masking the earlier coldness with a facade of the naive, gentlemanly demeanor he usually portrayed. "That's good."