Chapter 470
Chapter 470
Arthur thought if Xander ever set his mind on usurping the throne, none of his sons would stand a chance against him.
Noticing Arthur’s troubled expression, Thanatus thoughtfully handed him a cup of coffee. “Your Majesty, is it the Osborne family that’s weighing on your mind p>
Arthur accepted the coffee with a weary sigh. “Fermin must be reined in. He’s grown increasingly unruly lately-even tried to recruit the Minister of Finance. Fortunately, that old stickler Alfred didn’t join his faction. With Fermin making so many moves these days, I have no choice but to stay vigilant p>
Thanatus’s eyes shifted thoughtfully as he lowered his voice. “Your Majesty, with the court currently balanced between three major factions, only mutual checks can ensure stability. In my humble opinion, Ferris could serve Your Majesty’s purposes well. Perhaps Your Majesty might consider elevating him further p>
Thanatus had served as Arthur’s most trusted confidant for decades.
Although eunuchs were forbidden from meddling in state affairs, Arthur trusted Thanatus implicitly and would occasionally
seek his counsel.
Arthur looked at Thanatus, perplexed. “Elevate Ferris? Hasn’t he already amassed enough power p>
“Your Majesty, you’ve given Ferris power in the shadows. If you were to grant him open authority, he would surely be even more loyal. Only Your Majesty holds the antidote to his poison-why worry about betrayal? I suggest using him to counterbalance the Osborne family, and even… the Xander Manor p>
Thanatus’s words were shockingly bold-had they come from anyone else, the speaker would have lost their head on the
Spol
But Arthur pondered carefully. The Xander Manor now wielded overwhelming power, and it was indeed a major concern weighing on his mind.
Thanatus spoke truly, Arthur thought to himself. It was high time he cultivated a faction of his own.
Arthur chuckled, clearly intrigued. “You old fox. Since you can say something like that, you must already have a plan. Tell me-how exactly do you propose to elevate him p>
Thanatus flashed an obsequious smile and said, “Your Majesty, Prince Fermin has always maintained close ties with Princess Lizzie. If Your Majesty were to bestow the princess in marriage to Ferris, she would surely become Your Majesty’s staunch ally.
Arthur furrowed his brow and murmured, “Lizzie is indeed of marriageable age… but with her willful nature, I doubt Ferris could rein her in p>
“Your Majesty may not be aware, but Princess Lizzie has taken quite a fancy to Ferris,” Thanatus reported respectfully. “I even heard Her Highness once approached the Queen Mother to mediate in this matter p>
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Is that so p>
“I wouldn’t dare speak out of turn,” Thanatus replied with utmost deference, bowing his head low,
“I hadn’t heard of this before, but now that you mention it, it’s not a bad match after all,” Arthur chuckled. “With Lizzie’s wild temperament, she really needs someone who can rein her in-lest she spend all day cavorting with that entourage of male
paramours p>
Thanatus offered a silent, deferential smile.
Such remarks were reserved for the King alone; as a servant, Thanatus knew better than to overstep his bounds.
Having made up his mind, Arthur immediately penned an imperial edict and ordered Thanatus to deliver it to Ferris’s residence.
After leaving the Heaven Hall, Thanatus didn’t head straight out of the palace. Instead, he took a detour down a secluded path outside the hall.
Lizzie, accompanied by several palace maids, was waiting there.
“Your Highness,” Thanatus approached and murmured softly.
Lizzie, dressed in a bright yellow court gown, turned around. When she saw the imperial edict in Thanatus’s hand, her eyes lit up with excitement. “It’s done p>
Thanatus nodded slightly, bowed respectfully, and said, “It’s settled, Your Highness. By His Majesty’s command, I must deliver the edict to Chief Inspector Ferris’s residence at once. May I offer his felicitations to Your Highness p>
“Thank you, Thanatus,” Lizzie said with a smile, while her maid hastily stuffed a thick stack of banknotes into his hand.
Thanatus made a show of declining before finally accepting it with practiced ease.
Thanatus said, “Your Highness, I must attend to urgent matters. I beg to take my leave p>
Lizzie nodded. “You may take your leave, Thanatus p>
Once everyone had left, Lizzie couldn’t contain her gleeful laughter. “Ferris, Ferris,” she crowed triumphantly, “let’s see you try to escape me now p>
One of the maids beside her, looking puzzled, asked, “Your Highness, isn’t Ferris merely a Chief Inspector? Are you truly willing to marry someone like him p>
“Why not? Have you seen that handsome face of his?” Lizzie said with a smirk.
Lizzie cackled maniacally. “Compared to those other ugly creeps, I like him. But he doesn’t know his place-how dare he ignore me time and again? Just wait until we’re married; I’ll make sure he regrets it p>
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.