Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 548 Not to Die for the Enemy (Part 2)

As for the other things the other party said...

Due to an accident.

The situation forced me to do so.

It's definitely not a personal grudge.
Thales narrowed his eyes, looking at Jann who was struggling to control himself, but the words of the Duke of the Western Wilderness echoed in his mind:

Before accepting their offer of goodwill, please remember: they are only against your father, not truly loyal to you.

"Oh, really?"

Thales said coldly:

"So, six years ago, you lent the Mangrove Manor to Serena because of an 'accident'?"

"So you were 'forced by circumstances' to put on a show of nice words and get the Queen of the Night to chase after me?"

Jenn's face immediately turned ugly.

“It’s quite a coincidence,” Thales straightened his posture and sneered.

"Do you know what lesson I learned from that woman, Serena, who only came to me because of you?"

Jann's gaze lingered in the void, trembling slightly with each breath.

"But that's what you said; times have changed."

"We have to look forward."

But Thales slowly shook his head and spoke, word by word:
“No, Your Grace, I reject your offer—because I don’t trust you at all.”

The two faced each other silently, maintaining normal postures and proper etiquette.

But the atmosphere was tense in a way that outsiders could not imagine.

Duke Iris frowned for a while, his enunciation seemingly strained:
“I tried my best, I advised you, even begged you, Thales, in a very kind and gentle manner, at least…”

But Thales didn't care about the other person's acting at all, and he interrupted him with a smile:

"Quick question and answer: Why did I go to Exeter back then?"

Jenn raised his eyes.

"For sightseeing? To broaden your horizons? To freeload? To find a wife?"

Thales clicked his tongue and shook his head:
"Neither... Oh, right, I remember now."

Thales's gaze sharpened, and his tone tightened:

"Because a group of domestic vassals joined together to attack and kill the Exeter delegation, but they were used by others, which aroused the wrath of King Nunn."

"And we need a sucker to clean up their mess and wipe their ass?"

Jenn didn't say anything.

"But why did they attack the Exte Mission?"

Thales leaned forward toward the other person, his expression somber:

"And why?"

"Duke Jann Kevin Deer?"

Jenn's brow furrowed incessantly.

“You have been a prince for six years, and now you are the Duke of Starlake—even if the Yankees are stupid and clumsy, they should have taught you that there are some things we cannot control.”

Duke Iris's eyes had turned completely cold, and his tone was no longer polite:

"What happened back then should be kept separate from what it was, and shouldn't have continued to this day, much less involve other things."

One thing at a time?
Thales smiled.

The prince's expression also darkened, his eyes turning cold:
“Tell me, Jen, even now, have you ever thought about it…”

"If I hadn't shown up back then, I would have either died at the hands of vampires or Exterans."

Thales gestured with his chin toward the banquet hall:

"So today, bearing this title, occupying this manor, sitting in this position, watching the endless stream of guests below..."

"It's you?"

Jenn suddenly looked up!

“Thales, this is the last time. Think carefully about your decision,” Duke Iris gritted his teeth, his words carrying a veiled threat.
"I have already made enough concessions, and my proposals are sincere enough."

"Don't force me to become your enemy; you wouldn't have thought of that."

But Thales responded with a cold laugh.

"The last time? A concession?"

Thales clicked his tongue and shook his head:
“‘If you don’t cooperate with me, I will be your enemy.’ You call that a concession?”

Janne stared intently at him; the friendly, smiling Duke of Iris from before was completely gone.

“I never forced you, Janne. Your so-called ‘forced’ situation,” Thales said coldly, “is simply because you couldn’t withstand the external pressure and it was your own choice.”

"On the contrary, from the past to the present, from beginning to end, it is you who are forcing me."

Thales's words carried a warning:
"And everyone must pay the price for their choices."

In that instant, their eyes met, and the temperature seemed to plummet.

Jann snorted angrily.

"When you are young, you may be carefree and fearless."

"But as you grow up, experience more, and have more, you may come to understand that friends are much more important than enemies."

Jenn whispered:

"I would rather die for a friend than for an enemy."

But Thales laughed.

“Do you know that when I first arrived in Dragon Sky City, the arrogant King Nuen VII also threatened me in the same way: either cooperate obediently or die obediently.”

Jenn's eyes flickered.

Thales's smile cooled:

"Guess what happened to him that night?"

“Jann Kevin Deer, how much harder is your head than his?”

Jenn didn't say anything.

But in the next second, the anger on his face melted away like ice and snow, turning into a slight smile.

It was as if the elegant, civilized, gentle, and friendly Duke of Iris had returned.

But at that moment, Thales felt a chill run through him.

“Tell me, Your Highness.”

Jenn's smile remained unchanged as he spoke, word by word:
"You went to the North and lived peacefully for six years. Does that really make you strong, fearless, resilient, and tough?"

Thales frowned.

"No, the truth is, you know it very well yourself."

"For the past six years, you have been in an enemy country, alone and isolated, yet you have been able to return safely without fear, and have achieved the glory, fame and fortune you enjoy today. This is because of the powerful backing you have relied on—because of his supreme crown and scepter."

Thales was startled.

Jenn's dangerous smile made Thales extremely uneasy:
"And now, as the heir to the kingdom, you have escaped danger, returned to the kingdom's protection, returned to the shadow of the throne, and returned to the sight of royal power..."

Duke Iris chuckled:

"Guess what that powerful backing will give you—whether it's unreserved protection and support due to the circumstances of friend or foe?"

"And you, you can still, you still dare to repeat the masterpieces that made you famous, like refusing King Nunn, like confronting King Chaman head-on..."

Should I reject him or confront him directly?

In that instant, it was as if some force was binding Thales tightly from the inside out.

It made him feel a tightness in his chest, and he couldn't move.

"The Second Prince? The Duke of Starlake? Royal bloodline? Ha, you know it all too well, and you're terrified of it all too much."

Thales was breathing with difficulty.

As if sensing Thales's feelings, Jenn's tone also tightened:
"Believe me, you will suffer far more harm in the Star Kingdom than in Exter."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes:

"And those who can harm you are far more powerful than the dukes in the North."

Thales stared at him intently, without saying a word.

"How do you feel, Your Highness? When this happens to you?"

Duke Kevin Deer clicked his tongue:
"That feeling of having your disguise and cover torn away, your vitals seized, leaving you completely unprotected and threatened?"

Thales used all his strength to suppress the urge to turn away and get angry.

“A threat?” Thales knew he couldn’t show weakness, nor could he reveal anything. He replied calmly, “No, Your Grace.”

"You should know that you are not threatening me, but the Starry Sky Royal Family, and even more so, my father."

Jan chuckled softly.

"Then go tell him."

The smile in his eyes made Thales very uncomfortable:
“Tell him that the Duke of South Bank has a bad relationship with you, and that when everyone loves you, flatters you, and counts on you… he dares to speak rudely and make malicious threats.”

“Look at your father, look at our King who loves his people like his own children. Is he inclined to stand up for his son, to help you succeed, to cherish you, and to promote you?”

"Or would you rather see me as a good axe in this kingdom, enough to strike you, threaten you, and suppress you?"

Thales felt a chill run through him.

It never lessened. It was a chilling, unbearable coldness that came after masks, disguises, armor, and clothing had been completely torn away.

“I’ve said it before, this has nothing to do with our family, there’s no need to get involved,” Jann gently shook his head.
"But you insist on being stubborn and going your own way."

Thales suddenly looked at him.

"So what can you do?"

The Duke of Starlake gritted out the words through clenched teeth, but he knew this retaliation would be utterly powerless:
"Send another female vampire to kill me? To murder his heir?"

"Let's see how my father reacts."

Jenn responded with a cold laugh.

“Didn’t we try it once?” Jann Kevin Deer clicked his tongue.

"You get hurt, he benefits—isn't he quite satisfied with that?"

Thales's breath hitched.

"So, is this a declaration of war?" the prince asked through gritted teeth.

Jan stood up gently, still as friendly and approachable as ever.

"No, of course not."

Jann answered with a beaming smile, but then his expression turned chilling:

"Next time is the best time."

"And believe me, I can do much more than that."

Thales clenched his fist.

"Well then, have a pleasant evening, Your Highness Duke of Starlake."

The Duke of Iris, Jann Kevin Deer, bowed gracefully, ironically bidding his final farewell:

"May you find peace in friendship..."

"We will not perish because of the enemy."

Thales watched Jann's departing figure, trying his best to revert to being the proper host of Mindis Hall.

But he found it wasn't so easy.

Jann Kevin Deer.

What on earth is wrong with this guy?

During the banquet, as King Kessel departed, many elderly people, such as Prime Minister Cullen, also left. However, most of the guests remained, drinking and laughing without restraint.

The banquet hall became even noisier after the elders left, with laughter and shouts becoming increasingly wild and unrestrained.

The flag bearers were urging Duke Arend to leave, but he was dawdling and clearly not very cooperative.

Most of the Seven Stars remained in their original positions, seemingly determined to demonstrate their attitude towards Duke Starlake.

The only thing that made Thales happy was that, as the revelry in the banquet hall entered a new phase, no one was bothering His Highness anymore.

Marius finally had the opportunity to come up and report to him.

"You and Duke Kevin Deer seem to be having a good chat?"

Thales gave a soft hum, trying his best to suppress his emotions:
"very nice."

"We are old acquaintances and old friends."

So old that she'll explode at the slightest provocation.

Marius watched Jann's retreating figure, lost in thought:
"Then, Your Highness, if you have any questions, you may ask your guard friend."

Guardian friend...

Thales was taken aback:
"What?"

"You mean—Cohen?"

Marius nodded:

"The Karabyan family of the Vora territory has always been a pillar of the South Bank and has maintained a long-standing friendship with the Kevindir family of Emerald City. We know them very well."

“Especially,” Marius said, looking at the expressionless Thales, then at the Duke of Iris in the distance:

"To resolve grievances and mediate peace."

"Of course, when I say 'ask for advice,' I mean to contact his father through that Cohen Kalabyan guard and ask for his advice."

Not that big, dumb guy.

Resolve grudges...

Thales was startled.

He quickly pinched his cheek to make sure he wasn't showing any hatred or anger.
"Is it so obvious?"

“No, you did very well, you’ve improved since last time,” Marius said calmly, confirming that his senses were still sharp.
"But you know, I'm quite sensitive to the emotions and atmosphere around me."

Thales sighed.

"Okay, speaking of this... what about assassins?"

Marius remained silent for a moment.

“We were fully prepared and have been waiting for him to make his move.”

The Watchman remained unmoved, but Thales, who had spent a long time with him, sensed that Marius was not happy at the moment.

"But, even after His Majesty had left..."

Marius said calmly:

"To be honest, if he doesn't show up soon, I'll start to wonder if I'm being too nervous."

“Oh? That’s quite a rare display of self-awareness on your part, Marius.”

The two men turned around simultaneously: Deputy Captain Vogel stepped forward with a frown and saluted Thales.
“Your Highness, although His Majesty has left, I have been assigned to stay behind with some men until the banquet ends to ensure your safety.”

Thales forced a smile:
"Thank you."

“No need to thank me,” Vogel said, looking at Marius with displeasure.
"I want to thank someone for once again offering selfless advice and working diligently."

Marius remained expressionless.

Both Golov and Doyle returned, but their report was still that everything was normal.

"Perhaps he gave up after His Majesty left."

Thales wearily rubbed his forehead. From Selma to Jann, his head was now completely full, and he had no desire to think about assassins at all.
"It's okay, this is a good thing."

“Or perhaps he is still waiting, including waiting for His Majesty to leave,” Marius said, glancing around the banquet, seemingly unwilling to give up.
"And now is the perfect time to make a move."

Vogel snorted sarcastically.

Thales could only force a smile.

"After His Majesty left... So you mean he came to kill me?"

"Or perhaps one of the dukes present?"

Marius did not answer.

Thales sincerely hoped that:

For example, the one with the surname Kevin Deer?
On the other side, Duke Jann returned to his seat, greeting everyone with a smile, friendly and amiable.

As always, it is truly amazing.

His old butler, Ashford, poured his master a glass of wine without saying a word.

It was Jenn who spoke first:
“Ashford, when you get back, check the books in your house—I mean, the banned books, no matter how old they are.”

Ashford nodded expressionlessly.
What do you want to check?

“A mage,” Jann said calmly.

“Call him Hegel.”

Ashford frowned slightly, but said nothing.

The monk.

magic.

Janne silently scoffed in his heart.

Damn Star Royal Family.

It's true, they dare to teach anything to their descendants.

As Jann thought this, he looked at Duke Starlake.

Just then, Thales also looked toward the Duke of Iris.

Their eyes met in mid-air, one friendly, the other indifferent.

Yet it is equally complex.

Both of them felt a deep sense of unease.

As if by unspoken agreement, they smiled at each other and nodded in unison.

And that mysterious assassin.

They made their move at that very moment.

(Celebrating the milestone of "Bloodline of the Kingdom" reaching 300 million words!)
Hello everyone, it's me again! Your favorite dog, the neighbor's dog next door! Woof!
Wu Jian has been engrossed in reading novels these past few days, so I'll be ghostwriting the book! Woof!

It's said that if you vote with monthly tickets, I'll write the next chapter a little faster! Woof!

By the way, my surname is Duan and my given name is Zhang.

Woof!
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(End of this chapter)