Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 738 Hidden murderous intent

Count Zedi, Achison Lacia, and his eldest son sat weary from their journey in the study, dressed in simple yet sturdy hunting attire, their leg wraps still fastened.

“When Your Highness sent the letter, we were hunting outside the city. The journey was long, and we did not have time to return home to change into formal attire for the audience,” Earl Acheson coughed. “Such rudeness is truly an offense.”

The count's eldest son nodded slightly.

The second prince, who was behind the desk, waved.

“The Lasia family worships the Juranz branch of the Sunset Temple. They are simple, hardworking, and practice austere asceticism. How could I not know this? Why should I blame them?”

Thales didn't look up; he was engrossed in flipping through a thick book, "Chronicles of the Southern Bank Lords," the page stopping at a family genealogy depicting a four-winged giant lizard.

"I must have sent the invitations in a rush and urged them too much... Ah, I hadn't noticed before, but the Lasia family has a glorious history and outstanding achievements, tracing back all the way to the founding of the Star Kingdom?"

Lasia and his son exchanged a glance.

Thales turned to the next page with great interest, beginning the history of the Lasia family:

Six hundred years ago, the End Sea had only recently been formed. The swamp forest south of Emerald City was remote and had a complex terrain. Furthermore, various tribes in the swamp, whose totem was the lizard, resisted stubbornly. As a result, the king's rule was not smooth and his decrees were difficult to implement.

At that time, John I of Black Eyes, a warlike and skilled warrior, was leading his army north to Ext. After receiving news of the rebellion of the Zedi, he refused his subordinates' angry request to fight. Instead, Black Eyes unexpectedly sent an unknown and powerless minor official to the unruly Zedi.

With virtually no support, the minor official, carrying the king's orders, ventured deep into the marshland with his four sons.

In the first year, he left and never returned, disappearing without a trace.

Two years later, letters were sent from Ze region: various tribes began to send envoys to the capital and successively pledged allegiance.

Within five years, the minor official was granted a noble title and was allowed to build a fort in the center of the marshland, reclaim wasteland, and establish villages and towns.

Ten years later, the four most powerful tribes in the swamp have all declined due to their mutual feuds.

Thirty years later, the population of the marshland had greatly increased, and the people all obeyed the lord's banner, knew the king's power, and despised the barbarity and bloodshed of the past.

Only then did the Ze region truly and completely become part of the Star Territory.

Thus, even the arrogant and demanding John I, sitting on his throne, first laughed loudly at his mistress and then exclaimed, "The swamp monitor lizard, though toothless and clawless, harbors deadly intent!"

And so, the former minor grain official, now the newly appointed Earl of the Swamp, "Giant Lizard" Bodman Lacia, established his foundation and family in the Swamp with the four-winged giant lizard as his family crest and the king's golden words ("Swamp Giant Lizard, a hidden danger") as his family motto.

Although they have experienced many ups and downs over the centuries—suffering heavy losses in the civil war between the two stars, nearly being wiped out in the continental war, once fighting against the lords of the Blade's Edge, almost losing their throne and title during the Red King's reign, and even being specifically reprimanded by the wise king in the famous "Kingdom Selection Rules" as an example of nepotism—the Lacia family, as one of the thirteen noble families and granted the title of Earl of real power, has finally survived to this day and sits on the nineteen stone seats of the Hall of Stars.

"Tsk tsk, truly impressive. Navigating so skillfully among multiple lizard tribes, maneuvering and conquering the swamp without firing a single shot," Thales remarked. "If I were Blackeye, why would I need to lead an army north? I could have simply sent the 'Giant Lizard' to Exter, and perhaps today the banner of the Double Stars would be flying over Dragon Peak..."

“Thank you, Your Highness, for instructing us on our family’s rise to power,” Earl Atchison interrupted impatiently, “but I suspect you invited us here today for Kevindy…”

“Although Your Highness is forgiving, I must say this,” the Earl’s eldest son suddenly spoke, pressing down on Acheson, “Father, it’s all your fault for insisting on chasing that wild boar, which left us no time to even prepare our clothes. It was truly rude of you.”

“Uh, I was… alright, alright, good son, you are the heir, you are right.” Earl Atchison awkwardly backed down.

The count's eldest son then nodded.

Thales watched in amazement.

“Look, Your Highness, he’s just so stubborn,” Earl Acheson said helplessly. “No amount of scolding or beating works. He’s completely unreasonable and only makes people angry.”

He's completely stubborn.

It might even be toothless and clawless.

Thales had to start the conversation himself:
"Very well, do you know why I invited you here?"

"Please enlighten me, Your Highness," the Earl's eldest son said respectfully.

Ok.

It seems he'll have to be the one spouting nonsense.

Thales sighed:

“A few days ago, when Jenn was accused at the election, Earl Atchison, you stepped forward to support the Duke and loudly condemned Federico…”

Earl Acheson frowned at first, but then straightened his chest upon hearing this.

"In the subsequent council chamber, you first insisted that Jenn return power to Kongming Palace, and then supported Hilly in ruling as regent..."

The eldest son of the count remained expressionless.

"I heard that you've recently been contacting some adults who still have feelings for Jenn, trying to gather a voice and reclaim 'South Shore for the South Shore'?"

Thales put down his book, frowned, and shook his head:

"This series of actions is really, sigh, they really don't give me any face."

The father and son, Lasia, exchanged a glance, their expressions darkening.

But as members of the thirteen prominent families, they were not so easily subdued.

"I know what you're going to do, Your Highness."

Earl Atchison, his face flushed, snorted:

"Hmph, I know. The whole Emerald City is buzzing with the news that you've completely fallen out with Duke Janne and his sister, and that you even got beaten up by the siblings... It's safe to say that now you either have to kill them, or you'll have to slink away in disgrace—"

“But the Lassia family also has its own dignity and stance,” the count’s eldest son said in a deep voice, interrupting his father’s unrestrained remarks.

Earl Atchison nodded with a hum:
“Yes, if you want to force us to switch allegiance and betray Duke Janne, then that is absolutely impossible…”

Thales resisted touching the wound on his face and interrupted, speaking up:

"The irises have been robbed and are in such a sorry state, yet the Earl remains as loyal as ever, which is truly touching."

Earl Acheson pouted and said:

"That's because the four-winged monitor lizard and the iris have had a deep friendship for hundreds of years, always standing together through thick and thin..."

“I did not ask you to switch allegiance,” Thales said calmly, closing the Chronicle of the Southern Bank Lords. “I just find it a little strange.”

The count and his son were both taken aback.

“My dear Earl Atchison, you were indignant and roared in the election hall,” Thales said softly. “But when I think back, if you hadn’t shouted like that as a knight, Federico might not have been able to find a way to continue, and the audience’s reaction would not have been nearly as enthusiastic.”

Earl Acheson felt his eyelids twitch.

"Later, you took the lead in the council chamber for the establishment of the regency, being the first to loudly advocate for Janne and oppose my rule," Thales continued, "but because your stance against the royal family was too clear and radical, it made your sympathizers hesitate to speak out, and instead provoked protests from many opponents..."

Upon hearing this, the eldest son of the count, who was sitting at the lower end of the table, became even more serious.

"As for you at this time—I just got a beating from the Jenn siblings and I'm still furious—uniting the major forces in the South Bank Territory that are loyal to Jenn, claiming that you want to take back 'the South Bank of the South Bank'..." Thales' words became more and more aggressive, "Isn't that counterproductive, pulling them out and making them targets for me to shoot?"

The prince raised his head, his eyes flashing like swords.

"Looking at it this way, Lord Acheson," he clicked his tongue, "you're really just making things worse for Jenn."

"you--"

Earl Acheson's expression changed, and anger welled up inside him, but his eldest son grabbed him and held him down.

“Ze is located in a remote area and has little access to civilization. My father is also dull and slow-witted, and acts impulsively. He often does good deeds but ends up making things worse,” the eldest son of the count explained in a deep voice. “In fact, our family has discussed—Father, shut up—whether to deprive him of his right to speak to outsiders.”

Earl Atchison was both shocked and furious. Pointing incredulously at his eldest son, his words trailed off, lacking the necessary force:
"Hey, how could you... how could you tell anyone about this..."

“But Father is grateful for the Duke’s kindness, and his every word and action is out of loyalty to Emerald City. I believe Your Highness can understand,” the Earl’s eldest son concluded his explanation.

Thales turned his head and carefully examined the eldest son of Lasia, who was usually taciturn but seemed to be the true head of the family.

"Sorry, I forgot... what's your name?"

The count's eldest son frowned slightly.

“Eddie, Eddie Lacia,” said Earl Atchison, grumbling, “that was his name when his grandfather was alive, out of respect, of course, but later, for some reason…”

“After the bloody year, people rarely call me by my name anymore,” the count’s eldest son explained.

Thales raised an eyebrow knowingly.

“Very good—Eddie.”

Acheson and Eddie both frowned.

“Indeed, everything you’ve done recently—whether it’s taking a stand, speaking out for Janne, condemning Federico, or forming cliques against my absolute power—seems flawless, befitting your status as local South Coast officials, and appears to be genuine, upright, and honest, not feigned.”

Thales smiled slightly.

“As for the fact that every time you do something, you add fuel to the fire and make the situation go against Jenn… that’s probably just a coincidence,” Thales said, then changed the subject. “But if it’s not a coincidence, then that’s interesting.”

The count's eldest son frowned, about to reply, but Thales didn't give him the chance and continued:
"For example, when I first arrived in Emerald City, a case came to the court concerning a grain tax dispute between a local baron and his landed farmers. Thanks to Janne's presence and eloquence, and thanks to the proper and impartial handling of the case by the late Judge Brennan, the controversy was quelled and the situation was prevented from escalating."

Upon hearing this, Earl Acheson's expression changed slightly.

"But the matter did not end there. My men relentlessly pursued the investigation and discovered that someone had secretly set up a scheme. They did not show themselves but instead had the greedy grain merchants' guild hire street thugs from the Blood Bottle Gang to incite conflict between the baron and his farmers, escalating their conflict until it reached the Kongming Palace, tearing apart the bloody contradictions between the new system and the old nobility on the southern shore of the territory."

Thales sneered:

"Whoever set the trap must know very well how the finances and taxes between local lords and farmers operate, and even have firsthand experience and empathy to accurately exacerbate the conflict. But the most remarkable thing is that they hide behind the scenes, leaving all the consequences to the parties involved, and even the profit-driven grain merchants' guild—even Judge Janne and Judge Brennan did not notice anything amiss."

If it weren't for Golov and Rolf stumbling upon the Blood Bottle Gang's gathering and overhearing some inside information, and if the beloved prince's attendant hadn't been a perfectionist detail-oriented person who liked to take notes word for word and meticulously investigate, Thales probably wouldn't have found out.

Thinking of this, Thales clicked his tongue and shook his head:

"It truly has the air of 'toothless and clawless, yet harboring deadly intent'."

Upon hearing this, Earl Atchison could no longer contain himself; he gritted his teeth:
"Your Highness, if you continue with this sarcastic tone—"

“Father!” Eddie interrupted the Earl at the opportune moment.

He slowly raised his head and looked directly at Thales.

"Your Highness's accusations are dangerous."

"That's not all."

Thales shook his head slightly.

"In order to arbitrate between Jann and Federico, I had to dig up old cases: back when the Iris Flower Clan was fighting amongst themselves, the Lacia family of Zedi was caught in a dilemma and could only remain neutral. It wasn't until the Duke of Lenster was unfortunately assassinated that the Lacia family chose sides and pledged allegiance to Jann, who had returned to power, and insisted that Sonna Kevindir was the mastermind behind it all..."

In that instant, Count Lacia's expression visibly stiffened.

Thales shook his head, as if he were talking about some trivial family matter.

"What happened next was much simpler: Caught in the political strife and condemned by everyone, the prime suspect, Sonna Kevindeer, was brought to the dock and accused of committing the heinous crime of fratricide. However, before the case was concluded, Sonna himself left a note in prison and committed suicide out of fear of punishment."

"That was the truth at the time, and the evidence is conclusive."

Compared to his father, Eddie replied in a deep voice, skillfully avoiding the trap in Thales's words:

"The Lasia family simply made the most realistic, wisest, and most beneficial choice for the stability of the South Bank and for the peace of the kingdom."

Thales nodded.

"So later, when young Federico sought justice for his father and attempted to seize power in Archsea City in rebellion against the new Duke, it was you who were the first to learn of this, informed the Sky Palace, and had Jann send a legion to Archsea City to wipe out Viscount Sona's remnants and capture Federico... Thus, the matter came to an end, and Emerald City and the South Coast Territory weathered the chaos of the change of rule and returned to their former peace and tranquility."

Thales gave the father and son a sharp look:

"Tsk tsk, the Lasia family always stands on the right side at crucial moments, plays a role, and turns the tide. They are truly the backbone of the kingdom and the pillars of the South Bank."

Faced with the increasingly obvious sarcastic tone, Earl Acheson clenched his fists in anger, but his eldest son held his wrists firmly, so he remained silent.

"But you probably didn't expect that, in all these years, besides Federico who is on the run, there is another person in Emerald City who is still holding a grudge about what happened back then and can't let go of his doubts."

Thales's face darkened:
"That's right, the judge in the case of the Duke's murder, the Grand Inquisitor Brennan, who unfortunately passed away a few days ago."

Upon hearing this, the count and his son both changed color!

Thales opened the drawer and slowly took out letter after letter and notebook after notebook, laying them out neatly on the table.

“That unresolved case became a lingering worry for Brennan for many years, which he wrote about in his letters and diaries—even though the victim was the Duke, a close friend of his, even though the defendant who committed suicide was his most hated political enemy, Soner, and even though closing the case was the most realistic, wisest, and ‘most conducive to the stability of the South Bank’ choice.”

“Brennan? That old man, humph,” Earl Atchison glanced at the letters piled on the table and sneered, “Who the hell keeps a diary?”

Thales shook his head:

"Thus, Brennan has been relentlessly investigating for many years: the Iris Flower Strife of that year involved many parties and different forces, but only one family claimed to be neutral, which was just a pretense."

Earl Acheson was about to speak again, but his eldest son slowly shook his head.

Then Thales chuckled and continued:
"In fact, they had long ago formed an alliance with Viscount Sona to help him rival the Duke of Lenster: instigating the old nobles to sideline the new nobles, oppressing merchants and artisans, opposing the new system and business, inciting farmers to rebel against their superiors, and even secretly spreading rumors that the Duke was senile, superstitious, and incapable of ruling..."

"Your Highness—"

This time, without the eldest son's attempt to appease him, Thales himself wouldn't allow the Earl to interrupt, determined to finish his sentence in one go:

"But the Duke's death was unexpected. The family felt something was wrong and, fearing suspicion, immediately took sides and sided with Janne."

"In the courtroom that year, under the watchful eyes of everyone, it was the head of that family who first stood up and accused Viscount Sona of murdering his own brother. This provoked the hot-tempered Sona to lose his temper and knock out two of the other man's teeth. This not only made the trial impossible to continue, but also made people think that Sona's anger confirmed the suspicion, while the count was righteous and innocent."

“Brennan later speculated that it was just a show, and that the count had probably made a deal with Viscount Sonner: the latter would cause a scene in court to delay the trial and buy time to commit suicide, while the former would fulfill his promise to handle Sonner’s affairs after his death—this was probably the reason why Federico later managed to escape with his life on the high seas and seek refuge in the Land of Night.”

At this point, Thales didn't look at the expressions on the faces of the two people in front of him, but simply closed his eyes and sighed.

“That’s right. These days, I’ve been thinking: Federico’s courage to return after so many years to seek revenge and seize power in the Emerald City, which Jann has managed so meticulously, is not without support. He must have an inside man in the city.”

Thales opened his eyes and looked at the Count, who was trembling and gritting his teeth, and the Count's eldest son, whose expression was cold.

"But I've been guessing wrong all along."

It's not Hilla.

It's not the Kingdom's Secret Service either.

"Because his allies are hiding too deep, too tightly, too innocent, too indifferent, too harmless, and doing things that are completely unnoticed."

Thales picked up the thick volume of "Chronicles of the Southern Bank Lords" and carefully wiped the worn cover:

"Just like the historical subjugation of the swamp, the function, attitude and stance of the four-winged monitor lizard should not be judged by appearances alone."

He looked at the two people in front of him with great interest:

"It has no claws or teeth, yet it harbors deadly intent."

Neither Count Lacia nor Eddie, the heir of the four-winged giant lizard, spoke; the latter gripped his father's shoulder tightly.

"and many more."

Thales seemed to have thought of something and blurted out jokingly:

"You wouldn't happen to be the murderers who killed the Duke back then, would you?"

Not satisfied, he laughed and continued to ask:

"No way, right?"

The study was very quiet.

No one answered him.

At this moment, compared to Earl Atchison's burning anger and near loss of composure, Eddie himself remained silent and quiet.

The only thing that caught his eye was the look in Thales' eyes.

Profound and complex.

"Hehe, don't be angry."

Several seconds later, Thales, having tested the waters enough, chuckled and sheepishly put his book back.

"I'm just kidding."

----

"Kasha Karabyan of the Vora Territory".

"Kina Karabyan of the Twin Towers Longsword Family".

With their hair styled, makeup applied, and dressed in solemn formal attire, the two young women, one in purple and one in yellow, entered Thales's—or rather, Jann's—study.

"To the newly appointed acting lord of Emerald City..."

"Concurrently serving as Chief Regent of the South Bank..."

Kasha and Qina had serious expressions, bent their knees deeply, and moved in perfect unison, as if they were cut from the same mold.

"Your Highness Thales, the noble and wise prince!"

Thales was quite unaccustomed to their formal etiquette and demeanor.

It seems that a change in status can cause even the demon twins to act out of character.

Thinking of this, the young man frowned slightly and waved for the servants to leave.

"Alright, no need for formalities, please sit down."

The two countess daughters then rose respectfully and took their seats with poise.

But that's not all. They opened two magnificent folding fans in unison, with neat and solemn ancient imperial script on the fan surfaces. One read, "The prince's rule will be remembered for eternity," and the other, "The crown prince's governance will bring blessings to all people."

Thales's expression darkened.

Well, some things will never change.

"Um, actually, I wanted you all to come today..."

Kai'Sa's expression turned serious:
"Of course, Emerald City is currently mired in a quagmire, which concerns the entire southern coast and affects the kingdom's major policies. How could we not know this?"

Qina nodded, her gaze sharp:

"His Highness has been worrying about this day and night, unable to eat or sleep, and extremely anxious. How could we, as his subjects, not know this?"

Thales paused for a moment.

strangeness……

The Karabyan sisters exchanged a glance, seemingly reaching some kind of consensus, and nodded vigorously.

"Although the Karabyan tribe is weak and of low status, it's just a drop in the ocean..."

Even though we are both young and incompetent...

The two sisters spoke with firmness and determination:

"But it is my duty to do so..."

"Fearless..."

"No matter what lies ahead, whether it's a mountain of knives or a sea of ​​fire..."

"Still a massive army..."

"Boundless River of Hell..."

"Wedding hall..."

The two young ladies simultaneously flipped their folding fans, one displaying the inscription "Turning the Tide" and the other "Saving the Day," and said in unison:
"I am willing to go through fire and water for His Highness Thales!"

The study became quiet.

wrong.

Thales frowned deeply as he watched Kasha and Qina's passionate and resolute posture.

strangeness.

He stared intently at these two ladies from prominent families, whom even Granny Valencia couldn't find fault with.

Although the two still had perfect chemistry, each only said half of a sentence...

But I always feel like... something's missing?
However, the two Miss Karabyans were impeccably dressed, dignified, and calmly and composedly accepted the prince's suspicious gaze, keeping their eyes straight ahead.

Ok?
Suddenly, Thales had a brilliant idea.

“Don’t be nervous, Mira isn’t here,” Thales coughed. “She has other business to attend to.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the two sisters' eyes lit up!
They exchanged a glance, exhaled simultaneously, and snapped their folding fans shut.

"Hey, you should have said so earlier, it would have saved us from stuffing in so many protective pads..."

"It's making people afraid to eat too much at meals..."

"This position is really suffocating me..."

"You should get a pair of comfortable boots..."

"Hey, it just doesn't feel right not to have brought my little whip..."

"And my lovely spiked boots..."

The demon twins from Vora territory, one rubbing their lower back and the other pounding their calves, had exaggerated expressions and casual movements, no longer displaying the affected manner they had just displayed.

Thales coughed again:
"that……"

But before he could finish speaking, Kasha immediately looked up, her face beaming with a smile:

"Oh, my beloved prince!"

Qina raised an eyebrow and clicked her tongue repeatedly:

"Ah, my lovely prince!"

Thales squinted and nodded, propping his head up with his elbow and waiting.

Let me just say...

Something is missing.

"In those turbulent times, he sat alone on the throne of leadership..."

"Working tirelessly and selflessly, protecting the well-being of everyone..."

Kasha and Qina went back and forth, their performances full of emotion:

"He simply forgot about his own life's most important matter, his personal happiness..."

"Both captivating and endearing..."

"How can we forget you, even though we think about you day and night?"

The two girls had sorrowful eyes and their voices were filled with grief:
"Only silent companionship!"

"Follow me to the death!"

"Even though there is a separation between Yin and Yang..."

"I will never forget this in my lifetime!"

Seeing this, Thales rubbed his chin and sighed deeply:

That's right, that's more like it. These are the devilish twins he knows.

As the two sisters sang in a long, drawn-out harmony, Thales coughed, abruptly interrupting them:

“Very well, I guess you already know what happened… Well, don’t be surprised by the injury on my face…”

Unsurprisingly, he was interrupted again.

"Oh dear, my poor little darling, this world is so hard and so cruel..."

"The presence of a strange and wicked woman has diminished his prestige."

"Later, rumors spread, causing him great harm."

"All my painstaking efforts have only resulted in me being covered in wounds."

"The once-famous city has become desolate and dilapidated."

Kasha started dancing on the spot, feigning a heartbroken, swaying pose, while Qina timely pulled out blood-red flower petals and scattered them all over the sky:

"But he remained determined to improve himself and struggled relentlessly..."

"If this is the price of wise rule..."

"Then may the setting sun bestow upon him a wise and intelligent wife..."

"Let the hardworking young people who have been suffering all day smile again!"

The two sisters quickly put away their old folding fans and unfolded a new folding fan that appeared out of nowhere. It was also covered with beautiful cursive imperial script, with the words "I dedicate myself to the country" written on the left and "I can also dedicate myself to you" on the right, and displayed it in front of Thales.

Thales sighed and continued, forcing himself to continue:

"Therefore, in Emerald City now, there is a small group of people—led by Jann's sister—who oppose my rule and are causing me trouble and hindering my progress..."

But Kasha and Qina seemed still immersed in their own little drama, arguing with teary eyes:

"Wait, sister, which virtuous wife did you just mention?"

Which one are you referring to?

"You really want me to tell you?"

"Okay, sis, how about two then?"

"two!"

"Humph!"

"cut!"

Boom boom boom!
"And I've had enough!"

Kasha and Qina both paled.

Thales impatiently slammed her hand on the table and raised her voice to interrupt their terrifying, layered chanting:

"It's time to act decisively, solve the problem, and bring Emerald City back to normal—do you support me?"

The two girls huddled together, flipping their fans over to cover their lips, whispering amongst themselves:
"Tsk tsk tsk, sister, he actually asked us if we support him..."

"Of course I support it!"

"How can a vassal not support the prince?"

"How can a mistress not support her lover?"

"Sister, is that how you use that word?"

"Ahem, the usage is wrong, but the content is correct..."

"Oh, sister, he's still secretly watching us... How embarrassing..."

"Trust me, sister, don't be ashamed, this is all about who's more shameless..."

Thales had to cough loudly again to pull them out of the air chamber of the two-person theater.

The two girls then turned around seriously, one with a domineering gaze, the other blushing with shyness:
"Good heavens, Your Highness, you actually need to ask this question..."

"It's clear we don't get along very often..."

"So that I can teach you..."

Kasha and Qina, one on each side, flung their sleeves, their cries of pain echoing like blood:

"Our love is unwavering, and will last until death!"

"Hmph, let that ugly monster Hilai die!"

"The Star will prevail!"

"Your Highness is the most handsome!"

Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!
Despite his embarrassment, Thales gave his full support and clapped enthusiastically.

"Good! Very good, very good!"

His Highness, with an expression that was neither entirely serious nor entirely perfunctory, said in a way that was both genuine and feigned:
"Then why don't we start with your Kalabyan region?"

The study fell silent for a moment.

But soon, Kasha's expression changed drastically; she turned pale and exaggeratedly covered her face.

"what?"

In perfect unison, Qina also withdrew, clasped her hands, and spoke in a trembling voice:

"what?"

"You want to start with us?"

"He's going to attack us!"

The two sisters exchanged a glance, their surprise tinged with excitement:
"Are you finally going to make your move against us sisters?"

"He's finally going to make a move against us sisters!"

"oops……"

"Ouch..."

They both nodded, swaying from side to side in unison, and exclaimed excitedly:
"I can't wait!"

boom! ! !
"Alright! That's enough!"

Thales slammed his fist on the table, roaring in pain as he did so:

"Stop doing that to me!"

"Yes, yes, don't get the whole set..."

"Less foreplay, let's get started..."

"It will definitely give you a great time..."

"Whom to start with? Top or bottom? Inside or outside? Gentle or rough?"

Thales' brow furrowed visibly, forming a deep furrow.

But the sins of the River of Hell surged forth, helping him to build a thick skin and desperately resist his opponent's terrifying and shameless off-topic song and dance offensive:

"It's because of Cohen, right?"

Thales rubbed his forehead and gritted his teeth, saying:
"You had no choice but to do this because of him."

The Karabyan sisters were startled and quickly covered their mouths, looking aggrieved.

"of course not!"

"We volunteered!"

But the topic veered off course again:

"It's not for my brother's career advancement that I'm forced to pander to my superior and offer myself to His Highness!"

"For the sake of her family, she surrendered herself to the domineering prince and signed a shameful, intimate, and unequal contract!"

Kai'Sa winked:
"Blessed with such favor, she was powerless to resist..."

Qina's eyes were full of anticipation:

"But in the end, it melted the heart of the Ice Prince..."

"And then take over the kingdom after his unfortunate death..."

"To forge a new generation of iron-blooded queen!"

"Shh! He doesn't need to know this..."

"Ahem, yeah... hey, sister, but these kinds of storylines aren't popular in theaters anymore..."

"I know, but it sounds even more exciting, doesn't it?"

"Is it the domineering prince or the iron-blooded queen part?"

"All of them!"

"Ugh, your thoughts are so filthy..."

"But everyone likes it!"

Thales let out a slow sigh. Having grown accustomed to their speaking style, he automatically ignored the meaningless banter and got straight to the point.

"Actually, I can understand."

Amidst their incessant chatter, Thales said in a deep voice:

“That fool Cohen, out of loyalty or stupidity, was kept in the dark and followed me into the Palace of Restoration, thus angering His Majesty.”

Or rather, His Majesty needs to be angered by this matter.

The sisters' chatter ceased instantly.

Thales clearly saw in his Hellish Senses that Kasha and Qina's breaths hitched simultaneously.

But the next second, the two sisters changed their expressions again.

"Oh my god, he's really using my mentally challenged brother to threaten us!" Kasha exclaimed in surprise and panic.

"Here it comes! The tragic heroine is betrayed by her father and brothers and has no choice but to sell herself to save her family, thus getting involved with a charming and arrogant prince..." Qina said with anticipation and surprise.

Its emotions are abundant and flow naturally, making it a perfect whole.

But Thales was no longer buying into that:
“Cohen is, after all, the heir to the Twin Towers Longsword, which puts the Karabyan family in danger, and given my father’s character, he won’t let this go.”

They would not miss the opportunity to take advantage of this.

Thales propped himself up with his hands:
"Therefore, as an apology and compensation, the King asks you to fully cooperate in this Emerald City coup—for example, to stand by and watch when Jann loses power, or even nod in agreement and give him a hand."

Thales's eyes were sharp as he glanced at the two sisters.

"So you two will replace Count Turamy Karabyan and come to Emerald City to witness this coup d'état."

Kasha and Qina both froze for a second.

The two stopped their exaggerated movements, quickly huddled together, and pretended to shiver in the cold winter for warmth:

"Oops!"

"He suddenly became very scared."

"And delicious..."

"Are you scared again?"

Thales sneered:
"But to be honest, Emerald City changed hands under the oppression of the monarchy. You don't like this, and it's not in the interest of the Twin Towers. So it's understandable that you're listless and passive in your work."

The next second, Thales suddenly looked up, her eyes fixed on the two sisters:

"Until I discovered that you, Karabyan, have done far more than this these days!"

The Karabyan sisters both trembled:
"Oh dear!"

"He suddenly seemed shrewd and capable!"

"And shrewd..."

"Forced again?"

"What do you mean by 'forceful'?"

"What do you mean by forcing it?"

boom!
Thales slammed his hand on the table with a cold expression ("It hurts so much!!!"—a younger Thales writhing in pain, clutching his hand in his mind), interrupting their pointless but deliberately malicious conversation:

“From the very first day you arrived in Emerald City, you two seemed to be irreconcilable enemies with Hilla Kevindir…”

The two sisters' chattering defenses rang out at just the right moment:

"Because it is truly unacceptable!"

"It's either her or me..."

"It's either me or her!"

"Unless you speak first?"

Thales remained undisturbed, focusing solely on the subject matter:
"You seem to care only about eating, drinking, and having fun, and are indifferent to government affairs..."

"Because Emerald City is really delicious and fun!"

"Otherwise, what are we here for?"

"Do you think we're tough, tomboyish women?"

"What's there to care about in a man's affairs!"

Thales gritted his teeth, his mind replaying the chaotic Emerald City of the past few days:
"You all seem to be envious and admiring of me, trying your best to please me..."

"Because I really admire him..."

"Also because I'm really envious..."

"They'd love to please me first, then devour me whole!"

"Eat it all up, eat it all up!"

Boom!
Thales slammed his fist on the table that belonged to Jenn again:
"They even stood up to support me after the election incident, supporting my appointment as acting city lord and regent of Kongming Palace..."

"Of course we support you!"

"Are we going to support that ugly, despicable woman, Hillary?"

"The young man will eventually become king!"

"We will surely be queens!"

"Inherit the king's legacy again—oops, I let it slip again..."

Thales took a deep breath:

"Even during the audience just now, he appeared extremely loyal and obedient..."

"I don't want this either! Who wants to be so humble in front of the person they love..."

"Even though she's a young lady, she still has dignity and should be reserved!"

"But if I don't do this, how am I supposed to win you over... Waaah..."

"If we don't do this... you won't even look at us properly, so what are we supposed to do then, boohoo..."

Thales slowly grasped the knack, clearing his mind amidst the two men's eye-catching, exaggerated performance, and calmly spoke.

"But behind the scenes, you have been implying, tacitly approving, and condoning your vassals and partners to secretly resist my rule over Kongming Palace, and to outwardly comply while inwardly opposing it."

Thales's eyes turned cold:
"To form an alliance with Janne, to go against the tide, and to defy the king's command."

At that moment, the two girls, who had been chattering away, suddenly fell silent.

But they exchanged a glance, then spoke one after the other in unison, appearing obedient and pitiful:
"I'm scared! What His Highness said is too complicated..."

"We were just two innocent girls..."

"We don't understand anything, we know nothing..."

"All I want is to marry a good husband, a good husband, a good man..."

"So that he can inherit his estate... Pshaw!"

"We mean, take care of his life!"

"Let him focus on doing great things, making achievements, and becoming a true man!"

After they finished speaking, the two looked at Thales with admiration.

But Thales had found the key point: he realized that the topic of the sisters' banter was beginning to steer in his own direction.

“Your father, Count Tulamy, is the ruler of the Vora territory, that is true.”

Thales leaned back.

"But in fact, a long time ago, he entrusted many affairs—taxation, legal affairs, industry and commerce, production... especially all kinds of businesses that could make money and increase income, which were incompatible with the old-style castles and manors, but were closely related to the new commercial trade, to you two, Kasha and Qina Karabyan, to handle them all."

Thales squinted:
“That’s right. I don’t know when it started, but you—the demonic twins of the Karabyan family—have become the real people in charge and in power over many affairs in the Vora territory.”

Kasha and Qina stared at Thales, who looked confident and composed behind his desk, their smiles gradually freezing.

"As one of the three pillars of the South Bank, the Kalabyan family is an indispensable part of the expansion and development of Emerald City. Your protégés and former officials, as well as your capital and businesses, are spread throughout the city and even the entire territory: grain, textiles, building materials... a considerable portion of these industries and businesses that involve basic livelihoods and even strategic resources are under the Kalabyan family's control or in cooperation with Twin Towers Longsword."

Even a runaway son like Cohen gets at least 250 gold coins as pocket money...

Thales shook his head:

"Putting everything else aside, the businesses that responded most enthusiastically to the panic in Emerald City after the coup were all closely connected with you, or at least with your businesses."

Kasha closed her folding fan and resumed her dignified and serious sitting posture.

Qina sneered and moved her neck from side to side.

As expected.

"At the Battle of the Night, it was no coincidence that your chamber of commerce ordered free uniforms for my guards," Thales said slowly. "It was because you used these food, clothing and other supplies as a form of 'sponsorship' to get close to my people early on and find out my background—including how much I have, how extensive my connections are, what my subordinates are like, how much resources I have, how I deal with crises and problems, and what kind of support and assistance I can get from Yongxing City."

Thales raised his cold gaze:

"That's why after Jenn was forced to step down, his countermeasures seemed so smooth, efficient and brilliant: finance, taxation, market, public security, commerce, officials, military... It seems that someone clearly knew where my weaknesses and shortcomings were, so every blow hit my Achilles' heel."

Kasha and Qina haven't spoken in a long time.

"Because from the moment the election began, the player who sat across the chessboard, gripping the Emerald City tightly with both hands, not letting me touch it in the slightest, was changed from Jenn to you."

Thales slowly raised his finger, pointing to one person, then to another:
"Kasha Karabyan, Qina Karabyan."

The two people being pointed at did not answer.

They simply focused their attention and quietly looked directly at Thales.

They seemed to be waiting for an artist to paint their portraits.

"Tell me, since Kongming Palace changed hands, why has maritime trade declined day by day? Why is the market in such turmoil? Why is confidence in various resource industries being shaken? Why are the powerful and wealthy so anxious? Why are government offices so listless? Why are rumors spreading everywhere in the streets? And even... what does that strange fire a few days ago, which caused countless departments a great deal of trouble and made me lose face, have to do with you?"

The prince leaned forward and squinted his eyes:
"Vora Territory, the Kalabyan family's—the demonic twins?"

The study was extremely quiet; you could hear a pin drop.

It wasn't until Kasha and Qina slowly turned their heads and looked at each other that the two stopped.

Qina smiled slightly:
"Ugh, sis, he's using that nickname to talk about us again!"

Kaisa covered her mouth and shook her head:

"While what you said wasn't wrong..."

"Oh sister, why do you say that..."

Thales sighed and waited for them to finish their act.

clang!
Kasha coldly tapped the arm of the chair with her fan, startling Thales, who had just closed his eyes, into looking up immediately.

"Because he has come right up to us."

Upon hearing this, Qina's expression changed.

Kaisa slowly turned her head and glared fiercely at Thales behind the desk:
"Having a good dad makes him think he's so cool..."

Qina quickly picked up where her sister left off, sneering repeatedly:
"They feel that their admiration and pursuit of us is innate and perfectly natural..."

"It seems very annoying, painful, and impatient; I just want to escape as soon as possible..."

"He's actually very proud, enjoying himself immensely, and he can't wait to brag to everyone that 'girls are willing to throw themselves at me,' what a little brat."

Kasha and Kina narrowed their eyes, both clicking their tongues and shaking their heads, uttering vulgarities:

"He finally got it."

"I've been waiting so long my pen is practically dry."

Thales's brow twitched.

Ok?
At this moment, the two Miss Karabyans smiled as before.

But Thales saw a hint of coldness and death in those two crescent-shaped eyebrows.

Chilling.

In the ominous silence, the two girls waved their arms and waists, coldly drawing out two new, deep black folding fans.

The fan ribs are sturdy and make a crisp sound.

On the unfolded fan, facing Thales, are simple, menacing portraits of Kasha and Qina (with small fangs), followed by short phrases full of South Coast slang:

[Damn you!]

Eat shit!