Kingdom Bloodline

"Great, once we've laid things out, things will be much simpler."

Behind the desk, Thales clapped softly:
“Miss Karabyan, let’s discuss a business matter.”

Kassa and Qina exchanged a glance, then scoffed disdainfully from behind their black folding fans:
"You want us to stop here?"

"Give up the fight, and I'll help you tame Emerald City?"

"So that you can dismiss Lord Jann?"

"A dignified coup d'état?"

The demonic twins waved their folding fans back and forth, their expressions cruel and serious.

"Then cut the iris into eight pieces."

“Flatten and round the Kongming Palace.”

"The wealth of the south bank belongs to the imperial treasury."

"Has the splendor of jadeite vanished like smoke?"

“One sentence each, and you’ve said everything I wanted to say,” Thales said, opening his arms and smiling gently. “That’s what I like about you guys.”

The two sisters sneered in unison, and with a flick of their wrists, the black fans flipped open again!

The fan surface is decorated with even more obscure and vulgar dialect:

[Rely on the backrest, the wood, and laziness.]

[The car crashed, the traffic jam was severe, and the chicken and wheat were piled up.]

The two fans are placed together, and a small sentence is formed next to each other:
[The little boy died young]

Thales stared at it for a long time but still couldn't understand.

"What does it mean?"

Kai'Sa smiled broadly:

"A dialect term. It means, Your Highness, you speak very well."

Qina's eyes sparkled:

"We are truly flattered."

“Oh, thank you,” Thales frowned, but didn’t want to delve into it. “So, what’s your answer?”

“Impossible,” Kasha refused.

“That’s unrealistic,” Qina sneered.

Thales raised an eyebrow.

“You know, we’ve put in so much effort and money…” Kasha squinted her eyes.

"Just to dismantle this pile of building blocks called Emerald City into pieces, making it teetering on the brink of collapse..." Qina intently picked at her nails.

"Now you want us to put it all back together?"

How many shadows, emptiness, regrets, and disappointments should remain in one's heart?

Thales sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"I haven't had a chance to report to the Restoration Palace about your double-dealing and your meddling in the chaos of Emerald City," he said in a deep voice. "You should know that your brother in the capital has been suspended from his duties for violating the law by trespassing into the palace."

The two sisters did not change their expressions as Thales had expected; their eyes, however, turned slightly cold.

"Oh, thank you so much!"

"The most filial prince in the world!"

Thales raised his eyes:
"Then let me ask you one more time: what is your answer?"

The twins exchanged a glance, their eyes resolute:

"No!"

Thales frowned.

"Go ahead and complain to His Majesty."

"Then tell us the result?"

"It would be best to leave my stupid brother with a whole corpse."

"At least the kind that can be sewn up with thread!"

Seeing the two girls laughing even more brightly, Thales couldn't help but frown.

"You, you really are Cohen's sisters, his biological sisters?"

The two girls exchanged glances and covered their mouths with a smile:
"Of course!"

"But in front of the family..."

Kai'Sa's smile vanished, and her tone turned cold:
"Individuals are utterly insignificant."

Qina snorted coldly:
Even the family heir.

"Besides, the fact that Karabyan is willing to let his heir stay in the capital, right under the nose of the Restoration Palace, doesn't that say something?"

"Just like you staying in Dragon City."

Both the content of the last sentence and the coldness in the words made Thales' heart sink.

"It seems I was wrong before."

Thales snapped out of his daze and let out a long sigh:
“You didn’t come to Emerald City to clean up Cohen’s mess.”

He looked intently at the two girls whose smiles were growing cold.

"What you, or the Karabyan family, really care about is this political game between the Palace of Restoration and the Palace of Emerald, between Everstar City and Emerald City, which concerns the future of the kingdom."

Kasha and Qina remained silent.

Thales continued:

"What the Karabyan family is really worried about is: if you don't come this time and don't participate in this coup that sweeps across the South Bank and affects the stellar landscape, then no matter what the outcome, Twin Towers Longsword may find it difficult to move an inch in the South Bank territory in the future."

Thales scoffed:

"Compared to this goal, Cohen Karabyan is at best an add-on, right?"

The two sisters gave a cold laugh.

"He's just an extra..."

"But you are not."

Thales' expression changed:
"What do you mean?"

The two Karabyan ladies exchanged glances.

"Things have come to this point, Little Tai Tai. Emerald City is out of control and disjointed, getting worse and worse, one thing leading to another."

“But you insisted on going your own way, trying to punish Janne against all opposition in order to remove the Duke.”

"Things can only get worse."

"It's even more irreversible."

“Those who are dissatisfied with you are not just the ugly freak Hilai, and those who are secretly working against you are not just Karabyan.”

“There will be people in every industry who resist you, or at least those who outwardly comply but inwardly antagonize you.”

"As the situation deteriorates, even your supporters are starting to question you."

"More people fled as a result."

"At the very least, they are only superficially united."

"And there's nothing you can do."

"We can only watch as prosperity fades into silence."

"The people's livelihood is in ruins."

"Not to mention taking the south bank, filling the national treasury, and winning back His Majesty's trust."

"To expand royal power, enhance prestige, and solidify the foundation for one's throne?"

Thales remained silent, his brows furrowing more and more as he listened.

Kasha and Qina both smiled, then changed their tone:
"And now, instead of thinking of a foolproof plan, you're nitpicking over trivial details and trying to shirk responsibility?"

"To blame all the blame for one's poor governance on one's subordinate vassals?"

"They might even go so far as to appeal to the emperor, using our stupid brother and others' weaknesses to threaten and vent their anger?"

"Losing a fight means calling your parents? You can't beat someone, so you resort to using your parents' influence?"

The Karabyan sisters sneered:

"Whether our brother lives or dies is irrelevant..."

"Karabyan's suffering isn't a big deal..."

"But this will damage His Majesty Kessel's already dwindling trust in you."

"It also made the whole kingdom know that their heir to the throne was weak and incompetent and unworthy of the throne."

"He's a spoiled brat who shirks responsibility, bullies the weak and fears the strong, and is utterly useless without the support of the Fuxing Palace and his cronyism."

"He's a stubborn, self-willed, and ruthless little good-for-nothing who can turn even a prosperous region into ruins."

The two young ladies' sweet and gentle voices faded away.

Damn.

After listening to this confident analysis, Thales had no choice but to close his eyes and gently rub his forehead.

Threatening them didn't work.

Thales' inner voice calmly analyzed:

They know you're in a precarious situation yourself.

The premise for you to bring misfortune upon them is that you yourself must first suffer misfortune.

So... what should he do?
“Yes, very perceptive, and very realistic,” Thales sighed. “Excuse me, but I really have to ask one more question: Are you two really Cohen’s sisters?”

Kasha and Qina exchanged a smile and looked tenderly at Thales.

"So, little Tai Tai, are you really the Duke of Xinghu, a man of great power and influence?"

"An unshakeable heir to the throne?"

"A valiant descendant of the Radiant Star?"

"The son of the Iron-Fisted King?"

Kaisa laughed:

"Really blood-gold gilding?"

Qina licked her lips curiously:

"Shining under the sunlight?"

Thales couldn't help but chuckle.

Both ladies covered their mouths and laughed.

It was as if this was just an ordinary, casual chat.

Where are the sword fights and the wickedness of people?

"Then why Jenn?"

The two girls smiled brightly: "I'm sorry?"

“I mean, I’m curious,” Thales said, resting his chin on his hand with a serious expression, “why are you all loyal to Janne and siding with the Iris in this political storm, even going so far as to personally get involved, risking yourselves and going through all that trouble?”

Kasha and Qina were both taken aback.

But they reacted extremely quickly and flawlessly:

"Why, you ask?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

The two men's eyes lit up, and they danced with joy:

"Lord Jann is the Duke of the South Bank and the Lord of Emerald City."

"The ruler of Kongming Palace, the head of the Iris Flower Clan, and a pillar of the kingdom!"

"Our families have been friends for generations."

"A loyal political blood alliance!"

"I would rather be with my friends."

"We will not perish with the enemy!"

"Of course we should stand together."

"Resist foreign aggression!"

“If you want us to betray him…” Kasa drawled, looking at Qina.

"Do I need to pay more?" Thales suddenly asked.

The twins, who had been singing in harmony, were suddenly stunned by the interruption.

"What to add?"

"what money?"

“Sorry,” Thales waved his hand, suppressing a laugh, “it’s just a joke from the Western Wilderness, don’t worry about it.”

The two Karabyans exchanged a glance and frowned simultaneously.

"This is bad, sister."

Qina turned her head away, hiding her face behind the folding fan, and spoke in a low voice.

"He has learned to disrupt our rhythm."

Kasha raised her folding fan to cover her chin and nodded.

"What should I do?"

"I had no choice but to use all the skills I had learned in my vocal lessons..."

“You know,” Thales chuckled, raising his voice, “I can hear you…”

Kasakina suddenly looked up, furious:
“We know!!!”

Thales showed no anger and said softly, "But he can't."

"Who can't?"

"What's not working?"

“Jan Kevin Deer, if his condition for cooperating with you is a marriage alliance with Kalabyan…”

Thales took a deep breath and said seriously:

"Believe me, he can't do it."

The twins, who had been so aggressive, were taken aback by what they heard:
"What can't he do?"

"What is he incapable of?"

Kasha and Qina's expressions changed slightly, but they reacted quickly; one clasped her hands in surprise, while the other covered her face in embarrassment.
"Oh dear! Why are you bringing this up..."

"How can I say this in front of a young lady..."

"Don't reveal other people's true wishes!"

What if saying it doesn't work...?

"A young lady should be reserved, self-controlled, shy, and beautiful..."

"Especially when it comes to such an important matter as marriage..."

Thales sighed:

"Believe me, he won't be a good husband."

The study fell silent again.

Kasha and Qina exchanged a glance, displaying contempt and disdain.

"what did he say?"

"He said Lord Jenn wasn't a good husband?"

The two sisters burst into sarcastic laughter:

"How can it be!"

"Your Excellency is clearly young and wealthy!"

"Young and vigorous!"

"High position and great power!"

"The richest man in the world!"

"He also has a good father..."

"Especially having a good father..."

"The best dad..."

“His father is dead,” Thales said expressionlessly. “Jane lost power because of that.”

"That's why he's a good dad!"

Sometimes, a dead father is the best father!

Thales frowned deeply.

"But I'm sure that Janne will not die young after marriage, so that you will become rich, powerful, and titled duke's widows, or extremely wealthy widows, who are not subject to the control of their husbands."

Kasha and Qina's giggles suddenly stopped.

“Yes, I’ve heard your gossip these past few days,” Thales shrugged, “especially about your husbands dying young so you can be widows…”

Thales paused, his eyes flickering.

“But as I said, I heard it and I took it to heart, but Jenn can’t. He won’t hear it, and he won’t understand it.”

At that moment, the way the two sisters looked at Thales changed.

They exchanged a glance and then burst out laughing.

"Oh dear, my husband died young... that was just something I said in anger!"

"You're too kind!"

"Please don't take this seriously..."

Don't take it too seriously!

Thales coldly interrupted them:
“But based on what I know of Janne, if he were to marry you, he wouldn’t die young so you could get away with it…”

The smiles of the two Karabyan ladies faltered slightly.

Thales became serious:

"They'll probably squeeze every last drop of value out of you, from your dowry and reputation to your family's influence, your political affiliation, and even the value of your offspring. If you have any covetous thoughts or unreasonable desires, they'll ruthlessly give you two one-way tickets to international waters. After that, they'll tearfully transform themselves into perfect widowers, subtly manipulating public opinion to make people feel that all the blame lies with the deceased wife, and that he was just a loving good man, a responsible good parent, and a forever good husband."

The sisters' smiles gradually faded.

Thales quietly increased the stake:
“Deception, exploitation, precautions, control, destruction… just as he did to his subordinates, his servants, his adversaries whom he wanted to get rid of, and even some of his allies—like Karabyan?”

Thales took a deep breath and looked at the two expressionless sisters:
"Of course, I presume you all knew all this beforehand?"

The study was quiet for a few seconds.

Kasha Karabyan snorted, leaned back, pulled up her skirt, and crossed her legs in an ungraceful manner.

Kina Karabyan also leaned loosely against the armrest.

Neither Kassa nor Qina had their smiles on their faces.

"It seems you really know him well," Kasha said coldly.

"Perhaps you are the one more suited to marry him?" Qina said sarcastically.

Compared to before, their voices have become deep and cold, no longer sweet and lovely.

All the banter and humor vanished in that moment.

“In that case,” Thales smiled slightly, “do you still want him as your husband?”

At that moment, the three people in the study looked at each other in silence.

“In fact,” Kasha shook her head with a sneer, “we don’t need husbands at all.”

Compared to before, their voices have become deep and cold, no longer sweet and lovely.

“It’s just that this world needs us to have a husband.” Qina said expressionlessly.

All the banter and humor vanished in that moment.

"At least act like you need a husband."

"That's why we need a husband who dies young."

"Let the world know that we have a husband."

"At least she 'had' a husband."

The twins hummed in unison:
"Are you satisfied?"

“Is that so?” Seeing their serious expressions, Thales relaxed considerably, no longer acting coy or reserved. “But historically, Kevindale and Kalabyan, both located on the South Bank, were well-matched and frequently intermarried; their family trees are very closely linked…”

"Rest assured, Your Highness," Kasha said softly, but her tone left no room for doubt, "this time, there is no mention of marriage in our cooperation with Emerald City."

"Don't be jealous, little Tae-tae. You still have a chance to steal her away," Qina said coldly.

The twins stared intently at Thales, as if they wanted to devour him.

Thales nodded after listening and pondered for a moment.

“Oh, that’s good, but are you really not going to consider it? If you want to cooperate with Jann, a marriage alliance might be a guarantee for both sides…”

"Enough, Your Highness, there's no need to go to the trouble of spying anymore."

Kasha interrupted coldly, "Regarding why the Kalabyan family would cooperate with His Excellency the Duke..."

"Since Your Highness has found our way here," Qina scoffed, "shouldn't you be fully aware of the truth?"

"Oh? Could you please enlighten me?"

Thales gestured with his hands in a friendly manner, indicating that he was all ears.

Kaisa sneered:
“Our relationship with Kevin Deer is not just geographically close.”

Qina clicked her tongue and said:
"It's not just that the family trees are closely connected."

The twins seemed to have a telepathic connection; even when discussing serious matters, they could speak to each other one after the other, almost as if they were one person.
"Over the years, Emerald City has prospered and flourished, and the South Bank has become rich and developed."

"And Vora, riding the east wind, soared to great heights."

"All of this is thanks to the successive consolidation of Kongming Palace and the widespread implementation of reform policies on the south bank."

"An increasingly完善的治理制度，成为越来越稳的商市基础。"

“Yes, I have heard about it,” Thales nodded solemnly. “Since Federico the Parrot laid the foundation, the South Bank has maintained a steady development for a century with few setbacks, until now.”

They are worthy of being called role models.

The Karabyan sisters continued with a cold snort:

"Then you should know that our livelihood depends on our food and clothing business..."

"Support and rely on our former students, colleagues, and allies..."

"It has long taken root and sprouted in the soil cultivated in Emerald City."

"It uses the roots and stems of the iris to support its body."

"Agricultural and industrial work, as well as trade by merchant groups, all depend on it."

"Law and governance, the management of territory, are all interconnected." "Even the people and households within our own fiefdoms..."

“Even this handmade casual clothes you’re wearing…”

Thales' expression froze, and he looked down at his clothes.

Kaisa flicked her sleeve:
"Given the current situation, we can certainly side with you."

Qina snapped her fingers:
"To help you replace Kevin Deer and take over Emerald City."

"Even if we were to take their place and take over the Kongming Palace, the Twin Towers Longsword would certainly be worth a try."

"But this could attract the help of the royal family and the capital, causing a change in the political landscape of Kongming Palace..."

"The sudden change in the South Bank has shaken the very foundation of governance; it's a case of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'..."

Their tone shifted abruptly, becoming wary and cautious:

"To lift a stone only to drop it on one's own foot!"

Thales frowned.

“The royal family’s external forces, the capital’s power,” he thought, recalling the diverse people at the royal banquet, and mused, “Are they really that terrifying?”

“Terrible?” Kasha gave a sarcastic smile. “Your Highness, what do you think is so special about Emerald City that makes the capital so envious? Is it just that people are stupid and rich?”

"In other words, in what exactly does Emerald City do better than the King? Is it smarter? Or does it inspire envy?"

Thales raised an eyebrow.

Qina sneered:
"You've never had any serious dealings with your family members, or even with the public and private figures, officials, merchants, and clerks around the capital, have you?"

"Or rather, it's all about you raising your eyebrows and them bowing and scraping, serving tea and water?"

Thales' eyes flickered: "What do you mean?"

Kaisa sneered:
"To put it simply, for a long time, if the merchants under our command wanted to do business through the Central Territory, they had to rely on Yongxing City..."

Qina snorted coldly:
"That means double the cost, with most of it spent on bribing officials and giving gifts along the way."

"Open up channels, advance step by step, and smooth over relationships—the prerequisite is that you still have connections."

“Especially in lucrative businesses, a few regulations, a few market officials, and a few instances of collusion between officials and businessmen can cause us to lose everything.”

"It takes more effort to travel east and west through Muhe River to sell goods in Yongxing City than to cross the ocean to Shenglin City in the Far East!"

"They control everything, from the heavens to the earth, they mess around recklessly, and they make a fortune!"

"That's still considered good, provided that you only encounter officials who take money to do things and businessmen who sign off on payments..."

"But what if they take your money and don't do anything? If you want something done, you have to pay more. They'll try to get something for nothing, until you can't hold on and go bankrupt..."

"That's not all. If you encounter someone with a powerful backer, a ruthless heart, and vicious hands, they won't be satisfied with just accepting bribes..."

"They'll force you to accept their 'technology investment,' appoint their people to 'provide guidance,' give them 'channel profit sharing,' and even some bullshit 'cooperative operation'..."

"Or worse, once it becomes a business with prefixes like 'Royal Family,' 'State-owned,' or even 'Starry Sky,' well, the channels are open, and no competitor dares to look you in the eye..."

"But the business itself is rotten! The bribes are more than the net profit, there are more small business owners than employees, there are more people hogging the space and collecting money than people actually doing the work, and there are more people giving orders than people working hard..."

"If we barely manage to stay afloat, we'll be insolvent. Within a few years, this business will fail, all our competitors will be squeezed out, and we won't be able to make a profit. The business group will suffer terribly, and in the end, we'll break up and we might even owe everyone a share of the profits!"

"Investors, operators, upstream and downstream partners, buyers and sellers, even the industry environment and public funds—none of them benefit..."

Thales listened with a heavy heart.

The two sisters spoke through gritted teeth.

"It only enriched the relatives and children of countless nobles in the capital, who ate their fill and became bloated with greed, yet each of them believed themselves to be pillars of the nation, finding ways to build a foundation for the country's economy and people's livelihood, devoting themselves wholeheartedly to their work, making numerous contributions, and achieving outstanding political achievements..."

"When the industry declines, they will swarm away like locusts, flying to other places and industries to prey on others..."

"Wait until someone else works hard to start from scratch and pick up the business again..."

"They—or a different group of their relatives and children—fly back again and repeat the same thing..."

Thales remained silent for a moment.

“You’re probably exaggerating. In fact, I’ve heard similar complaints, but those were,” Telston paused, “those were complaints from the Cornmas, including the insightful people within Exter, about the Kingdom of Exter. They didn’t complain about the Star Kingdom as much…”

“Of course!” Kasha interrupted him.

"That's how the Commas started out. They know all the ropes and have excellent relationships with the powerful and influential people in the capital!"

"Foreign capital, domestic elites, and absolute power—the three are a perfect match!"

"It would be difficult for Xingchen not to become a prosperous and powerful nation!" Qina said sarcastically.

Thales sighed:
"Does the King and the gentlemen at the Royal Council not know about this situation?"

"The King? The Emperor?"

"Who do you think all the money went into?"

"Whose relatives or children, whose descendants?"

"From royal privileges down to the lowest clerks!"

"Everyone takes money, and everyone's a relative. Who would dare, who would want, who would be willing to step forward and expose this kind of thing?"

"Donkeys and horses share the same trough and travel the same road. Who can handle this matter without getting their hands dirty or being bothered by it?"

"Some people want to, but can they?"

"Some people can, but do they want to?"

Thales listened with a sigh.

“In Emerald City, the rules have been passed down through generations. For matters like this, you can go to Judge Brennan. Even the Duke himself has to obey the law and make up for whatever he has done!”

"Who can you turn to in the capital? The judges? Everyone knows that their relatives are deeply entrenched in their own power and influence, and you have to be mindful of their 'relatives' in everything. The prime minister, Kulun? What can he do besides wavering and muddling through politics and trying to get nothing in return? His Majesty the King? He's busy with national affairs and the revival of Xingchen. He almost got his son chopped off when he begged him for money!"

Perhaps... perhaps because the Iris Dukes knew.

Thales remained silent, only the voice in his heart whispered:
They knew that if they acted recklessly, did whatever they pleased, and did not obey the law, then one day, they would destroy their own Great Wall and be devoured by the bigger fish from the capital with even greater appetites.

But what if those great fish—the supreme kings of the stars throughout history—acted recklessly…

In the Star Kingdom, where else could there be a bigger fish that could devour the Palace of Restoration and thus make the kings wary?
A bigger fish.

But then Thales remembered the bloody year and clenched his fist.

"I understand."

Thales sighed deeply:
"More than a century ago, a wise ruler implemented new policies, promoting capable officials regardless of their background, and eliminating abuses and reforms..."

“The downside is that,” Kasha said sarcastically, “the mouth that eats now has more hands that can reach out to eat…”

"These civil servants who climbed their way up through exams are far more cunning than their stupid relatives in noble families when it comes to exploiting people!" Qina said unhappily.

“No matter how new or fine the furniture is, it will eventually gather dust and become old,” Thales said in a deep voice. “Now it seems that the successors of Mindis III have failed to maintain the system he left behind as he had envisioned, ensuring its continued healthy operation…”

However, this led to uneven development across the kingdom, causing numerous conflicts from top to bottom...

On the contrary, in a corner of the kingdom, there is Emerald City, which is ridiculed as "parroting" and whose status and size are not as good as Everstar City; there is Sky Palace, whose power and prestige are not comparable to the Palace of Restoration; and there is the Kevindir family, whose reputation and family background are not as good as the Starry Sky Royal Family...

"Do you understand now?"

The twins coldly replied:

"If we help you, we might gain the prince's favor and His Majesty's approval for a while."

"But why let the South Bank Territory become like this, destroying the foundation of rule and wealth accumulated over generations?"

"Your crown is secure."

"But our stool legs collapsed!"

"And then you'll send us a certificate of commendation?"

"Write down 'Prince Thales expresses his heartfelt gratitude'?"

"Or perhaps you'd bestow upon us a love letter, so we can become your ladies-in-waiting, your lovers, your confidantes..."

"Embracing women on both sides, reveling every night?"

The two sisters' sarcastic and biting remarks made Thales frown.

"Therefore……"

"Although the royal family holds great power, their influence is difficult to rival."

"Domineering and tyrannical, brooking no opposition."

"But for the sake of the land in front of their home and the livelihood of their family, they are left as orphans and widows..."

Qina's voice trailed off with fervor, and Kasha flicked her folding fan in perfect unison:
"We will do our utmost..."

"Rise up and fight back!"

After the two sisters finished speaking, Thales remained silent for a long time.

“So,” the prince said quietly, “cooperating with Jann to protect Emerald City was a choice made by the Calabyan family out of their own interests and stance.”

Kassa and Qina exchanged a glance and slowly nodded:

"This is a fact."

"That's reality too."

"That's the situation."

"The trend is general."

"Of course."

"It's only natural."

"Hmm, it sounds like an unsolvable problem. The nobles on the south bank will not compromise no matter what."

Facing the two sisters, who both looked smug and seemed confident of victory, Thales nodded thoughtfully.

"But why so late?"

"what?"

"What's too late?"

Thales let out a breath.

"I'm asking, since you share the same interests, the same stance, and are determined to resist the royal family, why didn't you lend a hand sooner?"

The sisters' expressions changed slightly.

"Why didn't they cooperate with Kevin Deer to frame me and spread rumors before the election, sending me back to the capital early to prevent any trouble?"

Thales shrugged and spread his hands:

"Do you really have to wait until Federico shows up, the whole city is in an uproar, the Duke is imprisoned, and the Palace of Emerald changes hands before you arrive late, stir up trouble, turn Emerald City into a mess, force me to compromise, force the Palace of Restoration to relinquish power, and return the Duke to power?"

The Karabyan twins fell silent, their smiles fading.

The study was quiet for a few seconds.

Thales looked at Kasha, then at Qina, his expression deep.

“It was our fault. We underestimated how things were going to develop,” Kasha suddenly said, full of regret.

“Who could have predicted His Majesty’s ruthless methods…” Qina nodded in agreement, her expression sorrowful.

"By the time we realized what was happening, it was too late."

"We can only try to salvage the situation and offer some small compensation..."

“Or perhaps it was intentional,” Thales said coldly, “deliberately delaying until the situation was beyond repair, so that he could sell it for a higher price?”

Kasha and Qina exchanged a glance.

("He's really learned how to interrupt!"—The two sisters gritted their teeth in secret)
"Only in this way can I, Janne, and even His Majesty and the others see it..."

Thales held up two fingers and pointed them at the two guests without any politeness.

"In this storm, you, Karabyan, are the key figures who hold the key and can quell the situation?"

As for the damages suffered by Emerald City as a result...

Thales felt disdain.

Firstly, as long as it's not total destruction, there's still hope for salvation.

Secondly, if the South Bank Territory loses Emerald City...

Isn't there still the Vora collar?
“If my guess is true, then it at least proves that your fear and hatred of Janne is no less than your fear and rejection of the Palace of Restoration,” the prince said in a deep voice after taking a sip of tea. “That means that compared to what you said before, ‘the rules are incompatible and irreconcilable’… we still have something to talk about, right?”

The twins' smiles vanished.

"Your Highness is trying to sow discord..." Kasha said coldly.

"They really went to great lengths," Qina said dismissively.

Thales smiled.

"According to you, if the powerful and wealthy of the capital were to extend their reach into Emerald City, it would be like a savage prehistoric crocodile plunging into a small pond—that's why you support Janne to protect the rules that benefit everyone in the South Coast Territory."

The prince changed the subject:
"But don't forget, the reason Jenn protects and abides by these rules is because they are in his best interest; they are his rules."

Thales squinted:
"For example, after I took over Kongming Palace, I discovered that more than 90% of the most profitable industries in the South Bank Territory were located around Emerald City or closely related to Emerald City."

At that moment, the twins exchanged glances.

"In Emerald City, more than 90% of the businesses are run by relatives, partners, protégés, former officials, or glove representatives of the Kevin Dill family. Jann firmly controls the power of decision-making and the distribution of profits. He has no say in anything. Other forces, whether noble merchant groups or even the Kalabyan family, who are the lords of the Vora territory, have to rely on him. At most, they can only get a little more scraps than others."

Thales changed the subject:
"What, aside from the different positions and varying degrees, aren't you somewhat similar to the 'powerful and wealthy people of the capital' that you were just complaining about?"

The twins both frowned.

"So I guess that under these rules, the Kevin Deer family itself is a terrifying great white shark, though probably not as big or as ferocious as the prehistoric crocodile of the Restoration Palace."

Thales's gaze sharpened:
"But it's all about big fish eating small fish, whether you're eaten by a shark or a crocodile, there's no essential difference—just like your fear of Janne and your fear of my father, they're just different in degree, but essentially the same."

Thales squinted:
"Especially, compared to the king who is far away in the capital, you are too close to Jann and have dealt with him for too many years."

The twins exchanged a glance, their expressions serious, and remained silent.

“You know him too well: besides sitting in a high and mighty position, manipulating and controlling his subordinates since birth, Janne is shrewd, cunning, ruthless, meticulous, energetic, and worldly-wise. He knows how to leverage situations, is good at dividing and manipulating power, and is especially skilled at winning people over with kindness. But when it matters, he can be absolutely cold-blooded and ruthless…”

Thales continued:

"He treats everyone under his command as a pawn and a bargaining chip, maximizing their value and squeezing out their energy, yet he maintains a perfect and impeccable image. No matter what complaints his subordinates may have, they can't voice them. People always feel empathy and think, 'With such a good boss, subordinates should willingly endure overtime and unpaid wages...'"

After he finished speaking, the two young ladies fell silent.

“The reason you want to drag him down and make him lose power, to let him get bitten by the crocodile before he gets out of trouble, is not because he is not a ‘good husband’,” Thales put down his teacup, speaking of someone else but feeling something in his heart, “but because he is not an easy boss to deal with.”

Thales squinted:
"Especially for those restless colleagues and subordinates."

At this moment, Kassa and Kina were expressionless, but their gazes were icy.

"But you know this."

Observing the expressions and reactions of the two, Thales finally confirmed:
"You knew this long before you partnered with him in an attempt to reclaim Emerald City for him."

This time, the two sisters remained silent for a long time.

But Thales was very patient and waited quietly.

I don’t know how much time passed.

“Of course we know,” Kasha said softly.

“Just like a wife knows her husband,” Qina said coldly.

"Just like a subordinate understands her boss."

The twins said, intentionally or unintentionally:
"Just like a son understands his father."

"Just as a subject understands his king."

Even if the latter is so selfish that they are completely unaware of it.

Thales recalled the envoy Hassart's evaluation and fear of Jann, and then his own experience at the Palace of Restoration, and fell silent for a moment.

"But so what?" Kasha snapped out of her daze and took a deep breath.

“That won’t change the fact,” Qina said coldly.

"We still won't help you."

"On the contrary, you were humiliated by the Kevin Deer siblings, your reputation was ruined, and you had nowhere to retreat."

Thales remained silent for a long time.

“Forget about His Majesty,” he sighed. “Does Janne know that you are two-faced, taking advantage of his misfortune, and trying every means to betray him?”

Unexpectedly, the twins showed no fear and instead sneered in unison.

"I thought you knew His Excellency the Duke very well."

"It seems that's all."

Thales frowned.

"Do you think Lord Jann didn't consider this when he asked us for help?"

"Do you think he would willingly accept being bitten by a giant crocodile to get help?"

Thales's expression changed slightly.

Looking at the two sisters, whose expressions were calm and without any remorse, he suddenly understood.

It turned out to be the case.

Jenn knew.

They know it too.

In a game of chess, everyone knows what price they will have to pay and what consequences they will face.

But they still went without hesitation.

Step forward along the predetermined route.

For within the kingdom, the molten furnace has been activated.

Scorching hot, burning everything.

They were not allowed to hesitate even for a moment.

He realized once again that the two sisters before him were not like Tanganga, who would succumb to fear and threats.

but……

"Don't you get tired of this?" Thales said quietly.

"Bored?" the twins asked in surprise.

Thales sighed softly:

“Yes, boredom, that’s what Mira…Miss Miranda said to me.”

The Karabyan sisters exchanged a glance, seemingly with disdain:

"Mira?"

"Miranda?"

"The Northern Madman?"

"A tough, steely woman?"

Thales nodded.

"For you, this trip to Emerald City, this power struggle, this unusual political game—no matter how well or how brilliantly you've done, even if it means driving me and the Palace of Restoration out of the game..."

The prince's gaze drifted, recalling Mira's act of pledging allegiance to him at Starlake Castle:
"The South Bank Territory is still in the hands of the Kevin Deer family, and it is Jenn, this two-faced boss, who is in power."

Thales looked at the two girls:
"Emerald City is still operating in the same way as before, unchanged."

The Karabyan sisters paused, seemingly both resentful and puzzled:
"Is not it good?"

"Isn't this the goal?"

Thales shook his head.

"As for the two of you, Kasha and Qina, you are the de facto managers of the Karabyan family..."

He gazed at the two of them wistfully, his tone tinged with regret:
“Even if you reach the top, the limit, the best in this position—I think you have already done it—you will still be burdened by the world’s expectation that you ‘get married’.”

Kasha and Qina's eyes narrowed.

"She still has to work hard to create space in order to maintain her value and freedom, while at the same time she is forced to pretend to be crazy and foolish in order to find the 'early-dead husband' of her ideal..."

Thales seemed to recall something, and the more he spoke, the more emotional he became:

"We still have to spend far more than we gain to 'grease palms and smooth things over' on another level, to do things you don't like, to pretend to be someone you're not used to, all for..."

Thales sighed deeply:
"Don't you guys get annoyed?"

This time, the two sisters were puzzled at first, then lowered their heads and remained silent for a long time.

Until they suddenly looked up and spoke again, their words carrying a hint of barely perceptible anger:

“When His Highness questioned us, he looked down at us with an air of self-righteousness.”

"But they forgot their own position and situation!"

Thales's brow furrowed.

Kasha and Qina exchanged barbs, their cold words aimed directly at the prince's past vulnerabilities:

"Were you born a bastard, a mixed-race child, of your own free will?"

"Did you go to Exter as a hostage voluntarily?"

"Did you encounter danger at Baki's camp voluntarily?"

"Did you voluntarily participate in the duel at the royal banquet?"

"Did you leave for the dilapidated Starlake Fortress of your own volition?"

"Was your mission to Emerald City voluntary?"

The two sisters snorted in unison:

"And you really are..."

Don't you get annoyed?

Thales opened his mouth as if to speak, but found himself speechless and could only remain silent.

So the demon twins, armed with guns and clubs, pressed their advantage:

“In the Star Kingdom, you seem to hold a high position.”

"It's actually superfluous and awkward!"

"Your relationship with His Majesty is complicated, with mutual suspicion and a lack of trust, let alone the opportunity to be given important responsibilities."

"But you are unwilling to be wronged or compromise, and you always act recklessly and cause trouble."

"His Highness is acting as regent in Emerald City, and everyone seems to respect him."

"In reality, nobody cares!"

“You sit in the Kongming Palace, seemingly in a high position of power, giving orders with an air of superiority.”

"But he was just a puppet on a string!"

"Because intelligent people understand that only King Kessel and Duke Janne are pulling back and forth on the two ends of the string."

"What everyone is waiting for is whether the royal center or the Iris family will emerge victorious!"

"Who cares which way your ass is facing, what it smells like, or what shape the stuff you squeeze out is?"

"In this game between Fuxing Palace and Kongming Palace, you are at best an add-on."

Kaisa sneered:

"That's why you need to struggle desperately right now to make your presence felt."

Qina clicked her tongue in retaliation:

"Avoid getting lost in the waves of power struggles among the elite."

The two sisters exchanged a glance:
"And you really are..."

"Don't you find it annoying?" (End of Chapter)