Chapter 22 : Chapter 22
Chapter 22. Investigation, Acting First and Reporting Later
After returning to his palace, William waved his hand to dismiss the attendants and instructed Tos, “Go investigate Marquis Tuso of the western region and his daughter. The more detailed the information, the better.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Tos bowed to accept the order and quietly withdrew.
Left alone in the palace, William walked to the window and looked out at the neatly trimmed magical plants in the courtyard, his fingertips lightly brushing along the edge of the window frame.
The Queen’s sudden mention of the marriage alliance was definitely not accidental. Marquis Tuso controlled the military power of the western region, and the forces involved behind the matter were deeply intertwined. The situation had to be thoroughly investigated.
Withdrawing his gaze, he took a light-blue magical potion from his storage pouch. After pulling out the stopper, a crisp and refreshing aura of energy spread into the air.
This was a “Basic Meditation Potion,” which could help mages absorb elemental energy more quickly.
Tilting his head back, he drank the potion. A warm and gentle current slid down his throat and quickly spread throughout his entire body.
William sat cross-legged on the cushioned floor, closed his eyes, and entered a meditative state.
Within his sea of consciousness, countless tiny magical elements floated like fireflies—earth represented by a yellow-brown glow, water by a deep blue shimmer, and wind by a pale green hue.
He guided those elements slowly into his magic core. With each circulation, the glow of the core grew slightly brighter.
The bottleneck between a Black Iron Realm mage and a Bronze Rank mage required an enormous accumulation of elements and a successful transformation of magical power.
William could feel the magic within his body steadily increasing. At this rate, advancing to Bronze Rank next year was almost certain.
He did not know how long the meditation lasted. When William opened his eyes again, the sky outside had already begun to glow with the pale light of dawn.
Feeling the fuller magic within his body, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
William stretched his body. A night of meditation had not made him feel tired—instead, he felt completely refreshed.
He pushed open the door. The maid standing guard outside immediately bowed. William waved his hand, and she said softly, “Your Highness, breakfast is ready.”
“Mm.” William responded and walked toward the dining hall.
Just as he sat down, Tos hurried in with a serious expression.
“Your Highness, the matter has been investigated,” Tos said, glancing at the surrounding maids and servants.
William understood immediately and raised his hand. “You may all leave.”
After everyone withdrew and only the two of them remained in the dining hall, Tos lowered his voice.
“Your Highness, something seems wrong.”
“Recently, Marquis Tuso appears to be showing signs of relying on his army’s strength to assert independence. His Majesty has attempted to redeploy his troops several times, but he has used ‘instability in the western region’ as an excuse to refuse. It appears he answers the summons but ignores the command.”
William’s hand holding the silver spoon paused slightly.
“He dares to do that?”
The royal family had always kept a tight grip on the military power of regional lords. Marquis Tuso’s actions were essentially testing the limits.
“The exact reason is still unclear, but intelligence reports indicate that over the past six months he has been secretly expanding his private army. The movement of grain and military equipment has also become much more frequent.”
Tos continued, “As for his daughter, he has three in total. The two elder daughters have already married into other noble families.”
“The remaining youngest daughter is eight years old this year. Tests show that she is an ordinary person with no magical or knightly talent. While uncommon among nobles, it is not unheard of.”
He paused before adding, “In addition, Marquis Tuso has five sons between the ages of fifteen and thirty. All of them are currently training in the army under his command, and it is said that each of them already holds a portion of military authority.”
William set down the silver spoon and tapped his finger lightly against the table.
If the Queen was strongly promoting this marriage alliance, could it be that she was unaware of Marquis Tuso’s unusual movements?
Or did she know and deliberately push him toward it?
If Marquis Tuso truly harbored rebellious intentions, then marrying into his family would be no different from tying himself to a ship that might capsize at any moment.
As for the youngest daughter with no talent… she seemed more like an insignificant chess piece.
“It seems the Queen is digging a pit for me to jump into. But she is not foolish. Does she really think I would not investigate?”
A trace of confusion flashed through William’s eyes.
“Continue investigating. Also check whether the Queen has had any recent contact with the western region.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Tos bowed.
William picked up his teacup, the rising steam blurring the side of his face.
At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door. It was his mother, Vivian, and she looked furious as she entered.
“William, how could you agree to this marriage?”
William was stunned and looked at her.
“Mother, what are you talking about?”
“When did I agree to this marriage?”
Vivian looked at William and saw the same confusion on his face. Immediately, she understood—the Queen had made the decision on her own.
“Stop eating. Come with me quickly. The Queen has already agreed to the marriage on your behalf. The marriage letter has already been sent toward the western region.”
“What?” William stood up. “She can make that decision?”
Vivian’s expression turned grim as she nodded.
“In theory, she can.”
William clenched his fists tightly. The silver spoon dug into his palm, leaving a red mark.
“How can she?!”
His voice was filled with disbelief and anger.
“My marriage is not something she has the right to decide!”
Vivian grabbed his arm, her expression anxious.
“Now is not the time to get angry. Once the marriage letter reaches Tuso, it will be difficult to take it back!”
“Hurry, we must intercept the messenger!”
William took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions within him, and quickly followed his mother.
“What exactly is she trying to do?”
“Is she openly targeting me?”
“Forget what she intends!” Vivian shot him a glare without slowing her pace.
“First we stop the marriage letter!”
“If that old fox Tuso receives it, he will definitely make a big issue out of it. The royal family’s reputation will suffer, and you will be completely tied down!”
The two of them hurried through the corridors. Vivian said in a low voice, “I have already sent people to investigate the messenger’s route. He should not have left the royal palace yet.”
William’s gaze turned cold as ice.
“So this is how she wants to play?”
He had not forgotten Marquis Tuso’s suspicious actions. The Queen was clearly pushing him straight into a pit of fire.
As they turned a corner, they saw Tos running toward them, breathing heavily.
“Your Highness, Madam! We found him. The messenger just left through the eastern gate on a fast horse. I sent people to stop him, but he is being escorted by the Royal Guard!”
“Useless!”
William cursed under his breath and immediately rushed toward the eastern gate.
“The Royal Guard?”
“And that stopped you from intercepting him?”
Vivian hurried after him. Looking at her son’s resolute back, she felt both angry and anxious.
The Queen’s move was truly vicious. On the surface it was a marriage alliance, but in reality she intended to use Tuso’s power to restrain William.
But was she not afraid that the flames might burn her as well?