Chapter 221: Mastermind
Stripped of his title as Crown Prince, he had been sent to the border to fight. There, he earned accolades and glory, slaying monsters and making a name for himself as a hero.
To the Imperial Concubine, this was no punishment at all. It was a platform, a stage for Cassian to rebuild his influence and power. As long as he was alive, he remained a threat—a looming shadow over her carefully laid plans.
Yet, she could do nothing for now. The Emperor, despite his firm stance on maintaining the family’s reputation, was keen on protecting Cassian.
His powers were too valuable to the Empire, his potential was too great to squander. For the time being, the Imperial Concubine could only wait, watching from the sidelines as Cassian carved a new path for himself.
Lucas was dead. The news spread in whispers, each retelling more hushed and cautious than the last. It was as though his death cast a dark shadow over the academy, one too dangerous to openly acknowledge.
They did not want to get on the bad side of the royal family. Cassian left the academy, Lucas was dead and now the third prince became the crown prince... Things have changed too fast, they needed to keep up with the times and not say the wrong thing.
Theresa was no fool. She understood the perilous dance of politics that surrounded the Imperial family, and she had no intention of getting caught in the chaos. Lucas’s death was a reminder of how ruthless the power struggles within the Empire could be. One wrong step, one misplaced word, and her head could be next on the chopping block.
She decided then and there that keeping a low profile was her only viable option. It wasn’t easy—Theresa had spent years meticulously crafting an image of ambition and competence. But in the face of such dangerous uncertainty, survival took precedence over her pride.
The hunt had been her opportunity to shine. She had poured every ounce of her skill and energy into it, determined to outperform Adeline and reclaim the prestige she had lost.