Chapter 348 The Situation
Chapter 348 -348 The Situation
It was all meant to be perfect.
To show that he wasn’t aiming for the throne—at least not directly—Duke Evermoon made the competition open to all, regardless of origin. A calculated show of fairness.
On the surface, it looked like a generous, risky move. After all, who’s to say some hidden prodigy from outside the kingdom wouldn’t enter? Someone just as powerful, or even more special, than the 13th Prince?
But in truth, it wasn’t much of a risk.
To reach such a high level of strength at a young age—enough to rival a Grand Knight at twenty-five—was no small feat. It required training, resources, powerful mentors, and lineage. And Duke Evermoon didn’t believe people like that could rise from nowhere. If such individuals existed, they wouldn’t be anonymous. They would have names, noble crests, reputations. They would be known.
And within the Lionheart Kingdom, the Duke had eyes everywhere. From the smallest baronies to the largest duchies, he had scouts, informants, reports. He knew who was rising. Who posed a threat. And among the notable youth eligible for the competition, none came close to the prince he supported.
As for outsiders?
Another layer of foresight.
By offering his daughter’s hand as a prize, he’d laid an invisible boundary. One that discouraged foreign nobles from meddling. No true noble would risk offending a duke from another kingdom over a bride already claimed in political spirit. Especially not one like Duke Evermoon, who held considerable influence.
It was an elegant wall. One that didn’t need to be spoken aloud but was understood in every noble court around.
A foolproof plan.