Chapter 175: The Condition
"I do not have hard evidence, if that’s what you mean," Princess Nessa said.
Her glance fell to the bed where Prince Reitan was still fast asleep, the rise and fall of his chest the only thing to confirm that he was still alive, albeit not yet conscious.
"But the signs match, don’t they?" Nessa continued. "Blood manipulation and healing are both magical skills belonging to the Raxuvian royalty. You fought against Prince Ricard in your... amethyst-controlled state. You should know better."
"He could be a bastard child with a relation to royalty generations ago," Orion said.
"It wasn’t too long ago when King Rowan Verimandi shared magic with the world," Nessa reminded. "The furthest that lineage can stretch would still make him cousins with Prince Ricard― still giving him a claim to the throne."
"And why isn’t that the first line of thought?" Orion asked. "Why would a prince want to serve another kingdom?"
"Because he isn’t a trueborn heir," Nessa said, coming forward. She tapped a spot on the parchment where the illustrations of Prince Ricard and Prince Raziel were, along with several of their other siblings. "He needs a way to get into the running, especially with such a volatile and powerful brother like Ricard."
Orion made a face that showed his confusion, only causing Nessa to roll her eyes with a scoff.
"Seriously," she muttered under her breath. "You are truly all brawn and no brain."