When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 1018 The next morning, after court was dismissed, Rafael brought the recently reviewed case files to the royal study for an audience with the king. Along the way, he took the opportunity to give a routine report on the progress of the treason case.

Though the case was still unresolved, the Ministry of Justice continued its investigation and submitted periodic updates. At this point, these reports were more procedural than substantive. Suspicion had increasingly focused on Yuvan, yet Salvador hadn't authorized an investigation into him. In fact, he hadn't even publicly addressed the issue. Even after Rafael had spelled things out clearly, the king remained silent.

Salvador skimmed through the files Rafael had brought. After hearing the latest- developments in the treason case, he commented, "So, it seems there's still no real progress." There could be progress if he said something! Salvador set the files aside. "Well, keep investigating." "Yes, Your Majesty," Rafael responded.

Noticing his brother lingering instead of leaving, Salvador raised a brow. "Is there something else?" Rafael grinned. "Nothing urgent. Just that Uncle Yuvan has invitedand my family to dinner tonight." Salvador glanced up, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes before he smiled. “It's been stsince Uncle Yuvan returned to the capital to attend to his duties. As you're younger than him, you should've hosted him first. But since he's extended the invitation, go ahead and enjoy." Rafael's grin widened, showing off his pearly white teeth, his smile as bright as the midday sun. "That's exactly what I thought, Your Majesty." For once, Salvador's expression softened. "I hear Edgeview Estate has quite the collection of rare and exotic flowers. Take a look around while you're there." Rafael's smile grew even brighter, his teeth gleaming again. “I was thinking the sthing, Your Majesty." Salvador chuckled. “Go on, then. The prminister is waiting for me." "Understood." Rafael bowed, excusing himself before turning to leave.

Salvador watched him go, the smile lingering on his lips. For reasons he couldn't quite explain, he felt a rare sense of relief settle over him.

+25 BONUS Chapter 1010 Ever since the treason case had cto light, a heavy weight seemed to have lodged itself in his chest, making him see suspicion in everyone around him. Now that the shadow of doubt had gradually narrowed its focus on Yuvan, that weight only seemed to press harder, making it almost impossible to breathe.

For years, Yuvan had built his influence in Valken. Yet, Salvador still had no clear grasp of how extensive that power had become. The agents sent to investigate hadn't returned- not a single one.

Night after night, Salvador lay awake, restless and plagued by thoughts. He had considered sending his younger brother to investigate, but didn't dare take that risk.

"For someone to commit treason, they would need to amass elite forces, weapons, gold, and provisions. While Yuvan might think he had not gathered enough, it didn't necessarily mean Rafael thought the sof his resources.

Yuvan and Rafael were worlds apart.

Oliver had submitted reports tand again, complaining about the Hell Monarch Army and the Sinclair Army's refusal to fully comply with him. This only proved that even though Rafael had relinquished his military authority, the soldiers' loyalty remained firmly with him.

That was precisely why Salvador couldn't risk letting the Ministry of Justice push the investigation further. Instead, he left the case on hold there while secretly assigning lan's shadow guards to continue probing.

But the shadow guards hadn't returned either, and lan reported no progress. The primary issue was that Yuvan had taken no action in the capital, leaving the investigation at a standstill.

It was during this state of frustration that Salvador heard Rafael's cheerful remarks. By all logic, it should've heightened his sense of crisis. From any perspective, this dinner invitation was the perfect opportunity for Rafael to make a move.

And yet, when he saw his brother's bright, unguarded smile, the tension in Salvador's chest loosened just a little. The king didn't understand it himself. Leaning back slightly in his chair, he turned to Derek and said, "I actually feel tempted to let him investigate. How strange." Derek chuckled. "Your Majesty, perhaps it's simply the trust between brothers." "Trust between brothers?" Salvador repeated, turning the phrase over in his mind. His expression was inscrutable.

Derek said nothing more. He understood that Salvador would never fully trust Rafael-or any prince, for that matter. No ruler ever truly did.

2/3 +25 BONUS Chapter 1018

But if even a small sliver of trust could offer him speace of mind instead of suspicion, that was enough. At Edgeview Estate, preparations were already underway to welcViolet.

Wayne had been firmly opposed to the idea, but when Yuvan made up his mind, he ultimately chose to support him.

He handed Yuvan a small glass vial, its surface decorated with a painting of a saintess. This medicine-just a drop is enough. Nothing more." Yuvan didn't take the vial. Instead, he said calmly, "I have my own.