Royalty on a verge

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Chapter 2: The Conspiracy

"Every detail about their soldiers and covert operations is here. The surveillance is thorough; we know everything," Edmund muttered, frustration visible in the tight lines of his face. His brow furrowed deeply as he absorbed the tension of a plan that seemed close to unraveling.

Relan Edmund understood the real mission: not merely to eliminate Charles but to keep Arthur in the dark, to make him believe he had no rivals. "The goal," he murmured, "is to keep Charles alive just long enough for him to be a problem for Arthur, to ensure Arthur sees him as the true threat."

"But why go to such lengths if Arthur never realizes it's us behind it all?" Edmund asked, visibly frustrated at the facade they had to maintain.

Christopher's smile widened, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Patience, Edmund. Soon you'll see that the game is about more than revenge. This is about establishing just enough tension to keep them at odds. After marriage, once we're positioned right, the inheritance—and all Arthur has—will fall to us."

Edmund's curiosity sharpened. "So the enmity serves as a smokescreen?"

"Exactly," Christopher replied smoothly. "Arthur will suspect everyone except us. Our influence grows while his resources dwindle in conflicts we create but never directly participate in."

Christopher leaned back, his voice layered with a hint of mock amusement. "After all, do you really think Arthur would ever suspect his own future son-in-law of aligning with his sworn enemy?"

Edmund let out a quiet chuckle, catching the subtle brilliance of the plan. Their scheme was set to unfold as intended—without Arthur ever knowing the true threat .

Edmund: "But killing Charles directly would bring the same outcome. We could seize the land ourselves rather than referring it to Arthur," Edmund suggested, watching his father closely for a reaction.

Christopher silently gazed at his wine, a shadow crossing his face.

Christopher: "Son, that path would only lead to our hands being dirtied. And even if we manage to whisper ill will about Charles into Arthur's ears, and even if he dies mysteriously by another's hand, suspicion would undoubtedly point back to us. We would be openly implicated." He spoke with a hint of weariness, as though burdened by the weight of his own words. A trace of unease now shone in his eyes.

Christopher continued: "For now, Arthur doesn't even suspect our involvement in the ongoing political conflicts."

Edmund sighed as he returned to his room. He knew too well his father's intentions – securing Arthur's land under the guise of alliance through marriage. Yet, Edmund's own motives were another matter, hidden under a façade of loyalty. Though he outwardly supported the plan, his own ambitions were separate, diverging from his father's. This plan touched Ivvana directly, and the mere thought of her unsettled him. As he considered the inevitable future, his heart grew heavy with her unspoken fate.

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