Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Meanwhile, after leaving Virouse’s room, Huron immediately walked to Sylas’s room. The guards announced his arrival right away.

Sylas, who was standing on the balcony looking out at the palace garden, turned around. He had been waiting for the general. There were many things he wanted to ask.

Huron entered and stood in the middle of the room, bowing respectfully as Sylas walked over to the sofa.

"Good morning, Your Royal Highness," Huron greeted.

"Good morning, General. Please, have a seat," Sylas said, gesturing to the sofa across from him.

This time, Huron nodded and sat down after Sylas took his seat.

"I apologize for not coming earlier. I had many things to handle," Huron said.

Sylas looked calm and gentle, as usual. But Huron could see the prince’s gaze was sharp and full of doubt.

Huron explained, "His Majesty’s condition hasn’t improved, and people are still demanding answers about the rumors. We’re investigating several things, and it’s taking time. I want to explain what will happen next."

"General, you know I wasn’t even here when it happened. Anyone could’ve made up a lie. I could’ve said Prince Virouse did it. Does it make sense to blame someone just because of rumors?" Sylas asked. Google seaʀᴄh n0velfire.net

Huron nodded. "I understand. I won’t accuse anyone without proof. But the biggest problem for you is public opinion. If you can’t prove your innocence, those rumors will haunt you forever. People’s trust in you will fade. So I ask you, for your own good, Your Highness, please cooperate."

Sylas stared at Huron. "Then why didn’t you say this earlier? Why did you order the guards to arrest me instead of explaining? I wouldn’t have resisted if you just asked me to come back to the palace."

"If I hadn’t done that, maybe you, I, and His Majesty wouldn’t have survived. Do you know what really happened? Who tried to kill you on the road? We lost many guards. And you know who’s behind it."

Sylas fell silent, trying to read between the lines. Was Huron saying he also knew who the real suspect was?

Huron continued, "He’s strong and clever, Your Highness. I had to make sure he didn’t act before you arrived at the palace. If he did, even I wouldn’t be able to stop him. I had to make him think I was on his side—to keep him calm, to avoid suspicion."

"You’re on my side?" Sylas asked.

Huron shook his head. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but no. I’m not on anyone’s side. I want to protect the kingdom. You can trust me in that, at least."

He still didn’t mention Virouse’s name.

Huron then bowed deeply. "Forgive me. I’ve caused you trouble. But please understand, everything I’ve done is for the good of everyone."

Sylas replied, "A lot has happened. What’s clear is that you need to train your soldiers better. Without Duke Terion, Lord Vlad, and that slave, I wouldn’t even be here. All your plans would’ve failed."

Huron nodded. "I understand, Your Highness."

He continued, "Once Duke Marcellus arrives, you’ll be called to court. If they can’t reach a decision, you’ll have to remain here for a while. During that time, we’ll have to declare temporary leadership. That means I’ll take over some responsibilities until His Majesty recovers or you’re cleared to take the throne."

Sylas already knew that. "Then what about Prince Virouse?"

It wasn’t fair that he could walk free without any punishment.

"For now, don’t bring him up or confront him," Huron warned. His tone was serious.

"Why not? He’s guilty, and you know it."

"There are a lot of things to consider before you try to remove him. He has full support from the Rhovan region. Even Duke Marcellus and the head of the royal wizards, Doctor Rhanda, are backing him. Your position is too weak right now. Don’t make a mistake."

"But you can’t just ignore it, General."

"I know, Your Highness. But everything must happen in its time. You’re still young, still naive. There’s a lot you need to learn before you can be king."

Sylas fell silent. For the first time, Huron had dared to say something like that to him—something close to criticism.

"You think I’m naive?"

"Forgive me, Your Highness. But kindness without strength will only bring harm to the people. As a future king, you must understand—kindness alone isn’t enough to protect the lives of hundreds of thousands."

"I may not get another chance to say this. But remember it. I believe in your innocence. And I’ll do everything I can to prove it. When the time comes and you rule, remember I didn’t say these things to offend you."

Huron continued, explaining that Sylas’s current power came only from Adrien. If he couldn’t hold onto that, he’d become nothing more than a puppet. He needed another source of power.

"Emeria and Ganesh—that’s where your strength should come from. Once the trial ends, please consider marriage."

Sylas took a deep breath. This wasn’t a decision he could avoid. It was a matter of life and death.

"Emeria... Prince Anam. Please send him home, General. The current situation isn’t good. If he stays, it’ll damage the kingdom’s image," said Sylas.

Huron nodded. "I’ll take care of it."

Then he cleared his throat. "The prince is deeply in love with you, Your Highness. Emeria would submit to you if—"

"General, please don’t ever say that again. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl."

He held back a smile.

Sylas continued, "Prince Anam said he’d take me to Emeria, but that’ll never happen. I won’t marry him, General. Whether I like him or not. We’re both crown princes. We can’t leave our kingdoms behind."

Even though Anam clearly would, just to be with Sylas. But that terrified him. He couldn’t accept someone with so much power giving up everything just for him. And he could never return Anam’s feelings.

Huron nodded. "Understood."

Just then, there was a disturbance outside. Huron quickly asked the guards to check.

When they returned, the guards said Alvaro was demanding to see Sylas.

Huron and Sylas exchanged looks. Huron understood the meaning in Sylas’s eyes and ordered them to let Alvaro in.

As soon as Alvaro entered, he looked so rushed he didn’t even notice Huron was there. His face tensed when he saw him—but then he pulled himself together.

Alvaro bowed. "General."

"What is it? You’re not going to lose Prince Sylas," Huron said. He knew how loyal Alvaro was.

Alvaro turned to Sylas. "Your Highness. About Kai—he was taken to the Royal Cells. And now he’s not there."

Huron grew curious. Especially after seeing Sylas’s shocked expression. Alvaro looked at Huron cautiously, wanting to say Virouse took Kai—but unsure if he should in front of the general.

"Where is he?" Sylas asked, clearly worried. Guilt immediately hit him. His heart pounded with dread. If something happened to that slave, he didn’t know how he’d ever find peace.

"What’s going on?" Huron asked. He knew Alvaro didn’t trust him, but now wasn’t the time to keep secrets.

Sylas explained, "I brought a slave from Omino. We rode in Duke Terion’s carriage. But I couldn’t bring him into my room."

Huron understood right away. "But Your Highness, you shouldn’t concern yourself with a slave."

Sylas shook his head. "Without him, I wouldn’t be here, General. He saved me and Alvaro."

Huron went silent for a moment, then said, "I’ll find out what happened."

Alvaro watched Sylas speaking to Huron and didn’t understand why the prince trusted him so much. But if that was how it was, he had no other choice.

"Prince Virouse took him," Alvaro said. This made both Huron and Sylas tense.

Huron frowned. Why would Virouse take a slave?

"Does the slave know something? Or are you using him for a plan?" Huron asked.

Sylas immediately shook his head. "No. He’s just a regular slave."

Huron nodded. "Then it’s best to stay calm. Prince Virouse probably wants to test how important he is to you. Don’t mention him until after the trial."

Sylas grew anxious. He was sure Kai was terrified. He could imagine the slave trembling in fear.

"Isn’t there any way?" Sylas asked. Deep down, he was furious at Virouse’s boldness.

"For now, no. Prince Virouse knows that the slave belongs to you. Legally, he has no right to harm him. He’ll be fine," Huron assured him.

But Sylas couldn’t relax. Something in his gut told him something bad would happen. And it frustrated him—he couldn’t even protect someone important to him.

"If Prince Virouse dares to hurt Kai, I swear he won’t live in peace," Sylas said, calm but with a tremble in his voice.

Huron went quiet. He immediately realized—this slave wasn’t just a slave. A dangerous situation. Sylas cared for him.

"Please, don’t do anything reckless," Huron warned.

Then he looked at Alvaro and signaled for him to follow.

Alvaro hesitated, but he finally stepped out of the room following Huron.