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At last, Malcolm breathed a sigh of relief. With his leave secured, he embraced a life of leisure at home, shutting himself away from the affairs of the outside world. Yet, Kylie was far from pleased.
She was certain that Connor was the crown prince. Now was the time to make it known, to allow the court officials to show their support and demonstrate that this decision was what everyone wanted.
But Malcolm had shut his doors under the guise of illness, making it clear he had no intention of building alliances for Connor. It wasn’t the first time the queen had been disappointed by her family’s lack of support, but this time, she found it truly unbearable.
Fuming, she vented, “I could never count on them, and I still can’t count on them now! Do they not wish for my son and me to prosper? Will they only be satisfied if we suffer? If this is what it means to have a family, I’d rather not have one at all!”
Lydia tried to reason with her, explaining, “Your Majesty, Lord Quinton’s actions do have merit. With the crown prince now decided, Lord Quinton’s residence has become a place of great interest.
“Prince Connor may be the eldest prince, but he’s still young and has yet to fully mature. His Majesty has always been wary of his in-laws’ influence, and will make a move against them should they make themselves too visible. Even if it were not His Majesty’s desire, he would still act if Lord Quinton’s household continues to rise in such a high-profile manner.”
Kylie’s expression darkened. “They fear this, then fear that what good does fear do? If half the court were under our influence, would His Majesty dare act against us so easily? It’s precisely because our power isn’t secure yet that we should be seizing every opportunity to strengthen it.”
She cast an irritated glance at the ever-cautious Lydia and snapped, “Instead of worrying about the Quinton family, you should be thinking about how to bring Connor back to Everspring Palace. What kind of mother is kept away from her own son? Letting him stay in Serenity Palace day and night-what nonsense is that?”
Lydia’s face tensed with unease. “Your Majesty, it is difficult enough just to see him, let alone bring him. back. The queen dowager has stationed her own people to watch over him. Whenever he goes to his studies or training, guards escort him. All of them are skilled fighters. Also, they are unwavering in their duty and immune to bribes.”
Kylie clenched her fists, her irritation boiling over. “What kind of queen dowager meddles in the affairs of the harem, even taking it upon herself to raise a royal prince? Does she want him to think of her as his true mother and cast me aside? That old woman is far too calculating.”
Lydia gasped in alarm. “Your Majesty, please be careful with your words!”
“What is there to fear?” Kylie scoffed. “The crown prince has already been chosen. Find a way. If nothing else, bring Connor back for just one visit.”
Lydia had no choice but to try and meet with Connor.
However, the study hall was strictly off-limits to unauthorized personnel. If she wanted to see him, she had to wait for the brief moments when he left-either on his way back to Serenity Palace or while heading to the training grounds.
Even then, she could only watch from a distance. A swarm of attendants and guards surrounded him at all times, making it nearly impossible to catch more than a fleeting glimpse.
On some days, she couldn’t see him at all. The royal guards, towering and broad- shouldered, flanked him in two rows. They shielded him so thoroughly that even the tip of his head was obscured.
She attempted to bribe them, offering money in exchange for a mere hour of Connor’s time. But these men were guards whom Victoria had personally chosen. They were unyielding and incorruptible. Forget silver coins, even gold coins wouldn’t tempt them.
Victoria had chosen the simplest, most crude method of protection. Even Salvador himself required an escort to visit the boy.
By contrast, Caden enjoyed a degree of freedom. As Grace had held authority over the harem for a while, she had her own network of people stationed throughout the palace and could protect her son.
Still, Victoria had placed watchers of her own. Not to guard against danger, but against ambition.
Both Kylie and Grace were uneasy, their hearts restless.
For a time, the queen had been pleased, but doubt soon crept in. Without an official announcement of who had been chosen as crown prince, Caden still had a chance-however slim-to contend for the position. As long as the edict remained sealed, Grace would hold on to hope.
In Kylie’s mind, it was better if everyone else abandoned their ambitions. Then, no danger would remain.
In fact, Grace had little to no hope or expectations. She was well aware that the royal edict would most likely contain Connor’s name. However, the delay in announcing the decision left room for her to continue striving for her son’s chance.
No one could rise to power simply by waiting for the heavens’ favor.
Power was seized, not gifted.
Once, Grace had believed that Salvador might overlook Connor. With his arrogance and reckless temper, the eldest prince had seemed an unlikely choice. But now, things were different.
Now, the only way her son could have a future was if Connor didn’t. If the eldest prince were dead, Caden would have a great chance of becoming crown prince.
Cecil was beyond hope, as Sylvia still carried the heavy stain of the crime of plotting against a royal heir. Though she had not been punished, Salvador would no longer glance in their direction.
Thus, Connor had to die.
But with Victoria guarding him so fiercely, how could Grace strike?
Grace quickly noticed that Lydia frequently sought out the eldest prince. She also learned that Kylie was trying to have him return to Everspring Palace. So, she waited, as the only chance to act would be when Connor left Victoria’s watchful eye.
But Kylie was utterly useless. Not only had she failed to bring the boy back to her palace, but she couldn’t even manage to see him in person.
Still, Victoria’s wariness only confirmed what Grace already suspected the name written in the sealed edict could only be Connor’s.
While Grace gathered information about Salvador’s health, she also searched for an opportunity to strike. The act itself would be difficult, but what was even harder was ensuring that no suspicion fell on her.
Fortunately, she had planned ahead. She had already spread rumors throughout the palace, making it well known that Kylie and Sylvia had a falling out. However, tying the assassination to Sylvia would take more work.
Seeing that her mistress was deep in thought, Lyra, Grace’s trusted maid, stepped forward and said, “Your Grace, Lady Sophie recently visited Lady Sylvia. If this matter sparks another dispute between Queen Kylie and Lady Sylvia, it could cause a great stir, especially if Lady Sophie is involved as well.”
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Grace waved her hand dismissively. “No. Lady Sophie must not be dragged into this. That would be like lifting a stone only to drop it on our own feet.”
After a pause, she added, “There is no need to fan the flames any further. The grudge between them js already known. If we escalate matters now, the queen dowager and the king may step in to resolve the conflict, and all our groundwork Will be wasted.”
Lyra nodded in agreement. “You’re thoughtful as always, Your Grace.”
“But thoughtfulness alone is useless without an opportunity,” Grace murmured. “We cannot rush this. If we are patient, the right moment will come.”
She knew well that success required patience. One had to wait for the perfect time to strike and deliver a fatal blow. If she acted too soon and things went wrong, all her plans would be exposed.
Soon enough, the opportune moment arrived.
Salvador had been taking a new medicine for some time now, and after a period of adjustment, his health had greatly improved. His birthday had gone uncelebrated net earlier that year due to his illness. However, he now intended to present Connor before the entire court and make a public showing of him.
As such, it was arranged that the celebration would take place on the 26th of December, with the additional feature of an equestrian competition.
The three princes were expected to participate, each having selected a young colt to train for the occasion. For the past several weeks, Rafael had been instructing them in horsemanship, and the princes had been diligently practicing with their steeds.
There was little doubt in the minds of the assembled company that the equestrian competition, though seemingly designed for the military men, had a deeper purpose to showcase how much Connor had improved since the Verdant Hunt.
As for the explanation that the eldest prince’s misstep during that time had been caused by stomach pains, many later came to see the flaw in that reasoning. Had he truly been unwell, surely he would have shown signs of it earlier. Indeed, he had been as lively as ever that morning.
And yet, it was not so much a mistake as a lapse in composure. To miss his mark and then break down in tears-where was the resolve expected of a prince in such a moment?
Upon hearing about the competition, Kylie felt a surge of satisfaction. She hastened to Serenity Palace and implored the queen dowager to permit a brief meeting between her and her son. This time, Victoria agreed, but with the condition that she be present. No private meeting was to take place.
Though Kylie had hoped to speak privately with Connor, particularly to explain the matter of her poisoning him, she had no choice but to accept the queen dowager’s terms. A meeting, however brief, would suffice.