Chapter 351
“The toxins in his body have been mostly purged, but since the poison once invaded his vital organs, his strength won’t recover so easily,” Jessica said,
How could the King send Leon into such danger right now? Had he really never considered that his son might not survive this?
Why was the King so deeply suspicious of Thalia’s family?
“Jessica,” Garbisch offered, “if you’re worried, I could send reinforcements to assist Prince Leon.” He held the prince in high regard.
After all they’d been through, even Garbisch had come to see Leon as Jessica’s perfect match.
It was highly likely that the two would end up together. Even if they didn’t, Leon had already carved out a permanent place in Jessica’s heart.
Garbisch and the aunts had come to regard Leon as practically a son–in–law of the Yates family.
“The palace has just survived a devastating coup, and we still can’t be sure all the conspirators have been rooted out. With fear running rampant in the court, you must remain in Capitalia as commander of the Royal Guard to protect the royal family, especially the King.”
Jessica warned, “The King will likely summon you to the palace at dawn tomorrow to discuss your next moves. Garbisch, don’t trouble yourself with anything else right now. Just focus on preparing your strategy.”
Garbisch said, “But the Royal Guard isn’t where we truly belong. Jessica, didn’t you say that leading the Royal Guard was just a stepping stone in your grand plan?”
Ultimately, their goal was to gain command of the Yates Army, yet currently, all their time and energy were consumed by Royal Guard duties.
Sometimes, Garbisch wasn’t even sure what the point of being so busy day after day was.
After all that had transpired, his loyalty to the imperial family wasn’t what it once was.
The palace was a den of wolves. Only his ties to the Yates family kept him from abandoning its gilded cages.
“Garbisch,” she said, “the King won’t easily permit us to take the Yates Army away.”
Jessica knew his heart. The royals had failed him.
Garbisch would rather return to the borderlands as a garrison commander, free from having to decipher people’s intentions or deal with endless schemes. All he wanted was to fight with all his might to defend his homeland.
He was a soldier through and through.
“These past years have been marked by turmoil and unrest between nations, plunging the entire Continent into chaos. For now, Novigrad appears relatively stable with Prince Waldo, the God of War, guarding the south; my grandfather stationed in Southernville; and Prince Leon defending the
Northern Borderlands. But I fear this fragile peace won’t last much longer.”
“Why?” Garbisch asked, puzzled. From what he could see, the neighboring kingdoms didn’t seem to be in much turmoil right now.
Jessica asked, “Why did Malik rush back to Askar in such haste that he didn’t even wait for his sister?”
Jessica’s question made it suddenly dawn on Garbisch. “Has something happened in Askar?”
Jessica said, “I fear there’s trouble in Askar’s royal family. Chaos is coming.” When the royals were in turmoil, it triggered unrest across the nation.
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