Chapter 643: As Sharp As Ever

Thales stared fixedly at Knight Cecil on horseback and quickly thought through the situation before him.

What was going on?

He had only just arrived in Jade City. He had not even stepped into Emerald Palace yet.

Was this city really so unwilling to welcome him?

Of course, a small voice inside him reminded him. Do not forget what you came here to do.

Do not forget the ring in your pocket.

The people on both sides of the street had stopped what they were doing. Forced by the might of both parties, they did not dare approach, but they could not avoid whispering among themselves.

"Is that really the prince? That North Star? The one who personally took up a sword at the banquet and hacked until blood flowed like rivers, even smashing wine cups all over the floor?"

"Where did you hear that rumor? At most, he only chopped down one assassin, all right?"

"Wow, look at that prince. Such a huge build, with a face like a corpse. As expected of a northern barbarian..."

"Of course. If he were not like that, how could he survive in a place like Eckstedt, where they live on raw meat and blood and can only hide in caves eating human flesh once winter comes?"

"But I think you looked wrong. That big fellow is a noble, but he does not seem to be the prince. He is only a bodyguard..."

"Tsk, tsk. To need a bodyguard that size, he must have done so many guilty things he fears people will come for him. As expected of a northern barbarian..."

"The green hats mean the prince is hiding a fugitive?"

"With such overwhelming power, of course he treats the law as nothing. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Who knows what dirtier things are beneath..."

"Careful, or the warning hall will invite you for tea and accuse you of slander, defamation, and provoking conflict between officials and people..."

"If things are not open and transparent, and people are not allowed to look, then of course we can only guess in the dirtiest direction..."

"Why do you think the king exiled him? He must have committed some monstrous crime. They just do not let commoners know..."

"Lord Zayen actually wants to marry Lady Hilley to someone like this. Sigh. What kind of world is this..."

"You think we have a choice? Those are people from the capital. If they want your sister, would you dare refuse? Do you not love the kingdom, or do you not support the royal family?"

At the center of countless gazes, the Star Lake Guards stood firmly in front of the Jade Legion.

"Your Highness, this concerns the royal family's dignity. We cannot show weakness." Wya came to Thales's side, full of worry.

Thales did not speak.

"But they came prepared and have many people," Miranda observed the surroundings cautiously. "They may not be as elite as us, but if a fight starts, victory and defeat are still uncertain."

At the front of the formation, Warning Officer Cacqueray was caught in the middle, earnestly persuading Cecil and Mallos to stop and reconcile. It was clearly having very little effect.

"What about raising the nine-pointed star banner?" Doyle had an idea. "Their formation may be large, but facing the Jadestar royal family, they surely would not dare act."

Glover narrowed his eyes.

"Like last time when we entered Renaissance Palace?"

Doyle's expression darkened.

"Can you not mention that?"

"No. If we take a hard stance, that would truly be falling into the trap," Miranda said coldly. "If we hand the man over now, His Highness can still say he trusted a villain by mistake. But once we take a hard stance, His Highness becomes an Eternal Star City bully who shelters filth and relies on power to oppress others."

Her words left everyone from Star Lake Castle silent.

"So now, if we hand him over, we damage our dignity, and if we do not, we are bullying people with power," Wya said angrily. "This was deliberate, wasn't it?"

"Yes," Thales suddenly said. "This was deliberate."

The people around him all glanced at the prince.

"First day here, and before even seeing the man, we have already been tricked twice," Doyle sighed. "His Highness only wants to marry his sister. Is this really necessary?"

Thales sighed.

"Yes. Marrying his sister really should not be necessary."

Everyone glanced at the prince again.

"Your Highness," Miranda reacted first, "what did you think of?"

"Nothing. Nothing for now." Thales was absent-minded. "After a while, maybe."

Miranda sank into thought.

Ah, His Highness is speaking mysteriously again, Doyle thought helplessly.

Ah, His Highness is speaking mysteriously again, Wya thought with excitement.

"Your Highness Thales," Cecil, from the Jade Legion, had grown tired of negotiating with Mallos and spoke directly. "We need to carry out official duties. Please make this convenient for us."

Thales told him to wait a little longer, then turned back and had Dagori brought forward.

"So earlier, you told me Zayen sent you?"

"Your Highness, Your Highness, I, I do not know what is going on either. Logically, this should not..." Dagori was sweating all over, his pleading obvious.

Thales snorted softly.

"My guess is that Zayen did not send you to approach me to gather information, but to smear me."

Dagori swallowed.

At the front of the party, the confrontation between Mallos and Cecil continued. Even though Warning Officer Cacqueray had almost worn his mouth out, neither man yielded a single step.

"He may have discovered there was something wrong with you. For example, that you embezzled money behind his back and took kickbacks?"

Dagori was startled and denied it at once.

"What? Your Highness, I did not..."

"Do not argue. Otherwise, he would not sacrifice you so decisively."

Thales interrupted him with one sentence, his tone grave.

"So if you are taken away, what will happen to you?"

Dagori seemed to remember something. His face instantly turned pale.

"Oh no. The open sea, the ship..."

Thales nodded and sighed.

"Then today is your lucky day."

After saying this, Thales turned toward the green hats, the Jade Legion, and raised his voice.

"Knight Cecil, correct? I remember you!"

The attention of the Jade Legion, the people of Star Lake Castle, and the spectators on the street was all drawn over.

Cecil looked back at Thales, but his face remained cold, and he did not answer.

"Seven years ago, during an assassination in Eternal Star City," Thales continued, "you and Duke Zayen saved my life together and saved the kingdom's hope as well."

These words caused no small amount of discussion among the crowd.

"Is that so?" Cecil did not move. "Forgive me. I do not remember."

Thales nodded.

Not easy to deal with.

"Or more accurately, I saved Zayen's life first," Thales changed tack, "then saved your life, allowing you to avoid the shame of dereliction. I suppose you do not remember that either?"

As soon as he said this, the discussion on the street became even louder.

"That happened?"

Doyle was puzzled.

"He saved His Highness's life? Such a great merit?"

Wya, Ralf, Glover, Miranda, and the rest of Star Lake Castle all narrowed their eyes. Their gazes toward Cecil became unfriendly.

Cecil frowned. He looked over the surrounding crowd and wisely refused to take the bait.

"Your Highness, please order your subordinates to move aside so the Jade Legion can arrest the criminal."

Truly watertight.

Thales muttered inwardly.

"Rest assured. On account of that old friendship," Thales smiled, "I naturally will not obstruct you in your duties."

Dagori, who had just relaxed slightly, was shocked. His knees went soft.

"No, Your Highness! Please..."

But the Sin of Hell's River began to burn. Thales pulled him up from the ground with one hand.

"Get up!"

Thales dragged Dagori in front of him and gritted his teeth in a low voice.

"Prison suffering is unavoidable now. But do you still want to live?"

Dagori froze.

At the front of the party, Cecil was unhurried, as though pleased to see Dagori pulling and clinging inside the prince's group and forming even more connections.

"Then bring out the same skill you used to advise me to drink wine," Thales said quietly. "Tell the secret between you and Zayen, then beg for mercy. Not from me. From him."

"What?"

"You heard me," Thales said, his expression unchanged. "Now."

"But..." The terrified Dagori still wanted to ask more, but a great force came from Thales's hand and pushed him two meters away, sending him sprawling hard onto the ground.

Cecil snorted when he saw this.

This prince was at least rational.

He at least knew that unnecessary confrontation would only smear him blacker and blacker.

"Lord Zayen!"

A pig-slaughtering scream came from Dagori.

"You cannot treat me like this! All these years, for you, for House Covendier, I gathered intelligence, circulated information, ran before and after your horse, devoted myself heart and soul, loyal and faithful..."

Another uproar rose from the street.

Cecil's expression changed slightly.

"Nonsense," the knight roared. "Take him!"

The Jade Legion had long been prepared, and a group of mounted soldiers moved forward.

"No one moves!"

Mallos suddenly spoke loudly.

"Protect His Highness!"

The people of Star Lake Castle received the order. They drew their weapons together and forced back the soldiers of the Jade Legion.

Dagori, who had been frightened by the soldiers, became even bolder when he saw this. He struggled up from the ground, approached Cecil's direction, and cleverly hid behind Mallos.

"As long as, as long as I expanded my business in the Central Territory and made connections with the dignitaries of the capital, then whether it was your funds, raw materials, equipment, channels, or techniques, the Iris Family and Jade City would provide them to me without end, as much as I wanted!"

He trembled and slipped to the ground, tears and snot streaming as though heartbroken.

"Yes, I did many guilty things. I passed inferior goods off as good ones, defaulted on debts, bribed officials... but that was his command! Everything was for the Covendiers! I withheld the grape farmers' raw material payments and put all the losses in the accounts onto several temporary workers who made mistakes. In the end, I even closed the winery and secretly ran to Jade City, but that was your wish too! It was Duke Zayen who ordered me to do it! He said it was necessary. In any case, the loss would not fall on Jade City! He said so!"

Behind him, Thales rubbed his forehead.

Even at a time like this, he did not forget to shift blame.

Exclamations rose and fell on the street. The discussions grew louder and more chaotic.

Cecil was both shocked and furious.

"Take him!"

But at that moment, Mallos actively blocked his horse, preventing him from advancing.

"Duke Zayen, you cannot, cannot turn your back on me at a time like this! You, the people who contacted me, Charlie from the Wine Merchants' Guild, the clerk from the Notary Hall, and the report given to Mr. Butler every quarter..."

Hearing this, Thales suddenly spoke.

"Shut up!"

The prince strode forward and angrily rebuked Dagori.

"Duke Zayen is impartial, upright, and open as the clear sky. How could he do such petty, dirty things? Nor will I allow you to slander him here without basis and spit blood upon him!"

Dagori was startled.

"Your Highness, every sentence this lowly one says is true. Please, for me..."

Thales shouted:

"Make him shut up!"

Doyle froze for a moment, but on the other side, Miranda was the first to step forward. She knocked the stunned Dagori unconscious with her scabbard.

"Unbelievable. Simply appalling." Thales first looked surprised, then angry. "A mere merchant actually dares to spit blood and slander our kingdom's Guardian Duke!"

Cecil saw that Dagori no longer continued and finally snorted coldly.

"Since that is the case..."

"This is outrageous!"

Thales angrily interrupted him and pointed at the unconscious Dagori on the ground.

"Duke Zayen has given much for the kingdom and for the South Coast, yet he must suffer such a petty man's slander and defamation. It truly makes one furious beyond endurance!"

Behind the prince, everyone from Star Lake Castle stared at Thales's appearance, their feelings complicated.

Miranda coughed lightly.

"Too theatrical."

Hearing this, Thales hurriedly adjusted his voice.

Cecil's brows tightened. His instincts told him something was wrong.

"Since that is the case..."

"How could Zayen have anything to do with such filthy matters? If not out of respect for Duke Zayen and Jade City's laws, I would want to cut him down with a sword right now!" Thales waved angrily.

This time Doyle reacted extremely quickly and offered his sword, but before he could shout, "Please, Your Highness," Miranda pressed him back down.

For one instant, Cecil's expression was complicated.

"Since that is the case..."

"Since that is the case, Captain Cecil!"

Thales finally picked up Cecil's words.

"Please arrest him right now!"

Cecil frowned.

"That is only natural. Men..."

"Let us escort him to Emerald Palace together and confront Duke Zayen face to face!"

Thales shouted angrily, righteous and stern.

"We must swear to return Duke Zayen his innocence!"

Cecil froze.

Warning Officer Cacqueray's mouth also fell open. Mallos turned back and frowned.

What?

The surrounding voices became noisy again, chattering and boiling over.

"Do not worry. Zayen is my friend, and in the future he may even be my brother-in-law," Thales said, shamelessly claiming kinship. "I swear to Sunset, with me, Thales Jadestar, here, I will never let him suffer an unjust accusation!"

After saying this, Thales snatched the reins from Genard's hand, pulled Jenny, and charged forward, frightening the Jade Legion's warhorses into stamping back and forth.

"We leave now!"

Cecil struggled to control his reins while signaling his colleagues, whose horses were also losing control, not to collide with the prince. Having to divide his attention, he said anxiously:

"No. This criminal has nothing to do with the duke..."

"Oh, I understand. You have unspeakable difficulties!"

Thales came to a realization. While pulling Jenny, who looked at him aggrievedly, forward, he loudly ordered:

"Since that is the case, Star Lake Guards, for law and justice, immediately arrest Dagori Moss!"

"Yes!"

Doyle, who had been holding back for a long time, finally found a use for himself. He roared, stepped forward like an arrow, and grabbed the unconscious Dagori on the ground by one wrist.

"Arrest complete, Your Highness! The criminal has been seized!"

Behind him, Wya frowned and whispered:

"That movement and those lines seem a little familiar."

"The last time we broke into the palace," Glover reluctantly reminded him. "Big Hanging Brother."

Those who had broken into Renaissance Palace suddenly understood.

Cecil, desperately restraining his mount, reacted and coughed.

"No, Your Highness. We appreciate your goodwill, but Jade City has its own laws. We will take him according to procedure..."

"That is even better, Captain Cecil!"

Thales was pleasantly surprised and mounted Jenny's saddle.

"I know the trial hall is also in Emerald Palace. Then let us go directly to the trial hall. Today, I want to personally watch this man stand trial and confess, then announce it to the world. Before all of Jade City, we shall wash away the unjust stain upon Duke Zayen!"

Cecil struggled to control his mount, which had become irritated for no reason. At the same time, he was shocked speechless.

No, wait...

Pushed along by Doyle, the people of the Star Lake Guards all moved together, following the prince and squeezing forward. The Jade Legion did not know what to do and fell into a flurry.

"Let's go, let's go, everyone of the South Coast! To Emerald Palace!" Doyle tossed Dagori onto Glover's displeased back and stirred up the entire street. Ralf even added a gust of wind.

Cecil shouted orders to the soldiers and still tried hard to control the direction of events.

"Captain Cecil! This matter concerns the kingdom's dignity and the duke's reputation. There can be no delay! Look at all these people around us. If we are even a moment late, rumors will fly everywhere!"

Thales came before him and asked, seemingly urgent:

"Now, does anyone intend to obstruct us?"

------

Emerald Palace, main palace, reception hall.

A huge portrait of the first Guardian Duke of the South Coast from seven hundred years ago, the "Fatal Iris" Leinster Covendier, hung on the wall where no one entering the door could possibly miss it. The hanging banners in the hall were covered everywhere with patterns of tricolored irises.

Zayen Covendier sat expressionlessly beneath his ancestor's portrait and waved away a cup of tea brought by Butler Ashford.

"My lord, the specific situation is, is just like that."

Knight Cecil clenched his teeth and looked at Dagori Moss, who was tied tightly on the ground and still unconscious.

Cecil glanced to the side.

His Highness the Duke of Star Lake was seated diagonally opposite Zayen, admiring the portrait of the Fatal Iris while comfortably tasting tea and grapes.

That detestable little...

Zayen sighed, drawing Cecil's attention back.

He looked at Dagori on the ground and snorted coldly.

But Thales, diagonally opposite him, pursed his lips and slurped his tea loudly, making a crude, inelegant noise as though no one else were present.

Zayen frowned.

Did the royal family not teach etiquette?

Damned barbarian.

Two seconds later, Butler Ashford appeared silently, carried away Thales's teacup, and when he returned it, there was now a wooden straw in it.

"For children," Ashford said with a smiling face.

Damn.

Thales had brought humiliation upon himself. He awkwardly put the teacup down.

Standing beside Thales, Mallos spoke in a breathy voice.

"Are you certain you want to do this?"

Thales coughed, turned back, and covered his mouth lightly.

"Our urgent priority is to gain a foothold in this hostile city, not get beaten while hugging our heads without understanding why..."

"I can hear you, Your Highness." Zayen's voice, unable to endure any more, came from beside him.

Thales sat properly in embarrassment and picked up the teacup again.

"Um, do you have flower tea? Come on, Thor, you have a cup too. Unbelievable. I finally got tea that is neither bitter nor harsh..."

Zayen exhaled heavily.

"Cecil, take the criminal away."

The depressed Cecil lowered his head and answered.

Sure enough, that damned youth's voice from the side started crackling again.

"Ah, not taking him to trial? Let all of Jade City see..."

"We have flower tea here," Zayen restrained his temper. "From all over the world. So may I ask you to focus on tasting it, Your Highness?"

Thales nodded with a grin.

"Of course."

Cecil and his subordinates were about to escort Dagori away when Thales suddenly raised his head.

"Ahem?"

That ahem made them pause again.

Several seconds later, Zayen exhaled again.

"Cecil. Be gentle."

Only then did Thales beam and wave Mallos away.

"Thor, relax. Treat this as our home. Make yourself at home."

This made the furrows on Zayen's forehead deepen.

Soon, the large reception hall became empty. Only Thales and Zayen remained.

And the Fatal Iris in the portrait.

"I knew that trick would not stump you."

Once the door closed, Zayen spoke softly.

But what greeted him was:

Crack!

A crisp sound.

Zayen frowned at the fragments on the floor.

"That was a porcelain cup imported from the Eastern Continent."

"I know. That repays the debt from last time."

In the next second, Thales's smile faded.

"What are you doing?"

Zayen sneered.

"That question should be mine. You came to my city..."

"You. You were the one who made that wine merchant with a criminal record approach me," Thales stopped wasting words and met Zayen's gaze. "So he knew I was coming, including that young earl who wanted to duel for love. They knew in advance that I would be there waiting to enter the city."

Zayen snorted softly.

"And you, Your Highness. You knew full well there was something wrong with him, but still accepted him into your party?"

"It reminds me of the old soldier I sent into your party seven years ago. What was his name, Jason?"

The Duke of Star Lake and the Duke of the South Coast met each other's gazes in the air. Both were cold and sharp, and both held something back.

Like the opening exchange of a sword duel.

"His name is Genard. And you actually dare mention that?"

Thales was expressionless.

"I accepted Moss because I guessed he was sent by you. Keeping him might be useful. Of course, what happened later proved my guess."

"You guessed?" Zayen smiled mockingly. "Or did you already know?"

"It no longer matters." Thales shook his head. "What matters is that Moss is indeed your man and has served you for many years."

"My people investigated Dagori Moss's asset accounts over the past few years," Zayen did not deny it, but refused to show weakness. "To be honest, with the filthy things he has done over the past few years, what he should be doing now is immediately leaving the country, living under an assumed name for the rest of his life, and never letting me find him again. He should not be volunteering to go to your side as a spy. That is not normal, is it?"

Damned Secret Intelligence Department.

Thales cursed inwardly.

You truly came to dig a pit for me.

His face did not change.

"But according to him, you forced him to approach me."

Zayen sneered.

"I would bet that if I had him interrogated now, he would cry tears and snot and say it was actually you who forced him to betray me."

Not me.

Thales thought silently.

But... it was almost the same.

"So this time, I suspect he is your man, you suspect he is my man, and we end up hurting each other and making ourselves look ridiculous?"

Zayen did not answer.

But several seconds later, his gaze sharpened.

"I know what trick you are playing, dear Your Highness."

"You thought that after turning one chess piece under Jade City, you could run wild in my territory, working from the inside out and following the vine to the root?"

Thales frowned.

Zayen snorted coldly.

"This chessboard is not yours. It is far more complicated than you imagine."

"Same to you. You thought that sending a sword at the royal banquet would strike my weak point and make me look bad?" Thales retorted. "Now I have come to collect interest."

Zayen smiled.

He reached out, grabbed a stack of letters from the side, and threw them before Thales.

"You mean this?"

Thales frowned. He recognized them.

Those were the marriage inquiry letters King Kessel had sent in his name, the "do you want to breed" letters. Compared with the one sent to the Arunde family, it seemed only the titles and signatures had been changed.

Truly crude.

Aside from them, there was also a portrait of him...

"This portrait is not very good," Thales curled his lips. "You know, I grow fast."

But the other party had no intention of joking.

"I do not care what you came here to do, Thales."

"I do not care whether you came to trouble me or to seek death," Zayen threatened. "But if you come, I will give you a welcome, just like today. If you intend to stay, then I will give you... suitable hospitality, until you roll out of my territory."

Hospitality.

Thales curled his lip inwardly.

Poor fellow.

Did he know?

Thales had come here for more than simply making trouble.

And far more than a private grudge.

In that instant, Thales vaguely felt the heaviness of the bone ring in his pocket.

You came to destroy him.

The voice in his heart said.

For Stars.

"Zayen, tell me," after a long silence, Thales spoke. "Do you and I have to oppose each other? Must one of us die?"

In that instant, the prince's tone was somewhat low.

Zayen caught it, and his brow moved slightly.

"What do you think?"

Thales sighed and put down his portrait.

"Fine, Zayen. In fact, the first thing I came here to do..."

"Do not even think about it," Zayen shook his head lightly. "Hilley is not in the city. You cannot see her."

"Actually, what I wanted to say is that I came to apologize, Zayen."

Zayen frowned.

"Apologize?"

"For the matter at the royal banquet... I understand your anger. You probably thought that as soon as I returned to the country, I set my sights on your sister in order to retaliate against you and provoke you. So you wanted to strike back?"

This time, Zayen looked at him for a long while, seeming surprised yet deeply guarded.

"But?"

Thales took a deep breath.

"But, let me say this first. I still bear a grudge over you using vampires to assassinate me. But this matter, your sister?"

The prince raised the "do you want to breed" letter and said sincerely:

"I swear, it was not my intention. I did not even write this letter myself."

Zayen stared at him and snorted softly.

"If not so, how would it show your contempt and provocation?"

"All right. Then if I had written it by hand, would you feel better?"

"No."

"Exactly."

The two people in the reception hall were silent for a while, as though both were thinking.

"In short, regarding this, I apologize," Thales spoke first and shook his head. "I swear, this was my father's idea. I did not know beforehand. In fact, I only learned the truth not long ago. But please believe me. I have no intention of coveting your sister, nor am I using this to take revenge on you. I am not that despicable."

Zayen stared at him, his gaze probing. Only after a long while did he speak.

"Why should I believe you?"

"Because you understand me, just as I understand you."

"You do not understand me," Zayen denied. "Not at all."

"Then you still have to believe me."

Thales restrained his expression.

"Because of what I am about to tell you."

"And that is?"

Thales took a deep breath.

"Listen carefully, Zayen Covendier. I received quite reliable intelligence." The Duke of Star Lake said solemnly, "At this very moment in Jade City, someone intends to move against you."

The reception hall fell quiet.

Zayen looked at him and suddenly laughed.

"I know this trick. Someone wants to harm me, and you happen to be able to help," the Duke of the South Coast sneered. "So in order to live, I had best cooperate with you and love you like family?"

Thales exhaled, somewhat helpless.

"Fine. It is my father."

Those words changed Zayen's expression.

Thales leaned forward and looked directly into Zayen's eyes with incomparable seriousness.

"The supreme king of the Kingdom of Stars, Kessel the Fifth. He wants to act against Jade City. Against you."

"At this time. In this place."

"With the might of the king."

At that moment, the time flowing in the hall seemed to be struck hard by a hammer, its balance shattered, no longer even.

Zayen remained expressionless.

But his eyes nailed themselves to Thales's face and did not move for a long time.

It was almost harder to endure than the "pact" in Thales's pocket.

Thales felt somewhat thirsty, but when he lowered his head, he remembered that his cup of tea had already been smashed.

He could only sigh.

"So yes, in order to live, Zayen, you had best cooperate with me, and love me like fam..."

Thales paused.

"Hm. Just cooperate."

Zayen did not speak.

He only carefully examined Thales's face again and again, as though some urgent code to be cracked was hidden there.

"That is all."

Finally, Thales could not endure that gaze and stood up.

"If you still want to know more, if you are still interested, you know where I am staying. Fine, even I do not know where I am staying right now."

At that moment:

"How do you prove it?" Zayen said softly. "Your father?"

Thales smiled.

"That wine merchant. If what we both said is true, then I thought he was sent by you, while you thought he had been turned by me," Thales shrugged. "But whether it was his daring to return to Jade City and face you, or his willingness to come spy on me, there are parts behind it that do not make sense."

Thales's voice suddenly tightened.

"There is only one explanation."

Zayen narrowed his eyes.

"The Secret Intelligence Department."

Thales smiled.

"You are not completely stupid."

"And that marriage inquiry letter my father wrote to all of you in my name. As far as I know, he sent it to no fewer than ten families." Thales spread his hands and gestured toward the furnishings of Emerald Palace. "But now I am here. In Jade City."

The lines on Zayen's face gradually vanished, revealing no emotion.

"Do you think that is because he likes the Emerald Celebration? Or because he likes you?"

Zayen did not speak. He stared straight ahead, calm in expression.

Just like the ancestor behind him.

Thales could not wait any longer and sighed.

"Fine. Then let us return to the main subject. Where does your sister live?"

Zayen's gaze moved, stabbing toward Thales like a sharp blade.

"Only a joke." Thales had no choice but to raise his hands in surrender. "Just checking whether you were still alive."

But Zayen's gaze remained sharp, unbearable.

Thales laughed awkwardly and walked toward the door.

"Go find Ashford."

Thales stopped and turned back.

"He will arrange a room for you, and a new teacup," the master of Jade City said faintly.

"Thank you." Thales raised his brows.

Zayen did not look at him again.

The Duke of the South Coast only lowered his head again and looked at the pile of broken porcelain fragments on the floor.

They lay helplessly on Emerald Palace's floor tiles, each piece alone.