Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1348

Hayden let out a cold grunt. He deliberately turned his face away, refusing to look at Nicholas. Nicholas stood tall and elegant, though he wore Gordon's face.

In a calm and steady tone, he said, "I will fulfill my promises to you. The riverworks project will be completed. There will be no senseless bloodshed, no harm to the people of the capital, no destruction of crops. And rest assured, Dad, I will not let you die. Once I claim the throne, I promise you, you will be the one to ascend to the royal seat."

Hayden scoffed, the derision in his voice unmistakable. "You really are the picture of a devoted son." Nicholas' gaze remained steady, his words sincere. "I have vowed, and I will keep my word. You will sit on the throne, ruling over all. No more threats from Sandoria, no more stagnation at the borders with Westhaven. The people will prosper, and Starhaven will flourish."

Hayden spat contemptuously. "You, an ungrateful traitor working with Sandoria and Westhaven, have the audacity to say such things. It makes me sick to my core."

Nicholas remained unflinching. "That was merely a temporary measure. Once you are crowned, I will turn the tide, expel the enemies, and ensure they never dare to threaten us again.'

Hayden's fingers itched, as if he wished to tear away Nicholas' facade and see if there truly was a wolf's skin beneath this so-called gentle exterior.

How could he say such things with a straight face? How could he have such a heart?

The Southern Frontier had been reclaimed at such a cost. Countless soldiers had fallen in the effort, their bones forever buried in that land. And now, Nicholas wanted to hand it over?

If the Southern Frontier fell into the hands of Sandoria, was it really so easy to just take it back? Or was he planning on gifting the land to them?

land had no value. All

a good plan, didn't you? The common people will call me the traitor, the rebel who plotted

son

a man who spoke of benevolence and righteousness,

Nicholas would have listened to Hayden. He would have obediently remained a county duke and lived a life of idle wealth

understand this act of devotion of mine. Rest assured, Violet and the others will

you prevent them from leaving? I'll expose your schemes to the

burned with

Nicholas simply smiled, unruffled.

you expose

already knows about me, and the checkpoints in the capital are tightly controlled. They're just waiting for me to enter the city. They hope the riverworks project will be completed, and the Royal Astronomer has

in Hayden's gaze seemed to scorch him.

true generals are already on the

did not

Carissa

made his concern deepen. Nicholas never underestimated his enemies. Even someone like Yuvan, whom he considered a fool, had been handled With great

to infiltrate Yuvan's forces, turning Yuvan's core people into loyalists-bit by bit, until

a sudden fit of rage, Hayden hurled his cup at