This Prince Is Very Unhappy and the Consequences Are Serious
Thanks to the meticulous care of the imperial physicians, Reid Yale’s condition steadily improved. Within half an hour, he had enough energy to spar verbally with the Crown Prince and the others.
Although there was no concrete evidence regarding Su Wan’s encounter with the python, the guards’ testimonies made it easy enough to guess what had happened. In any case, the whole affair had nothing to do with Serena Phoenix—at most, she was just lucky.
From Su Wan’s earlier words, it was clear that both she and Reid Yale were involved in bringing the python into the hunting zone. But now that both of them had nearly died because of it, there was no way to pursue the matter—they could simply insist they’d been framed and were victims themselves.
Master Marcus Wynn had the sense to stay out of it from the start, but Prince Terrence Valen of Lyndaria and Prince Rowan had no choice but to remain with the Crown Prince to handle the aftermath.
Reid Yale was quick on the uptake. As soon as the Crown Prince opened the discussion, Reid immediately took the initiative: first, he strongly condemned the lack of safety in the Imperial Menagerie Grounds, saying that a deadly incident during the contest was a responsibility Eastlyn could not shirk.
He wasn’t wrong—even if Reid Yale had set the trap, it was Eastlyn’s poor defenses that allowed outsiders to exploit the gap. The Crown Prince had no retort.
Then Reid abruptly shifted his tone, hinting that the whole incident was just an accident. Thanks to the Crown Prince’s quick response, both he and Su Wan survived without serious harm. He declared the matter settled and said he would not pursue it further.
Everyone could guess that Reid Yale and Su Wan were at fault, but if the matter were truly investigated, it wouldn’t be just those two who suffered. The Crown Prince, eager to avoid trouble and keep the peace—and since Serena Phoenix was unharmed—immediately agreed, classifying the python incident as an accident, blaming it on Su Wan’s carelessness in provoking the snake.
Prince Rowan stood to the side, sighing inwardly and suppressing his dissatisfaction. Reid Yale had conceded so easily; as the Crown Prince of Eastlyn, even if he didn’t fight for Serena Phoenix’s interests, he should at least fight for Eastlyn’s.
Even if they were in the wrong, they should have at least maintained a confident front—only then could they suppress Reid Yale, instead of letting him direct the conversation and lead them by the nose.
Sure enough, after settling the python issue with the Crown Prince, Reid Yale brought up Serena Phoenix: "Your Highness, the python affair is settled, and neither Su Wan nor I will pursue it. But Serena Phoenix showed disrespect to my cousin Su Wan—she struck her in public. That cannot simply be let go."
"What exactly do you mean by that, Young City Lord?" The Crown Prince frowned, already regretting how quickly he'd agreed earlier. But a gentleman’s word is his bond—now that he’d spoken, he couldn’t take it back, and Reid Yale wouldn’t allow it anyway.
Reid Yale leaned against the headboard, a cold, predatory smile on his lips. Mockingly, he said, "Your Highness, Serena Phoenix slapped my cousin in public. Do you think Night City and the Su Clan will just tuck their tails and accept it, pretending nothing happened? Does Eastlyn really see Night City and the Su Clan as doormats to be slapped and scolded at will?"
"Serena Phoenix only did it to save Miss Su Wan—Miss Su Wan had lost her mind in the moment." The Crown Prince frowned, trying to gloss over the issue.
Reid Yale snorted coldly. "Your Highness, maybe that excuse would fool some ignorant commoners, but do you think I’d buy it? No matter what Serena Phoenix intended, the fact remains—she slapped a daughter of the Southern Lyn Su Clan in public. If that isn’t repaid, what face does the Su Clan have left?"
Your Highness, for the sake of the Su Clan’s honor, I must settle this account. Of course, since it’s you, I won’t be unreasonable. All I ask is that Serena Phoenix kneel before my cousin in front of all under heaven and let my cousin slap her back. That will do.
The Crown Prince fell silent, weighing the pros and cons. Prince Rowan, furious, couldn’t hold back and jumped in: “Reid Yale, don’t go too far. Do you really think that just because you’re letting the python incident go, no one can uncover the truth?”
“Go ahead, Your Highness Prince Rowan—if you want to investigate, do it. I’m not afraid. Don’t forget, this is the Eastlyn Imperial Palace. Even if I wanted to do something, I wouldn’t have the power here.” Reid Yale silently mouthed two words at Prince Rowan, a look of malicious glee on his pale face.
Prince Rowan’s expression changed instantly—he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
The two words Reid Yale had just mouthed were: "Empress." Those words struck Prince Rowan like a curse, instantly silencing anything else he might have said.
If the investigation reached the Empress—if it led back to his own mother—the consequences would be...
Colluding with the Southern Lyn Kingdom—this was treason.
Prince Rowan’s palm went cold. He couldn’t believe his own mother would work with Reid Yale and Su Wan just to get rid of Serena Phoenix.
The Crown Prince’s silence and Prince Rowan’s terror delighted Reid Yale: "Your Highness, Prince Rowan, what do you say? My request isn’t excessive—Serena Phoenix is just a solitary girl. Having her kneel before my cousin is already showing her mercy."
"I need to think this over," said the Crown Prince. He didn’t give a definitive answer—he wanted to sound out Prince Nolan and the Emperor first. With Serena Phoenix involved, he couldn’t afford any carelessness.
Besides, judging by Prince Rowan’s reaction, the Crown Prince realized investigating further might yield other benefits. If he probed into the python incident, perhaps he could gain even more leverage.
"Think it over? Your Highness, what’s there to think about? It’s just a slap—I’m not asking for Serena Phoenix’s life. Or do you mean to investigate the Imperial Menagerie Grounds incident?
Heh, if you insist on investigating, that’s your choice. But the consequences won’t be something either of us can bear. By then, having Serena Phoenix kneel and kowtow won’t be enough to resolve it."
Reid Yale was hinting that the Crown Prince lacked enough power in the palace—his attempt to profit from the situation might not succeed.
"Young City Lord, I’ll answer for the Crown Prince: there’s nothing to consider. If you and Su Wan kneel before Serena Phoenix in public and apologize, even then I won’t let this matter drop—I intend to pursue it to the end." Prince Nolan strode in, followed by a retinue.
"Prince Nolan?"
"Uncle Nolan? What brings you here?"
The Crown Prince, Prince Rowan, and Prince Terrence Valen quickly stood up. Reid Yale was stunned, sitting up instinctively. The four glanced at each other, unable to accept Prince Nolan’s sudden arrival; Reid Yale and the Crown Prince were especially flustered, their eyes darting nervously.
"What’s that supposed to mean, Crown Prince? Am I not allowed to come here? ... If I hadn’t shown up, I wouldn’t have believed you’d grown so weak—a mere city lord’s son can threaten you. Well, well, so this is Eastlyn’s fine Crown Prince. You’ve really brought honor to our realm." Prince Nolan’s gaze was icy, utterly devoid of emotion.
The Crown Prince felt as if he’d fallen into an ice pit, his whole body cold. "Uncle Nolan, n-no, that’s not it..." He hadn’t expected Prince Nolan to appear; if he’d known, he would have refused Reid Yale’s proposal without hesitation and stood firmly with Serena Phoenix.
"Not it? Not what? Crown Prince, you’ve truly disappointed me. An Eastlyn Crown Prince may have a weak body, but if he lacks even the strength of character, he isn’t fit to sit on the throne."
For the first time, Prince Nolan publicly expressed his disappointment in the Crown Prince. It was also a warning: from this day forward, Prince Nolan would no longer support him. Whether the Crown Prince could hold onto his position would depend on his own abilities...