Betrayal, the Only Hand Reaching Toward Me

After taking over the Su family assets, posthumously ennobling Vincent Su, and seeing Ethan Su Wenhang off, Prince Nolan turned his attention back to Westlyn. He had supported Crown Prince Titus of Westlyn, but had no intention of letting Westlyn grow powerful. Just as Master Ian Reed had predicted, Eastlyn would never give Westlyn the chance to become truly strong.

The war between Crown Prince Titus of Westlyn and Princess Royal Helena was drawing to a close. With massive support in manpower and resources from Eastlyn, Princess Royal Helena and her Northlyn-backed coalition suffered defeat after defeat, and she retreated with her remaining followers to a small coastal city.

At this point, Princess Royal Helena could no longer afford to hire Northlyn’s troops—she couldn’t even feed her own remaining men.

“One hundred thousand—give me another hundred thousand soldiers to help me conquer Westlyn, and I’ll give you half of Westlyn in return.” Princess Royal Helena had reached the end of her rope; now, she could only cling to Northlyn, even if it meant selling out her own country.

She had once refused to settle for half of Westlyn, but when even that slipped from her grasp, Princess Royal Helena finally understood how fortunate it had been to have half of Westlyn.

The smile had long vanished from the Northlyn envoy’s face; he looked at Princess Royal Helena with cold arrogance. “Your Majesty, for your great cause, Northlyn sent one hundred thousand soldiers—now only forty thousand remain. If we lend you another hundred thousand, could you even afford to keep them alive?”

Princess Royal Helena had lost, but Northlyn had gambled and lost as well. Northlyn’s losses this time were disastrous, and it would be a long time before they could recover. If they hadn’t pulled back at the last moment, all one hundred thousand Northlyn troops would have been sacrificed for nothing.

Lend another hundred thousand troops to Princess Royal Helena? What a joke. She had no grain, no men—if Northlyn really tried to attack Crown Prince Titus, they’d have to provide both soldiers and supplies. If Northlyn had enough strength, they would have taken Westlyn for themselves already; why would they need Princess Royal Helena to offer them half of Westlyn?

Seeing that seizing Westlyn was impossible, Northlyn shifted its focus to Princess Royal Helena herself. They couldn’t take the land or grain from Crown Prince Titus, but what about Princess Royal Helena?

The Northlyn envoy saw Princess Royal Helena’s face turn ashen, but soon put on a smile again and said, not without ulterior motive, “Your Majesty, the matter of lending troops isn’t entirely out of the question. My king greatly admires you, Princess Royal Helena, but would trouble Your Majesty to discuss the matter with him in person.”

Absorbing Princess Royal Helena’s remaining forces was only the beginning. Northlyn’s true aim was to find better lands—territories that could feed all of Northlyn and make it stronger than ever.

With Eastlyn backing Lyndaria, Northlyn couldn’t take the territory, nor did they have the strength to challenge Eastlyn head-on. But what about Jian City, An City, the wealthy Jade City, or Cloud City famed for its medicinal herbs?

Eastlyn had already conquered several cities; the Nine Cities Alliance was long gone. Even if the few remaining small cities joined forces, Northlyn wouldn’t care. Jade City was too deeply tied to the Wang clan for Northlyn to risk a move; Cloud City’s Lord Victor Yun had strong relations with Eastlyn, so after all the calculations, only Jian City and An City were easy targets.

Jian City and An City had sided with Princess Royal Helena, making them rivals to Eastlyn. If Northlyn attacked these two, Eastlyn wouldn’t intervene, so Northlyn could attack without any pressure.

As soon as Lyndaria’s civil strife ended, Northlyn absorbed Helena’s remaining forces and quickly withdrew from Lyndaria’s territory, turning its army against its other two allies…

Jian City and An City had barely finished one war before suffering betrayal from a supposed ally. The two city lords were filled with bitter regret, but hindsight was useless; all they could do was mobilize their entire populations and fight back.

With no more civil unrest, no threat from Northlyn, and Eastlyn’s support, Lyndaria began to thrive. Crown Prince Titus earned the approval of both officials and commoners, and calls for the emperor to abdicate in his favor grew louder by the day.

"Your Highness, it’s time to make a choice." Master Ian Reed folded his hands naturally on the table, his fingers twitching unconsciously…

It was a habit he displayed whenever he faced a difficult decision.

A flicker of melancholy passed through Crown Prince Titus’s eyes. "Sir, do I really have any choice left?"

"There is." Master Ian Reed replied firmly. "As long as you nod, both I and the Cui Clan will stand by your side."

"No matter what I choose, you’ll stand with me?" Titus looked up, a sharp glint in his eyes.

Master Ian Reed met his gaze and nodded without hesitation. "Yes. No matter what you decide, I’ll stand with you."

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell the Eastlyn Emperor? You know my relationship with him isn’t ordinary." Titus raised an eyebrow, his voice cold, eyes piercing as if to see into Ian’s soul…

"I am afraid. But I don’t regret it." Ian smiled calmly, his eyes clear and steady.

Even if the Eastlyn Emperor learned what was in his heart, Ian wouldn’t flinch.

He was human, not a machine—he had feelings. If he couldn’t make this choice for his own heart and for Lyndaria’s future, he wouldn’t be Ian Reed at all.

"It’s a pity… I don’t regret it either."

Princess Royal Helena’s remaining forces were only the first step. Northlyn’s ambition was always greater: to seize new lands, feed its people, and become even stronger.

With Eastlyn’s support, Northlyn couldn’t take Lyndaria by force, nor could it stand against Eastlyn directly. But the smaller cities—Jian City, An City, Jade City, Cloud City—were another story.

Eastlyn had already taken several cities; the Nine Cities Alliance was just a memory. Even if the remaining small cities joined forces, Northlyn wouldn’t be worried. Jade City was too closely tied to the Wang clan to touch; Cloud City’s Lord Victor Yun was friendly with Eastlyn. After weighing all options, Northlyn saw only Jian City and An City as easy prey.

Jian City and An City had allied with Princess Royal Helena, putting them at odds with Eastlyn. If Northlyn attacked, Eastlyn would not interfere—Northlyn could strike with impunity.

Once Lyndaria’s internal chaos ended, Northlyn absorbed Helena’s last forces and quickly withdrew from Lyndaria, turning its army against its former allies…

Jian City and An City had barely survived one war before being betrayed by their supposed ally. The city lords regretted everything, but regret was useless; all they could do was rally their people and fight.

With no more civil unrest, no threat from Northlyn, and Eastlyn’s support, Lyndaria began to flourish. Crown Prince Titus won the support of officials and commoners alike, and the call for the emperor to abdicate grew louder each day.

"Your Highness, the time has come to choose." Master Ian Reed folded his hands on the table, his fingers twitching unconsciously—a habit whenever he faced a difficult decision.

A hint of sorrow flickered in Titus’s eyes. "Sir, do I really have any choice?"

"There is." Ian answered with certainty. "As long as you nod, both I and the Cui Clan will stand with you."