Chapter 148 - 75: Exposing the Crime

Chapter 148: Chapter 75: Exposing the Crime

For days, the King of Ovis had been living in a state of constant anxiety.

In the past, no matter how his Princes fought amongst themselves, he had always sat high above the fray. He never worried about being caught in their wars; regardless of who ultimately won, his own interests would be unaffected.

After all, even if they did determine a victor, that person would still have to wait until his death to take the throne.

So why should he be in a hurry? He could simply sit back and enjoy the show.

But now... a Prince who didn’t play by the rules had appeared among them: Lucian.

His methods for seizing power were too radical. Moreover, the cautionary tale of the King of Light was still a recent memory.

He couldn’t be sure that once Lucian had enough backing, he wouldn’t, like his fiancée, simply march into the throne room with a sword and force him to abdicate in front of all the Nobles.

He didn’t have the King of Light’s composure; he could not accept such a disgraceful end.

These days, he would often jolt awake from his sleep, terrified that at any moment someone would come bursting through his door. The extreme tension had taken a heavy toll on his mental state.

It was at this moment that Leander came knocking at the gates of the Royal Palace.

Following Lucian’s instructions, Leander first expressed his concern for the King’s physical and mental well-being. Then, putting himself in the King’s shoes, he vehemently condemned Lucian’s recent actions, making the King feel they were on the same side.

After that, Leander explained the purpose of his visit.

For some time now, Lucian had made no secret of his actions or his goals. It was as if he had the words "I want revenge" plastered on his forehead.

Leander expressed his worry that with Colin’s downfall, Lucian’s next target would be the throne itself.

This struck a precise blow to the King’s recent anxieties.

In a panic, he put on a stern face and asked Leander if he had a solution.

Leander didn’t mince words, offering to put himself in the line of fire and draw their attention.

As for the specific method, the King would immediately name Leander as the Crown Prince. He would then announce that he was in poor health and needed a period of recuperation, during which Leander would handle all state affairs on his behalf.

This way, the conflict between Lucian and the King would be redirected onto Leander.

Even if Lucian tried to use some extraordinary means to seize power, the one he would have to deal with would be Leander, leaving the King completely out of it.

After hearing this... the King actually thought Leander had a point.

’Lucian has been scheming for so long, isn’t it all to avenge Diana and make them suffer?’

For the King, the most painful thing would be to lose his throne.

’So, Leander’s plan... give him the position of Crown Prince and grant him the authority to rule in my stead. It both diverts the animosity and doesn’t harm my own interests. After all, I wouldn’t really be giving up the throne.’

’It’s the best of both worlds.’

However, the King was still uneasy. "What if I announce my illness and he still refuses to let me go?"

"How could that be?" Leander reassured him. "Lucian isn’t an irrational fool. Why would he take on such a thankless task?"

"Besides, from what I understand, you aren’t really his enemy. You had no hand in that fire back then, did you?"

"That’s right... I truly never thought of murdering Diana."

The King’s face was filled with anguish. "When I suddenly learned of her death, I was heartbroken for a long time, thinking I had to get justice for her. It’s just that Dubois and his people were too covert; I was never able to get any evidence on them."

"I know Lucian hates me, but I am his father, after all... He should be able to understand my position. He must..."

He convinced himself.

Nearby, Leander outwardly agreed with the King’s words, but inwardly, he scoffed.

’Colin was already so brazen. Anyone could see he was the one who targeted the Williams family.’

’To claim ignorance now, trying to wash his hands of it completely... setting aside whether he can even make his story hold water, Lucian would have to believe it, too.’

Of course, Leander would never say such things out loud.

The edict naming the Crown Prince was soon issued.

The news that the King was in poor health and preparing to recuperate for a time spread among the Nobles.

For a time, reactions were mixed.

But ultimately, no one thought it was a problem.

While it was somewhat regrettable that they themselves hadn’t won, it was still better than letting Lucian claim victory.

If a man with such extreme methods really took power, there was no telling what he would do.

People tend to compromise.

Before Lucian, they might have been prepared to fight to the death.

But ever since Lucian burst onto the scene, all they wanted was to avoid Colin’s fate. As for whether they could gain more benefits?

Sometimes, stability was more important than ambition.

Just as everything was proceeding smoothly according to plan and the King was ready to begin his rest...

「One unremarkable morning.」

The King was suddenly dragged from his sleep.

His first reaction was shock.

His bedchambers were in the deepest part of the Royal Palace. Reaching them required passing through at least four or five guard posts, not to mention the several court magicians he had secretly positioned to ensure his safety!

So many people, all hidden in different locations. Even if they couldn’t stop an assassin, they should have at least been able to give an early warning of an attack!

How could someone have reached his bedside without making a single sound?!

A cold breeze blew over him, and the King became fully awake.

He looked up and saw that the people restraining him were the Royal Palace’s own guards!

"What are you doing!" he yelled. "What do you want! Is this treason?!"

The guards said nothing, dragging him all the way to a carriage and escorting him to a public square.

Dazed and terrified, the King stumbled out of the carriage to find the place surrounded by layer upon layer of people.

All of them were onlookers.

Following their gaze toward the square, the King’s face instantly turned deathly pale.

On the empty grounds stood a neat row of people.

There was Colin, his face a mask of despair, and a group of Nobles led by Dubois, their expressions ashen.

Dubois.

The Queen’s maternal family.

And Prince Colin’s staunchest supporters.

Moreover, they were the true masterminds behind Diana’s murder—Lucian’s mortal enemies.

Behind him, the guards escorting him received a signal and unceremoniously pulled him toward the front of the stage.

There, the King saw Leander, his expression solemn.

In that moment, the questions that had been plaguing his mind were instantly answered.

The King’s eyes widened as he stared in disbelief at this son who had always seemed so honest.

"You... you..."

He was so overcome with rage that his head spun.

"You were in league with Lucian all along... You’re on his side!"

It was so obvious that Leander didn’t even bother to explain.

For the first time, he felt that the father he had always respected was actually this foolish, and this cowardly.

Under the watchful eyes of the public, Leander took a step forward. "Everyone!"

"As the Crown Prince of Ovis, today I will expose a monstrous and inhumane crime."

"The truth about Second Prince Colin Reinhardt’s premeditated murder of the Princess Consort!"