Deep within the heart of Hailosen Castle, inside a room strictly guarded by thick stone walls and sturdy iron bars, the Old King, Steyat, sat dejectedly in a wide chair.
His crown was perched crookedly on the side of his head, and his face was etched with misery.
The windows here were narrow and high, admitting only a single sliver of dim daylight.
Outside the door, fully armed guards patrolled day and night, alert for any possible movement.
Steyat’s rough fingers repeatedly stroked his bright red royal robes, as if trying to reclaim some of the dignity that belonged to a King.
Moria stood by the window with her back to him. Her long golden hair was pinned atop her head, and the large sapphires on her earlobes reflected a cold light. She still exuded the noble aura of a Princess.
“Moria, my child, why are you treating me like this? I am your father, the King of this kingdom.”
The Old King’s voice trembled as he tried to use a gentle tone to soften the atmosphere.
“Isn’t it obvious, my dear Father?”
Moria turned around slowly, a mocking smile on her face.
“Because you did something wrong. You forgot that you only reached this point by relying on Mother and me, yet you dared to dream of ruling the Kingdom alone.”
“No, Moria, I am… the King of this country. This was supposed to be my domain.”
Steyat forced himself to sit up straight, trying to appear firm, but his panicked expression betrayed everything.
“Your domain?”
Moria let out a cold laugh, carelessly playing with the small fan in her hand.
“Do you really think you are still qualified to be the King of this country?”
“Think about it carefully. How many times have you personally handled diplomatic affairs? How many times have you participated in the wars on the borders? Since the founding of Ansels, even the victory at Golden Finch City was won because I personally led the troops!”
“You are nothing but a coward who occupies a position without doing any work, a man with no opinions of his own. You only sat on a throne that never belonged to you by relying on the power of the Heart Core!”
Steyat opened his mouth but found himself speechless. He tried to argue, but he couldn’t find any forceful words, so he could only tap the armrest of his chair anxiously.
“The New Tax Law will trigger unrest, don’t you understand?” he finally squeezed out. “We cannot sacrifice the stability of the Kingdom…”
“Unrest?”
Moria snapped her fan shut with a sharp *clack*, walked over to him, and looked down from a superior height.
“Father, your so-called stability is nothing more than a superficial calm.”
“This country needs change. It needs war to redistribute power and resources. And you are merely an obstacle.”
“Moria, you are too naive. War only brings more suffering. Do you really want to plunge Ansels into a deeper quagmire?”
Steyat was still struggling.
“Hahahaha!”
Moria suddenly burst into laughter, her voice sharp and ear-piercing.
“Suffering? Are you sympathizing with those lower-class humans? Father, when did you start learning Sista’s ways?”
“Put away your hypocritical compassion! We are the Blood Clan, why should we be as weak as humans?”
“I… I…”
“I know what you want.”
A flash of ruthlessness crossed Moria’s eyes as she interrupted him directly.
“You want comfort. You want to eat, drink, and have fun in the Palace without a care in the world.”
“Fine, I can give all of that to you.”
Her voice softened, but it carried a dangerous undertone.
“As long as you hand over what I want. This is a fair trade, isn’t it?”
Steyat’s heart hammered against his ribs, and the tapping of his fingers suddenly stopped.
This “trade” was full of temptation for him — with just a nod, he could continue his life of ease without having to worry about government affairs ever again.
However, he suddenly remembered what Sista had once told him.
‘Once the New Tax Law is passed, regardless of the outcome, Moria will be the ultimate beneficiary.’
If he agreed, it would be equivalent to handing over the entire future of the Kingdom. Even if it bought him a brief moment of comfort, it was by no means a long-term solution.
The Blood Clan had long lifespans. He knew very well that once Moria took power, he would eventually be purged entirely.
Steyat took a deep breath, his voice trembling but firm.
“Moria… I cannot agree to your terms.”
“Huh?”
Moria’s expression darkened instantly, and a storm seemed to be brewing in her eyes.
“Father, those don’t sound like words you would say.”
She slowly closed in on him.
“Who said something to you? Who is instigating this?”
“Is it Sista?”
“Tell me the truth!”
She suddenly swung her hand, knocking the candle stand on the side table to the floor.
The candle stand rolled away with a dull thud, completely shattering the elegant facade she usually maintained.
“It was… it was Sista…”
Steyat finally broke down and spoke hastily.
“She was the one who said it… She said if I agreed to your proposal, the Nobles would turn all their anger toward me…”
He stopped halfway through, realizing he had almost said too much.
But it was already too late.
Moria’s face grew even more grim.
“Sista… Sista again.”
She gritted her teeth as she repeated the name, her eyes filled with resentment.
“She is always like this, opposing me at every turn and ruining my plans.”
“Then… now that everything has been made clear…”
Steyat stood up cautiously, tentatively moving his feet.
“Can this farce end now? Let me leave this place…”
“No.”
Moria narrowed her eyes and stepped forward, blocking his path.
“Father, you cannot leave yet.”
“I have one more thing I need you to confirm.”
“Wh… what is it?”
In Moria’s lace-gloved hand, a small glass jar appeared out of nowhere.
Inside the jar was a dark red crystal — the Heart Core of a member of the Blood Clan.
“Father, do you know whose Heart Core this is?”
She walked closer, holding the jar up to his face.
“Come, take a good look.”
In the dim light, a flower-like radial pattern could be seen in the center of the translucent crystal.
Steyat’s pupils suddenly contracted.
“This is Nori’s Heart Core,” Moria said softly, a hint of pride in her voice. “Valivadan sold it to me for a high price.”
“However, that isn’t the most interesting part — the most interesting part is what is inside your body.”
“Father, you actually possess three Holy Seals at the same time. You never told me about this.”
“That… that’s a lie!”
Steyat suddenly screamed, his voice nearly spinning out of control.
If this secret, hidden for so many years, was exposed, it meant he had lost his final trump card. —