“My apologies to both of you.”
Wade invited Via and Alef into the VIP room, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“I acted rashly yesterday and had you locked in the dungeon for an entire night.”
“It’s fine. That’s a small matter,” Via replied. “What’s important is that your way of thinking has changed. That proves our visit wasn’t in vain.”
“Miss Wei… you’re not actually Mr. Alef’s guest advisor, are you?”
Wade asked tentatively.
He had noticed that this young girl clearly held a much higher status than Alef. At such a critical moment, she was the one speaking first without needing to look to Alef for approval.
“Actually, yes. To the outside world, my identity is Alef’s guest advisor. You could say I’m… Alef’s superior.”
Via thought for a moment and decided not to reveal her true identity just yet.
After all, their cooperation with Wade hadn’t officially begun. It was better to avoid unnecessary complications until things progressed further.
“Mr. Alef actually has a superior? I’ve never heard of this before.”
Wade found it quite surprising. He had assumed someone of Alef’s level wouldn’t be working under anyone else.
Yet from Alef’s attitude, it was obvious he held no dissatisfaction — in fact, he seemed quite convinced.
“Miss Wei, you’re truly remarkable. Just who exactly are you?”
“Hehe. Lord Wade, if you choose to cooperate with me, you’ll naturally find out in the future. But for now, let’s talk about you instead.”
Via steered the conversation back to Wade.
“I’m curious. What made you change your mind?”
“Well…”
Wade found it difficult to speak. He had been frightened into this decision by a nightmare.
However, he had to admit that he absolutely did not want to see that kind of future come to pass.
“After careful consideration, I believe that even if I pledge loyalty to the current Emperor Soren, he may not spare me. He might pretend to accept me on the surface to lower my guard, then secretly fabricate evidence against me and use it as an excuse to have me executed.”
“Lord Wade, you see things very clearly. Soren does indeed have that kind of personality. It’s no different from what the Ninth Princess described.”
“The Ninth Princess?”
Wade caught the key phrase.
As he had suspected, the other party knew Stella’s whereabouts.
“Since siding with Soren won’t work, what do you plan to do, Lord Wade?” Via continued.
“If there’s even a sliver of possibility, I want to resist Soren. But I lack the confidence to do so,” Wade stared at Via. “Miss Wei, can you give me that confidence?”
“Lord Wade, your decision is truly wise. Rather than sitting around waiting to die, it’s better to take your fate into your own hands,” Via paused. “In truth, many other city lords and nobles in the southern region of the empire share the same thoughts as you. They don’t trust Soren, but they lack the legitimacy to oppose him.”
“Miss Wei, have you already made contact with the other city lords?” Wade was surprised.
“Of course.”
“Then… what did the others choose?”
“I think you already know the answer in your heart, Lord Wade. If the others had chosen to side with Soren, Alef and I wouldn’t be standing in front of you right now.”
Wade’s heartbeat began to quicken slightly. He felt that he had finally grasped a thread of hope.
“Lord Wade, as the saying goes, seeing is believing. Rather than just talking about it, why don’t I let you see it with your own eyes—”
Via stood up from the sofa.
“You… You are… the empire’s Ninth Princess, Stella?”
Wade stared at the beautiful girl with long blue hair in front of him, his eyes widening.
Under Via and Alef’s secret introduction, he had been brought to a safe and confidential location where he met the only remaining heir of the Saint Luo Empire’s imperial family — the wanted princess who was currently on the run.
“I’ve already heard from Wei. You must be Lord Wade, correct?”
Stella gave Wade a slight smile while displaying the etiquette of the Saint Luo imperial family.
“Hello. I am Stella Julius, the Ninth Princess of the Saint Luo Empire.”
“I wouldn’t dare! I wouldn’t dare!!”
Wade quickly lowered his head and bowed deeply to Stella.
“I once went to the capital and attended a banquet at the imperial palace. I may have seen you there before. However, you were still young at the time and look somewhat different now, so I didn’t recognize you immediately.”
“Then, Lord Wade, do I still need to prove my identity further?”
“There’s no need, Your Highness. I know you are the real person.” A faint smile appeared on Wade’s face. He truly felt like he had grabbed onto a lifeline.
“Lord Wade, in order to ascend the throne, my elder brother Soren did not hesitate to use our father’s name to harm our second brother, who was also an heir. Later, he took control of our father and forced him to abdicate. At the same time, he colluded with the Pope of the Holy Land, used our father’s name to kill other imperial heirs, and employed many despicable methods to seize the throne of the empire.”
Stella clenched her fists.
“Now I need to eliminate him, who is guilty of the most heinous crimes, restore order, and bring the Saint Luo Empire back onto the right path. Currently, I need external support. I wonder if Lord Wade would be willing to help me?”
“This… This would be considered rebellion…”
“No. Only failure is considered rebellion. Success means rightful succession,” Stella interrupted Wade. “This glory, I will not keep for myself alone.”
Wade trembled upon hearing Stella’s words. He was shocked by the aura of this young princess.
These were not words that some decorative princess could say. She truly had ambition.
Just as Stella had said, if they succeeded, he would definitely be able to rise further. In an empire controlled by Soren, his future had already been cut off.
Whether he acted or not, he would die either way. In that case, it was better to risk everything and choose to stand on Stella’s side.
At least they already had the legitimacy to resist Soren. Moreover, other city lords had also joined this side.
With that thought, he half-knelt down and changed his posture, showing a gesture of submission in front of Stella.
“I am willing to serve Your Highness, the Ninth Princess!!”
“Mm. Very good, Lord Wade. This is a very wise choice.”
Stella looked at Wade with a satisfied expression.
She felt that with Via’s help, she had truly seized a tremendous opportunity.
“Then let us join hands and write a brand new chapter for the future of the empire together.”
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