Chapter 338
“I’m finally trying to make an effort. Are you saying you don’t want me to?” I deliberately softened my tone. He seemed to let out a breath.
“Did you go see Lily just now?” Richard had found out. He asked me directly.
“Yes, I went over, but I left as soon as I heard your voice,” I said, mixing truth with lies. He couldn’t have seen when I arrived, and I had intentionally stayed in the surveillance cameras’ blind spots.
Except for the end, when I was too shocked and panicked to avoid the cameras on my way out. That part was probably recorded. If Richard cared to check, he would find it.
Speaking with him now was a battle of wits.
“Alright. I’ll give you the seal of command tomorrow morning. But, Claire, the rule here in Bravenland is He choked up midway through his sentence. “Never mind. Get some rest p>
I hung up, puzzled.
Looking at the red exclamation mark next to Max’s name in my chat, I suddenly had no one to turn to.
I sat by the window until dawn. When Helen knocked and came in to prepare things for me to wash up, I leaned my head on her shoulder, exhausted and sporting dark circles. “Once Richard gives me the seal of command, I’ll be the emperor of Bravenland with real power, right p>
My words made Helen, who was patting my back, freeze.
“You asked for the seal of command p>
Helen pushed me back in shock, holding my shoulders and shaking her head. “You can’t take the seal! There’s a clear rule in Bravenland: any emperor who takes the seal of command must marry their own sibling! You can’t take it. We can’t. Your father was forced to marry his own sister because she took the seal. It was only later, when he met your mother, that he learned what true love was p>
What Helen was saying was what Richard had left unsaid last night p>
“Is that so p>
I wasn’t particularly surprised. When I decided to take the seal, I never intended for Richard to have his way.
“Yes. Bravenland does this to
prevent royal, and military authority
from falling into outside hands. If the
emperor wants to control both, they
forfeit their freedom to marry for Tove Marrying their own sibling ensures the concentration of power p>
Helen looked at me intently. “We can’t accept this seal, or we’ll never be free p>
I gave a faint smile and said nothing.
At that moment, Richard was already standing at the door, holding a box. He
watched me and Helen talking but didn’t make a sound, simply observing how I would respond.
“You’re here. Give me the seal,” I said, stepping forward confidently to take the box from him.
He didn’t pull back.
I didn’t flinch.
“It’s just marriage. Besides, isn’t Max engaged to someone else? It’s fine.
It’ll be a good way to get back at him Said it nonchalantly but Helen
Looked like she was about
explode.
“Claire, do you have any idea what you’re saying? The stability in Bravenland was achieved by Mr. Hilton! He’s holding Anna’s family at bay so that you can p>
“Enough. I’m well aware.” I toyed with the small, leopard-shaped seal, then said to Richard, “Make the arrangements. I want both the throne and the army p>
With that, I closed the door, dismissing him.
He didn’t
say another word and
simply turned to make the arrangements. His compliance made me ever more certain that my taking the seal was just another step in his long-planned scheme.
“Helen, how many people did Max give you p>
My question made Helen raise an eyebrow. “Claire, what are you planning to do p>
“Place Richard under house arrest, of course. Did you really think I was going to marry him p>
I said it lightly, but my heart was heavy.