Chapter 1436: Rekindling Suspicion

Muffled sounds leaked through the heavy doors.

Loud, breathless moans rose and fell in an unsteady rhythm, broken by the creaking of the bed and the rustling of the sheets.

The chamber beyond was alive with heat and indulgence, its walls doing little to contain the intensity within.

Outside, Count Ward stood in the corridor, his back leaning against the wall. He kept his head lowered, his face covered in shadows. He pretended not to hear anything even as the sounds pressed insistently against the silence.

He was no pervert. He had simply been instructed to remain within the manor for the duration of the act, ensuring that no one came looking for the Prince. And if anyone did, it was his responsibility to divert their attention elsewhere.

After all, this was nothing new. He had spent decades doing precisely this, safeguarding Marlow’s privacy while the Prince indulged with countless women.

But this time, it was different.

He carefully spread his senses outward, surveilling every inch of the manor. His lips curled into a faint smirk, but he quickly hid it.

Looks like Osbert is also here

, he thought to himself.

After observing for a few more minutes, he came to a conclusion.

Would you look at that? It seems he’s on the lookout!

Now, a mighty Mana Core Magus such as him could only be scouting for powerful enemies. And given that Adam’s true strength had been thoroughly concealed from the beginning, there was only one other person in Amberfall that fit the description.

The Magus from the Sovereign Union!

Adam couldn’t help but think to himself in delight.

It would seem that Osbert is wary of this mysterious Magus. Whoever they are, it would appear they aren’t under the control of the Cult.

Good. This works in my favor, but... I shouldn’t rely on their assistance. Just because they’re the Cult’s enemy doesn’t necessarily mean they’re my ally.

Still, this is good news for me.

All this while, he had been wondering how he’d have to take care of the hidden expert from the Union, residing in Amberfall. But now, it turned out he wouldn’t have to.

A plan began to take shape in his mind. Adam went through several simulations, discarding the dangerously risky choices and finally shaping a strategy that would help House Fireborne to come out on top.

He closed his eyes and thought to himself:

Maximillian Fireborne, the Union’s hidden expert, and Osbert...

Marlow Fireborne and Leila...

In this plan, there is no room for Count Burne Ward.

Nor is there any role left for Magus Nilrem to play.

However, for this to succeed, Anna’s father must break through the bottleneck and form the mana core!

Otherwise, the security I bring to Ignisra will be short-lived. For House Fireborne and the kingdom to truly thrive, the King must become a Mana Core Magus.

But... how do I make that happen?

His thoughts came to a gradual halt when he noticed that Marlow and Leila were done. The sound of moans disappeared, and silence descended within the chamber.

He noticed that Osbert, who was in the manor’s basement, had also relaxed his vigilance.

Alright, it’s time.

Count Burne Ward headed towards the exit. Almost thirty minutes later, Prince Marlow emerged from the chambers.

"My Prince!" The Count greeted him with a bow. "I trust that you’ve had a fantastic time."

Marlow’s ruby eyes briefly flashed with a peculiar light before he nodded with a faint smile. "I have."

"Excellent!" Burne Ward smiled. "Shall we head back to the palace? I have some proposals I wish to—"

"Some other time," Marlow interrupted him with a faint smile.

The Count pretended to hesitate. At last, he forced a smile and bowed. "As you command, Your Highness."

He escorted the red-haired prince towards the carriage, then watched him leave.

Although on the surface Count Ward appeared to be slightly puzzled, inwardly, Adam thought to himself in satisfaction:

Good. He has begun to doubt.

Right at that moment, Osbert cast

Mind Whisper

and mentally sent a message to him.

’Come inside.’

The Count stiffened. He then nonchalantly turned around and entered the manor.

***

A few minutes later, the three of them gathered inside the study room.

Leila had a slight frown on her face as she murmured. "Something’s wrong."

"Explain," the necromancer coldly said.

"I don’t know." Leila bit her nails subconsciously. "Something seemed off about him today."

"How so?" Osbert pressed.

The Enchantress shook her head. "I don’t know..."

Osbert intently studied the woman, then turned towards the Count.

"Burne, what do you think?" he asked. "Did the Prince seem odd today?"

Burne Ward thought for a moment, then shook his head. "He seemed quite normal to me, my lord."

"Even when he denied your request?" Osbert’s eyes narrowed.

Count Ward nodded. "Wouldn’t be the first time. I’m sure he has other important matters to tend to."

He paused for a moment, then assured. "I’ve known him for a long time. I’m sure this is nothing, my lord."

Leila frowned ever so lightly, but in the end, didn’t refute his words.

"I’m sure Lady Leila is simply overthinking things," Count Ward said politely. "Perhaps, she’s developed some feelings towards—"

"Silence!" Leila snapped.

"Apologies, my lady!" Burne Ward bowed hastily, fear evident in his voice. "I overstepped my boundaries!"

The Enchantress gnashed her teeth in annoyance. If it wasn’t for Osbert, perhaps she might have already attempted to kill Count Ward.

Osbert shook his head ever so slightly. He turned to Leila and continued to speak regarding their plan to control the Prince.

Meanwhile, Count Ward remained silent with his head lowered.

Of course, he knew why Marlow seemed off today.

After all, he was the one responsible for it.

If Leila had cast enchantment magic to make Marlow question his father’s motives, then Adam had done the same, turning Marlow’s suspicion towards Burne Ward and Leila instead!

The Prince had already been suspicious of them, to begin with. However, after sleeping with Leila for the first time, that suspicion had been completely snuffed out.

But now... Adam had rekindled it.

He had effectively neutralized Leila’s magic. And for as long as she continued to weave her enchantments into Marlow each time they shared a bed, Adam would be there to quietly counteract her magic.

Marlow Fireborne’s mind had become the battleground between Adam and Leila.

And who the victor would be was obvious...